MIAMI BEACH

Bachelorette Parties With South Beach Style

So, you're planning your best friend's bachelorette party and the thought of a corner booth at the local steakhouse makes the both of you yawn, right? Well, how about bringing the girls to South Beach and transforming what would've been a "good" bachelorette party into a memory of a lifetime for the entire group? If the idea of a Destination Bachelorette Party in South Beach appeals to you we have some tips to help you along. Here's how it's done.

Before your trip, clearly establish a few basic ground rules. Talk to each person attending the bash and determine their personal boundaries BEFORE you book your tickets. Communicate clearly the logistics, the expenses and the general nature of the vacation. Some girls like to get together to bond, relax, get a tan and talk about the particulars of the upcoming wedding, while others see a bachelorette party as a farewell to the meat market and a last hurrah as single women. Some girls really do want to be "bad" like the boys with male strippers, then rely upon useless promises that no one back home can EVER hear about what really happened on the trip.

The bride should be the first to decide what kind of party she wants. After that, be certain each guest is comfortable with all of the events so that no one returns home with a bruised ego. Even if planning this trip falls entirely on your shoulders and you want to reserve a few surprises for the girls, be mindful of the fact that the energy and expense you invest in planning a Destination Bachelorette is too great for anyone to end up in tears. Simply put, before you go, know your group, communicate your plans, and avoid hurt feelings. Your friends will thank you, the bride will thank you... and the groom? Well, "what happened in South Beach" will make him wish he had friends like you!

Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Hotel choices range from extravagant to simply practical. You can reserve a few simple rooms and save your party funds for restaurants and bars, or you can Go VIP and let the hotel do the hard work for you. At the top of the line, you and your guests might opt for the celeb's favorite - Delano Hotel (1685 Collins Avenue) where Lindsay Lohan was recently spotted poolside. The Delano Pool is all about people watching, so you'll need to bring your A-Game in terms of hot swimwear and sexy cover-ups. Bachelorettes can book an exclusive day-into-night beach cabana or opt for a swank, 2 level poolside bungalow that's the most luxurious townhouse in the city. Either option gives you a front row seat at the hottest show in town. If the bride is a bit of a Diva who likes to tan and be pampered, the Delano will definitely rub her the right way!

Agua at the Delano is a rooftop, girls-only spa featuring full-service salon treatments and a clothing optional sun deck. Plan a full day of spa services for all of the girls to celebrate this special time away together. Get your bodies soothed and smoothed so you'll look your best before you hit the town. Plan dinner at the hotel's Blue Door Restaurant starting with cocktails at the adjoining Rose Bar where guests meet and mingle over a game of pool or a flute of champagne. Everything about the Delano feels chic and sexy and all areas, including the spa, cabanas and the terraced dining platform, are open to reservations even if you aren't a hotel guest. Definitely check it all out!

If a spa vacation sounds like something you and the girls would enjoy, think about a totally relaxing stay at The Standard Hotel (40 Island Avenue), Miami's first adults-only full service bath house. Located on the west side of town, this place is considered the "antidote" to South Beach where the focus is on quiet, rest and relaxation. But don't worry - all the best nightclubs are only a 5-minute cab ride away! This east coast version of Los Angeles' hippest hotel chain features an outdoor pool with a Roman waterfall hot tub, a full service and self service spa and a co-ed Turkish style Hammam (steam bath). Unlike the Delano, The Standard is quiet, sophisticated, and entirely casual. On Sundays, take the hotel shuttle over to the Raleigh Hotel for the sundown Soiree pool party and then see where the night takes you...

To experience both a quiet escape by day and a rocking good time by night, reserve a few "wet rooms" at the Standard and enjoy outdoor bathtubs filled with customized aromatherapy soaks right on your terrace. Wrap yourselves in the spa's white terry robes and make your way to the bay front pool area to sample a Golden Body Mud Bath. Swim in the chlorine free pool to the tune of underwater speakers piping in music spun by the in-house DJ. If you're too relaxed to bother leaving the property for lunch, you'll be happy to know that Eric Ripert of New York's Le Bernardin restaurant supervised the spa menu served poolside. No matter how much trouble you manage to find after hours, it may be a comfort to know that the Standard has the cure for whatever ails you once the sun rises on Biscayne Bay.

