Expert recommendations of the best clubs, bars, and other after-dark venues.
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Cameo
"The hottest nightspot that I love the most right now is the Cameo. They have the best DJs, music…and the energy is through the ceiling."—Tracy Young, Miami DJ who has deejayed at Madonna and Guy Ritchie's 2000 wedding reception in Scotland and Britney Spears' 21st birthday. In a historic art deco movie theater, the nightclub has a 10,000-square-foot (929-square-meter) dance floor and a big, glass-enclosed VIP area upstairs; a catwalk around the second floor offers views of the dance floor below. Cover charge $20-$30. 1445 Washington Ave., South Beach; tel. +1 305 532 2667. www.cameomiami.com
Churchill's
One of the few rock clubs in Miami; it's dirty and dicey, but the Little Haiti drinking hole has booked some of the city's hottest bands before they hit the big time, including country music band the Mavericks; live music from heavy metal to singer-songwriters; owned by an Englishman, it's also known for showing live soccer matches on a 15-foot (4.6-meter) screen. (U2 was seen here when they were recording in Miami.) 5501 NE 2nd Ave., Miami; tel. +1 305 757 1807. http://churchillspub.com
Circa 28
"Upstart venue in an old locals bar in Wynwood. Saturday nights brought to you by Sweat records, Miami's premier indie record store."—DJ Le Spam (Andrew Yeomanson), DJ who heads the Miami band The Spam Allstars. Nightclub-lounge for the upscale/hipster set in the Wynwood Arts District. 2826 N. Miami Ave., Miami; tel. +1 305 722 1858. www.circa28.com
Club Space
Created from four warehouses, the cavernous, 25,000-square-foot (2,322.6-square-meter) dance space in downtown Miami has an oversize dance floor, a mezzanine, rooftop terrace, lounge, and several VIP areas; resident and visiting internationally known DJs; other mega-dance halls have arrived on the scene, but this was the first and still a favorite. 34 NE 11th St., Miami; tel. +1 305 375 0001. www.clubspace.com
Hoy Como Ayer
"It's a bit cramped, but once the show begins, everyone becomes a part of the fun, and the dancing can't be beat."—Teresa Rodriguez, Univision TV correspondent and cohost of the weekly newsmagazine show "Aquí, y Ahora". Small, spirited Little Havana dance club where the nostalgia of old Cuba permeates with the help of live music by some of the island's best musicians-in-exile. The Spam Allstars play funk/Latin/hip-hop here most Thursday nights. 2212 SW 8th St., Miami; tel. +1 305 541 2631. www.hoycomoayer.net
PS14
"Indie rockers and alt crowd hangout with a nice patio in the back just a few blocks north of the downtown club district."—DJ Le Spam (Andrew Yeomanson). Downtown music club featuring elector house, hip-hop, rock, and Latin; WVUM, the University of Miami's alternative radio station, often hosts music nights. 28 NE 14th St., Miami; tel. +1 305 358 3600. www.ps14.com
Rooftop Lounge
Rockin' parties Friday and Saturday nights until 2 a.m. on the terrace at the Townhouse hotel; young professionals dangle cocktails while lounging on king-size waterbeds; '80s retro music common. 150 20th St., South Beach; tel. +1 305 534 3800. http://townhousehotel.com/rooftop.asp
Tapas y Tintos
"Get there late and it's a terrific place to dance the night away with no cover charge."—Frances Robles, Cuba reporter for the Miami Herald. Free tango and salsa classes Mondays and Tuesdays; live music and DJ nights; flamenco shows. 448 Española Way, South Beach; tel. +1 305 538 TAPA. www.tapasytintos.com
Tobacco Road
"Miami's first bar (liquor license #001), former speakeasy, and hangout of Al Capone. Some incredible R&B, blues, and jazz acts have passed through the upstairs cabaret over the years."—DJ Le Spam. Miami's oldest bar, established in 1912; best place for a greasy burger and live blues; its stage has seen the likes of John Lee Hooker, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, and Buddy Guy. 626 S. Miami Ave., Miami; tel. +1 305 374 1198. www.tobacco-road.com
Viernes Culturales
Little Havana's free monthly music and art festival, with walking tours, dancers, and gallery openings held the last Friday of every month; live music on the main stage with Afro-Cuban, R&B, hip-hop, rock, and salsa bands. On Southwest 8th Street, between 14th and 17th Avenues; tel. +1 786 314 5993. www.viernesculturales.com
