2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Asian Persuasion
The Setai is a South Beach landmark which effortlessly draws on the elegance of the city’s history, while blending in modern Asian traditions of simplicity and tranquility. The Lounge Bar is a sophisticated space defined by clean lines and natural materials like stone and wood.

The long, low bar, dim lighting and cozy leather chairs offer the ideal atmosphere for lingering over cocktails with that special someone whether it’s on the first date or the tenth. The room’s main attraction is a wall with floor-to-ceiling wine cabinets that showcase an impressive and extensive selection of champagnes and wines. The menu offers an array of light bites and a rich assortment of caviar from around the world, which is alone reason enough to stop in for an indulgent dinner or late night rendezvous.

4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Vibe: Rat Pack is Back!
The centerpiece lounge at the landmark Fontainebleau Resort, Bleau Bar provides a panoramic view of the hotel’s elegant pool deck and the golden Atlantic coast. Dress in something swanky to enjoy classic cocktails and the sounds of Resident DJ K Razor who provides the soundtrack for an evening filled with promise. Serving nightly until midnight and 2am weekends.

4385 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Vibe: Siesta Chic
An exclusive enclave in the heart of the Soho Beach House, Ocho offers guests chilled tequila cocktails, imported cerveza and fresh fruit sangria high atop the clubhouse where a roster of Mexican treats pairs perfectly with an extensive list of mezcal, rum and tequila brands. Enjoy tacos, flautas and ceviche with a dazzling view of the surf.

1775 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Retro Gold
The Raleigh Hotel is the quintessential Art Deco hotspot. Terrazzo floors, polished wood finishes, classic bar stools and jazz lulling in the background make it the ultimate place to linger long after the sun has gone down. André Balazs of New York’s Mercer and Los Angeles’ Standard fame, refurbished the hotel to its original 1940’s splendor before moving on to other endeavors and the revelers have followed accordingly.

Even if you aren’t a guest at the hotel, the Martini Bar is a must-see – it’s as intimate and sexy as they come. You can expect a full-service bar complete with a nice wine selection, but as you probably guessed, the martini is de rigueur. How you take yours is completely up to you, but they offer a menu of more than ten different flavors, including the famous Raleigh Martini. Dress to impress because you never know whom you might be rubbing elbows with here.

1685 Collins Avenue, South Beach
Vibe: Glam Squad
A South Beach sipper’s dream destination, Rose Bar pours craft cocktails to the beats of Miami’s top DJs evenings starting at 9pm. Glamorous and sophisticated, the warm glow of candlelight sets the stage for romantic drinks and quiet conversations. A menu of light bites from Leynia is also available for those moments when the fabulous people watching stirs your appetite.

One Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Ocean Breeze
Just a short walk out passed the pool and down the stairs from Lapidus Lounge you’ll find South Beach’s premier oceanfront lounge, the DiLido Beach Club, where you can sip tropical cocktails under a moonlit sky while sampling a range of specialty seafoods and steaks on small plates from Chef de Cuisine Andres Meraz.

It’s a great respite from the bustle of Lincoln Road where you can engage in lively conversation or simply enjoy the balmy breezes coming in off the Atlantic Ocean just a few yards away.

Smaller lounges with carefully curated musical soundtracks are gaining traction in South Florida this season as big room nightclubs give way to more intimate nighttime experiences. The 2,300 square foot venue embraces a retro aesthetic with Venetian columns, moody lighting and vintage leather furnishings. An oversized wooden slab bar is the focal point of the lounge where guests can gather 7 nights a week from 5pm until dawn. Adding to the ambiance, Liquid Hospitality tapped Miami graffiti artist Miguel Paredes to paint edgy street scenes with a New York vibe on perimeter walls.

