South Beach: your real opinion please
Nov 23rd, 2002, 12:28 AM
#21
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Vegas is actually a lot more fun and exciting than South Beach could ever hope to be! BUT -- the beach IS beautiful there (for Miami, anyway), but by the same token, there are far more beautiful people in Los Angeles than South Beach, period, in case that interests you!!
Nov 23rd, 2002, 01:25 AM
#22
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David, don't you think it is just a bit presumptuous of you to suggest that anyone who doesn't like someplace as plastic and phoney as South Beach is an old fogie who doesn't know how to have any fun in life?!? And believe me, not everyone wears Versace there either, as you suggest (far from it). And the Polo brand, whether you accept it or not, while mass produced, is still an upscale clothing brand!
Nov 23rd, 2002, 05:47 AM
#23
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I am neither young, rich, nor beautiful, but I enjoy spending some time in South Beach. The art deco architecture is fun to look at, and being from the cold midwest, I really enjoy being able to people watch from a vantage point outdoors at one of the many bars/restaurants along Ocean Drive. Fun place to spend a couple of days, but it would get old in a hurry.
Nov 23rd, 2002, 01:07 PM
#25
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I've got no ax to grind and generally like beach resorts and places that try to be leading edge, but was very disappointed by So Be recently. The beach strip had vaguely pretty hotels, but at least in daytime offered almost no eating/shopping amenities to passersby - just sterile bed warehouses. In places access to the beach was needlessly long, indirect, and difficult.
Going back to the next main parallel street from the beach offered some amenities for eating, etc but not much of interest. Going to the next main drag inland was truely appalling, with disgusting dirty eateries, dirty streets, overrun by dirty homeless who seemed attracted into that lifestyle by bad city policies (I have some insight on these dynamics by similar situation where I live). Also on that Lincoln ped mall, it just seemed isolated attempts at contrived hip fakery amid descrepitude.
Maybe it's nicer at night or with alcohol/drug goggles, but I fail to see the attraction of this place. It reeks of bad city management like Manhattan 20 years ago. Reminds me of the old Times Sq sleaze, but I even preferred that. Drivers are extraordinarily hostile against walkers maybe due to the extremely long traffic light cycles that nobody wants to miss.
Beach not even great for people watching since its so darn big (wide and deep). Maybe it's a promising place, but not that much better than nearby places now. OK, now for the thought-police who can't stand honest criticsm to reply with cynical and personal attacks...
Going back to the next main parallel street from the beach offered some amenities for eating, etc but not much of interest. Going to the next main drag inland was truely appalling, with disgusting dirty eateries, dirty streets, overrun by dirty homeless who seemed attracted into that lifestyle by bad city policies (I have some insight on these dynamics by similar situation where I live). Also on that Lincoln ped mall, it just seemed isolated attempts at contrived hip fakery amid descrepitude.
Maybe it's nicer at night or with alcohol/drug goggles, but I fail to see the attraction of this place. It reeks of bad city management like Manhattan 20 years ago. Reminds me of the old Times Sq sleaze, but I even preferred that. Drivers are extraordinarily hostile against walkers maybe due to the extremely long traffic light cycles that nobody wants to miss.
Beach not even great for people watching since its so darn big (wide and deep). Maybe it's a promising place, but not that much better than nearby places now. OK, now for the thought-police who can't stand honest criticsm to reply with cynical and personal attacks...
Nov 23rd, 2002, 04:56 PM
#26
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Well, I love Sobe. As for those who said there aren't any nice hotels, Hello? did you not see the Delano, the Tides, The Shore Club, Eden Roc, even the Loews for crying out loud? Fab hotels, fab restaurants, fab people. Okay, very hot looking people in skimpy outfits running up bar tabs higher than the GNP of a small country. How can that not be fun?
When we want to have a fun weekend, no kids, dance till we drop and try to forget our ages, we head to Sobe. Love it.
When we want to have a fun weekend, no kids, dance till we drop and try to forget our ages, we head to Sobe. Love it.
Nov 25th, 2002, 11:40 AM
#29
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Besides the beach being nice, I thought the place was a pit. I'm not a club type person so I didn 't go to any. But that's where all the beautiful people must be that everyone talks about. Otherwise, I've never seen so many toothless, tatooed people in my life.
Dec 6th, 2002, 09:37 AM
#32
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My husband and I travel to many small towns and cities in South Florida during the winter. For a long time we avoided Miami, but decided to give it a try a few years ago.
I immediately loved the Art Deco district! I love the fact that these buildings have been restored to their individual personalities, not like new and mass produced xeros copies. So much personality, potted palms on the marble floors, ceiling fans, insignias and quirky names...
