15 April 10-16, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | to Gramps Getaway. What’s it like? Imagine everything you love about the divey vibes of OG Gramps, chef James McNeal’s menu with dishes like tamarind barbecue ribs and charred broccoli salad in a tangy buttermilk ranch, plus views of Biscayne Bay and the Mi- ami skyline and you’ll get the picture. Afford- able cocktails, cheap good beer, and a cool atmosphere created by fun DJs who play nos- talgic songs that either get you all in your feels or up and dancing — Gramps Getaway occupies the upper echelon of Miami’s chill- est bars, perfect for a post-beach hang or to watch the sun set over the city with an ice- cold cocktail in hand. Happy’s Stork Lounge and Liquor 1624 79TH ST. CSWY., MIAMI BEACH 305-865-3621 HAPPYSMIAMI.COM If you seek a place where the booze is cheap and the patrons are salty drunks, look no fur- ther than this bar and package store on the 79th Street Causeway, midway between the mainland and the beach. Order a beer or cheap-for-Miami-rail cocktail and strike up a conversation with someone who will proceed to fill you in on what’s really going on around here. Maybe it’ll turn out to be the brilliant/ crazy dude who has lined the walls with his weird straw sculptures. Or the ornery drunk who’s about to get thrown out for refusing to pay his $30 tab because (he insists) his glass is dirty. This dive, which has been around since the 1950s, found a new home in 2023 just 800 feet west of its original location after that land was sold to a developer (so Miami). The new space is a hair brighter and not nearly as dingy, but the vibe survived the short journey intact. And now there’s food — bar staples like smash burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, wings, and more, available until 2 a.m. every night of the week. Happy’s also continues to operate as a pack- age store that’s open until 5 a.m., in case the occasion requires moving the party elsewhere for the wee small hours of the morning. Higher Ground 2217 NW MIAMI CT., MIAMI HIGHERGROUNDWYNWOOD.COM True to its name, this indoor-outdoor, jungle- themed oasis serves as an elevated respite from the bustling Wynwood bar scene. Lo- cated on the third floor of the Arlo Wynwood hotel and accessible from an exterior stair- well off NW 22nd Street or via the hotel ele- vators, Higher Ground is all about the art of the cocktail. Pair your choice with dishes de- signed to complement each cocktail with a rotating selection of small plates, flatbreads, and sandwiches. John Martin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant 253 MIRACLE MILE, CORAL GABLES 305-209-0609 JOHNMARTINSMIAMI.COM For three decades, John Martin’s Irish Pub was the place to grab a pint of Guinness in Coral Gables. The restaurant and pub, opened in 1989 by friends Martin Lynch and John Clarke, was renowned for its cheery at- mosphere, live music, and an annual blowout St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The beloved watering hole closed in 2020 but reopened in November 2022 after an extensive refurbish- ment. Now operated by Breakwater Hospi- tality Group (the Wharf Miami, the Wharf Fort Lauderdale, Rivertail), along with Black Market Miami owner Erick Passo, the pub offers classic Irish favorites like bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, and a hearty Irish breakfast, plus a robust whiskey selection and (of course) a well-poured pint. Perhaps best of all, John Martin’s famous St. Patrick’s Day street festival has returned, making Mi- ami a “green” city once again. Jolene Sound Room 200 E. FLAGLER ST., MIAMI 305-603-9818 JOLENESOUNDROOM.COM A basement bar in Miami isn’t something you see every day, but the folks behind this retro-themed listening room know what they’re doing in terms of exploiting their be- low-sea-level location for opti- mal sound quality. A venture that pairs the Bar Lab crew with the owners of Club Space, this late-night down- town disco showcases global dance music and local DJs and backs up the entertainment with cocktails mixed in a Sat- urday Night Fever setting. Come early if you’re looking for a quiet cocktail, or ven- ture in late at night when you’re ready to dance off your dinner. Keg South Pinecrest 10417 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY, PINECREST 305-284-9296 KEGSOUTHPINECREST.COM/ This unassuming Pinecrest institution has poured cold beers and stiff drinks for locals since the 1960s — so long that early ownership