Best bars in Miami and South Beach

Miami is a rapidly developing place for people who don't want to waste a single minute waiting in line at a nightclub. We're excited to share those spots where the doors are always open, and the drinks flow as easily as the music in the jukebox...

Visit any of the bars in Miami and South Beach with American Butler — our selected guide will help you navigate the city's establishments.

Miami is not just a city of sun and beach leisure but also a hub of vibrant nightlife. Each of the top 10 bars featured in our article boasts its own unique atmosphere and character, offering guests a variety of choices from elegant lounge bars to bustling beach venues.

The Clevelander

The poolside bar at the Clevelander Hotel, designed in Art Deco style, is filled with happy tourists. Here, the atmosphere of "Spring Break" lasts all year with performances by cover bands, wet T-shirt contests, sexy girls, and the intoxicating ocean breeze reminding you why you decided to visit Miami. Head up to the bar to watch sports, grab a poolside lounger to gaze at dancers, or find a secluded umbrella table for a date.

• Address: 1020 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach
• Phone: +1-305-532-4006
• Website: clevelander.com

Bodega Taqueria

Visitors to the west side of the city will find a hidden party behind a Mexican food truck, the centerpiece of Bodega Taqueria. Tucked in an alley across the street from Dunkin Donuts, this former warehouse has been transformed into an adults-only party with loud dance music.

Grab a taco and a cocktail before sneaking through the secret door that leads to all the fun. There, you'll find a full bar and a casual dress code. This place is definitely unlike any other in South Beach.

• Address: 1220 16th St, Miami Beach
• Phone: +1-305-704-2145
• Website: bodegasouthbeach.com

Mango’s Tropical Cafe

The most popular nightclub on Ocean Drive can get your heart racing with rum, live Latin music, and salsa dancers joyfully hopping on top of the bar.

If you've never tried a mojito, this is the place to start. Friendly bartenders take a large glass and add sugar, fresh lime juice, whole fresh mint leaves, and crushed ice. This is mixed with rum and water to create the perfect island-style drink.

• Address: 900 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach
• Phone: +1-305-673-4422
• Website: mangos.com

MO Bar & Lounge

This upscale bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel is also one of the best waterfront dining establishments. During happy hour, the menu features cocktails for $8 and appetizers for $5. This is a first-class drinking establishment for a sophisticated clientele.

• Address: 500 Brickell Key Dr, Miami
• Phone: +1-305-913-8358
• Website: mandarinoriental.com

Ted’s Hideaway

Ted’s Hideaway is a bar where a festive frat party atmosphere reigns supreme, with a retro jukebox, cheap beer, football on TV, and a pool table. In the evenings, the air fills with cigarette smoke and 80s rock, and the crowd can get quite loud. Consider it an antidote to overpriced drinks and inflated egos.

• Address: 124 2nd St, Miami Beach
• Phone: +1-305-532-9869

Purdy Lounge

With popular themed nights like Chocolate Sundays, Kulcha Shok Surf Nights, and Drunken Spelling Bees, the bar has carved out its own unique niche. Despite the boom in spa hotels and new restaurants in recent years, the bar remains a steadfast meeting place. Dimly lit, without any pretentiousness or excess, it’s a simple place to have a drink, shoot some pool, and mingle with locals.

• Address: 1811 Purdy Ave, Miami Beach
• Phone: +1-305-531-4622

Mac’s Club Deuce

Mac’s Club Deuce is the most popular bar in South Beach, serving drinks around the clock to a legion of regulars. Happy hour starts at 8 am. And that’s not a typo. While the rest of the city wakes up and heads to their dreary jobs, Deuce pours cocktails for a bargain.

Everything around you radiates in soft, friendly pastel colors and dizzying neon lights. It’s hard to stay gloomy when families, students, and celebrities frolic on sun-drenched streets, all eager to have a good time. Who wants to be a grumpy goth in the heart of Miami?

• Address: 222 14th St, Miami Beach
• Phone: +1-305-531-6200
• Website: macsclubdeuce.com

Playwright Irish Pub

Playwright Irish Pub is the perfect spot to grab a bite and a drink while cheering on your favorite team. The bar boasts flat-screen TVs and takes pride in its giant projection screen for the evening's main event. Special offers include two-for-one drinks and half-priced appetizers during happy hour.

• Address: 1265 Washington Ave, Miami Beach
• Phone: +1-305-534-0667

Finnegan’s Way

Finnegan’s Way features an Irish pub with ocean views and a themed sports bar with tables spilling out onto the bustling Ocean Drive. Guests can enjoy a fully-equipped kitchen and happy hour specials on weekdays, featuring special appetizers, cocktails, and selected dinner items. Finnegan’s offers a welcome respite after a hot day at the beach or a lively night out.

• Address: 1344 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach
• Phone: +1-305-672-7747
• Website: finnegansway.com

Wet Willies

The hot nights in South Beach call for extra refreshment, and Wet Willies is there to provide it. Fill up on tequila-soaked chicken wings before pondering which cocktail to down next. Choices include Attitude Improvement, a potent mix of grain alcohol, vodka, and rum, or Call a Cab, a drink so strong you'll need to hand over your car keys to a sober friend in advance. More traditional flavor combinations like fruit daiquiri or piña colada are always available too.

• Address: 760 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach
• Phone: +1-305-532-5650
• Website: wetwillies.com