south beach for spring break
 

Three 21-year-old girlfriends and I are planning a trip to South Beach for spring break in March. We're looking to stay at the Carlton Hotel but are up for other options. We're also interested in the nightlife. Any suggestions for cool bars/clubs and restaurants? We're traveling on a budget and want cheap but fun!

South Beach isn;t cheap - it's big $$$ - esp during spring break.

The beach is free and fun. Everything else - start saving now.

YOu can do FAR better than the Carlton-- way overpriced for what you get (one of the lower-market Déco-era hotels). What rate did you get?

nytraveler is unfortunately 100% correct-- South Beach may be a bit past its "Use by" date, but it's still relatively hot, so covers are steep, drinks are expensive and there are only a few ways to avoid spending all your cash in the clubs:

-- Be famous.
-- Be smoking hot-- and that means hotter than the fashion models that <b>live</b> in South Beach.
-- Hit the concierge at your hotel to get onto guest lists for special events at the clubs.

For a bit more info on South Beach night life, hit:

www.southbeach-usa.com
www.cooljunkie.com

Restaurants? They go all over the map. Most tend to be pricey. Some are cheap, but then they're a bit divey. My one favorite dive, Puerto Sagua, has great Cuban food, and you'll get best service if (a) you're a group of smoking hot chicks or (b) you're a Spanish speaker (my case).

Budget and South Beach can't be used in the same sentence. Hot clubs have $20-$50 cover charges or minimum one bottle tables and bottles start at around $275. Dinner at trendy restaurants is around $100 per person.

Happy Hour will be your friend. The Clevelander has 2 for 1 from 4-7 PM. Try the cool pool bar parties.

rjw gave you some great advice. Your concierge is your friend.

check out grillfish and tapas y tintos for cheap eats. also, you can get into ocean drive bars for free - try going to the clevelander.

clubs.. the most popular clubs out there are going to run you about $20 for admission, unless they have something going on, and then they'll be $40-50. try mansion, suite, indra lounge and nikki beach.