Other top-level hotel options include the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, the brand new Regent South Beach Hotel on Ocean Drive, or the very sophisticated Hotel Victor. Each property can cater a lavish bachelorette weekend with spa service, luxurious food and drink and extravagant accommodations. Plan a night of exploring the best South Beach lounges and try to see them all. To give you an idea of the subtle differences in hotel style, we'll start our tour at the very elegant Ritz-Carlton.

The Ritz-Carlton South Beach (One Lincoln Road) is perhaps the most conservative choice of all. What distinguishes the Ritz is the level of service, the quiet quality of the hotel staff and the brand new 5 star gourmet cuisine at David Bouley evolution. For a bachelorette dinner you will not soon forget, make reservations at this brand new restaurant which features the culinary pyrotechnics of a top New York chef. You can order from the menu or allow the kitchen to present a custom Tasting Dinner paired with wines to surprise and delight the most discerning Foodies in your group. On weekdays, the Ritz also offers a far more casual "Tapas and 'Tinis" menu featuring a fusion of Spanish and American cuisine. Sip ginger infused vodka cocktails as you sample chorizo corn dogs, salsa spiked fries and garlic roasted chicken wings.

In the morning, try a quick pick-me-up at the DiLido Beach Club and then a day of sun and surf. While the outdoor menu is light and healthful, the atmosphere at the beach club is as sexy as a day on the Mediterranean. A DJ takes over when the sun goes down, transforming this oceanside spot into an open-air lounge. Best bet for your plans? Friday nights from 5-9pm, girls enjoy free champagne! Even if your plans don't include an expensive hotel, be sure you and the girls hit Happy Hour at the Ritz.

The Hotel Victor (1144 Ocean Drive) is a little less exclusive, but a lot more wild. Imagine a sexy weekend house party hosted at one of the best MTV Cribs. The Victor looks like something out of a stylized music video. Perhaps that's why this is the favorite haunt of celebs in the music business. With only 90 rooms including a spectacular penthouse, you can party like a rock star right on Ocean Drive. At the top of the property, enjoy a 4000 square foot indoor/outdoor penthouse accessible only by private elevator. This two bedroom, three-bath suite features a 360-degree view of South Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. The living and dining areas have plasma screen surround sound TVs and there's a hot tub out on the terrace. If you've got the budget, a penthouse party at the Victor truly is the Top of the World!

The Dining Room and Lounge at the Victor are must-sees whether you're a guest or not. To make the most of their seaside location, the designers at Vix placed a magnificent floor-to-ceiling aquarium at the focal point of the lounge - and then filled it with jellyfish! The effect is fascinating. Stop in and share a few appetizers from the innovative menu including lobster claw tempura or individual skewers of Peruvian beef or chicken "anticucho." Pop up and rest a while on the sexy beach beds at Vue; a bar with an attitude featuring a 20-foot video wall on the terrace overlooking Ocean Drive. Hot Tip: Thursday night house music parties attract some of the hottest bodies on South Beach. If you find your stilettos have worked their magic on your feet after a long night of partying, the hotel spa offers a "MojiTOE's" pedicure featuring a warm lime-infused foot bath, a raw sugar scrub, and just enough TLC to get you sandal-ready for the rest of the trip.

Roof top hot tubs and custom massages also figure prominently into the guest experience at the brand new Regent (1458 Ocean Drive). While most Ocean Drive hotels are renovated Art Deco properties, this brand new low-rise building was designed to resemble a modern cruise ship. Each guest suite feels like the perfect apartment including gourmet kitchens and lavish baths. Taking advantage of the prime Ocean Drive location, every suite has a wrap around terrace and some have private hot tubs overlooking the glass bottom pool. Best bet for a larger group are the suites on the pool deck which offer sheer fabric drapes that slide around the patio to create an impromptu private cabana.

The Regent's 5 star service staff includes butlers who can make magic happen 24 hours a day. From spa service on the secluded rooftop garden to a chef's tasting menu prepared just for the bachelorettes in your suite, no request is too extraordinary for the professionals at the Regent. The hotel's greatest achievement was enticing celebrity chef Govind Armstrong to open Miami's own Table 8. This brand new restaurant boasts the freshest local ingredients prepared in creative new ways and served in an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication. To make matters just a little hotter, Chef Armstrong was actually included in People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People issue! Doesn't THAT sound delicious?

