Greater Miami & Miami Beach hasn’t earned its LGBTQ rainbow stripes for nothing. Whenever you visit – or if you’re lucky enough to live here –a good time is waiting every day of the week. Sure, the destination’s special events – Miami Beach Pride, OUTshine Film Festival, Winter Party Festival and Gay8 Festival, to name a few – draw well-warranted attention, but plenty of other jewels shimmer every day and night in this sun-kissed slice of paradise. Here’s your day-by-day guide to the destination’s best gay happenings.

Gay Beaches All Year Long

Spot the rainbow-colored lifeguard station at 12th Street Beach

12th Street Beach

Miami boasts some of the world’s best beaches, and you can enjoy them every day as your most authentic, out self at 12th Street Beach in South Beach. Look for the rainbow-colored lifeguard station to find this popular spot.

Haulover Park Beach

About 10 miles north, you can enjoy the clothing-optional area of Haulover Park Beach. Gay beachgoers often congregate in the northernmost section of this area, making it a welcoming spot for everyone.

Friends at Bar Gaythering enjoying drinks, with a bartender serving cocktails — Experience Bar Gaythering

What’s Gayly Festive Every Single Day

Experience The Legendary Drag Shows at Palace Bar & Restaurant

The Ocean Drive legend. For more than three decades, Palace Bar & Restaurant in South Beach been serving up delicious cocktails and food and dishing up good times, great DJ vibes and outlandish drag shows, which are now presented every night of the week, about every 15 minutes from 7-11:30 p.m.

Join The Happy Hour Gathering At Bar Gaythering

Guests, visitors and locals all love the anything-but-everyday daily happy hour at Bar Gaythering at Hotel Gaythering, a fun and funky gay South Beach hotel with a very local following. Happy hour runs from 5-8 p.m. with specials on house cocktails, house wine and all beer.

A Twist On Happy Hour … It’s Six-Hours Long!

“Never a cover, always a groove” is the motto at Twist in South Beach, and after 30 years, the party is continuing every day of the week at this legendary, expansive seven-bar gay bar. Twist is open every day from 3 p.m.-5 a.m., with two-for-one-for-everything happy hour from 3-9 p.m.

A drag performer dressed as an alien, captivating the audience — Join the fun at Palace Bar & Restaurant

Day-By-Day & Night, The Best Gay Happenings In Miami

Monday

Palace Bar & Restaurant: Queen, you’ve been served! Brunch (minus drag and glitter) is served from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy the gorgeous ocean views, fun crowd and grooves at the rooftop bar and pool.

Bar Gaythering at Hotel Gaythering: Channel your inner Idol at “Belt It Out Karaoke Night” at this fun, funky gay hotel bar. 8 p.m. to midnight.

Twist: At this huge gay bar in South Beach, Twist members score $5 drinks every Monday.

Axel Beach Miami: In South Beach, Axel Beach Miami, a charming Art Deco hotel and bar, caters to gay travelers and revelers, Monday is Caprichosa Night with fun and games starting at 7 p.m. at Lobbybar.

Nathan’s Beach Club: The South Beach neighborhood bar Nathan's Beach Club welcomes the entire queer world. “Pop Monday” pops with videos and pop-up shows every 15-20 minutes. Feeling playful? Try your skills at spin the wheel, a twerking contest and other games. Hosted by Dasha Sweetwaters and guests.

Tuesday

Palace Bar & Restaurant: It never gets old: For more than three decades, Palace Bar & Restaurant in South Beach has been serving up amazing cocktails and food, good times and outlandish drag shows. Enjoy brunch with drag performances from noon to 3 p.m.

Twist: The legendary South Beach bar presents “House Party Tuesdays” with performances by house diva Ebonee Excell, starting at 1 a.m., hosted by VJ Renan in Bar 4, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Axel Beach Miami: Who doesn’t need a break? Join Axel Beach Miami in South Beach for “Week Break” with mojitos, margaritas and martinis at Lobbybar of this charming Art Deco hotel and bar catering to gay travelers and revelers. 7 p.m. to midnight.

