98 June 26 – July 2, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES NEW TIMES B E S T º F M I A M I ® 2 0 2 5 BEST BAR (BROWARD) Thanks tº Harrison 2001 Harrison St. Hollywood 33020 954-758-5240 thankstoharrison.com It’s always a dilemma: Where do you get a de- cent drink north of the county line? If you’re looking for somewhere a bit more elevated than a beach bar, Thanks to Harrison in downtown Hollywood is just what you need. The midcentury modern-style decor is swanky without feeling too fancy, and the cocktail menu splits the difference between classic and experimental, with drinks like a sangria sour or a gin-infused “adult mango lassi” alongside the usual negronis and marti- nis. And if you’re feeling hungry, grab one of the excellent starters at the bar or take in a full meal — the place is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. BEST OUTDOOR BAR Night Swim Rooftop Pool and Bar CitizenM Miami Worldcenter 700 NE Second Ave., 11th Floor Miami 33132 nightswimrooftop.com @nightswimrooftop Located on the 11th floor of the CitizenM Mi- ami Worldcenter in Downtown Miami, Night Swim Rooftop Bar is a Freehold Hospitality endeavor. And based on the former Freehold Wynwood location, you know this one is go- ing to slap. The bar features playful signature cocktails, colorful midcentury-inspired seat- ing, and poolside eats that occupy bargoers while they gear up to shoot bikini-ed selfies against the Miami skyline. You can almost touch the Freedom Tower from up there. Specialty drinks include the “Jack Knife,” made with vodka, fresh watermelon, hibis- cus, and citrus, and the carajillo espresso martini with a Panther Coffee espresso shot. And select cocktails are $8 daily during happy hour from 4- 7 p.m. It’s perfect for a date night, to pre-game a Heat game at the neigh- boring Kaseya Center, or a nightcap after in- dulging in one of the Worldcenter’s Michael Beltran-led restaurants. BEST HOTEL BAR Champagne Bar at the Surf Club Four Seasons Hotel 9011 Collins Ave. Surfside 33154 305-381-3333 fourseasons.com A friend of ours, a worldly fellow, assures us that Four Seasons hotels are a cut above, nigh peerless. We wouldn’t know. Opulence and ostentation make us uncomfortable, as does obsequiousness, and we find that the three tend to travel in a pack. That’s the thing about the Champagne Bar at the Surf Club: Granted, it’s opulently appointed, lov- ingly restored to its early-20th-century glory, and with all mod cons. A bona fide throwback in a town full of construction cranes. But that’s where it stops. Cocktails are spendy, but hell, it’s the Surf Club. The big thing is that many, if not most, of the people you’ll see there have so much money that they see no reason to lord it over any- one. They, and you, are there for the same reason: to have a drink in a civilized atmo- sphere. (Ours is a Sipsmith gimlet up, ex- tremely tart. Upcharge for the gin, but it’s only money.) You may, of course, witness some odd behavior; the rich, after all, are not like us. Perhaps spot a Birkin bag or two. You might even encounter some ridiculous char- acters who don’t know how to behave like adults, in which case you and the rich who are not like you will likely experience the same reaction: mild annoyance — but not enough to spoil your drink. BEST WATERFRONT BAR The Shorely at Marina Village 849 Seabreeze Blvd. Fort Lauderdale 33316 954-991-1729 marinavillageftl.com/the-shorely There are waterfront bars — and then there’s the Shorely. Docked permanently at Fort Lau- derdale’s Marina Village, this 500-person rei- magined ferry isn’t just a bar, it’s a floating dream of South Florida cool that’s been brought to life. With sweeping views of the Intracoastal and an effortlessly chic vibe that merges nautical nostalgia with modern flair, the Shorely is the crown jewel of Marina Vil- lage’s waterside playground. You can sip cre- ative cocktails (yes, there’s a larger-than-life Aperol spritz that serves four-plus) under the rays, vibe to live DJs, and stretch out a bit with bottle service in a space that blurs the line between yacht party and upscale lounge. It’s bold, it’s breezy, and it’s where Fort Lau- derdale’s golden hour hits just right — mak- ing it hands-down the best waterfront bar to toast, dance, and drift the night away in ’25. BEST DIVE BAR Mike’s at Venetia 555 NE 15th St.,9th Floor Miami 33132 305-374-5731 mikesmiami.com Only in Miami is there a rooftop bar that’s also a true dive. For 30 years, Mike’s at Vene- tia has been family-owned and operated by Mike and Norma Shelow. Perched on a resi- dential building off the Venetian Causeway with stunning bay views, it’s unpretentious and full of character. It’s a place where, back in the day, Miami New Times staff used to go occasionally to add a little local personality to our pitch meetings. Picture a crew of