If your budget doesn't cover a suite at the Regent, definitely plan to hit the sexy patio lounge overlooking Ocean Drive where you and the girls can choose from an array of tropical tapas designed by the star chef and served after hours. The atmosphere is more quiet and sophisticated than Vix, but the view through the glass bottom pool makes it all worthwhile.

South Beach Bites
Tapas lounges are everywhere on South Beach right now which makes it easy to enjoy a variety of little dishes as you make your way about town. The most fashion-forward spot is Social at the Sagamore Hotel (1671 Collins Avenue) where the menu was designed by Food TV star Michele Bernstein. Get things rolling with a bunch of tiny gourmet treats to start the cocktail march on the right foot. The scene is gallery chic, so dress to impress and have a quick toast to the bride before you move forward into the night. Best options on the menu include the Korean chicken lollipops, the jerk-seasoned lobster skewers and the passsion fruit and chili-infused vodka cocktails.

While the vibe at Social is "see and be seen," there are more intimate spots for you and the girls to kick back and relax. Best of the bunch is Vino Miami Wine Bar (1601 Washington Avenue) where the owner has assembled over 400 small production boutique wines. If the bride-to-be has a nose for something vintage, take the group here to sip and sample. There are delicious, wine-friendly appetizers to enhance your experience from caviar to imported cheeses so nibble and taste into the night. Weeknights from 4-7pm, a selection of reds and whites is available for just $5 a glass, which makes this a perfect spot to warm up before dinnertime.

For a more casual approach to the tapas menu, check out Tapas Y Tintos (448 Espanola Way) an entirely authentic Spanish style restaurant where the Rioja flows and the guitarist sings songs of love well into the night. If your tastes run to a more eclectic experience, bring the girls to Miss Yip, a Chinese style tea room (1661 Meridian Avenue) featuring crispy tidbits and strong tropical cocktails. Jennie Yip knows her way around a party, so she set up this Cantonese brasserie beneath Miami's best after hours club - Buck 15 Lounge. Start the evening with a bunch of Chinese appetizers and then bring everyone up the back staircase to chill with the locals in this hidden hot spot.

Jennie Yip was instrumental in the launch of another great party spot - The Bond Street Lounge at the TownHouse Hotel (150 20th Street). If the girls like sushi, no one does it better than Bond Street. From top to bottom, the TownHouse provides the perfect setting for a bachelorette hang out.

Bond Street features an ultra modern party atmosphere, great food and cool music. Start out with a few nibbles and then take the group up to the rooftop lounge from 8pm - 2am to enjoy a panoramic view of South Beach from their bright red waterbeds.

If you want to set up a more formal affair, the hotel will cater a sunset toast for you and the bride at your own private rooftop soiree. The rest of the place is like a Mod Playhouse where you and the girls can hang out and party in a relaxed, beach house setting. It just might be the coolest slumber party ever!  

The art of making a meal of little plates, or mezze, is incredibly popular in the Mediterranean. No place on South Beach captures this vibe better than the "Big Fat Greek Wedding" atmosphere at Taverna Opa (36 Ocean Drive). This could possibly be your best option for everyone to eat, to sample some ouzo and to join the hot Greek waiters up on the tabletops for a little sexy dancing! You will definitely need to bring along a camera to capture the fun and excitement when the plates start to fly.

If the idea of creating a scene in a public place is not for your blushing bride, there are plenty of restaurants to enjoy a quiet dinner and reconnect with friends. China Grill (404 Washington Avenue) creates an atmosphere that's both chic and sophisticated while allowing diners to feel as intimate as they like. The food is served family style on large platters so that everyone gets a chance to share and taste all of the interesting options. As the evening wears on into night, the lights go down, the music goes up and the place starts to feel like a lounge. This is a perfect spot to get the girls ready for a night out on South Beach.