reportedly changed hands mid- poker games. Hidden behind an unmarked alleyway entrance, Keg South embraces its dive-bar soul with no-frills decor (replete with dollar bills stapled to the wall) and an atmosphere that feels frozen in time. What you won’t find: “mixologists” crafting elaborate cocktails. What you will find: honest pours, icy pitchers, and straightforward adult beverages served sans pretension. The bar’s longevity goes deeper than drink, however. Regulars swear by the “World Famous Keg Burger,” whose deliciousness the management attributes to a “magic grill.” And don’t sleep on the “Keg Special Grilled Wings” and smoked fish dip, perfect accompaniments to the sportsball transpiring on the flat-screens. Lagniappe 3425 NE SECOND AVE., MIAMI 305-576-0108 LAGNIAPPEHOUSE.COM This indoor/outdoor hodgepodge of a place is named for a small gift traditionally bestowed upon a customer by a merchant, and the moniker couldn’t be more fitting. At this serve-yourself Midtown bar, you pick your craft beer, cheese, and wine, pay at the counter, and then plant yourself in a lawn chair beneath twinkling lights. Lagniappe offers live music — and sitting under the stars on a balmy night while listening to a band evokes an evening more New Orleans than Miami. Level 6 3480 MAIN HIGHWAY SIXTH FLOOR, MIAMI 786-800-2080 LEVEL6MIAMI.COM Whether you’re looking for a relaxing after- noon cocktail or a place to share a late-night glass of wine and some tapas, this is a rooftop retreat that’s perfect for both. Level 6, brought to us by the creative group behind South Florida establishments Akira Back, Amal, and Byblos, is one of the few neighbor- hood venues able to boast views of Miami and Biscayne Bay. Guests can soak up the sun via a menu of elevated Spanish cuisine, unique handcrafted cocktails, and curated entertainment. Menu highlights include Spanish charcuterie and a paella de maris- cos, which pair nicely with the bar’s signa- ture cocktails and its robust selection of rosé and sparkling wines. Lincoln’s Beard Brewing Co. 7360 SW 41ST ST., MIAMI 305-912-7390 LINCOLNSBEARDBREWING.COM When John Falco opened Lincoln’s Beard in May 2016, he chose a spot near Westchester rather than compete with established brew- ers in Wynwood and Doral. Today, Falco’s brewery stands as a community hub in Mi- ami’s Bird Road Art District. It’s an industrial space where you can always find a cold pint served with a hefty dose of ambiance and live entertainment. Part of its success is Falco’s commitment to giving back, continually play- ing host for a fundraising karaoke night or beer-and-food-inspired festival. The house- brewed beers rotate frequently and pair per- fectly with the on-premises food truck, Lala’s Burgers, an offshoot of the wildly popular Apocalypse BBQ. The smash patty-focused menu goes well with any of the core brews — say, Crisp-O-Currency Czech pale lager or P. Swayze American IPA. Los Altos 521 SW EIGHTH ST., MIAMI 305-456-5905 LOSALTOSMIAMI.COM Ever wonder what a speakeasy on top of a 30-year-old Mexican restaurant looks like? A Little Havana ballroom turned storage space, Los Altos has been transformed into a sultry mezcal-fueled lounge that requires you to make your way up a staircase and through a Mexican candy shop to gain access. Owned by the team that owns Ball & Chain, this late- night hotspot returned to the scene in early 2024, four years after a dramatic closure in- stigated by City of Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo. With a Prohibition-style vibe, the space is decorated with plush banquettes, sugar skulls, and rose-adorned señoritas. Ap- propriately, the cocktails skew toward the agave family; standout concoctions include the spicy “Oaxaca al Pastor,” crafted with Los Altos reposado tequila, Ancho Reyes Verde poblano liqueur, honey, lime, and cilantro; and the “Sayulita,” a shaken tonic of mezcal, mango, carrot, habanero chiles, ginger, and fresh lime. Lost Boy Dry Goods 157 E. FLAGLER ST., MIAMI 305-372-7303 LOSTBOYDRYGOODS.COM Forget the molecular mixology madness — Lost Boy Dry Goods brings drinking back to earth with brick walls, chill vibes, and zero pretension. Brought to you by Chris Hudnall and Randy Alonso (cf. Fox’s Lounge, https:// www.miaminewtimes.com/location/trope- zon-16468887 , and, most recently, Brother’s Keeper) this bar inside the historic Alfred I. John Martin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant Breakwater Hospitality Group photo TOP TOP 100 100 BARS
