Miami Nightlife: Top 10 Best Hotspots For Locals And Visitors

Miami is known not only for its breathtaking beaches but its vibrant nightlife. Yet, there are many spots that both locals and visitors like to frequent. This can make choosing a destination quite difficult. Towards the end of the article, a traveler’s guide is provided that will help you in your decision-making process.

Comparison Table

When selecting the hot spots that you see below, a combination of affordability, entertainment options, atmosphere, and food options were considered. Reviews from past visitors were strongly valued, as any location that received consistently poor reviews was disregarded from this list.

While all of the spots on this list represent the cream of the crop, there are some relative differences worth noting that have been highlighted using a 5-star rating system.

In this section, the 10 best locations for Miami nightlife are discussed.

1. Basement Miami – A Hotspot For Nightlife

Basement Miami is one of the hottest places to spend your night in Miami. This is because it frequently features famous DJ’s, which make this spot ideal if you’re passionate about dancing and electronic music. This place is nestled in the basement of Edition Hotel, a posh building located in Mid-Beach.

Basement Miami also has a bowling alley and an ice skate rink, which means you’ll never run out of things to do. Of course, there is also a bar at this spot, which will appeal to anyone who likes to drink alcohol.

This place frequently features live dancers which offer plenty to gaze at while you enjoy the stimulating beats. The lighting and sound system is also unforgettable. This micro-club gets 5 stars out of 5, as there is a plethora of things to do. If you are a night owl, then Basement Miami will surely keep you occupied for hours.

2. E11EVEN Miami – A Hotspot For Nightlife

E11EVEN Miami is often described as an ultra club due to its many amenities. It’s also opened 24/7, which means that the fun never stops. If you’re into partying, then this is one of the best spots to frequent in Miami. This place is located in the heart of downtown Miami, giving it a very central location.

This club has recently been lauded as on the top 10 best night clubs in America and one of the top 50 clubs worldwide. If you are looking for somewhere to celebrate a holiday such as New Year’s Eve,then E11EVEN would be the ideal spot. This 20,000-square foot place is surrounded by premium lighting and sound.

Stars such as Drake, Big Sean, Nicki Minaj, Skrillex, and Steve Aoki have all performed here. If you can afford the bottle service, delicious food options, and 5-star hospitality, then this is certainly the place to be any day or night of the week. This place gets 4.5 stars out of 5 due to the A-list entertainment it offers.  

3. Blackbird Ordinary – A Hotspot For Nightlife

Blackbird Ordinary is a more casual spot for enjoying Miami nightlife. It has many comfortable booths as well as pool tables and board games. The food options here are both affordable and delicious, making this place ideal for budget-minded customers. Blackbird Ordinary also features DJ’s, local funk and reggae bands, and more nationally recognized acts.

The accompanying dance floor is ideal for anyone who loves to dance to live music. Many visitors claim that Blackbird Ordinary offers the best atmosphere of any place in Miami. It also helps that this place is open until 5am every day, as this offers tons of time to soak in its vibes. This place gets 4.5 stars out of 5.

4. LIV Nightclub – A Hotspot For Nightlife

LIV Nightclub might be one of the most legendary nightclubs in the world, as it frequently hosts some of the top musical acts. LIV’s amazing architecture will have your head spinning. It recently underwent a $10 million renovation, which only enhanced this place even more.

Some visitors hate how hard it can be to get through LIV’s doors. Other visitors love this difficulty, as it means the experience inside is all the more rewarding. This place gets 4 stars out of 5, as you can easily drop a paycheck during a night of partying at this club. Still, this investment could provide you with a lifetime of experiences, which is what earns this place a spot on this list.

5. Mango’s Tropical Café – A Hotspot For Nightlife

Mango’s Tropical Café has been operating for 27 years and is known for its unparalleled food options and amazing entertainment. Caribbean and Latin cuisine are emphasized and there
is also an extensive drink menu that will surely spice up your night.

Many visitors have also noted the beautiful art on display at this establishment. Thus, art buffs will also enjoy this location, as there are many inspiring works to look at and analyze. Mango’s Tropical Café also offers salsa lessons, which is a great way to mingle if you are single.

This hot spot gets 4.5 stars out of 5, as this is one of the best places in Miami to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday or marriage. Many people also love Mango’s Tropical Café because people of all ages are welcome before 10pm. Many hotspots for Miami Nightlife have strict age limitations regardless of the time, which can be alienating for some visitors with kids.

