The Hidden Value of Nightclubs in Miami Beach
Any time there’s a discussion of the benefits Miami Beach receives from having a healthy nightlife scene, the pro-nightlife contingent usually focus on items such as tax revenue and increased tourism. However, there are other benefits the City derives from its nightclubs that aren’t readily apparent.
Consider the Loews Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York. The Kings was a magnificent 3192-seat theatre built in 1929 just as the talkies were coming on the scene and it was a design masterpiece that epitomized the term “movie palace.” For size comparison, when Miami Beach’s Mansion nightclub was a movie theatre it had 1200 seats.
While most of America’s great movie palaces have now been destroyed, there is currently a movement to restore the Loews Kings Theatre to its former glory as people have come to realize what a great architectural treasure theatres such as this represent. However, it is estimated that the Kings’ restoration will cost the citizens of Brooklyn approximately $70 million due to the severe damage the theatre suffered while it sat unused for the last 30 years.
These photos shows the current state of the Loews Kings Theatre. 
The photo at right from that set shows some of the severe water damage that has taken place over the years.
Now, compare that situation to Miami Beach’s Cameo Theatre and Cinema Theatre (Mansion nightclub). While the two Miami Beach theatres are no where near the level of architectural sophistication the Kings Theatre represents, both of these buildings are historical treasures that have not only been preserved for posterity free of charge to the citizens of Miami Beach, but both theatres have also been producing considerable tax revenue and valuable entertainment services for its citizens for the last 20+ years. This has occurred for one reason only, and that is, these theatres were allowed to operate as nightclubs, a form of entertainment the public was willing to pay for.
Also compare Cameo and Mansion to the two theatres the City of Miami Beach has operated itself for the last few decades, the Colony and the Byron Carlyle theatres. What have those two theatres produced in tax revenue? What boost in tourism has the City derived from its investment in them? What entertainment services have those two theatres provided every weekend for the last 20 years?
The bottom line is this…
The citizens of Miami Beach have received 20+ years of tax revenue, valuable entertainment services, and two perfectly preserved historic buildings, while the citizens of Brooklyn received no entertainment benefit and are now faced with a $70 million price tag to keep the Loews Kings Theatre from collapsing in on itself.
You tell me which city got the best deal.
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