South Beach - Eating, Drinking, Driving?
 

Going to South Beach March 4-7, staying at the Greenview (booked on hotels.com for $140 a night, not terrible as priceline wouldn’t accept my bid of $90 and I was running out of time). E will be down there to work at the Miami Grand Prix on Sat, and our other TC just cancelled, so I will have a lot of time to myself.

Driving – was planning on taking a cab to/from the airport, but does anyone have any idea how expensive a cab from South Beach to the speedway (need to at least make an appearance at the race) will be? Does it make more sense to rent a car for the three days? I can rent a car for about $22 each day, and park for $8 (total about $90). If it does make more sense to rent a car, does anyone have any ideas as to how I can justify the extra cost of a convertible???? :-)

Eating – in Manhattan, it is perfectly acceptable to eat solo at the bar, does this hold true for South Beach? I realize that clubs in Miami open late, but do restaurants still serve dinner late? My plane doesn’t get in until 9:30 on Fri, so dinner wouldn’t be until 11. Any suggestions as to where a young single female can eat at the bar (or a table) by herself? Looking for: good people-watching, excellent food (I eat all cuisines), trendy space, moderate-expensive prices, good cocktail or wine lists, where I won’t be uncomfortable sitting alone, maybe something that I cannot get in Manhattan. Already have reservations for Wish with E on Sun, so that is out. Any thoughts on Aigo or 1220?

Drinking – I assume that going clubbing by myself will not be that much fun. Any suggestions for bars or lounges where I can go to have a cocktail and people watch without getting too much unwanted attention?

Thanks so much for your help!

If you can find parking for $8 per day, grab it. Your cab to and from the airport with tip will cost you $30 each way. Not sure how much the cab to and from the Grand Prix would cost but I imagine at least that much.

It is a tossup for me on the covertible. Whatever you do, NEVER keep anything of value including your luggage in the rental. I can almost guarantee it will get stolen out of your car.

South Beach is kind of weird in restaurant set ups. It is just as easy if not easier to get a table for one at restaurants and perfectly acceptable.

Restaurants serve late. Rumi is good. The only place I think would be weird to eat solo would be BED.

I would have no problem clubbing solo at either Sky Bar, Mansion, or Mynt.

Crobar is too loud and Nikki Beach is too to.

Great people watching in the lobby bar of the Delano or outside at the Delano pool bar.

If you want to see lots of fun and different kind of people, the Clevelander Bar. When you see it, you'll know what I mean. You can roll in off the beach in your bathing suit because it is an outside bar with a pool and several bars.

Just returned from our first trip ever to Miami, and I am already hoping to go back this fall.

Can't give you tips for renting a car, but airfare to/from South Beach is a fixed $28 each way. Surely fare from South Beach to the speedway would be at least $11 each way, so you're already up to the car rental numbers. I *might* rent a car, but it's unlikely that you'd be driving it anywhere other than the airport or the speedway.

In regards to food, we loved breakfast at News Cafe, and it was excellent for relaxing, taking your time, and people watching. We also liked the Front Porch, but we definitely enjoyed News Cafe more and ate there twice.

For dinner, we had two moderate nights out. Our first was at Vita, an Italian restaurant. Had some of the most delectable homemade mozzarella appetizer I've ever had. Also thoroughly enjoyed my homemade ravioli. Oddly enough, the best mojito I had was also at Vita. Very cool interior, great service, and great wine...also hear there is a nice outdoor area, but it was too cold for outside dining when we went. Regardless, I highly recommend it.

Our second moderate dining experience was at Wish. It was also very good - my husband liked his main entree more at Wish than at Vita, though my opinion was opposite. The outside dining area is beautiful and, I think, a great choice!!!

Enjoy your trip.

In case you didnlt know, they moved the Grand Prix of Miami out of Downtown a few years back. They now hold it on the oval in Homestead...definitely not a cheap cab ride from South Beach anymore.

Thanks so much! Looks like it makes sense to rent a car then. Made a reservation at Rumi for Friday, and News Cafe sounds great. Thanks again - I cannot wait!

As an update - decided to go for the convertible. $40 bid accepted by priceline - about $153 total with taxes. Saved $40 over the cheapest I could find online. Still more than twice the price of an economy car, but you only live once, right? :-)