Paciello is currently involved in South Beach nightspot Rockwell Miami and also opened the first east coast location of the fast casual Mexican eatery Tocaya Organica, a popular chain in Southern California now serving on Lincoln Mall. Jezebel Kitchen + Bar serves signature drinks – shaken, not stirred – like the El Chapo (mezcal, tequila, fresh lime juice, pineapple and chile syrup) to pair with drink-friendly small plates. The all-night menu features sushi and sashimi, truffled popcorn, mini tacos and spicy wings.

With cozy sofas, warm lighting and a trendy urban vibe, Jezebel is the ideal spot for after work drinks with friends, a romantic rendezvous before dinner or even a quick game of chess. The late closing time should also appeal to revelers looking for an out of the way spot to rest weary feet after a night of dancing.

Jezebel Kitchen + Bar. 1625 Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach, FL serves 5pm – 5am

While most of SoBe retreats into the midsummer haze, smaller lounges are definitely taking over the mid-year nightlife void. LIV has closed for a much-needed refresh and more intimate party spots like Ora, Jezebel and Rec Room happily provide refuge for nightowls who have grown tired of the big room EDM scene.

Doheny Room at the Delano pulses with a neon glow with large format art and fashion photos and modernist light fixtures keeping the late night vibe set to simmer. Music ranges from indie rock to old school jams to create what Costas Charalambous, President of Nightlife at sbe calls, “a hideaway for hotel guests and locals to enjoy unparalleled cocktails complemented by timeless music in a welcoming environment.”

Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9pm until 2am, the lounge is tucked away in the far reaches of the hotel’s expansive lobby. Follow the sounds of 80’s jams and the curated, anti-club playlist to find quiet conversation, comfortable socializing and even a little dancing when the music suits the mood.

Doheny Room @ Delano South Beach 1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 305.674.5755
Thursday thru Saturday 9pm – 2am, Follow @DohenyRoomDelano for more information.

2000 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Asian Persuasion
Looking for a brand new spot to fuel your foodie passions? Check out DÔA in Collins Park where the dim sum menu pairs perfectly with signature cocktails like the Asian Mule (vodka, yuzu & ginger beer), ShisoRumi (Flor de Cana, lime & shiso) and Sensi’s Apprentice (tequila, honeydew, cucumber & lime). Stop in from 6pm-8pm for the daily happy hour when craft cocktails are $7 and bar bites including crispy squid, pork belly buns and spring rolls are $5.

450 NW North River Drive, Miami, FL
Vibe: Waterfront Taverna
Downtown Miami’s haute new Friday happy hour destination is Kiki on the River, a waterfront taverna with a twist. Starting at 5:30pm at the bar, guests can share Greek mezze appetizers, an innovative cocktail menu and buy one get one free drinks served until 7:30pm. Enjoy custom blends like the Spicy Mule (vodka, mango, cayenne pepper, lime and ginger) or The Pink Panther (vodka, watermelon juice, and a hint of lime).

1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Cabana Classic
South Beach swizzles at Nikki Beach Club where the sumptuous “Amazing Sunday” brunch includes a variety of serving stations with breakfast classics, custom cut prime rib, hand-rolled sushi and seafood paella. Adding an extra lift to the afternoon feast are Craft Bloody Mary mixes and a DIY Mimosa Bar featuring customizable champagne cocktails with fresh fruit juice, rock candy swizzles, ice cold sherbet and so much more.

1600 Lenox Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Southern Comfort
South Beach sippers gather at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar where bourbon is the name of the game. Choose from the classics or opt for a crafted cocktail like the Yardbird Old Fashioned with Buffalo Trace bourbon infused with a hint of smoky bacon, bitters and a dash of maple syrup. For something sweet and spicy, order the Chica Fresno Watermelon, a mix of tequila, fresh lime juice, fresno chili, orange bitters and a sprig of fresh cilantro.

161 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Baja Fresh
The SoFi District’s best kept secret is the refreshing cocktail menu at Lolo’s Surf Cantina where the featured Bebidas include Hibiscus Sangria, Margaritas de la Casa and citrusy Micheladas (fruit and spice infused beer). Stop in for happy hour at the bar Sundays through Thursdays from 4pm – 7pm when draft beer, house margaritas & palomas, Mexican Mules and wine by the glass start at $4. Pair your punch with discounted tacos and other spicy snacks.

