It has been said that every city has its secrets and Miami is no different. Many of those secrets revolve around the most popular and coveted speakeasies and bars hidden behind secret doors and each offers a unique experience when it comes to a night out. From date nights, to girls’ nights, these venues bring Miami’s nightlife to the next level.
We have put together some of the most popular venues where you will enjoy mixing and mingling with select crowds and enjoy some of the best cocktails created by savvy bartenders and mixologists. Some secrets are worth telling!
The Mad Butcher
An unassuming, but popular sandwich shop by day, turns into the electrified Club NDA speakeasy at night. This club is well hidden behind a walk-in cooler in the shop. Open the door and you’ll find one of the best speakeasies in the city – iridescent lights, music to keep you on your feet, a delicious offering of cocktails and friendly people. Club NDA in The Mad Butcher is one of the “go-to” night spots in Miami. You really must try the Ultima Palabra made with Mezcal Joven, green Chartreuse, lime and Luxardo maraschino liqueur. 2300 NW 2nd Avenue.
Saxony Bar & Lounge
Saxony is the ultimate in hidden bars and you’ll find it in the Faena Hotel. It’s definitely all about high energy, golden-age glitz and glamour. This venue is the epitome of elegance and refinement. The late-night lounge features a classic menu of cocktails and live sets by the house DJ. You will want to be well-tailored for this night out. Try the Faena Sprint with Absolut Elyx vodka, G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon champagne, Aperol, rose water and hibiscus. 3201 Collins Avenue.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
If you are looking for a quintessential speakeasy, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila is it. Walk through the meat locker, past the fake bathroom and you enter an utter party atmosphere with amazing music until the sun comes up. Bodega is always packed with guests looking for a good time. Try the Corpse Destroyer with Bacardi rum, Aperol, Rittenhouse rye, Falernum, Mezcal, honey, lime and ginger beer. 1220 16th Street.
Penthouse Paramount One
When Art Basel Miami is on your agenda, you will want luxurious and contemporary accommodations fitting for this prestigious show and Penthouse Paramount One is that perfect place. This prestigious residence belongs to the famed Paramount Miami Worldcenter – an icon of the skyline commanding unforgettable vistas over Miami Beach and the Atlantic. Crisp white interiors, endless floor-to-ceiling windows, and free-flowing interiors immerse you in a world of unfettered cosmopolitan sophistication. Four beautifully-appointed bedrooms have room for up to eight guests. Penthouse Paramount One flaunts more than 2,500 square feet of terrace space for entertaining. The high-rise itself features an extraordinary array of action-packed amenities, including the country's first outdoor soccer field in a high-rise residential development. Two tennis courts, multiple resort-style pools, lush parks, spa baths, and a tai chi deck ensure you will have the ultimate Miami high-life experience. As with all LVH luxury vacation homes, you will receive full services and support!
Kojin
Although not really a bar, Kojin is worth a mention here. This sake lounge is hidden away behind the ramen hotspot, Hachidori. Wander past the heavy curtain and you will find a “secret” place for sipping sake. This intimate speakeasy features a few sofas and a counter to comfortably fit about 14 people, making it feel like a very private, exclusive experience, which it really is. There are many sakes available to try, but we recommend definitely getting a bottle of Yuki No Bosha Kachou Gessek. 8222 NE 2nd Avenue.
Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery
Venture inside the Stiles Hotel in South Beach and take some twists and turns to find Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery. This speakeasy is intimate, charming and sophisticated. It features a comprehensive cocktail list focusing on contemporary spirits and forward concoctions, tropical beverages and more than 150 different varieties of rum. For a cocktail using rare and forgotten spirits, try the Silvovitz cocktail fashioned with Silvovitz plum brandy and Dolin Genepy shaken with plum wine, lemon juice, simple syrup, raw egg white and Angostura and Absinthe bitters. 1120 Collins Avenue.
Don Diablo at El Santo Restaurant
Wander through El Santo, past the pay phone and into a dimly-lit red bar rife with neon signs and flowing tequila. This secret bar is akin to the ambiance of a major club, but is much more intimate. That doesn’t mean you can’t dance to your heart’s content while a DJ spins top 40 tunes and Reggae. When you’re there, try the Santo Nino made with Don Julio Blanco, Verde Mezcal, Averna, strawberry, mint and lime. They also have a Hookah Lounge. 1618 SW 8th Street.
Floyd
Floyd is tucked away in Miami’s club district and offers live jazz. Found underneath Club Space, you will feel like you’ve stepped into a Victorian mansion that serves Prohibition-era cocktails. In addition to live jazz, there are also poetry readings for that bohemian vibe – all in an ultra-luxe atmosphere. Give the Porn Star Martini a try. Made with Belvedere vodka, passion puree, lime juice, vanilla syrup with a shot of bubbles. 34 NE 11th Street, Suite b.
Dragon Lounge
Get to Katsuya South Beach, walk through the dining room and up the staircase to find a nook on the restaurant’s second floor. Here, you’ll find Dragon Lounge – a intimate experience in a place covered in floor-to-ceiling Japanese-inspired murals. The Blood Orange Margarita is delicious and made from tequila, triple sec and blood orange syrup.1701 Collins Avenue, Suite 200.
Los Altos
Los Altos is hidden above Taquerias el Mexicano in Little Havana. Look for the bouncer on the walkway to find the entrance. Once inside, head upstairs, past the bodega storefront to find this sultry speakeasy. The menu is brimming with tequila and mezcal offerings and a host of unique cocktails. Try the El Escoces made with Glenlivet founders, plantation overproof, honey, pineapple and chocolate bitters. 521 SW 8th Street.
Bar Bevy
To find Bar Bevy head to the popular restaurant, Swan. Located upstairs, this sultry Moroccan-inspired bar is the ideal spot for cozying up with your someone special and enjoying some equally alluring cocktails. We suggest the Midnight Hour with Haig Club whisky, St Germain, activated charcoal, vanilla, raspberry and lime. 90 NE 39th Street.
LVH is on board to ensure you get into those establishments considered the best of the best no matter where you choose to go on vacation. LVH team members have been known to use their magic wands to attain the seemingly unattainable for their guests. We invite you to contact one of our client relations team members who will begin the planning process for your Miami vacation. LVH will not only arrange the finest, full service accommodations, but will build a personalized itinerary for you reflecting those things you would like to see and do in the magnificent “Magic City.”