If you’re looking for a place where the people are beautiful and the music never stops, hit Miami. Hotels and clubs are almost interchangeable, and the beach plays host to hours of entertainment of all kinds. Remember: To track down all of the latest events and get on the hottest guestlists, make friends with the concierge!
The best parties happen on and around SoBe, so check in to The Catalina on Collins Avenue. This brilliant little hotel is low in price and high in style, with a specific room package called ‘The South Beach Rock Star’, which includes a bottle of chilled premium vodka on arrival. The rooms boast Tempur-Pedic mattresses and huge bath towels, but the real deal-clinchers are complimentary hotel drinks from 7pm-8pm and VIP passes to all South Beach clubs, as well as two rooftop pools. After checking in and chilling out with a couple of drinks, head to the lobby’s white leather sofa for the hotel happy hour from 7pm on, and be sure to pick up your VIP passes.
The first night, make the most of your jet lag by booking dinner at B.E.D. Lounge on an enormous white bed with space for 10 as you eat delicious French-Brazilian food and sip on some of the best cocktails in South Beach. The place is usually quiet until midnight, so bring plenty of friends and have your own party. After dinner, it’s straight to Space to start your break off in style. One of the biggest and loudest clubs in the States, Space plays everything from techno to trance in a multi-story vintage warehouse, bringing in guest DJs from around the world. All this excellence costs, so avoid the bar unless you’ve got money to burn.
Wherever you wake up, get out to the beach as soon as you can. Once there, call David’s Café for their free delivery beach breakfast service, and groan on your towel or in the cabana until it arrives. After a few hours baking the alcohol out of your body, it’s time to head to Monty’s. This beachside bar overlooks the marina, and runs its happy hour from four ‘til 8pm. While there is a pool, it’s not one many people want to swim in, so stick to the bar until you’re ready for dinner. Mercadito on NE 1st Avenue is an awesome Mexican restaurant, it makes the best guacamole on South Beach and delicious tacos, but people come for the ridiculous things Mercaditos does with tequila.
Once you’ve pulled yourselves up from the “one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor,” make for Mekka. Comprising five clubs in one – each with their own sound and atmosphere – Mekka’s heaven if you’re tired of the same old music. Known for attracting a younger crowd, and one that just wants to dance, switch rooms to keep your energy going all night.
For your final morning, get to the 11th Street Diner for an all-day breakfast. They’re famous for their eggs, but the whole menu is full of good, reasonably priced food, and the servers are friendly. After several coffees, relax at Nikki Beach, the “sexy club.” Big white pillows cover carved benches, hammocks and loungers during the day, while sarong-clad servers bring ice-cold cocktails. The restaurant menu is huge, so stay there for dinner before heading back to the hotel to spruce up for your final night.
Once you’re all glammed-up, pregame with cocktails from the hotel’s rooftop bar before making your way to Mansion for the final night in Miami. Perhaps the most popular club, Mansion is slightly more expensive and full of slightly better looking people than anywhere else. With more VIP areas than dance rooms, this is a club for drinking and flirting as much as for dancing, though it does attract some great DJs, so if you want to throw some shapes there’s plenty of space.
