Miami Nightclub Review

Getting in to some of the nightclubs in Miami can sometimes be a bit of a hassle. Typically, it is easiest to follow the rule of thumb: One-word nightclubs have the most strict dress codes, and it is easiest to get in when you follow these guidelines; "bars" or "lounges" have a much more relaxed dress code and typically do not have a cover to enter as well...

Men:
-No shorts
-No striped polos or jerseys
-No really baggy/saggy jeans
-No white sneakers
-No flip flops or sandals
-No baseball caps or headgear
-No wife beaters or tank tops
-No oversized clothing
-Nothing that looks sloppy

Ladies:
-Heels
-No sneakers
-No flip-flops
-Tight Dresses/Skirts/Nice jeans- not too tight that you can't dance, though!
-The easier you look, the easier it is to get in (just kidding...) don't make any Britney Spears fouls though!

For everyone, try to have your group look different from the other people around you, but not so different that you look out of place. This is the easiest way to get spotted in the lines and possibly get to skip them! And remember, if you are in a group of more than 2, try to make the girl to guy ratio larger, bouncers always like this! They also like to see people that look as though they are there to spend money, that is their job- to increase the revenue of the club.

Arkadia is the nightclub located on the ground floor of Chateau at the Fontainebleau. Arkadia thrives on the element of surprise and features intimate alcoves that make it possible for guests to lose their sense of time and inhibitions. Evenings at Arkadia feature the world's top DJs, fashion installations by the most sought after designers and the unexpected frisky nightlife thrill.
Its very high class club so dress appropriately--no flip flop or t-shirts, no shorts for guys. It's also hard to get in- Sorry guys, but usually for you means you need to tip security VERY WELL to be able to get in ($20 they won't even consider). Cover charge can be upwards of $30 per person.

Located at:
4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
305-674-4690

Club Deuce- "Mac's Club Deuce does authentic like no where else. The barmen are professionals, the decor is what you want from a dirrrty bar and the atmosphere is friendly with a slight edge." The Deuce is probably the best example of a local's bar in Miami Beach, and boasts the unique underground scene that Miami is notorious for.

There are stiff and cheap drinks, and it's open from 8am-5am!

222 14th Street
(305) 531-6200

The Florida Room- this nightclub is located in the Delano hotel on South Beach. This club has the feel of a basement, super dark speakeasy and spectacular cocktails, a DJ playing a great mix of house, hip hop and indie, and it's not super hard to get in to like many of the other Miami clubs. Sometimes there's no cover charge, unlike a lot of clubs on South Beach, but the drinks are ridiculously expensive- alike other clubs in Miami Beach!

1685 Collins Avenue
(305) 672-2000

Jazid- the vibe is cool and it's free on Fridays... Many nights there is live music and the DJs always play new and different kinds of music. This place is good for a chill night when you don't want to deal with the big-scene-nightclub atmosphere. The bar is small and fun a great place to dance, drink, and socialize.

1342 Washington Avenue
(305) 673-9372

Kill Your Idol- Cool dive bar and hipster hang out. There is good music and craft beer, nice staff and cheap drinks. This place is artsy and unique, the decor is really cool, and once you enter it feels like you've been removed from the tourist trap that is South Beach. You can get in with jeans and a t-shirt, there are couches downstairs and a striper pole upstairs, and ladies drink free Wednesdays!

218 Espanola Way

"La Fee Verte is like a 1920s Paris bordello crossed with the Delano and a dash of The Shining. Everything is meant to arouse-from the vintage erotica on the bar's countertop to the women's bathroom walls clad with midcentury strippers to the swings suspended from the ceiling that double as lounge seating."

912 71st Street, Miami Beach
(305) 865-5955

LIV- High-class club, so make sure you dress appropriately! It's hard to get in here, they treat you by your face, your gender, how you look. The club is located in the Fontainebleau, so the valet is expensive and there will be a cover. Depending on if there are any celebrities appearing, the club may or may not be easy to get into.

