Miami Neighborhoods: Party like a star in the South Beach
There’s a reason the Art Deco architecture and the sexy, up-all-night culture of South Beach is so iconic. When it comes to bumping dance clubs, lustful late nights and taut, tan bodies in the tropical heat, there’s simply nowhere better. It’s also the central hub of Miami’s LGBTQ+ scene, with the official “gay beach” on 12th Street and Ocean Drive and tons of LGBTQ+ bars and businesses.
Eat: How could any gay traveler resist at least one over-the-top meal at a place called Big Pink? Don’t let the retro decor and diner-inspired menu fool you into thinking it’s all kitsch. This is more chic than chintzy, created by Myles Chefetz, the same man behind the upscale Prime franchise.
Stay: If you’re planning to rage all night, it’s best to keep the commute home short. Set up base in South Beach at one of the many gay and gay-friendly hotels. Hotel Gaythering boasts quirky decor, a lively bar and a men-only, self-service spa. AxelBeach considers itself “hetero friendly” but that doesn’t take anything away from its spirited bar area and pool.
Drink: There are enough things to love about drinking and dancing in South Beach to fill tomes, and that’s especially true for the gay bars. The longest-running Miami gay club Twist offers two levels of entertainment, three dance floors and no cover ever. Of course, you can nurse that hangover with a bottomless mimosa brunch at Palace Bar and Restaurant.
Shop: Make sure you’re turning heads while you’re getting turnt with some new threads. Shop and stroll in the pedestrian-friendly Lincoln Road Mall, a massive outdoor shopping and dining experience stretching eight blocks. Peruse the racks at familiar favorites and a host of unique local shops.
Also Consider: Dine and dance in Downtown Miami and the neighboring Brickell area. Savor Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine at Komodo, chow down on Catalanese at NIU Kitchen (currently operating in a shared space with another hotspot, Arson) or Mediterranean-inspired Boulud Sud from celebrity Chef Daniel Boulud. Dance off the calories at clubs like Club Space and E11even.
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