18001 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL
Vibe: Beachfront Oasis
Surf’s Up! Gili’s Beach Club offers guests a rare opportunity to sample fruit infused, house signature cocktails just steps from the Sunny Isles shoreline. Enjoy a fresh white peach sangria on the 60 seat patio or try the Hibiscus Key Lime Agua Fresca with tequila, fresh oregano and a dash of jalapeño for an added kick. The Caipirinha bar includes fresh fruit Cachaça cocktails blended with raspberies, grapes and a splash of lime. Open daily until 6pm.

2007 SW Eighth Steet, Little Havana, Miami, FL
Vibe: Pirate’s Booty
Check out Little Havana’s cool new cocktail lounge crafted with nautical touches and welcoming landlubbers and salty dogs from 5pm, seven nights a week. Bar Nancy showcases a specialty cocktail program inspired by the spice trade that includes house made blends of herbs, spices and fresh fruit. From the rum and whiskey menu, sample “Gunners Daughter,” (infused with tea and black cherry) and the aptly named “Smile You SOB” (tequila, plum, passion fruit and lime).

1784 West Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Tokyo Tech
Fans of the Sunset Harbour District favor the weeknight happy hour at Sushi Garage, a casual eatery (run by the team behind Juvia) where the craft cocktail program has a refreshing Asian inspiration. Happy hour prices are offered from 5pm-7pm and again from 11pm until closing. Priced at just $7 are the Cooler Cucumber (cukes, gin and soda), the Sake Fusion (sake, aloe and soda), Wine Tea (Pinot Grigio, green tea and lemongrass) and In the Mood (pear, vanilla and prosecco).

422 NW North River Drive, Miami, FL
Vibe: Miami Vice
Enjoy the thoughtfully curated cocktail menu at Seaspice where the drinks are pretty enough to compete with panoramic views of the Miami River (and a great looking crowd). Find an alfresco table or a seat at the patio bar to sample a Blackberry Ice (Grey Goose, fresh berries, lemon juice and St. Germain), a Melonade (Maestro Dobel tequila, watermalon and basil) or a Seaspice Mojito (Bacardi coconut rum, raspberries, pineapple, mint and lime).

2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Tropical Hideaway
The Setai Hotel’s newly renovated Ocean Grill is an open-air eatery just steps from the Atlantic surf where happy hour priced tropical cocktails are served daily from 4pm – 6pm. Try the brand new Coco Setai Cocktails served inside a fresh coconut for $16. Choose from four signature pours including the Coco Walker (whiskey, Coco Lopez and coconut water), the Coco Vanilla (vanilla vodka and pineapple), Coco Tequila and Coco Melon (rum and watermelon juice).

1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
One of South Beach’s landmark nightclubs, Nikki Beach Club provides private beachfront access at the southernmost part of Ocean Drive. With full bar and dining service both indoors and alfresco, the club is an ideal spot to spend a lazy weekend afternoon surrounded by some dazzling beach bodies. Sundays from 11am – 4pm, a full buffet brunch service includes rotisserie and carving stations, freshly-crafted sushi and decadent desserts. Guests enjoying brunch can order champagne mimosas and gourmet bloody marys for just $7. Check the club website to reserve a cabana, beach bed or lounger to host your own surfside soiree!

1 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
With a few prized outdoor tables set along the Government Cut waterway, Smith & Wollensky is a popular steakhouse with a waterfront bar offering stellar views of massive cruise ships slowly steaming out to sea. Folks in the know gather around 4pm to toast the afternoon with a round of drinks and a cool ocean breeze. Enjoy classic cocktails, a well-curated wine list and tasty bar bites in good company seven days a week.