6. Purdy Lounge – A Hotspot For Nightlife

Purdy Lounge is open until 5am every day, making it ideal for anyone who likes to spend the nighttime hours dancing, partying, and socializing. This establishment features a diversity of music throughout the week, which will surely appeal to music aficionados. Purdy’s also has an extensive cocktail and bottle menu, making this a great place to celebrate a special event.

The crowd that goes to Purdy’s tends to be young, making this a beloved spot for college-aged people. Visitors like to come to Purdy’s after many hours of celebration, as it’s the perfect spot for winding down a night. This place gets 4 stars out of 5, as the unique lighting, red walls, and lava lamps provide an unforgettable backdrop for dancing and socializing.

7. Do Not Sit On The Furniture – A Hotspot For Nightlife

Besides having one of the best names of any place on this list, Do Not Sit on the Furniture is highly lauded as an oasis for house music. At this intimate, underground setting, music is put first, which creates a very liberating atmosphere. If you are interested in dancing and stretching your body, then this place would be ideal.

There are also booths and an outside patio at this spot, which means you can always take a break from the dance floor if necessary. Luckily, you actually can sit on these pieces of furniture. This place gets 5 stars out of 5, as the emphasis on music is a refreshing change of pace when compared with some night clubs in Miami which only emphasize bar service.

8. Story – A Hotspot For Nightlife

Story is known for its large dance floor, which gives patrons ample opportunity to boast their moves. If you are single and looking for romantic connection, then this would be great place to go. Story is also known for emphasizing both underground artists and more established artists, which keeps the music fresh.

This 27,000-square foot space opened in 2012 in the heart of Miami beach, which makes it very modern. There are 60 exclusive VIP tables here as well as 5 full-service bars. If you have the money, then Story is definitely the place to be. Story also offers exclusive valet service, which is ideal if you can’t find a place to park.

Many travelers have noted that the most memorable nights of their life have taken place at Story. This place gets 4.5 stars out of 5, as this is truly one of the most premiere nightclubs in the world despite the high cost of entry.

9. Nikki Beach – A Hotspot For Nightlife

Nikki Beach is a quintessential South Beach landmark that is notable for its varied food options, cabana bar, café, beach club, and second floor nightclub. Many celebrities like to frequent this establishment, as it offers a very luxurious setting.

This oceanfront complex offers many unique salads which will surely appeal to anyone focused on health. For example, the Yoga Bowl features lentils, bulgur wheat, kale, fennel, peppers, peas, carrots, pomegranates, and green beans with a lemon vinaigrette.

Patrons often get to experience live music while at Nikki Beach. Yet, if you need a break from the tunes, you can always step outside and take in the sounds of the beach. This place gets 4.5 stars out of 5, as this is one of the best places to host a private function. There are 42,000 square feet of beachfront property, which allows Nikki Beach to hold as many as 2000 people.

10. Club Space – A Hotspot For Nightlife

Club Space is known for its resident DJ’s which are some of the hottest in the industry. This is certainly the spot to be at on the weekends, especially if you dig electronic dance music. The sound system at Club Space is top-notch, which is likely why it’s so popular at night. Many people stay until sunrise before heading home.

This place gets 4 stars out of 5, as a star was subtracted to the difficulty in getting in. If you haven’t made a reservation, then gaining access can be difficult or costly. Still, the incomparable atmosphere of Club Space makes it the common site of many joyous celebrations. As many other nightclubs are winding down, Club Space is still raging on, making it one of the best places to go for an after party. 

As you can tell, there are many places you can go to experience nightlife in Miami. These places will appeal to both locals and visitors, as they offer something for just about everyone. If you are interested in going somewhere with your family, then Mango’s Tropical Café will be your best bet. This place is open to all ages until 10pm, which means you can bring your kids with you.

The salsa lessons are also very popular here, providing a more lighthearted dance setting when compared with the wilder nightclubs on this list. If you are purely interested in listening to electronic music, then DoNot Sit on the Furniture would be a great place to check out. The intimate setting makes for an unforgettable experience that will have your head spinning well into the morning.

If you are interested in a more prestigious nightclub experience, then LIV Nightclub, Story, and Club Space are ideal options. The main draw back of these places is how difficult it is to get in. Even if you have money, you might be barred entrance from these places. However, if you can gain access, then the experience is all the more rewarding.

Miami is one of the best locations in the world to experience world-class music deep into the night. In addition, many of Miami’s nightclubs offer circus-like entertainment that you will surely never forget.

Frequenting the locations on this list can be a great way to let loose and express yourself in a unique way. If you are feeling down in any way, then just head over to one of the hot spots on this list. You will definitely find many joyous individuals who are interested in spreading love.