A "Couple of Men" Reveal Miami's Must-Do Queer Experiences

Based in Amsterdam, Karl Krause and Daan Colijn are the German-Dutch gay duo known as: “Couple of Men.” As life partners, Karl and Daan have visited more than 50 countries on five continents. In 2021, the couple was awarded the first Best in Travel LGBTIQ Storyteller Award from Lonely Planet.

Whether they’re exploring chic global destinations or the hidden wonders of the world, Karl and Daan share a passion for discovery while also supporting the gay community worldwide. Their “Couple of Men” online blog includes cultural itineraries and travel guides that highlight gay-friendly and authentic travel experiences. They describe their travel ethos as “open-minded, respectful, and with a happy heart.” When they are not traveling, Karl and Daan work as freelance writers and creatives.

The couple has recently visited major destinations across the globe, including Japan, Iceland, Finland and, of course, Greater Miami & Miami Beach. Here’s an inside look at their picks for Miami “must-dos.”

What attracted you to visit Greater Miami & Miami Beach?

Daan: We visited Miami twice – in September 2021 and again in June 2022. We both love “The Golden Girls” and had heard great things about Miami Beach, so we knew we had to check it out!

Karl: We were attracted by the combination of the beautiful Art Deco architecture in Miami Beach and the vibrant museum and art scene in Downtown Miami and Wynwood.

We also saw beautiful pictures on social media of the 11th/12th Street gay beach and the gorgeous Art Deco buildings. That, combined with Daan’s enthusiasm, made us want to come and explore.

Did you find Miami to be gay-friendly?

Daan: To us, Miami can be described as a very, very LGBTQ and gay-friendly city. We did not feel uneasy or uncomfortable at any moment.

Karl: We felt safe and welcome and, of course, our local host made us feel extra welcome by taking us to some special LGBTQ events such as a concert by Patrick & the Swayzees and our first-ever drive-in movie experience watching “The Birdcage” at the Celebrate Orgullo Festival. We were introduced to the local queer community who attended the festival, and everyone was very open and friendly. We had a great time supporting the acts on stage by applauding, cheering and dancing around our cars.

What were a few of your favorite food spots?

Daan: I am a vegetarian, so I really liked and appreciated Planta South Beach – their pasta is delicious! We also absolutely attacked the guacamole at La Cerveceria de Barrio.

Where did you stay?

Karl: We had the pleasure of staying at the gay community’s hippest hotel: Hotel Gaythering – “The Gayest Hotel in Miami Beach.” As the hotel’s slogan suggests, the small but charming hotel has stylish, queer-inspired decorated rooms, as well as a bar and even a gay sauna with a steam room and whirlpool.

Daan: We really enjoyed staying at the Gaythering because it is SO gay! It was a little intimidating at first because there are all these cute guys walking around and it feels like you don't want to miss out on anything. However, when we got to our room (which had so much charm) we calmed down and, over the days, we got to know the staff (who are all very sweet). We also really appreciated the fact that their bar is not just any hotel bar, but an actual gay bar with events and a local crowd coming in to enjoy drag bingo or karaoke. It made us feel like we were part of the fun and that we were staying at the place to be.

For the second part of our trip, we stayed at the boutique Hotel Croydon, farther north in Miami Beach. This queer-friendly hotel has the beach in sight, whether from the roof terrace or from the rooms.

Tell us about your best nightlife experience while in Miami.

Daan: We had a great time at Twist. We visited with a couple of guys on a Sunday evening, and it was packed. I wish we had a gay club in Amsterdam with so many different floors and music styles!

What cultural activities in Miami did you enjoy the most?

Karl: We really loved the exhibitions at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). We also had a lovely stroll and many photo opportunities at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. We also relaxed and enjoyed the peace of the Everglades with Tigertail Airboat Tours.

What was your experience with the locals?

Karl: After asking some guys on the apps where to go, we got invited by the House of Trouble (H.O.T.) to join them for their party at Haulover Park Beach. When we arrived, they immediately welcomed us into their local friend group, and we had the best day at the beach in a long time.

We instantly were part of this group of local guys who wanted to hang out, swim, talk, drink and just have a good time. It made it easier to connect. We talked about life while sipping our drinks in the water, flirting with the surrounding men and dancing in their tent.

Daan: Another experience came through a fun surprise at a bar in South Beach. Chris and Gus, loyal readers of our blog for many years, knew about our evening plans from Instagram and surprised us by coming to the gay bar as well. Chris and Gus are originally from Cuba, and they migrated a few years ago to Miami. They started following us a while ago and got inspired by our travel blog to come to Europe and attend the Pink Lake Festival in Austria. We became modern pen pals, so it was very nice to see them again in their hometown.

We danced to salsa music and talked about their past and why they moved. With every drink, the atmosphere got better and better, the music louder and louder, and more and more queer dance fans started singing on the dance floor and swinging their hips to the South American sounds. We feel like Chris and Gus represent the story of many people who found their home in this city. Miami is a melting pot of a lot of cultures, which has created this nice mix of food, music and the overall unique vibe Miami has to offer.

How different is Miami from your hometown?

Daan: We live in Amsterdam so there are many differences between our cities, but they also feel similar. Both have a great LGBTQ scene, and water is an important player in activities and aesthetics. We’re only missing the palm trees!

What was the highlight of your stay?

Karl: So many choices, but we really liked our Everglades trip with Tigertail tours. We were very lucky that we got a private tour (pro tip: get there early!) so our guide could answer all our questions and was able to really go into a conversation with us about sustainability, what is happening with the eco-diversity in the Everglades and how they are trying to preserve the area.

We mostly enjoyed the vastness of the Everglades and the peace that it gave us when the boat would stop and the only thing you would hear was the sound of the wild.

What must-do things you would recommend to your readers when they come to Miami for the first time, and why?

Daan: Make sure to at least visit one museum, book a tour to visit the Everglades, and support the local queer hotels, bars, stores and events.