sar- castic, young but already jaded journalists. Notepads, pitchers of cheap beer, and plates of wings sit on the worn tables in front of them while sports TV plays on loop over- head. Not much has changed since the days we wrote notes longhand. Locals still hold court at the bar or play pool well into the night. Mike’s features a full food menu and is open till 3 a.m., seven days a week, making it one of the rare late-night food spots in the neighborhood. BEST SPORTS BAR Grails 2800 N. Miami Ave. Miami 33127 786-870-4313 grailsmiami.com Now that we have Messi in town and won the Stanley Cup, it’s important to make sure we level up our sports bar game as much as we leveled up our prestige on the international sports stage. Grails is not your typical dingy sports bar; it’s a sports bar with a signature Miami twist. The Grails experience is split into two distinct atmospheres: an indoor, sneaker-themed lounge where cocktails are served in ceramic sneaker mugs, and an out- door patio styled with retro Miami Vice flair. The menu goes far beyond standard bar fare, offering handcrafted cocktails and gourmet bites that rival upscale neighbors. Most im- pressively, and arguably most importantly, 70-plus TVs line the space, bringing the great world of sports into Grails. BEST GAY BAR Willy’s 356 NW 24th St. Miami 33127 willyswynwood.com As it should be, Pride month is year-round at Willy’s, a fresh, fabulous addition to Wyn- wood. It’s quickly earned its spot as a vital queer space in Miami’s ever-evolving night- life. The bar features a rotating calendar of themed events like TUFF for the leather queens and drag shows for the drag queens, including stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Beyond the glitter and performances, Willy’s has be- come a community hub at a time when queer spaces are disappearing at an alarming rate. It’s a place where self-expression is cele- brated, chosen family gathers, and the LG- BTQ+ community feels not only welcome but truly at home. BEST WINE BAR Magie 8281 NE Second Ave. Miami 33138 305-982-7881 and 3540 Main Hwy. Coconut Grove 33133 magiemiami.com In a city obsessed with velvet ropes and bot- tle service, Magie is a refreshing reminder that great wine doesn’t need a dress code. Opened in 2024 by industry veteran Caro- line Strauss, this cozy Little River wine and snack bar has built a loyal following with its no-reservations, counter-service setup and carefully curated list of natural and low-in- tervention wines from Spain, Portugal, and beyond. Guests sip Penhó tinto or Mas Gomà brisat surrounded by emerald-green walls, antique touches, and the hum of Euro hip- hop. The food? Think snacky but smart — charcuterie, tinned fish, and fan-favorite “Dino” nuggets with caviar. Its success led to a second outpost in Coconut Grove in 2025, where Strauss teamed up with Chef (and partner) Ivan Barros to elevate the food without losing the laid-back vibe. Now, alongside your glass, you’ll find creative bites like caviar corn dogs, truffled mush- room hand pies, and housemade chips topped with crème fraîche and caviar. BEST SUBURBAN BAR Hole in the Wall multiple area locations, including: 8001 SW 81st. Dr. Miami 33143 786-953-4221 holeinthewallflorida.com For a place to be considered a great suburban bar, it’s got to be low-key with cold beer, greasy comfort food, and, ideally, located in a strip mall. Hole in the Wall delivers all of that and more. The bar has plenty of seating and more TVs than necessary, although the volume is always at a reasonable register to encourage conversations. Their wings are some of Miami’s most underrated and the $1 Taco Tuesday deal is hard to beat. On a Friday night, you can find all kinds of locals here, from couples to families to kids’ sports teams, all enjoying live music or a Heat game. And for the gamers or first-daters, the Kendall location is conveniently located right next to Arcade Odyssey where they can round out the night competing on old- timey consoles and downing craft brews. BEST HAPPY HOUR Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink 130 NE 40th St. Miami 33137 305-676-0894 michaelsgenuine.com When Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink first opened in the Design District, it was a revelation. We looked around and asked ourselves: Could Miami become a foodie destination? And, shockingly, it happened! Thanks to Michael’s, we’ve also leveled up happy hour in the city. Daily, including Sunday, it features $6 bites, $10 cocktails, and $9 wine pours, thoughtfully curated by beverage director and sommelier Amanda Fraga. The atmosphere remains the epitome of Miami comfort, so you can truly exhale at Michael’s. Whether you’re winding down after work, wrapping up a shopping spree, or just dropped the kids off at soccer, we have one bit of advice: Treat yourself at Michael’s.