Set Yourself Free
Just around the corner - but light years away - take the girls over to Nikki Beach Club (1 Ocean Drive) on a Friday or Saturday night where bachelorette parties of 6 or more receive complimentary admission and a complimentary bottle of champagne. On Saturday afternoons, you and the girls can hit the sexy sun beds at no charge and enjoy free admission plus a pitcher of their delicious mojitos. If you have a group of 11 or more, they'll reserve 2 lounge beds and up the offer to 2 bottles of champagne or 2 pitchers of mojitos. Did we mention all this is free? Just be certain you call the club in advance to make a reservation.

While the rest of the world might make you feel like it's better for boys, girls rule at B.E.D. nightclub where huge mattresses on raised platforms with fluffy pillows make for a pajama party you'll never forget. Definitely not a place for a virgin bride, Monday nights feature a Secret Society Dinner Party where ladies eat dinner for free on a first-come, first served basis. Guest DJs spin Hip Hop & R&B Mondays until 5am.

If you prefer a more upscale crowd, Wednesday is party night at The Forge Restaurant (432 41st Street) where you can enjoy an open bar from 10pm until midnight. Start off with a fabulous gourmet dinner and then make your way to Glass for Michael Capponi's mid-week party, one of the most popular on the Beach.

Thursday nights at Automatic Slims (1216 Washington Avenue) are a bachelorettes dream come true - you'll drink absolutely free all night long. If the bride likes a fun, casual atmosphere where there's never any attitude, pull on your favorite jeans and join the locals at this all night party spot. Rock n' roll, 80's and old school hip hop make this a great place to get the girls dancing until 5am.

The Morning After
You'll find that mornings are often very quiet on South Beach. While everyone sleeps off the effects of the night before, treat the girls to a casual breakfast at Big Pink (157 Collins Avenue), a gourmet diner with sidewalk seating that just happens to lead to the most popular surfer's beach. Try to focus on your fluffy omelettes and polenta fries as guys who look like they just stepped out of the Abercrombie and Fitch catalog make their way past your table.

On Sundays, treat the group to the best brunch in the city just across the street at Nemo (100 Collins Avenue) where the desserts are spread out along all three sides of the horseshoe-shaped bar. A table on the patio under the branches of a giant banyan tree provides the perfect respite from the busy day ahead. The food is fresh, tasty and really plentiful, so when they say "all you can eat," it's not difficult to overindulge.

And Don't Forget Shopping...
If you've had your fill of sun and surf, take the girls on a shopping adventure. South Beach has two concentrated areas of sidewalk strolling on lower Collins Avenue and the Lincoln Road pedestrian mall. Collins Avenue from 5th through 9th Streets is an ideal shopping destination with stores as basic as the GAP, Urban Outfitters and Banana Republic and as sophisticated as Barney's NY COOP and Armani Exchange.

Collins Avenue Shopping Map

Lincoln Road Shopping Map

For shopping, strolling and a quick pick-me-up at a sidewalk cafe, Lincoln Road pedestrian mall is as close to Main Street as you'll find on South Beach. Choose from vintage boutiques to big box department stores, art galleries to day spas. This 10 block promenade serves as the heart of the district for locals and tourists too.

If the thrill of the hunt makes your heart beat faster, take the girls on an outlet shopping day at one of the premier shopping destinations in South Florida. While the Dolphin Outlet Mall (www.shopdolphinmall.com) is closer to South Beach, the best finds are in Broward County at Sawgrass Mills Mall (www.sawgrassmillsmall.com). The latest addition to Sawgrass, the Colonade Outlets features top designer discounters from Neiman Marcus, Barneys, Burberry, Cavalli, Miss Sixty, Escada, Kate Spade, Max Mara and so much more. Both mall websites provide transportation guides so you can coordinate shuttle service for your savvy shoppers.

Bargain hunting might not appeal to your bridal brigade, but no woman can resist an afternoon of designer daydreams at the Bal Harbour Shops. This top dollar destination is just 10 minutes north of South Beach and features the biggest names in fashion. Plan an afternoon of lunch or cocktails and then check out the newest receipts at D&G, Cartier, Chanel and Bulgari. Even if your budget won't stretch to fit one more Louis Vuitton bag, a quick bite at La Gouloue or Carpaccio and a peek at those Tiffany diamonds does wonders to soothe her pre-wedding jitters.