I felt safe walking through the South Beach neighborhood. I remember thinking that I felt safer than I had in San Francisco & (surprise) Vancouver, B.C. Both those cities had swarms of homeless, panhandling at tourist destinations in their town. In Vancouver we actually saw people smoking crack downtown, in plain view of everyone. No one in Miami Beach approached me for money, and no one made me nervous or uncomfortable. I've stopped by there the last three winters and have thoroughly enjoyed a few afternoons of sunshine and people-watching.
There is no reality, just perception. Each person may have a pre-conceived notion and may be "looking" for something that possibily is or isn't there. I'm just glad I dispensed of my pre-conceived notion and gave myself some time to actually explore the area. I ended up loving it.
I immediately loved the Art Deco district! I love the fact that these buildings have been restored to their individual personalities, not like new and mass produced xeros copies. So much personality, potted palms on the marble floors, ceiling fans, insignias and quirky names...
I felt safe walking through the South Beach neighborhood. I remember thinking that I felt safer than I had in San Francisco & (surprise) Vancouver, B.C. Both those cities had swarms of homeless, panhandling at tourist destinations in their town. In Vancouver we actually saw people smoking crack downtown, in plain view of everyone. No one in Miami Beach approached me for money, and no one made me nervous or uncomfortable. I've stopped by there the last three winters and have thoroughly enjoyed a few afternoons of sunshine and people-watching.
There is no reality, just perception. Each person may have a pre-conceived notion and may be "looking" for something that possibily is or isn't there. I'm just glad I dispensed of my pre-conceived notion and gave myself some time to actually explore the area. I ended up loving it.
Dec 6th, 2002, 10:22 AM
#34
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Was there 2 weeks ago - yes some nice are deco buildings, and I thought overall OK, but chronically over rated. Far more cheap electronic stores than tattoo bars. They advertise South Beach as the most exciting 20 blocks in the world - pretty small world if you ask me. I have been to over 50 countries and a lot more cities and South Beach would certainly not be in the top 10 for excitement.
Dec 6th, 2002, 11:23 AM
#37
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Just my opinion after visiting.
Whether or not you like the place will depend on whether or not you lik the following:
1. Lots of hot scantily clad women
2. lots of eurotrash
3. Typical clubscene
4. Pretentious wannabe hip that think they are special just because they are in SoBe
5. Nice beach, warm water
6. lots of people who don' speaka da ingles
7. topless beaches
8. sex on the dancefloor (literally)
9. great renovated hotels
I tried to give an objective listing of my observations, if you think you might like some of those things, and could put up with the others then go and enjoy!
Whether or not you like the place will depend on whether or not you lik the following:
1. Lots of hot scantily clad women
2. lots of eurotrash
3. Typical clubscene
4. Pretentious wannabe hip that think they are special just because they are in SoBe
5. Nice beach, warm water
6. lots of people who don' speaka da ingles
7. topless beaches
8. sex on the dancefloor (literally)
9. great renovated hotels
I tried to give an objective listing of my observations, if you think you might like some of those things, and could put up with the others then go and enjoy!
Dec 6th, 2002, 11:25 AM
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just my opinion after visiting.
Whether or not you like the place will depend on whether or not you lik the following:
1. Lots of hot scantily clad women
2. lots of eurotrash
3. Typical clubscene
4. Pretentious wannabe hip that think they are special just because they are in SoBe
5. Nice beach, warm water
6. lots of people who don' speaka da ingles
7. topless beaches
8. sex on the dancefloor (literally)
9. great renovated hotels
I tried to give an objective listing of my observations, if you think you might like some of those things, and could put up with the others then go and enjoy!
If you are of the Palm Beach (not W.Palm) crowd, I am not sure it is the place for you, someone said it well up there, the polo crowd is not the versace crowd.
Madonna, Versace, Stallone, others love it there for a reason, are those reasons your reasons?
Whether or not you like the place will depend on whether or not you lik the following:
1. Lots of hot scantily clad women
2. lots of eurotrash
3. Typical clubscene
4. Pretentious wannabe hip that think they are special just because they are in SoBe
5. Nice beach, warm water
6. lots of people who don' speaka da ingles
7. topless beaches
8. sex on the dancefloor (literally)
9. great renovated hotels
I tried to give an objective listing of my observations, if you think you might like some of those things, and could put up with the others then go and enjoy!
If you are of the Palm Beach (not W.Palm) crowd, I am not sure it is the place for you, someone said it well up there, the polo crowd is not the versace crowd.
Madonna, Versace, Stallone, others love it there for a reason, are those reasons your reasons?