4441 Collins Avenue
(305) 674-4680

Louis Bar & Lounge- made by the same creators of Prive and SET and located in the Gansevoort South Hotel. It is easier to get in here than many of the clubs on the beach with nicer bouncers than I've experienced at other clubs. It's a smaller club, and not overwhelming like the Mansion. Girls get in free, but guys have to pay a $25 cash only cover.

2377 Collins Avenue
(305) 531-5535

Love Hate- Sunday nights feature old-school hip hop jams and is probably the best night for this club. Nothing at this club happens before midnight. This bar is on the southern end of South Beach, and the crowd is less crazed than what you can experience in other clubs. It's small and dim inside with tattoo themed artwork on the walls.

423 Washington Avenue
(305) 695-8616

Mangos Tropical Cafe has one of the longest running Cabaret shows in the country! From noon until 4:00 am, live bands and exotic shows perform and there are many things to be experienced. First is the Mojito Room, where you can experience a "Night in Havana" listening to Salsa, Merengue, and a live Timbalero, while enjoying a large copper sculpture of the River of Grass, the Everglades. Next is the Vodou Room with all couch lounge seating and decorated with exclusive Haitian artwork, mostly for private parties, the room features House, Reggaeton, Trance, and HipHop music on the weekends. The third room is the Jungle Room, featuring the Mermaid Bar, and coined the "Club within a club," the room includes an unobstructed view of Mango's Main Bar entertainment. Beautiful people, jazzy entertainment, and wonderful scenery--right on the beach

900 Ocean Drive
(305) 673-4422

Mansion- Sometimes it can be hard to get in, unless you have women with you. The drinks are expensive and way too small for the price, tips are included, and the credit card minimum is $50. Make sure you pre-party before coming to here! There is decent music and a lot of young people. The place itself is pretty spacious and has a lot of different bars spread around the inside. Kind of up-tight and rude bouncers when I came here.

1235 Washington Avenue
(305) 695-8411

Mynt Lounge- there are pretty go-go dancers and waitresses and cool special effects. There is a separate area where they play hip-hop which rarely gets packed and opens up around 1:30am, so you can dance to house/top 40 in the main room and then switch to the other. This club has been going in Miami for a long time, which is pretty uncommon as clubs typically come and go. The drinks are just as expensive as the other clubs, but people come here to party-- not to look cool or "be seen"-- to get wasted and have fun!

1921 Collins Avenue
(305) 532-0727

Nikki Beach Club- this club is comprised of a large oceanfront complex featuring an outdoor beach club, an award-winning restaurant and a sexy South Beach nightclub. There is full food and bottle service here. The outside bathroom is a public bathroom, so it's not too great... And the set-up outside is kind of jumbled and strange. On Sunday, it's said to be the "place to be," but is definately not a hang out for us locals.

1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
(305) 538-1111
http://www.nikkibeachmiami.com/

Plunge Rooftop Bar- 18 stories above Miami you can visit the adults-only rooftop pool located at the top of the Gansevoort South Beach. The scene highlights the ocean and there are private cabanas and plush couches to lounge on. The cocktails aren't crazy expensive like some of the other South Beach clubs and there is great music, but the bathrooms are basically outside with no ceilings. There are TVs and a projector around the bar, so it's great for sporting events as well.

2377 Collins Avenue
(305) 604-6997
http://www.gansevoortmiamibeach.com/rooftop/

Club Space- this is a great club in the downtown area of Miami. The lines are usually long, so make sure you arrive before midnight! The sound-system is great... you can hear it from two blocks away even with the windows of your car rolled up! The lower floor usually plays hip-hop and pop music- like a top 40 mix, the second floor has 2 separate dance floors, one with a house/trance feel and one with more mainstream electronic music. All of the dance floors have dancers with cool dresses, and the drinks here are moderately expensive (pre-game before you come)! The dresscode here is more casual than the other major clubs on South Beach- most people just come to dance, rave, have fun.

34 Northeast 11th Street
(305) 372-9378