401 SW Third Avenue, Miami, FL
Check out Miami’s newest alfresco drinks spot, River Yacht Club located on the busy Miami River waterway. Enjoy food, drinks, music and fun as the sun sets and the city’s top DJs spin for a well-dressed crowd. If you’ve got the income for a Van Dutch yacht, you can make your entrance via the dock area with all eyes on your pricey boat. Otherwise, be content to relax under a tropical gazebo sipping cool drinks and sizing up the crowd.

3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL
Popular with tourists and a fun spot to take out of town guests, the Rusty Pelican is one of Miami’s landmark lounges located on Key Biscayne and offering dramatic views of the Downtown Miami skyline. Stop in at sunset to enjoy the best of the bar area, serving drinks until 11pm weeknights and 1am on weekends. Perfect for a pre-dinner toast or a romantic nightcap, the Pelican Bar also offers happy hour discounts weeknights from 4-7pm.

40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Discover Executive Chef Mark Zeitouni’s creative Mediterranean menu at Lido Bayside Grill at the Standard Hotel & Spa where a healthy and wholesome lifestyle is encouraged year round. With service starting at 7am and winding down around midnight, the lounge enjoys a loyal local following during sundown happy hour when beer is $3, wine, frose and well drinks are $7 and the list of tasty bar bites includes nachos, wings, oysters and empanadas.

500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, FL
Sample a unique variety of Asian-inspired bar bites at this chic hotel lounge just steps away from the Brickell Financial District. Expect plenty of well-dressed professionals making connections toward sunset at MO Bar & Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel when the weeknight happy hour menu includes $8 cocktails and $5 snacks like Tostone Sliders, Crispy Calamari and Spicy Sushi style cones of tuna or salmon. The bar features live entertainment with a Latin flair Friday and Saturday nights.

422 NW North River Drive, Miami, FL
Providing a welcome escape for well-heeled Downtown partiers, Seaspice Brasserie on the Miami River pours whiskey, wine and bubbly both indoors and alfresco. With two wood burning ovens and seating for over 300 guests, the restaurant and lounge offers unparalleled views of the Miami skyline from the edge of the busy working waterway. Modern Garden is the latest addition to the property; a covered patio with a popular crudo bar and a hot-stone menu. Best of all, you can make your entrance by car or by boat!

1103 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL
Verde, the haute bayfront coffee bar enjoying pride of place in the newly launched Perez Art Museum in the heart of Downtown Miami, offers guests a variety of seasonally-inspired dishes served with an amazing view of Biscayne Bay. Chef Kaytlin Brakefield, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute who trained at San Francisco’s famed Quince and Cotogna, offers brunch, lunch, dinner and specialty cocktails plus food-friendly wines for guests of the museum as well as the general public. Admission to PAMM is not required to take advantage of the awesome vistas at Verde.

300 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL
With a newly updated menu and an impressive happy hour, Monty’s Sunset at the Marina is one of South Beach’s most popular afternoon drinking destinations. Off-price bar specials run Monday through Friday from 4pm – 8pm including half off all liquor and 30% off wine and draft beer. Guests can sit under the shade of a tropical thatched tiki bar or take advantage of the public pool deck where the view of Miami’s amazing sunsets is second to none. Enjoy selections from the raw bar menu, fresh Florida stone crabs and the lobster burger – a juicy beef burger topped with Maine lobster and crispy onions.

1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
Master Mixologist Ramsey Pimentel welcomes you to the DiLido Beach Club at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, a breezy seaside enclave serving beach-friendly fare and classic cocktails seven days a week until 8pm. Popular with sun worshippers by day, the alfresco lounge is especially “DiSocial” from 3pm – 8pm when carafes of cocktails and bottle service are half off and a small plate menu is just $10. The restaurant offers raw bar service and a variety of ceviche, plus platters of hummus, sweet & spicy wings and sliders.

