Greater Miami & Miami Beach bars are always something special, and that’s not just because there’s such an abundance of bars in Miami Beach and chic, celebrity-filled hot spots. It’s also because some of the destination’s best bars emphasize the quality of their drinks as well as their must-experience scenery. Miami is home to some truly exceptional spots to grab a curated cocktail, from speakeasy-style hidden gems to sporty bars where you can sip your drink out of a sneaker. Check out where to go for the best bars serving up the coolest cocktails.

Broken Shaker

The Broken Shaker at Freehand Miami has become a Miami Beach staple for its chill vibes, eclectic tree-filled backyard patio area and deliciously crafted cocktails made with herbs grown onsite. Go for the Patio Pounder, made with Olmeca Altos tequila, white wine and sage-plug syrup, or the creative Coco Puffs Old Fashioned for a chocolatey libation.

Spanglish

Part Cuban café, part cocktail bar, Spanglish in Wynwood is the perfect place to sample Cuban food and drinks in a fun, upscale setting. The drinks are an experience all on their own, whether you’re ordering the Selfie Sour – a gin and pineapple tipple that comes with your face on it – or the signature Cafeteria Old Fashioned, made with the holy Cuban trinity of rum, cigar bitters and coffee. The food won’t fill you up quite like traditional Cuban restaurants, so you can snack on small plates, like the coconut shrimp ceviche or timba frita, at the bar and still have the energy to explore the famous art murals outside.

Grails

If you’re into collectible sneakers and craft cocktails, no bar in the world will delight you quite like Grails. This Wynwood sports bar is decorated with rare and commemorative shoes, and it's a venerable museum of athletic wear that sports a menu of rum-heavy drinks. For the full experience, order one of its signature cocktails in a ceramic sneaker, a unique take on the punch bowl in which a large beverage is served in a ceramic shoe for sharing among friends.

The Sylvester

After a long day of storming the aisles at The Shops at Midtown, you’re probably going to need a cocktail. Conveniently, The Sylvester sits right across the street. Walk inside and you’ll experience a long room filled with mismatched vintage furniture and long mirrors – and possibly wonder how your grandparents’ living room was magically transported to a cocktail bar. For something refreshing, try the Desperate Housewife, made with Patron Blanco, honeydew, cucumber, dill, lemon oleo and Greek yogurt – or for something sweet, go for the Smooth Operator, made with bourbon, salted butter, maple and coffee.

Dante’s Hi-Fi

Part of the appeal of a hip hi-fi lounge is that it’s not always easy to find. Such is the case with Dante’s Hi-Fi, Miami’s first hi-fi bar, ensconced in a courtyard in Wynwood. Find the front door, then step into a world of hip fashions and high-quality music, where the cocktail menu is long on Japanese whiskeys and spritz drinks. You’d be well advised to make a reservation before going, as seating is limited, and the host may ask if you’ve booked a table.

Tipsy Flamingo

Visit the Tipsy Flamingo and experience a colorful world of Floridian kitsch – think palm trees and flamingo decor and an array of neon colors. The drinks on the menu at this Downtown Miami cocktail bar keep the playful theme going, with names like No Flocks Given and My English is Not Very Good Looking. Fully immerse yourself in the experience by ordering the signature cocktail, the Tipsy Flamingo, which comes with Ketel One grapefruit and rose vodka, pink grapefruit and agave nectar.

The Lasseter at Julia and Henry’s

Downtown Miami’s new Julia & Henry’s food hall has transformed the area’s dining scene, and in addition to bringing in a slew of new eateries, it also introduced The Lasseter. The food hall’s cocktail bar has instantly become a popular downtown meeting space, where you can post up on a stool and watch the action at Julia & Henry’s, drink in hand. The Lasseter's original creations trend on the strong side, so one Alligator Alley with Rosaluna mezcal, shōchū, wasabi basil syrup, cucumber, and lemon juice will probably set you up for the night.

Mama Tried

Don’t let the dangling disco balls and mirrored walls fool you: Mama Tried is no trip back to the golden age of "Saturday Night Fever." It’s a dimly lit, laid-back Downtown Miami bar where service industry types and downtown denizens stop in for drinks that are far more elegant than you might expect. The oversized drink-in-a disco-ball is popular for first timers, but if you’d rather not draw attention with something shiny in hand, try the Something Spicy with Mezcal, made with mezcal, watermelon, roasted rosemary and habanero bitters.

Miami Soundbar

The Japanese listening lounge concept has taken off in Miami over the past couple of years, and if you’re looking for high-quality stereo and even higher-quality drinks, pop into the Miami Soundbar. The dark lights and red stools at this Downtown Miami bar might feel distinctly divey, but the crowd and carefully curated soundtrack give the space a decidedly upscale feel. It’s easy to get lost in the music, but if you can pull yourself away for a moment, the cocktail menu is full of stuff with musical inspiration, from the One Hit Wonder, featuring rhum argicole (sugarcane juice rum) and Salers Aperitif, to the Blind Melon, made with tequila, ancho verde, agave and lime.

Bar area with Cuban flag mural at La Cocina Cocteleria — Try drinks and take selfies at La Cocina Cocteleria

La Cocina Coctelería

The far-flung industrial blocks of Hialeah don’t necessarily give off the “cool cocktail lounge serving creative cocktails” vibe, but that’s where this neighborhood fools you. The visionaries behind popular eateries LoKal and Kush dreamed up La Cocina Coctelería, decorated in tongue-in-cheek tributes to Hialeah. Take a picture in front of the iconic “Ñoooo! Que Barato!” sign or stop in for one of the bar’s fun-themed Saturday events, like “Pata Sucia Palooza” or “Chicken Bingo.” Order the playfully named Tremendo Cafetera, crafted with vodka, coffee liqueur and Cuban coffee for a little pick-me-up, or the sharable 16-ounce Sipingoso.

Bar Kaiju

Located on the second floor of Little River’s The Citadel food hall, Bar Kaiju is a delightful, intimate cocktail lounge where every drink comes with a monster theme. They're named after monsters, many inspired by anime classics and old Japanese movies. However, Kaiju is more than a place for novelty and nostalgia: Its tiny 12-seat space lends itself well to sitting back and savoring the boozy creations. Try the Chupacabra, made with Havana Club, spiced soda and candied lime.

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