Can You Keep a Secret?
Sun, sand, shopping and spas all fall well within the parameters of a South Beach holiday. What you need as a final bit of inspiration in planning your escape is the most important element of all - Surprise. While some might think a guy dressed as a sexy policeman who slowly shows you his own interpretation of a Moving Violation is the kind of excitement bachelorettes crave, we've decided to take the high road and give you a few pointers on some unexpected pleasures that aren't all X-rated.

Perhaps the most genteel escape is an afternoon at Miami's historic Biltmore Hotel and Spa (1200 Anastasia Avenue, www.lhw.com/Biltmore ) where a formal English tea is served weekday afternoons from 3-6pm. If the bride enjoys golf or tennis, there are 10 tennis courts and a renowned 18-hole golf course, a full service spa and one of the world's largest and most elegant swimming pools. Free walking tours of the grounds are available Sunday afternoons following one of the most popular champagne brunches in the city. Surprise everyone with a mystery limo ride from South Beach and then let the girls decide if they want to work out or relax at this lavish 1920s era resort. The hotel concierge can even arrange a complimentary horse drawn carriage ride through historic Coral Gables.

If the bride is sporty and the girls are a bit competitive, plan a night at Lucky Strike (1692 Michigan Avenue) a high tech bowling alley night club just off Lincoln Road. With a little advance planning, you can order some customized bowling shirts and goofy trophies and throw an impromptu Tournament of Champions. Pit the married girls against the single ones or the bad girls against the good... Think of a category that most suits your personalities and let the games begin! Lucky Strike has a great munchie menu and a staff of experienced party professionals who will help you plan your semi-friendly competition.

Most visitors to South Beach enjoy a 90-minute tour of the star's homes on Duck Tours aqua coach, a motorized vehicle that drives into the bay and transforms into a boat. For your surprise package, why not take everyone on a mystery cruise aboard the brand new ferry to Key West (www.seakeywestexpress.com)? Group rates are available for the lovely day cruise departing from Key Biscayne at 8:30am. Arriving in time for lunch, you'll have 5 hours to sightsee or to tackle the famous Duval Street Pub Crawl before boarding the ferry back to Miami. Enjoy fresh seafood at the waterfront Half Shell Raw Bar (231 Margaret Street) or a gourmet meal at the fabulous Marquesa Inn (600 Fleming Street). The folks at Key West Walking Tours (www.keywestwalkingtours.com) will happily meet your party at the dock and lead you on a bachelorette adventure you're not soon to forget.

If you just have to take the girls to a male revue, the most popular destination is La Bare (16301 Biscayne Boulevard, 1-877-527-8747 www.labareflorida.com), a North Miami Beach strip club that specializes in all the usual Girl's Night Out wildness. While we strongly suggest you make certain everyone in your group is comfortable with a great deal of muscle bound nudity, we can assure you that this place is the most professional club of it's type in the city. In preparation for a night of exotic dancing, stop by your hotel cashier and fill your handbag with a quantity of singles or fives so the brave amongst you might tip the strippers. Telephone the club in advance to arrange to have the bride brought up on the stage for a little one-on-one shimmy and shake. Definitely discuss the cost of drinks and dances before you arrive as all adult clubs profit from uninhibited risky business. Travel time from South Beach to La Bare is about 25 minutes, so if you have no designated driver, renting a limo is probably your best bet. If you need bachelorette party favors, stop by Ricky's (560 Lincoln Road) and pop up to the second level where all of the goofy, sexy novelties are sold.

Bachelorettes on South Beach have carte blanche at all of the best clubs and bars. A few telephone calls before your trip will open many doors. Research Miami's hottest clubs to see what kind of music they feature, what special performances they're scheduling and what offers they make to groups out celebrating a special event. While most visitors expect to stand in lines at the top doors, parties of single women often breeze right past the bouncers and into the fun. Be friendly, dress up, and tip generously and you'll find there's a place on every dance floor in town for you and the girls.

Once you've got your plans sorted out, we think you'll agree that South Beach just might be the vacation you and your girlfriends remember long after she says, "I do..."

Have fun!