Greater Miami & Miami Beach has always been one of the world’s greatest destinations to grab a drink, and it’s even better when that beverage is inspired by the area’s rum-running prohibition past or its glitzy neon nightclubs of the 1980s. Miami has grown up, and with that sophistication comes a selection of bars that mirrors its culture, diversity and creativity. Everything from rooftop bars with panoramic views to craft cocktail lounges with imaginative drink menus is at your disposal, so whether you’re looking for an elegant venue to begin your evening or a unique locale for an intimate nightcap, Miami’s best bars have you covered.

MILA's Heir of the God mocktail — MILA Lounge features a luxury safari camp-like setting

MILA Lounge

MILA has made a name for itself as the go-to spot for rooftop drinks and elevated Asian cuisine along Lincoln Road. With the opening of MILA Lounge, it’s taking its cool to street level with a secluded space done up in African themes. Enjoy the same maki, edamame, Wagyu steaks and signature cocktails you would on the rooftop except surrounded by tribal patterns and animal prints. It’s how you might expect the bar at a luxury safari camp to look.

The Living Room

The Living Room, a lavish cocktail lounge inside the Faena Hotel in Miami Beach, is done up in leopard print, mirrors and a bevy of animal statues. The ’80s glam décor fits perfectly with the bar’s immersive vibe, where you’re transported to another time and place with cool cocktails and live music. Sit back on a black-spotted sofa and sip on a Dominican Passion, made with Brugal 1888 rum, passion fruit puree, cinnamon and fresh-pressed lemon juice. Then fix your eyes on the stage as top-notch bands and jazz singers keep you entertained into the wee hours.

Lapidus Bar

Lapidus Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is one of the low-key hidden gems of Miami Beach, a beautifully designed space that serves up some of the best specialty cocktails in Miami. The pewter-and-palm-leaf bar is named after famed architect Morris Lapidus, who designed the hotel more than 70 years ago. The throwback space also hosts live music and makes a great meeting spot for a night out in South Beach.

Higher Ground

The cocktail bar inside Wynwood’s art-filled Arlo Wynwood hotel takes its name quite literally: The bar sits on the third floor, offering guests a chance to look down on the sea of murals below. Much like the neighborhood around it, Higher Ground is filled with palm trees and street art. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a drink by sun-soaked day or a cozy cocktail by night. Try the Lush Life with palo santo-infused Altos Blanco tequila, lime juice and a rim of black lava salt and pair it with a stone oven pizza or Higher Ground’s signature burger.

Dante’s HiFi+

The Japanese listening lounge, a concept that encourages patrons to listen intently to surrounding sounds, has taken off in Miami, and nobody does it quite as well as Dante’s HiFi+. This Wynwood lounge fills its walls with music that rings with precision, the result of one of the most advanced stereo systems in the area. The music comes from a carefully curated selection of vinyl, an ideal auditory accompaniment for a cocktail menu long on Japanese whiskies. Reservations are recommended for this popular experience.

The Sylvester

Everything inside this funky Midtown cocktail bar oozes creativity, from the mismatched vintage furniture to the eclectic menu of Miami-inspired drinks. Saunter up to the bar and ask for the Que lo Que, which is made with Brugal 1888 rum, Mr. Black Coffee, Great Circle cold brew, orgeat (a sweet, almond-flavored syrup) and pineapple Greek yogurt. The bartenders at The Sylvester are always down to crack a joke and make newcomers feel like they’ve been regulars for years.

Swan Upstairs

Looking for a Monday night party that’s teeming with a quintessential Miami scene? Head upstairs at Swan in the Miami Design District and you’ll find Swan Upstairs, a chic, trendy lounge that hosts Monday night parties like it’s the weekend. The rest of the week at this popular spot, formerly known as Bar Bevy, doesn’t fall off, either. Any night of the week, you have a chance to spot celebrities, and you’ll always be among regulars savoring bottles and house beats.

Tea Room

The 40th floor of Brickell’s EAST Miami hotel is home to Sugar, one of Miami’s most popular rooftop bars. But turn right at the host stand, step through a nondescript black door and you’ll find Tea Room, the hotel’s not-so-secret speakeasy. The elegant, Hong Kong-inspired space boasts stunning city views through its floor-to-ceiling windows, and you can dine on a menu of Asian light bites or delve into a collection of cocktails. Try the Korean short ribs and wash them down with a Truffle in Paradise, made with Extra Añejo tequila, truffle honey, syrup, citrus and egg whites.

Gekko Lounge

Reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny is a founding partner of the swanky Brickell steakhouse Gekko, where prime steaks and Spanish music artists collide in one of Miami’s hottest restaurants. While dinner here is always a good idea (it comes from the same folks who brought us Komodo and Swan), if you want to soak up the scene, grab a stool in Gekko Lounge. The cocktail menu is just as cool as the food with creations such as the Beber Conmigo with Patrón silver tequila, passion fruit, carrot and wasabi.

Giselle Miami

Perched high atop the iconic 24/7 nightclub E11even, Giselle Miami offers fine dining with panoramic views over the Downtown Miami skyline. If you’re not up for a multicourse meal, Giselle’s bar is still a fun place to gather. Enjoy large-format cocktails with your big party, including the lavish Giselle’s Treasure, made with Don Julio 1942 tequila, Codigo mezcal, Grand Marnier cinnamon and lime and served with a chilled shot in a smoking treasure chest. If you want something a little more low-key, try the Kiss & Tell, made with Key West’s Papa’s Pilar dark rum, strawberry, lime and mint.

8Street Brickell

You might say the creators of this ultra-modern cocktail lounge lacked originality when it came to naming: The bar sits squarely on SW 8th Street in Brickell. What it might lack in clever signage, however, it more than makes up for with fantastic drinks, and you’ll find a selection of top-shelf beverages behind the bar. The agave spirits are the stars of the show, as the Oaxacan punch, made with mezcal, raspberry, pineapple, maraschino and lime, is a perennial favorite. You can also fill up with 8Street’s menu of bar bites, serviced by Talkin’ Tacos across the street.

Tipsy Flamingo

This small cocktail bar is a playful take on South Florida life. The walls are papered in tropical foliage prints to give the feeling of drinking in the Everglades, except with air conditioning. Neon signs abound, and the Sunshine State immersion continues with a drink menu packed with fun takes on Floridian inside jokes. Enjoy the namesake Tipsy Flamingo cocktail, made with Ketel One botanical grapefruit and rose vodka, lemon juice, agave nectar, Luxardo liqueur and Angostura bitters. Or order the My English Is Not Very Good Looking, a gin drink made with guava marmalade and cream cheese foam.

Santé

Those in Miami’s western suburbs don’t need to travel far to find great cocktails. With its solid menu of classics and a sexy, dimly light décor, this Sweetwater drinking den shakes up drinks that can hold their own with anything in Miami’s buzzier neighborhoods. While the beverages are the big draw, ’80s kids might also want to stop in to Santé. The TVs play hit videos from the “Miami Vice” decade, including some you may remember from MTV.

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