Art Deco night-life in South Beach Miami
Your Miami Beach vacation would be incomplete without a visit to the glitzy Art Deco
District at South Beach. SoBe, as it is called, has the largest stretch of
surviving Art Deco architecture in the world. Built between 1923 and 1943, the
hundreds of apartment blocks, hotels, restaurants, and shops are impressive by day,
but at night the neon signs on Ocean Drive and surrounding streets signal a very
active club and bar scene. With over 150 hotspots to choose from, a night on the
town can become expensive unless you are very selective. And access to nightclubs is
sometimes difficult for non-locals without connections, especially in the high season
from mid-November to April.
Many SoBe clubs are celebrity hotspots, and the competition from the stars, the
ultra chic, and the wannabes can make entry to the coolest places difficult. Bring
plenty of money, too, since entry to the more popular nightspots will cost you
anything up to $60. You'll need to spend time, too, since entry to the top places
often comes with a wait of several hours. One of the secrets to gaining admittance is
to dress fit to kill, since entry is often declined if you fail the visual evaluation
of the discerning door staff. But take your time, since most nightspots are open until
5am, you can look around before you decide. Most tourists flock to Ocean Drive, but
Lincoln Road and Washington Avenue are really the best places to go for interesting
places that will lead to an unforgettable evening of music, dancing, and gawking.
As well as nightclubs, the area offers great shopping, contemporary galleries with top
art on show, cutting-edge theatre, a variety of music venues and an awesome selection
of restaurants. The Jackie Gleeson Theater of the Performing Arts, in Washington
Avenue, hosts the South Beach Comedy Festival in January, plus a full range of arts
events – from ballet and Flamenco dance to theatre. The revitalized Lincoln Road Mall
is great for clothing, books and souvenirs. Many shops and galleries trade into the night.
A night on the town
Plan your evening in advance. Regulars understand that club nightlife here doesn't
kick off until 11pm. It is difficult to list the most popular clubs, because the
dynamic and ever-changing nature of venues, means that clubs constantly change owner,
decor, and even name. The average club is only open for about a season or less,
but on Ocean Drive, bars like the Clevelander and the Deuce have remained popular
for years. Another long-termer, Opium, is an Asian-themed club attracting an A-list
crowd, where you can enjoy mixed music and a Friday night fashion show. But be
aware that they have a tough door.
For an outrageous time, try B.E.D, a sexy club that serves up entertainment and
drinks on luxurious beds. Set in an Art Deco movie theater, Crobar has a huge
dance room and a catwalk around the second floor perimeter for easy star spotting.
Washington Avenue's Mansion, a current hotspot, has three rooms playing hip hop,
house, and progressive, and features a chic VIP area. The late-night venue, Prive,
offers four bars and intimate alcoves lining the dance floor. Be sure to arrive early,
at 11pm, to avoid a prolonged wait for entry. Then there's Rokbar, in Collins Avenue,
where the DJs spin 80's rock, classic rock, new age, funk and hip hop.
You'll find plenty of accommodation options in Miami South Beach, but be sure to book well
ahead and be aware that many places require 2/3-day stays over peak weekends. During
the off-season, you can save 60% and more with special summer rates.
About the Author
This article by Rod Ritchie, a travel writer and editor, has been commissioned
exclusively for Bon Voyage/Go America. Rod Ritchie writes for many publishers
including AA Publishing and Fodors.
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