Nathan’s Beach Club: The South Beach neighborhood bar invites you to “Karaoke for a Cocktail.” Sing a song well and get a shot at the bar and maybe also a shot at your three minutes of fame. Dasha Sweetwaters hosts, starting at 11 p.m.

Table setting at Rhouse displaying a variety of dishes, including colorful appetizers, main courses — Savor the vibrant flavors at R House Wynwood

Wednesday

Palace Bar & Restaurant: Ocean Drive’s LGBTQ party central serves drag brunch from noon to 3 p.m.

Bar Gaythering at Hotel Gaythering: Drink and think while you compete in the weekly pop culture trivia night, starting at 8 p.m., at this fun, funky gay hotel bar in South Beach.

Twist: The legendary South Beach bar presents the comedy drag act “Fiesta Latina con La Globos!” with Josefina, La Mujer de los Globos (translation: Josephine the Balloon Woman) at midnight with VJ/bartender Jaime in the Latin Room/Bar 5.

Axel Beach Miami: When it’s Wednesday, it’s time for mojitos, margaritas and martinis at Lobbybar of this charming Art Deco hotel and bar in South Beach, from 7 p.m. to midnight.

R House Wynwood: In Wynwood, R House is a restaurant, bar and showplace that specializes in drinks, a dash of sass, dinner and brunch, happy hour is 4-7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, featuring 50% off bites, craft cocktails and wines plus $1 wings.

Image of DJ Hottpants — Get ready for a night of fun at Gramps with DJ Hottpants

Thursday

Palace Bar & Restaurant: Famous for its outlandish drag shows, Ocean Drive’s LGBTQ party central serves drag brunch from noon-3 p.m. and good times all day.

Bar Gaythering at Hotel Gaythering: Don’t miss the fun at “Bingo Thursday.” Join resident drag queen Bonnie Builder for five rounds of “Boozie Bingo,” prizes and drink specials, from 8 p.m. to midnight in South Beach. You must be 21 or over to play.

Twist: One of Miami’s most iconic gay bars presents “Sabroso Thursdays” with Sazon Latino, starting at 11 p.m. Hosted by Poizon Ivy in the Main Room (midnight showtime) with live percussion by Angel Emilio and Latin beats by DJ Duniel until 5 a.m.

CC Glitzer, a glamorous German drag performer — Unleash your inner star at Axel Beach Miami’s "Karaoke Night" with the dazzling CC Glitzer

Axel Beach Miami: Sing, baby! The South Beach Art Deco hotel catering to gay travelers and revelers presents “Karaoke Night,” hosted by German drag performer CC Glitzer (that first “C” is an homage to German supermodel Claudia Schiffer). The fun starts at 7 p.m. in Lobbybar. Later, “Step into Thursday,” a night of vibrant beats at Skybar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Nathan’s Beach Club: From Rio and beyond, with love. The neighbhorhood South Beach bar invites you to “Latin Night” with resident DJs and featuring DJ Gus K playing Brazilian funk, reggaeton, bachata and more.

R House Wynwood: Cocktails after visiting Wynwood Walls? Why not? Enjoy happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with drink and food specials.

Gramps: You’ll find a little bit hipster-hang, a little bit dive bar and a heckuva lot of fun at Gramps - the popular Wynwood spot that’s welcoming to everyone. There’s a different lineup weekly of DJs and live music, events, films and comedy shows, including “Double Stubble Thursdays,” where everyone gets queer with resident DJs Hottpants, Zehno and surprise guests. Hosted by Karla Croqueta from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Azucar Nightclub: All Latin, all the time, Azucar Nightclub in Coconut Grove is the place to immerse yourself in multicultural beats, drag shows and the spirit of Miami. Say “hola” to cheap drinks, cheap cover and “Drag War Thursdays” from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Nathan’s Beach Club with a row of stools in front of the bar area and a large skull mural visible — Enjoy a night out at Nathan’s Beach Club

Friday

Palace Bar & Restaurant: Splash into the weekend with picturesque Atlantic Ocean views, a fun party crowd and grooves at the rooftop bar and pool of this legendary spot in South Beach, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Downstairs on world-famous Ocean Drive, enjoy fierce beats all day and drag brunch at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Bar Gaythering at Hotel Gaythering: If it’s 8 p.m., “You better watch!” at the “RuPaul’s All-Stars Drag Race” viewing party at this hotel bar in South Beach. Great drinks, fun and company await.

