A guide to nightlife in Miami

Rooftop views for a happy price at Area 31 at Epic Hotel

This Downtown Miami rooftop bar serves up epic views over Miami River where it joins Biscayne Bay. On the side of the hotel’s classy seafood restaurant, they don’t take seating reservations for the al fresco lounge, so make sure you arrive early.

Friday happy hours are particularly popular with drinks starting at $5 from 5pm, and going up a dollar each hour until 11pm.

Be seen at LIV

An ultra-club inside Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau resort, you’ll need to dress to impress to get past LIV’s velvet rope. Inside, you can dance to the beats of world-class DJs like Tiesto and David Guetta under a domed ceiling. Celebrities are regulars here, but you might only see them if you book a VIP table.

Old quarter cocktails at The Corner

In the midst of Park West’s media and entertainment district, The Corner is a hip downtown cocktail bar. Perfect for after parties, it’s open until 5am during the week and 8am on weekends. For a cocktail bar, the beer list is pretty huge, but the mixologists can put together anything you fancy.

Go for the music at Space Club

Filling the hole that Space Ibiza left when it played its last tune in 2016, Space Club is the place for daytime parties on the rooftop patio and all-night raves fuelled by the epic sound system.

Guest DJs have included Richie Hawtin and Luciano, who play the main room before continuing on the patio. There’s also an upstairs loft and large VIP area.

A taste of Cuba at Ball & Chain

Dubbing itself ‘Little Havana’, Florida’s Ball & Chain comes complete with delicious mojitos, live Cuban music and food to match. It’s two-for-one on cocktails during happy hour until 7pm, and after the bands, the place is jumping with DJs and dancing.

Exceptional cocktails at Blackbird Ordinary

The friendly and knowledgeable bartenders craft some truly impressive cocktails, while the DJs play just about anything from chart music to hip hop and Latin. Tuesday is ladies’ night which means girls receive free drinks until late.

Drink promotions and theme nights at Shots Bar

Graffiti-clad Shots Bar is an indoor meets outdoor venue with different music in each area. They hold regular Latin events and DJ sessions, as well as games nights with free shots for competition winners. There are over 100 shots to choose from and weekly specials include happy hours until 10pm.

Spoilt for choice sums up the feeling you’ll get when you gaze at the wall of beer fridges, which have been labelled by country.

There are more drinks on tap, with screens over the bar playing sports, and live entertainment on the weekends. If you don’t know which beer to go for, sample the daily special for a bargain price.

Spoilt for choice sums up the feeling you’ll get when you gaze at the wall of beer fridges, which have been labelled by country.

There are more drinks on tap, with screens over the bar playing sports, and live entertainment on the weekends. If you don’t know which beer to go for, sample the daily special for a bargain price.

Live Cuban masters at Hoy Como Ayer

Hoy Como Ayer is a small live music venue where you can hear up-and-coming and established Cuban performers. You’ll pay a cover charge to get in, and drinks can be a little pricey but the music is top-class – singers usually take to the stage around 11pm. While you wait, watch Latin music videos and nibble on tapas.

Just for the giggles at Homefield Comedy Club

If you want more laughs than barrels on your Miami holiday, Homefield hosts national comedians in a big venue. There’s no entrance fee but it’s a minimum charge of two drinks per person and there’s a buy-one-get-one-free drinks offer to encourage you to stay after the show.

With a grill restaurant you can enjoy three courses as you watch. The only challenge is managing to eat your meal through all the laughter.