10 Best Miami Beach Nightlife Experiences

Long considered one of Miami Beach’s most glamorous haunts, Nikki Beach has been putting on a show since 1998 with its ultra-plush deck that’s kitted out with comfy opium beds and piles of cushions, and shaded by breezy palm trees and vanilla-hued umbrellas. This upscale restaurant and club attracts international clientele, as well as sun-loving moneyed locals, who flock here for its globally-inspired menu and stunning tree-lined garden.

Grab a table and enjoy signature sushi boats, seafood platters, and golden rotisserie chicken paired with champagne, wine, and creative cocktails. As the sun begins to set, boogie to beats from Nikki’s roster of DJs, or hit a private luxury cabana for beers with friends.

A world-famous club that’s characterised by an illuminated Art Deco marquee, Cameo is host to the longest-running Saturday hip-hop party in the Miami Beach area. Situated in a stylish film theatre dating back to the 1930s, patrons flock to Cameo for its humungous dance floor that was envisioned by the legendary nightlife designer Callin Fortis.

Split across 2 levels and featuring 6 deluxe bars, Cameo is a haven of A-list musicians, with Future, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne having taken to the stage here. If you really want to make a night of it, you can book a VIP table with swanky bottle service, before letting your hair down to old-school rap classics.

For serious R&R time, head to Wet Willie's in Miami Beach’s glamorous Art Deco district and grab a table on the spacious outside deck. Overlooking Ocean Drive, this easy-going bar is the perfect place to watch the sun set on the water while enjoying a refreshing frozen daiquiri and offbeat pub cuisine.

With over 18 flavours of alcoholic slushies to choose from (including Shock Treatment, Call-A-Cab, Monkey Shine, and Sour Apple), you’ll be have trouble choosing a favourite. The food here is an indulgent mix of American and Mexican munchies – try the quesadillas, shrimp and grits, chicken tenders, and mozzarella bites.

With its dazzling display of neon and a ceiling that drips with crystal-clear umbrellas and exotic trailing vines, Do Not Sit On The Furniture is a visually spectacular Miami Beach nightclub that champions underground house music. The name says it all really – this is a place where you go to dance (although there are comfy booths and an outside patio when you need to take a rest).

Check the official website so you can book tickets to one of the club’s many events, showcasing electrifying DJs like Omar Rantisi, Jessy Nimni, Anthony Middleton [Audiofly], Nico Moon, and Anstascia. You can also reserve a table, if you’re so inclined, and enjoy a glamourous evening of bottle service.

A Miami Beach institution, Blocks Pizza Deli stays open after midnight 7-days a week, making it the perfect joint to cure your post-clubbing hunger. The slices are square here and loaded with all kinds of delicious cheeses including mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, and feta.

For a true taste of Italy, nothing beats the Prosciutto Pizza – a treat that bursts with tangy tomato sauce, fresh arugula, and delicious prosciutto di Parma ham. Alternatively, grab a slab of the Farmer’s Choice Pizza that’s layered with onions, peppers, Kalamata olives, and baby portobello mushrooms before finishing off with a chocolatey Nutella pizza slice (yes, really).

Instantly recognisable thanks to its sweets pink exterior and purple neon sign, Ted’s Hideaway is an iconic South Beach dive bar that’s drawn the likes of U2’s Bono over the years with its strong drinks, old-school pool table, and tasty Tex-Mex bites. Boasting over 60 beers, this is the perfect low-key hangout for when you want to mingle with the locals or catch up with friends over a round of Miller Lites.

After you’ve knocked back a cold one, treat yourself to a Hideaway Burger made with ½ a pound of sirloin, or indulge in the Triple Threat Grilled Cheese sandwich, accompanied by chips and pickles. Ted’s super-generous Happy Hour runs from midday until 8 pm, so hit the hideaway early so you can really make the most of it.

Located in the 4-star Hilton Bentley Hotel, Santorini by Georgios is a celebrated Greek restaurant and beach club that serves classic Mediterranean fare by a glamorous palm-fringed pool. The cocktails are a major drawcard here with some truly creative concoctions on offer including Tears of Chios, Revenge of the Spartans, and Summer in Santorini.

Grab a table outside and feast on homemade dolmades, flaming cheese saganaki, Mama’s spanakopita, and big-eye tuna crudo. If you’re a meat lover, you’ll relish the restaurant’s succulent mixed grill which is piled high with all kinds of goodies like classic lamb gyro, chicken kebabs, and tender steak minuta.

Mango’s Tropical Café is a unique Miami Beach creature: a performance venue, restaurant, and nightclub all rolled into one. Everything, and we mean everything, is flamboyant here – from the rhinestone adorned cabaret performers to the bar’s OTT cocktails that are rimmed with coloured sugar and decorated with exotic fruit and orchids.

At 8 pm every evening, you can catch one of the city’s most high-octane music and dance shows from the comfort of your table, spanning Brazilian Samba, Cuban Conga, and sultry Latin genres. While you’re being dazzled, you’ll enjoy an eclectic menu of salads, tacos, burgers, and pasta, before ending the experience with a decadent dessert.

Long considered one of the world’s most lavish, show-stopping nightclubs, LIV at the Fontainebleau Hotel is a VIP enclave that’s drawn the likes of DJ Tiësto as a performer, and actors Leonardo Dicaprio and George Clooney as patrons. With its $10 million revamp, this 18,000-sq.-ft. cornerstone of Miami Beach nightlife features a mammoth dance floor, kaleidoscopic lighting, and a state-of-the-art sound system.

LIV is a glamorous venue, to say the least, so prepare to splash out on bottle service (which ranges from $1,000 to $6,000, depending on the talent). The club is notoriously hard to get into unless you know an A-lister. That said, you can take your chances in the line outside and hope that a burly security guard choices you.

There’s no better place in Miami for Japanese cuisine and speciality cocktails than Katsuya in South Beach. This slick, contemporary venue is helmed by French design impresario Philippe Starck and master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi.

You’ll be spoiled for choice by what’s on offer including an extensive raw bar, Ossetra caviar, Wagyu gyoza, and gastronomic creations like chef’s snow crab donuts with kewpie mayo and miso-glazed black cod with magnolia ‘houba’ leaf. Save room for dessert because Katsuya’s sweet stuff is truly special – order the decadent chocolate mousse cake topped with marshmallow fluff, or cleanse your palate with the lychee ginger sorbet.