Weekend in Miami Beach: Happy July 4th
Holidays in Miami are always over the top and this one is no exception. Have fun pool hopping, club stopping and name dropping as you work your way through celebrity-filled bars and gourmet restaurants. This weekend promises BIG THINGS for fans of sexy pool parties, internationally renowned DJs and round-the-clock action. July 2-5 promises to keep you on the move from the splash of an early morning swim to the bright lights of a dance floor spin!
As you make your way around the city this weekend, add a few minutes to your travel times as traffic should be a bit more intense and street closures for fireworks on Ocean Drive make parking even more of a challenge.
Enjoy the holiday!
Thursday July 2
Breakfast
Cafe at Books & Books/ 933 Lincoln Road / While the popular book shop has moved behind the scenes at the Art Deco Sterling Building, the sidewalk cafe still manages to bring in a crowd of decidedly hip shoppers who turn out early to cruise boutiques like BASE and DWR nearby. Grab a table, a latte and a fresh pastry and see who’s-who in the fashionable crowd.
Lunch
Wish / 801 Collins Avenue / Attractive and friendly servers make a meal at Wish a special occasion no matter the time of day. This quiet oasis on a busy corner of South Beach serves creative New American cuisine on a terrace near a romantic little fountain or in a second covered deck area where a balmy day makes for a perfect escape. Add to the vacationy vibe by popping up to the roof deck at the Spire Lounge to see what the city looks like from on high.
Afternoon Action
Palms / 3025 Collins Avenue / Spending the weekend in flip flops and sunscreen sounds simply perfect! Grab a drink at the Palms “Sip and Spa” party starting at 6pm and sway to the subtle stylings of Miami’s own DJ Billy Paul who captures the laid back vibe of a balmy South Florida Thursday at this chill soiree.
*Special Evening Action thru July 5…
FUERZA BRUTA at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts will extend through August 2. A special promotion including a $10 discount on tickets, autographed merchandise drawing and a nightly meet and greet with the cast in the G Lounge is only available through July 5. Please note, there is no show on July 4th.
Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Single ticket prices are $63.75 and $73.75 including a $3.75 facility fee. Tickets can be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office at 305.949.6722 or online at www.arshtcenter.org. Groups of 15 or more, please contact 786.468.2326. For more information and video clips please visit www.fuerzabruta.net.
Cocktails
Halo Lounge / 1625 Michigan Avenue / This popular and sophisticated gay-friendly lounge on Lincoln Road offers the perfect sunset respite from a day of shopping on the Mall. Nice atmosphere, friendly service, a chill music mix and a lively crowd make for a fun happy hour or pre-dinner drink.
Dinner
Casa Tua / 1700 James Avenue / A hidden treasure in a city known for beautiful spaces, this upscale Italian eatery caters to romantic diners, celebrity trysts and a party crowd late night. What sets Tua apart is the food which shines from start to finish. Pricey and posh, this is a lovely place for a special night out on South Beach.
Nightlife
Mansion / 1235 Washington Avenue / Thursday’s hot new party “In the Studio” features top recording artists crafting a night of music and mayhem at South Beach’s hottest night spot. Ginuwine celebrates the release of his new album, “A Man’s Thoughts” with DJ Fellin on deck, a bevy of beautiful dancers and house assassins DJ Affect and Konflikt on hand to move you all night long.
Friday July 3
Breakfast
News Cafe / 800 Ocean Drive / Early morning on Ocean Drive finds the Deco District restocking and readying for another busy day. A sidewalk table at this popular 24-hour eatery offers the perfect vantage point for watching the neighborhood shake itself back to life. Grab a paper and a pot of coffee and linger for a while with the quirky cast of characters at the News.
Lunch
Thai House South Beach/ 1137 Washington Avenue / Any culture famous for it’s hangover soup is OK in our book. The lunch specials at this popular Thai restaurant are a great opportunity to share and sample. Paired with soup or a salad, the tastes of ginger and lemongrass make for a refreshing departure from everyday fare. Offering both meat and vegetarian entrees, diners can moderate just how hot and spicy they dare to go.
Afternoon Action
Carlton Hotel / 1433 Collins Avenue / A marathon 96-hour Fourth of July celebration called “New York City Meets Miami” kicks off it’s 3 day pool party at the Carlton Hotel with guest appearances by New York DJs Camilo, NYSE and Abrupt versus the 305’s own DJ Kaiser. Single event passes start off at only $35 but an all-inclusive party pass includes a trip through South Beach nightspots Dream (tonight), Ink (Saturday) and Hed Kandi for the Sunday farewell cocktail event.
Cocktails
Room / 100 Collins / A local’s secret hideout, Room is a tiny storefront that is “blink and you missed it” small but filled with big potential. A nice rock music mix, beer and wine served with no attitude and a young and attractive crowd make Room an easy and affordable option for happy hour or a late night nip.
