The 9 Best Places to Drink in Miami Right Now

Miami has one of the most diverse and exciting bar scenes in the country. People from all over the world set up shop in the bustling tropical city, and they’re slinging everything from classic Cuban cocktails to some of the best and most interesting natural wines from around the world. Great bars and restaurants are constantly popping up throughout Magic City, but some stand out above the rest. Whether you're planning a fall Miami getaway or always fly south for the winter, cocktail enthusiasts should add these nine bars and restaurants to their list of places to imbibe.

Café La Trova

Café La Trova might be the liveliest place in a city full of lively establishments. As you enter the space, take note of the bar to your right, which is helmed by renowned bartender Julio Cabrera and his team of Cantineros. Walk further into the restaurant, and you’ll likely see a live band on the stage while patrons dance in-between bites and sips. If you want to try a Cuban classic, order a Hemingway Daiquiri or Presidente, or go for a specialty of the house like the El Guayabero, made with reposado tequila, guava marmalade, cayenne-agave syrup, and lime juice. After having a beverage or two, hop into the conga line to really get into the spirit of this modern Cuban gem.

Bellini Bar

Coconut Grove is one of Miami’s loveliest neighborhoods with its buzzing sidewalk cafes, upscale boutiques, and lush green parks. It’s also home to one of our favorite hotels, Mr. C Miami Coconut Grove, which feels a little bit like leaving Florida and a lot like entering a chic Italian beach town. Take the elevator upstairs to Bellini Bar, where you can enjoy expertly-made cocktails, an excellent wine list, and one of the best Martinis in town. Take a seat at the bar and watch a tuxedo-clad bartender make you a white peach Bellini or a twist on the Negroni, made with Grappa Nonino instead of gin. Or grab a table on the wraparound patio to enjoy sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and its many sailing clubs and marinas. Don’t miss aperitivo hour where your beverage of choice will come with a plate of salty snacks.

Los Félix

Los Félix is a new favorite in the Coconut Grove neighborhood, which is known just as much for its vinyl-spinning DJs as it is for its food and beverage menus. The outstanding cuisine is inspired by Mesoamerican heritage and supports Milpa farming, a tradition to cultivate the soil with awareness of the connection between people and the land. Natural and biodynamic wine is the beverage focus, with bottles that are sourced from small family farms in the Americas. Although Los Félix only has a beer and wine license, they get creative with low-abv cocktails like the Palomita, made with txakoli rosé, kumquat, grapefruit, mole bitters, Topo Chico, and smoke. The small but mighty beer menu features local Florida beers, as well as other favorites from the United States and Mexico.

Kimpton Hotel Palomar's Balcony Bartender Program — Balcony Bartender Program_Credit Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach

Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach

South Beach can be known for its rowdy crowds and flashy establishments, but it all depends on where you go. Situated in the Sunset Harbour neighborhood, Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach is a refreshing respite that feels more like a laid back local hangout than an ostentatious party place. Beloved Northern Italian restaurant Osteria Morini is a perfect spot to enjoy aperitivo hour with a spritz or Negroni flight, along with snacks like truffle arancini and cured meats and cheeses. If you opt for an overnight stay, the hotel’s Balcony Bartender program is a uniquely cool Miami experience. One of the property’s excellent bartenders will roll their bar cart onto your room’s balcony, and they’ll mix a variety of signature libations, like an Espresso Martini with sambuca rinse. The intimate cocktail hour is a beautiful way to enjoy the surrounding scenery before a night on the town.

Jaguar Sun

Known for its fun atmosphere and excellent bar program, Jaguar Sun is a true favorite among Miami locals. The drink menu is currently divided into sections and serves up everything from apertifs to takes on tiki drinks like the Living Dead, a mix of clairin, absinthe, passionfruit, spices, lime, and Tabasco. The wine and beer list is small but mighty, and there’s even a sherry menu with offerings by the glass and bottle. During the daily happy hour, you can snag $1 oysters, $10 cocktails, and $8 Tiny Tinis, made with your choice of gin or vodka. Whether you grab a table in the plant-filled dining room or cozy up to the beautiful bar, both the food and drinks at Jaguar Sun are not to be missed.

Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company

Sweet Liberty is the most fun you can have in Miami. The South Beach bar will make just about anyone feel at home, whether you’re industry, local, or a tourist. A four hour happy hour (starting when the bar opens at 4 p.m.) is the perfect time to snag $1 oysters and $9 cocktails like a Basil Daiquiri or Brown Derby, but night owls can hang until 5 a.m. listening to DJ sets and experiencing the nightlife that Miami is so famous for. The cocktail menu is divided into sections like “That Spritz Life” and “The Martini Chronicles,” and there’s also a section for “New Skool” drinks like a Coconut Sazerac. Globally-inspired home cooking rounds out the food menu – think kimchi fried rice and a Maine lobster “hot pocket.” Don’t miss Sunday brunch, which features themes like salsa and drag.

Mezcalista

Tucked inside Moxy Miami South Beach, Mezcalista is a speakeasy-style lounge that specializes in mezcal pours and cocktails. Copper shelves lining the walls hold a robust selection of mezcal and tequila, which a team of dedicated mezcaliers can help you navigate if you’re not sure where to start. Christian Rubio – who is known for championing Mexican herbs, fruits, and spirits – helms the cocktail program, and his drinks are worth a detour. The Dirty Martinez gets a savory twist with a touch of olive brine, while Sunshine State of Mind is a juicy delight with mezcal, Florida mango liqueur, lime, passionfruit, and Mexican dry pepper reduction. There’s even a velvet-draped lounge for six if you’d like to book a private tasting.

COTE Miami

Following the success of its NYC location, COTE Miami opened in the city’s Design District in February 2021. The Korean steakhouse is known for its excellent beef and outstanding, affordable Butcher’s Feast, but the cocktail and wine programs deserve just as much attention. The house specialty cocktails include a Proper Martini and Cote Fashioned, but the signature drinks are where you’ll really get a taste of what makes this spot special. Try their take on a Pornstar Martini or Mezcal Negroni with Cocchi Rosa and umeshu, or go for a refresher like the Golden Triangle, made with tequila, mezcal, tangerine, Salers, agave, and lime. The wine list focuses on small producers committed to biodynamic and sustainable practices, and all wines by the glass are bottled in magnums specially for the restaurant so they stay fresher longer. Don’t miss the Sunday Sommelier Supper Series, a themed dinner that will introduce you to bottlings from around the world.

Doya

Doya is the place to go in Wynwood for gorgeous modern Aegean fare with a focus on seasonal ingredients, cooked over a wood and coal fire. The whole restaurant feels like a Mediterranean escape, especially when seated on the plant-filled patio, but the rectangular horseshoe bar is the crown jewel of the establishment. Take a seat on one of the plush leather stools and let award-winning bartender Anthony Medina and his team mix you something delicious. The Meze Martini – complete with a sidecar for a second pour – is made with Plymouth Gin, Lo-Fi Dry Vermouth, Cocchi Bianco, bergamot, and lemon, while the Rosita brings the heat and tropical fruit flavors with reposado tequila, mezcal, Aperol, passion fruit, lemon, and habanero tincture. There’s also a signature Gin & Tonic menu to enjoy. But if you can’t make it to Miami anytime soon, recreate the tropical vibes at home with Medina’s juicy Mykonos cocktail.