10 Best Nightlife in Miami and Miami Beach, Florida

Established in 1935 and steeped in legends of gambling, Prohibition protests, the rise of budding entertainers Billie Holiday and Chet Baker, and the development of Cuban-centric Calle Ocho, this storied nightlife spot has been reestablished under its original name. The high-vaulted ceilings, floral wallpaper, black-and-white photos, and palm-fringed outdoor lounge nod to its torrid history and the glamour of Old Havana. Live music flows freely, as do the Latin-inspired libations and tapas of traditional Cuban favorites.

This DJ-fueled, underground adult playground, below The Miami Beach EDITION hotel, features a micro version of famed Studio 54, a four-lane bowling alley, and a very small ice skating rink. The 2,000-square-foot rink might be too tiny for Olympic-quality skaters, but it's a priceless visit if only for the memory of how you skated on your Miami Beach vacation.

The back of a gas station is perhaps the most unexpected location for a wine bar, yet for 30 years a passion for good food and drink has kept this family-run business among Miami's best-kept secrets—although they've added a sign outside. Tables are in the Old World–style wine cellar, stocked with bottles representing all parts of the globe (and at excellent prices). A waiter takes your order from the menu of exquisite cheeses and charcuterie, hot and cold tapas, paellas, and, of course, wine.

It's not hard to see why LIV often makes lists of the world's best clubs—if you can get in, that is (LIV is notorious for lengthy lines, so don't arrive fashionably late). Past the velvet ropes, the dance palladium impresses with its lavish decor, well-dressed international crowd, sensational light-and-sound system, and seductive bi-level club experience.  Men beware: groups of guys entering LIV are often coerced into insanely priced bottle service.

Smoky, dark, and delightfully unpolished, this complete dive bar (cash only) is anything but what you'd expect from glitzy South Beach. Once a favorite of the late Anthony Bourdain, this spot is decorated with neon signs that were a gift when they hosted the Miami Vice wrap party in the '80s. Happy hour takes place from 8 am to 5 pm, and you'll always find an eclectic crowd at the bar at all hours.

This edgy bar has a retro vibe most evident by its bright-red carpeting, "No Regerts" mural, and twinkling ceiling. The party lasts until 5 am seven nights a week with a menu full of bold cocktails like the popular pornstar martini and sparkling Tommy's margarita. Late nights a DJ sets the vibe, and on the last Sunday of every month, there's an emo night that draws a massive crowd.

This skyscraping rooftop bar, hands down the best in the city, is the essence of Brickell: futuristic, worldly, and beyond sleek. Draped in tropical flora, it crowns the 40th floor of EAST Miami, the luxury hotel tucked inside Brickell City Centre shopping complex. The sunsets here are spectacular, as are the Southeast Asian bites and cocktails. Pop into the Tea Room on the same floor for late-night brunch with bottomless drinks.

This tropical-chic, come-as-you-are cocktail lounge and restaurant has won all kinds of national and local awards for its incredible spirit-forward cocktails and fresh-and-funky vibe. For something extra special, reserve the Bartender's Table, which operates like a chef's table, but here you're in the thick of the bar action, tasting libations. Food from a full menu created by co-owner and James Beard Award winner Michelle Bernstein is served until 4 am.

Popular with the cool crowd, this indoor-outdoor craft cocktail joint lures in droves to revel in creative mixology and fabulous people-watching. Everything at the vintage-chic hot spot is perfectly Instagrammable, from the daring and beautifully presented drinks to the twinkle lights over the pool. It's no wonder the venue has been awarded national titles such as America's Best Bar.