2341 Collins Avenue, South Beach
Vibe: Lofty & Lovely
An adults-only enclave high atop the 1 Hotel South Beach, Watr at the 1 Rooftop encompasses a unique dining and lounge experience serving Japanese and Polynesian delicacies fresh from the sea. Enjoy healthy salads, creative snacks, poke and sushi plus cocktail pairings including the “Rinse Off” with vodka, green grapes, shisho and lime or the “Whiskey a Go Go” flavored with lemon, honey and coconut syrup. Serving lunch poolside starting at 11am and lounge hours until 1am weeknights and 2am weekends.

270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami
Vibe: Downtown Chic
The perfect spot for a downtown Happy Hour, Area 31 at the Epic Hotel is a popular gathering spot for well-dressed professionals Monday through Thursday nights from 5pm – 8pm when drinks and snacks cost $7. Thursday and Friday nights feature a Beat the Clock Happy Hour deal with prices elevating by the hour starting at $5 at 5pm, $6 at 6pm plus classic tunes and rum and cigar pairings as well. Full bottles of Tattinger Champagne start at $50 at 5pm, $60 at 6pm on Thursday nights.

1111 Lincoln Road, South Beach
Vibe: Modern Mecca
A 10,000 square foot open air restaurant and lounge high atop the city’s first designer parking garage, Juvia is the perfect spot to toast the sunset before a glorious night on South Beach. Start with a specialty cocktail like a Jalisco Flower, a Perfect Yuzu or a Hurricane Juvia and enjoy a few snacks from the kitchen where French, Japanese and Peruvian specialties inspire the menu. The dazzling space opens for lunch on weekends and serves as a late night destination weeknights until midnight and weekends until 1am. Dress to impress.

4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Vibe: Oceanfront Elegance
You don’t have to be registered at the Fontainebleau Resort to enjoy the breathtaking oceanside restaurant La Cote, an elevated dining terrace and lounge designed to inspire thoughts of the South of France.  Sip a Ginger Mint cocktail or a tart Raspberry Collins and watch the world go by at the opulent resort pool deck or order something from Chef Michael Hawk’s French-meets-Mediterranean menu.  For a truly romantic escape, check out the once monthly full moon dining experience that captures all the magic of Miami Beach.

FIFTY Ultra Lounge at the W Miami

485 Brickell Avenue, Miami
Vibe: High Altitude
A chic nighclub high atop the stunning W Hotel, FIFTY offers breathtaking views, an alfresco reflecting pool and DJs spinning nightly for your dancing pleasure. Located in the Brickell Financial District, the bar attracts a well-dressed and somewhat older crowd who enjoy the air of exclusivity one gets when whisked up 50 floors in an express elevator to an intimate club-style lounge space. Layered in opulent marble and sparkling glass, FIFTY is a perfect date night option before or after dinner in the heart of Downtown Miami.

Pawn Broker at the Langford Hotel

121 SE First Street, Miami
Vibe: Downtown Aerie
One of Miami’s hip new drink spots, Pawn Broker at the Langford Hotel attracts a who’s-who of Miami’s movers and shakers who gather for happy hour weeknights from 5pm – 7pm to enjoy strong cocktails and Ivano Bellini’s soothing soundtrack. Very much a trending presence on Instagram, Pawn Broker is open until midnight weeknights and 2am weekends when a brand new boozy brunch service starts Sundays from noon until 4pm featuring the Pubbelly boys tasty sweets like French Toast sticks in chocolate dipping sauce, seasonally flavored doughnuts and all-you-can-drink cocktails for $25 per guest.

HIGHBAR @ Dream Hotel

1111 Collins Avenue, South Beach
Vibe: Retro A GoGo
While most Art Deco Hotels barely qualify as high-rises, the Dream does its best to create an exclusive beach party vibe at HIGHBAR, the rooftop pool deck that’s all about high style and low dress code. Enjoy the swank and sophisticated disco atmosphere Mondays through Thursdays from 9am – 11pm and weekends until midnight. Savvy travelers nip up to the rooftop daily from 5pm – 8pm to take advantage of happy hour pricing and snacks provided by the hotel’s Mexican eatery where signature margaritas and mojitos flow freely in strawberry, watermelon, passionfruit and pineapple.

