Seven Sexy Lounges

The ever-changing South Beach nightlife scene, known world-wide for its raging dance clubs and all-night-every-night party attitude, has taken yet another turn in recent times with the introduction of a number of chic lounges designed for civilized socializing in an atmosphere that's somewhat more relaxed than the traditional Miami Beach club experience.

Each of these new venues provides a unique mix of music, dance, and the art of the cocktail in an chic, upscale setting designed for those with the most discriminating taste. Here's the inside scoop on South Beach's sexy new lounge scene.

Privé
136 Collins Avenue 
Miami Beach
305.674.8630
South Beach's jet-set partiers are always on the lookout for the next hot thing, and they have found exactly what they're looking for at Privé thanks to an eclectic team of nightlife superstars composed of the Milon brothers (Eric, Francis and Didier), Roman Jones, Ingrid Casares, and Michael Capponi. That list of names, by the way, pulls together one solid decade of nightlife excellence from clubs like Liquid, the Living Room, Bar Room and 320 into an über-chic venue created for the singular purpose of fun-and-games after midnight. 

Located "south of fifth" and occupying the entire second floor of Opium Garden, the sleek new lounge pulsates with sexy adrenaline-pumping beats, and has already produced celeb sightings such as Jerry Bruckheimer, Avril Lavigne, Roberto Cavalli, Fred Durst, Cindy Crawford, and Carlos Santana.

The room is chic yet comfy, and features bold black-and-white Helmut Newton photographs to set the mood.

Chill by one of the four bars or spring for a bottle (vodka, rum, scotch, or champagne-your choice) and enjoy one of the intimate alcoves that line the dance floor. Getting in can be quite a chore, especially after midnight on Fridays when Ingrid Casares and Michael Capponi host the festivities, so plan on arriving early and don't give up.

Pure Lounge
150 Ocean Drive 
Miami Beach
305.674.8871
The back-alleyway entrance to Pure Lounge in South Beach's trendy south of fifth neighborhood is marked only by a red light illuminating a flight of stairs which led to the top floor the open-air Joia restaurant.

Pure is the newest spot to sip martinis and mingle with the beautiful people, and most do so indoors, but there's also an outdoor area that overlooks a peaceful section of Ocean Drive near Ocean Beach Park. Pure's fresh design is a cranberry, cream and turquoise color scheme, rounded decor (there are no real corners) and a space that feels inviting and intimate enough to erase the preconceived air of intimidation Miami is known for.

Pure's DJs spin vocal, disco-style house music, and Kiss the DJ Thursdays hosted by Ingrid Casares, Jose Ortiz and DJ Stu spotlight celebrity DJ's monthly. 

Pearl Champagne Lounge
One Ocean Drive 
Miami Beach
305.538.1111
Since the first day it opened, international jet-setters and celebrities have beaten a path to Pearl Champagne Lounge. Trendy, Euro-hip surroundings are set in a striking pale orange interior design by Stephane Dupoux that comes in somewhere between Austin Powers and Shindig. Pearl is actually a restro-lounge—a restaurant that morphs into a club/lounge round midnight—and right in the center is a super-sexy, circular champagne bar that always draws the biggest crowds. Veteran nightlife personalities Eric Omores and Tommy Pooch are the brains behind Pearl, as well as the glamorous beach-front Nikki Beach, located adjacent to Pearl.

The drink of choice at Pearl (and really anywhere in South Beach) is undoubtedly champagne and Pearl's selection stretches from a flute of the house brand to a very pricey magnum of Cristal. You can't help but feel chic in this retro '60s concept lounge, so take your time and sample various champagnes with accompanying caviar, hors d'oeuvres, or strawberries, and take in all the sites—the luminous orange fur walls bathes everyone in an amber glow that makes them feel as sexy and beautiful as they look.

SkyBar at the Shore Club
1901 Collins Avenue 
Miami Beach
305.695.3100
Skybar in L.A. is an absolute legend among loungers and the South Beach version located at the Shore Club hotel is well on its way to reaching this same celebrated status. Set in the Shore Club's pool area directly between the hotel and the beach, Skybar has a multitude of lounging areas to satisfy even those desiring the most intimate of surroundings.

Located in the very center of it all is the exclusive RedRoom, surrounded by flowing curtains where everything glows a deep, sensual crimson. The area contains an eclectic mix of Moroccan-style wooden furniture, pillows, and floor cushions, and is usually reserved for visiting celebs and VIPs.

If you're feeling adventurous, walk toward the beach and check out the intimate RumBar with its selection of 75 different rums or kick-off your shoes at the SandBar, where urbane conversation under the stars or dancing until the wee hours of the morning is all up to you. 

Saturday nights are big at Skybar, and Moroccan Nights on Thursdays are hosted by Zack Bush and Erica Freshman. Either way, be on the lookout for SkyBar's specialty cocktails—our fav is the Passionata served in a flute with a strawberry garnish.

Nobu Lounge at the Shore Club
1901 Collins Avenue 
Miami Beach
305.695.3100
It's no longer necessary to leave the sandy shores of Miami Beach to dine in one of New York's most celebrated restaurants. Nobu at the Shore Club (owned by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Richie Notar) has quickly risen to the top of places to be seen on the Beach since its opening in 2001. 

Soft lighting and music that isn't over-powering makes Nobu a relaxing locale that shouldn't be missed. The setting is very comfortable with its Asian-inspired décor and minimalist art, and the only thing you'll find over the top is the delightful menu. 

Ian Schrager's influence over the Shore Club becomes readily apparent around 10pm when the velvet ropes go up and entry into Nobu becomes much more interesting. But, if you are seeking the best perch for a little celebrity spotting, Nobu Lounge at the Shore Club is the place to be. 

Delano's Rose Bar
1685 Collins Avenue 
Miami Beach
305.672.2000
Ian Schrager's midas touch in Miami Beach originated back in 1995 with the opening of the Delano hotel, a hip enclave that has reigned supreme ever since. And neatly tucked away in the back of the huge lobby area is the Delano's Rose Bar, a dimly lit retreat with upholstered rose-colored walls and striking Venetian chandeliers. The high ceilings, dark wood accents, randomly placed sheer white curtains and eclectic modern art makes the Rose Bar as trendy as the guests that stay at the Delano.

Glamorous, yet  urbane would describe the usual setting at the Rose Bar. However, things tend to crank-up a bit when the best of the party crowd shows up for Maxwell Blandford's weekly Wednesday night party, an affair that usually spills out into the Delano's huge pool area. Some guests linger in the sexy pool-side cabanas and the back bar area, while others engage in chess matches using huge, out-sized chess sets on the lawn area between the hotel and the pool. Only at the Delano...

Mynt
1921 Collins Avenue 
Miami Beach
786.276.6132
Rumor has it the velvet-rope policy has gotten somewhat out of hand at the notoriously exclusive Mynt. Is it really possible that Hugh Grant, Goldie Hawn and Kelsey Grammer have all been—mistakenly, of course—turned away? Well, when your clientele includes L.A. rock stars, New York socialites and Miami's richest and prettiest, what's another Hollywood celeb or two? 

Owners Nicola Siervo and Roni Seikaly were genius in hiring designer Juan Carlos Arcila-Duque to do their sleek lounge. The designer created a green-on-green wonderland that never disappoints—that's why we're all dying to get in.

Fuel up on high energy house in the main room and then move downstairs to Ultra Lounge where you can bump and grind to the latest in hip-hop and R&B. This place gives the word sexy a whole new meaning.