Dec 6th, 2002, 11:31 AM
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi there Sync,
South Beach is certainly worth checking out. You will find tacky things and people everywhere, however, the clue is to know where the good places are to go. There are a few blocks on Ocean Drive that are seedy and cheesy...around the restaurant/club called Mango's. If you are going out at night, however, try not to go to the bad clubs...(the ones where people stand outside handing free passes is a good way to determine if its a bad club). Opium and Rumi (you must ask around as to where Rumi is b/c its not marked), Bed (a favorite J-Lo hangout) and Crow Bar used to be good too. The China Grill is also cool and the Living Room used to be a good spot also. If you go to the beach I'd suggest going to the beach in front of the Delano or the Lowes...do not sit in front of Mango's...as I said it is cheesy in that area and it does attract alot of trashy people. If you like Sushi there is a great place at the end of Lincoln Road...its Sushi on a conveyor belt. Its the best! Also on Lincoln road you can find tons of outdoor cafes of Spanish, Italian, Japanese etc..Gloria Estefan's restaurant also has great Cuban food ( I can't remember what it is called, but it is on Ocean Drive...past Mango's). I absolutely love South Beach and I'm not the seedy Tatoo type.
South Beach is certainly worth checking out. You will find tacky things and people everywhere, however, the clue is to know where the good places are to go. There are a few blocks on Ocean Drive that are seedy and cheesy...around the restaurant/club called Mango's. If you are going out at night, however, try not to go to the bad clubs...(the ones where people stand outside handing free passes is a good way to determine if its a bad club). Opium and Rumi (you must ask around as to where Rumi is b/c its not marked), Bed (a favorite J-Lo hangout) and Crow Bar used to be good too. The China Grill is also cool and the Living Room used to be a good spot also. If you go to the beach I'd suggest going to the beach in front of the Delano or the Lowes...do not sit in front of Mango's...as I said it is cheesy in that area and it does attract alot of trashy people. If you like Sushi there is a great place at the end of Lincoln Road...its Sushi on a conveyor belt. Its the best! Also on Lincoln road you can find tons of outdoor cafes of Spanish, Italian, Japanese etc..Gloria Estefan's restaurant also has great Cuban food ( I can't remember what it is called, but it is on Ocean Drive...past Mango's). I absolutely love South Beach and I'm not the seedy Tatoo type.
Dec 6th, 2002, 12:43 PM
#40
Guest
Posts: n/a
It seems the post is back front and center. I caught up on the new posts, and I just can't believe some of these people have been there!
No nice hotels, you gotta be kidding! In addition to the above add:
The National
Astor Place
Shore Club <---- great bar!
and MANY others that you would never know about unless you walk in. There is also one owned by Merv Griffen on Collins that is Stunning inside!
...and as for the Delano, if you go at night, be sure you check out the second open air bar at the beach.
I am sure that the polorized opinions are due to good/bad experiences. You can make whatever you want out of it.
The best way to observe Sobe, is to go and just have fun, observe the cross section of life, and laugh about the silly stuff that happens.
It truly is a microcosom of life, some people are rude, some people will kiss you just stnading there at the bar, some doorman will not let you in no matter who you are, and someone will treat you like a king no matter who you are.
Just go with an open mind, dance all night, don't drink too much, and don't take anything seriously, and you will have an absolute blast.
I have friends (all of whom are professionals) that either love the place, and we all party on a regular basis, or absolutely hate it and would never participate.
It all depends who you are. I even took my mother one time when she came to visit. Heck she is 58 years old, and ended up dancing until 2:00am at Opium!
That is the beauty of Sobe....no matter what age you are, you can have fun!
As someone said above, it is all about YOUR perceptions!
Now lets get out there and PARTY!
No nice hotels, you gotta be kidding! In addition to the above add:
The National
Astor Place
Shore Club <---- great bar!
and MANY others that you would never know about unless you walk in. There is also one owned by Merv Griffen on Collins that is Stunning inside!
...and as for the Delano, if you go at night, be sure you check out the second open air bar at the beach.
I am sure that the polorized opinions are due to good/bad experiences. You can make whatever you want out of it.
The best way to observe Sobe, is to go and just have fun, observe the cross section of life, and laugh about the silly stuff that happens.
It truly is a microcosom of life, some people are rude, some people will kiss you just stnading there at the bar, some doorman will not let you in no matter who you are, and someone will treat you like a king no matter who you are.
Just go with an open mind, dance all night, don't drink too much, and don't take anything seriously, and you will have an absolute blast.
I have friends (all of whom are professionals) that either love the place, and we all party on a regular basis, or absolutely hate it and would never participate.
It all depends who you are. I even took my mother one time when she came to visit. Heck she is 58 years old, and ended up dancing until 2:00am at Opium!
That is the beauty of Sobe....no matter what age you are, you can have fun!
As someone said above, it is all about YOUR perceptions!
Now lets get out there and PARTY!