Gale South Beach

1690 Collins Avenue, South Beach
Vibe: Clever Clubhouse
(Available to hotel guests only.) An enclave of classic cocktails, throwback tunes and friendly patrons, the Gale South Beach offers a choice of watering holes from lobby to rooftop including the Rec Room, the Regent Cocktail Club and the Rooftop Pool Bar. Start at Rec Room, the hotspot inspired by a New York nightclub where DJs spin selections from the club’s massive vinyl library or take a mixology class at the Regent Cocktail Club where the fine art of “Shaken, Not Stirred” rises to an art form. With sweeping views of South Beach, the rooftop pool deck features 5,000 square feet of party space for sunning, star gazing and enjoying a tropical drink from the Rooftop Pool Bar.

Rooftop at E11EVEN

15 NE 11 Street, Downtown Miami
Vibe: Urban Enclave
Eat, Drink and Dance the night away at E11even Miami, the city’s exclusive ultralounge where the party keeps rolling 24 hours a day! Inside, you’ll discover top DJs spinning for a bevy of sexy burlesque dancers and acrobats suspended from the ceiling on a flying trapeze. Outside, the vibe is sophisticated and seductive as the Rooftop lounge offers nearly 5,000 square feet of romantic loungers and firepit tables plus a menu filled with American comfort food, tapas and small plates perfect for sharing. Sample specialty cocktail menu options like a Cool Cucumber Martini, a tart Raspberry Lemon Drop or an eye-opening Fire Bull. The rooftop is open Wednesday through Sunday 7pm – 1am.

Wet Willie’s

760 Ocean Drive, South Beach
Vibe: Sloshy Slushies
More sundeck than rooftop, the bar at Wet Willie’s is a popular gathering spot on Ocean Drive for particularly potent frozen cocktails spun to frosty goodness inside a line up of dedicated Slurpee machines. Sample plenty of colorful rum-infused slushies like the Attitude Improvement (grain alcohol, rum and orange juice), the Monkey Shine (a banana daiquiri on steroids) or everyone’s favorite – the Call a Cab (cherry and strawberry mixed with lots of rum). Be aware that these sugary delights pack a significant punch, so leave your car keys at home and let a taxi driver take you wherever you plan to go afterward.

Purdy Lounge’s bohemian vibe is accentuated by lava lamps, comfortable couches, candles and a variety of tunes. You may even feel transported back to your college frat party days at this chic, but low-key space. Ladies flock to the Lounge every Tuesday for free cosmos and apple martinis at the Cosmo Girl Ladies Night. And where the ladies go, the men are sure to follow.

Set in the Shore Club’s pool area directly between the hotel and the beach, Skybar has a whole host of lounging areas that satisfy even those desiring the most intimate of surroundings.

Saturday nights are big at Skybar, and definitely be on the lookout for their specialty cocktails—our favorite is the Passionata served in a flute with a strawberry garnish.

SkyBar Miami Beach
1901 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(786) 276-6772

Adding to that exclusivity is former South Beach superstar Chris Paciello, now back from…vacation…and playing a major part in the Delano’s return to its previous position as the premier celebrity hangout in Miami.

The below ground-level lounge is a hallowed South Beach nightlife location having once been occupied by the 1980s club, Beirut, then Florida Room, and now FDR.

The name FDR, of course, is a take-off on President Franklin Delano Roosevelt from where the Delano hotel got its name. And since FDR’s family maintained a suite at the Delano for many years, the name is a logical choice—and far better than many club/lounge names we’ve seen.

Be warned, FDR won’t be the easiest lounge in South Beach to get into, but then the hippest places never are, are they.

FDR Lounge
1685 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 674-5752

Image credit: Seth Dixon