Twist: Open wide and say “Wow!” as Twist in South Beach kicks off the weekend by opening its seven bars. Friday is fire as DJ Sushiman pumps "Sickening Beats" from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Axel Beach Miami: If it’s Friday in South Beach, it’s time for “Epic Nights” at Skybar of this Art Deco hotel catering to gay travelers and revelers. Music, drinks and grooves from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Nathan’s Beach Club: There’s a buzz in the South Beach air and people everywhere with DJs, dancing and an 11 p.m. show by Lucky Starzzz, an up-and-coming Miami star. Plus late-night happy hour with two-for-one well drinks and domestic beers from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m.

R House Wynwood: “Yas Queen.” You are hereby invited to the “RuPaul’s All-Stars Drag Race” viewing party, starting at 8 p.m. Not to be outdone, Athena Dion hosts the R House drag show, with Miami’s fiercest queens, at 9 p.m. Happy hour is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with food, cocktail and beer specials and dollar wings and oysters.

Azucar Nightclub: This Latin club in Coconut Grove features multicultural beats, drag shows, cheap drinks and cover. Their “casa” is your “casa,” especially on “House Music Fridays.”

Kill Your Idol: An eclectic, artsy-meets-punk-meets-hipster vibe (and cheap drinks) have made this mixed-crowd dive bar on Española Way in South Beach popular since 2012. Dance to DJs or live bands, or just hang out and take it all in. The monthly lineup features weekly drag and monthly gender-blender burlesque shows. “Drag Fridays” is hosted by Karla Croqueta from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Saturday

Palace Bar & Restaurant: Enjoy Instagram-worthy ocean views, a fun crowd and grooves at the rooftop bar and pool of this South Beach legend from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Downstairs is the most rambunctious spot on Ocean Drive, with great beats all day long, drag brunch at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and drag performances from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.

Twist: Supersize your South Beach bar experience when Twist in South Beach opens its seven bars and presents “Muscle Boy Saturdays.” Drinks, dancing and guest DJs in the main room from 10 p.m.-5 a.m.

Nathan’s Beach Club: Feel the love at “Nathan’s Community Night” in South Beach. Hosted by Brianna Bawdy and featuring a live show at 11 p.m. by Dasha Sweetwaters. Open 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with a late-night two-for-one happy hour from 1-3 a.m.

R House Wynwood: The restaurant, bar and showplace serves drag brunch at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. then presents "Escandalo!" a scintillating, Latin-themed drag show punctuated by a live salsa band. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for shows starting at 7:30 p.m.

Azucar Nightclub: Saturdays are open format, so anything (and everything?) goes at this Latin hot spot in Coconut Grove. Cheap drinks, cheap cover and good vibes are all “muy bueno” reasons to check it out.

LGBTQ pride flag waving proudly in the wind — Embrace pride

Sunday

Palace Bar & Restaurant: Catch – with a cocktail or mimosa in hand – the outlandish drag shows that spill onto the sidewalk on Ocean Drive and have made the Palace a legend. Drag brunch at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. plus drag performances from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.

Twist: Who says Sunday is a day of rest? Move to "Classic T-Dance Hits" and "Late Night House" in the main room of this giant South Beach bar from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Nathan’s Beach Club: The popular South Beach neighborhood bar presents “Sunday Funday.” Join RuPaul’s Malaysia Babydoll Fox and friends around midnight. The crowd participation vogue runway show finale is not to be missed.

R House Wynwood: Ready for a big helping of sass with your brunch? Try drag brunch with shows at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Azucar Nightclub: The week may be ending, but the good times and high-stepping drag royalty keep working it at this quintessentially Latin dance bar and showplace, where Sunday features a spectacular cabaret show that you won’t soon forget.

Looking for more? We recommend you drop by the LGBT Visitor Center, located in the historic, Art Deco-style Old City Hall in South Beach. It’s your resource for all things LGBTQ in the destination, including hotels, businesses, events and organizations.

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