side there’s a palapa-gone-stage and, inside, there is the backroom (also known as Shirley’s). You can catch a solid local or regional act on ei- ther of its stages year-round and, yes, down a brewski and maybe a slice from Pizza Tropical while you’re at it. A must: the Thursday night Double Stubble drag affairs. Photo courtesy of Center for Subtropical Affairs | CROSSFADE | t Music Superlative Stages From dive bars to arenas, check out Miami’s ten best live music venues. BY JESSE SCOTT experience is calling, you’ll find it in Miami. Much like the city itself, Miami’s live-mu- A sic venues attract world-class talent from near and far. So, whether you’re looking for a locally grown reggaeton thump-fest or the southeasternmost stop on your favorite art- ist’s tour, here are the best live music venues to catch them in Miami. Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts 1300 BISCAYNE BLVD., MIAMI; 305-949-6722; ARSHTCENTER.ORG What hasn’t graced the Adrienne Arsht Cen- ter’s stages? From presidential debates to Broadway tours to its resident companies (Flor- ida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet, and New World Symphony), this is the spot where cul- tural headlines are made. The performing arts center features two main venues: the 2,200-seat John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall and the 2,400-seat Ziff Ballet Opera House. Most live-music performances take place at the Knight Concert Hall, which has hosted the likes of the Roots, Björk, Patti LaBelle, Morrissey, and B.B. King. Featuring 84 movable acoustic pan- els, the hall is always tuned to perfection for any kind of performance. Center for Subtropical Affairs 7145 NW FIRST CT., MIAMI; CSTAMIAMI.ORG During the pandemic, Miami experienced an explosion of alternative venues at outdoor spaces. Among them was the Center for Sub- tropical Affairs in the Little River neighbor- hood. The garden-meets-market space hosts everything from yoga classes to raves, but it also excels as a live-music spot. It often hosts local acts, but there has been a string of national touring acts, including Sonic Youth founder and Coral Gables native Thurston Moore. Oh, n elegant, seated evening with the symphony. A mega-pop act in the hugest of arenas. A sweaty, mosh-filled affair in a dive bar. Whatever live music Thurston Moore performed at the Center for Subtropical Affairs. and there’s nothing like dancing to techno beats as the greenery sways in the wind. The Fillmore Miami Beach 1700 WASHINGTON AVE., MIAMI BEACH; 305-673-7300; FILLMOREMB.COM For headliners who straddle the line between huge arenas and smaller clubs, this mid-sized venue hits the sweet spot. Its recent draws in- cluded Death Cab for Cutie, the Kid Laroi, New Order, and Carly Rae Jepsen. It also hosted an awesome and random Madonna residency. Blocks from the beach and beam- ing with art deco allure, the Fillmore remains a beloved spot 60-plus years into its rockin’ journey. FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park 301 BISCAYNE BLVD., MIAMI; 305-358-7550; BAYFRONTPARKAMPHITHEATER.COM Hugging Biscayne Bay and steps from the downtown Miami skyline, locations don’t get much better than this. The open-air, multi- tiered venue with a sprawling grass space has been the site of some of Miami’s biggest spec- tacles. From Ultra Music Festival to New Year’s Eve shindigs with Pitbull, the enter- tainment is often as captivating as the vistas. Just remember your sunscreen if you’re jam- min’ all day. FTX Arena 601 BISCAYNE BLVD., MIAMI; 786-777-1000; FTXARENA.COM When home Heat games aren’t happening, this is often where the biggest shows in town — or the entirety of South Florida — go down. Let’s be real: Unless Elton John or Dua Lipa wants an intimate club tour, this is the only spot in Miami-Dade County that can host them and their gargantuan fan bases. So, for its mammoth size, adaptability, and beautiful Heat championship banners hanging from the rafters, we are super grateful for FTX Arena. Gramps 176 NW 24TH ST., MIAMI; 305-699-2669; GRAMPS.COM Don’t be fooled by the sign out front: There is oh, so much more to Gramps than air condi- tioning, cold beer, and cocktails. The Wynwood mainstay has two unique experiences — out- The Ground 34 NE 11TH ST., MIAMI; 305-375-0001; THEGROUNDMIAMI.COM Located in downtown Miami on Space’s ground floor, this gem of a concert hall is what the 305 needed to fill the gaping void of fallen favorites such as Grand Central. Since its 2017 opening, the Ground has hosted an array of musical acts spanning genres from indie rock and metal to R&B and electronic. Boasting an intimate environment equipped with great sound and a small elevated seating area for guests who don’t want to stand, the venue has quickly earned its honorific as one of the best venues in town. Las Rosas 2898 NW SEVENTH AVE., MIAMI; 786-780-2700; LASROSASBAR.COM Lovers of dive bars with a rock-infused edge will feel right at home at Las Rosas. Beyond a neon rose on its wall, chandelier above its bar, and the periodic framed photo of rockers past, music is front and center at this Allapattah haunt. For tunes, head to the small stage in the back room — there can be upward of ten differ- ent shows during a given week. For booze, there are two bars and, for a breather — when it’s not a bazillion degrees outside — hit the back patio. THE ENTERTAINMENT IS OFTEN AS CAPTIVATING AS THE VISTAS. North Beach Bandshell 7275 COLLINS AVE., MIAMI BEACH; 305- 672-5202; NORTHBEACHBANDSHELL.COM With ocean breezes, swaying palm trees, and strings of bistro life, the vibe at North Beach Bandshell is enough to make you swoon. Add in your favorite jams — spanning Citizen Cope to Magic City Opera to the Original Wailers — and it is pure Mi- ami Beach bliss. Pre- or post-show, be sure to check out some of Band- shell Park’s most quintessentially local features, in- cluding domino pavilions and a glass tile mandala commemo- rating the Beatles’ first U.S. performance, which transpired steps away at the soon-to-be- demolished Deauville Hotel. Oasis Wynwood 2335 N. MIAMI AVE., MIAMI; OASISWYNWOOD.COM In a town of primarily classic music venues, the Oasis is the new kid on the block. And it is totally kicking ass. After opening with a Tiësto-infused rager in May 2021, this 35,000-square-foot, dynamic Wynwood desti- nation has kept the big names coming, includ- ing Zedd, Charli XCX, and Rauw Alejandro. And there’s more to this spot than the tunes. To make the most of an Oasis adventure, drop in atthe shipping container-clad Tower Bar or one of the six on-site food concepts. [email protected] 15 15 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | miaminewtimes.com | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | NEW TIMES MIAMI NEW TIMES JUNE 9-JUNE 15, 2022 MONTH XX–MONTH XX, 2008