Dinner
La Locanda / 413 Washington Avenue / A quiet family-style Italian eatery with an insider’s vibe, La Locanda makes delicious pasta, a hearty veal chop and desserts worth saving room for (if you can). The friendly owner oversees a capable waitstaff and ensures your meal moves along seamlessly.
Nightlife
Shine / 1801 Collins Avenue / The Shelborne celebrates the season with “Ecco Beach,” a hot party with free drinks from 10-midnight and a lineup of top talents presented by Behrouz including DJs Josh Wink and Jon Cowan on deck. Join host Biz Martinez for a rocking night on the beach.
Saturday July 4
Breakfast
Big Pink / 157 Collins Avenue / Budget-conscious visitors flock to Big Pink where most entrees are large enough to share. With a buzzy atmosphere, a full bar and an overstuffed pastry case, deciding what to eat for breakfast may take longer than you thought it might. Crunchy waffles, overstuffed omelet’s and fat breakfast burritos are definitely the way to go.
Lunch
The Spot / 1570 Alton Road / A brand new contender at lunchtime or late night, The Spot offers fresh seafood with a Cajun twist and a perfect respite on a busy holiday weekend. From Po’Boys to hush puppies, a great casual meal awaits you on the west side of the city today.
Afternoon Action
Surfcomber / 1717 Collins Avenue / Everyone’s in the pool celebrating today so hop to the Doubletree for the 5th Annual IndepenDANCE Pool and Beach Party featuring Denny Tenaglia and Victor Calderone spinning from 11am to 11 pm. This is the main event for South Beach revelers so be sure your bikini is tight and your sunscreen is right. Twelve hours of sun, sand, surf and sexy makes this THE place to be for the Fourth of July!
Cocktails
Bleau Bar / 4441 Collins Avenue / The focal point in the main lobby of the hotel is bathed in blue light, shimmers from all sides and welcomes guests to surrender to the surreal undersea world that is the Fontainebleau Resort by night. Always busy, the room fills with a great looking crowd overflowing from nearby LIV nightclub.
Dinner
Hakkasan / 4441 Collins Avenue / Fine dining meets Chinese cuisine at Alan Yau’s brand new temple of pricey Cantonese chow perched atop the Lapis Spa building at the Fontainebleau Resort. Start with bamboo baskets of tender steamed dumplings and move boldly through the 5 spiced duck breast or the premium Peking duck served with golden osetra caviar. Not for the faint of heart nor tight or budget, this is the Emperor’s New Hotspot for bold flavors, exotic spices and exceedingly high prices. 786-276-1388
Nightlife
LIV / 4441 Collins Avenue / The Fontainebleau books the big boys and tonight’s no exception as Erick Morillo rolls into the spotlight for a night of July 4th revelry that brings the fireworks inside @ LIV. Traveling the club world from Ibiza to Europe, from New York to South Beach, platinum selling artist Morillo is recognized as the ultimate remix master! A note to our RedBull sipping frugal friends who can’t afford to party at LIV – Morillo will light up the Terrace at Space (34 NE 11 Street) for an after party starting around 2am and carrying on until the last man is standing sometime Sunday afternoon.
Sunday July 5
Brunch
A La Folie / 1701 Purdy Avenue / Everything charming about the original location on Espanola Way has translated to the new west side location where the bayside view, local clientele and soothing music makes for a perfect escape from the touristy scene. With fillings both sweet and savory, an overstuffed crepe and a bowl of foamy latte makes a perfect brunch without the parking hassles of the Deco District.
Afternoon Action
Blade / 4441 Collins Avenue / Celebrate the season poolside at the Fontainebleau where the hip holiday crowd gathers for “Just Add Water,” a weekly party featuring DJs Mike Deuce and Induce who spin for this afternoon’s BBQ from 2pm until sundown. The highlight of the summer season is a relaxed policy at most resorts for locals and visitors who want to pop in for a swim without forking over the big bucks for a room.
Cocktails
Clevelander / 1020 Ocean Drive / Sunday afternoons at the Cleve are starting to resonate with locals who hang out in the lobby bar watching sports on all the brand new TVs. A second level Music Box area attracts a sexy beachy crowd sipping drinks over looking the central pool bar. Everywhere you wander offers a new vista of the just-completed renovation and a great new place to toast the end of a fun South Beach day.
Dinner
Texas de Brazil / 300 Alton Road / Two words of advice, “Come Hungry” are all we need to say before sending you off on a trip to South America via this popular Brazilian grill. With delightful caipirinhas (think margaritas and tread lightly) a bountiful salad bar and all you can eat sizzling grilled meats, this is a Sunday family-style dinner that sticks to the ribs and sends you to bed with a satisfied smile.
Nightlife
SET / 320 Lincoln Road / Sundance Sundays are always the hottest way to extend your weekend just a few hours longer, but tonight’s addition of TV Rock makes this a night to remember! GQ DJ of the Year Grant Smillie and Ivan Gough dominated the charts with monster tracks like “Flaunt It, Been a Long Time and Happiness.” Spinning along side Stephan Luke at SET brings our Fourth of July weekend into a full circle of fun!
Have a Great Weekend!
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