1. Bougainvillea’S Old Florida Tavern (Bougie’S)
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (305) 669-8577
Address: 7221 SW 58th Ave.
Insider Pick:
Description: Shameless self-promotion is usually problematic, but Bougie’s self-identifying as “homey, cozy and laid-back” is totally on the spot. Beer, wine, mixed and specialty drinks are available and the versatile nightly events make it attractive to a variety of crowds. There are drink specials almost every night and the outdoor patio is a great place to retreat to if it gets too packed inside. Take your pick: Monday Night Poker, Reggae Tuesdays, Ladies Night Wednesday, Thirsty Thursdays, House Party Fridays, Homegrown Saturdays with local bands, and In the Biz Sundays.
2. Fox’S Sherron Inn
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (305) 661-9201
Address: 6030 South Dixie Hwy.
Description: The low-key speakeasy feel of Fox’s is reason enough to spend an evening here, but the food and drinks are a draw in itself. Drinks range from basic beers to top-shelf hard liquor—there’s also a liquor window in the back for grab-and-go service. The space is smallish and caters to intimate conversation most evenings. But occasionally college students and 20-somethings overtake the place so it can get a bit packed, especially during two-for-one happy hours after 11 p.m. on Tues and Sat.
3. Scully’S Tavern
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (305) 271-7404
Address: 9809 Sunset Dr.
Description: Sports bar, live music venue, local dive, notable restaurant—Scully’s Tavern wears many hats. Despite an increased media presence, thanks to an appearance on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, the waitstaff is still friendly, the beers still cheap and the live music still good. The crowd is diverse ranging from the raucous (Dolphins’ games) to the rough and tumble (bike night on Wed) to the off-key (karaoke on Thurs). Take advantage of happy hour grub on weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. The regular menu offers a variety of cuisines but does Southern best. The legendary fried green tomatoes should not be missed.
4. Sunset Tavern
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (305) 665-0606
Address: 7230 SW 59th Ave.
Description: The outdoor seating is a huge draw at this local tavern, which attracts a sports crowd during game nights and college students otherwise. A beer and wine menu is available and mixed drinks are popular, too. Happy hours are perhaps busiest, for obvious reasons—what college student or sports fan can resist $1 beers? The adjoining Deli Lane restaurant is open late, so ordering burgers and fries (and a variety of grub) is customary. There’s another Deli Lane location in Brickell at 1401 Brickell Ave.; (305) 377-8811.
5. Town Kitchen And Bar
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (305) 740-8118
Address: 7301 SW 57th Court
Description: This upscale South Miami joint attracts crowds throughout the day serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner and then transforming into a bar environment at night, where food can still be ordered. Wine is available by the bottle or glass and a variety of signature cocktails are available. Try the Town Dirty Martini with ZYR vodka and cheese–stuffed olives or the Town Greyhound with Finlandia grapefruit infused vodka and Kennesaw’s all-natural fresh squeezed grapefruit juice for something a bit different. Champagne flows free for ladies until 7 p.m. on Thurs and other happy hours are worth checking out throughout the week. An extensive beer menu also attracts beer drinkers in the neighborhood.
6. Cervezas
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (305) 397-8125
Address: 5835 Sunset Dr.
Description: Beer is the focus at this aptly named bar. Owner Carlos Duran, a former businessman turned beer keeper, decided that there was a dearth of brewpubs in the South Miami neighborhood that could be filled. The bar offers up 250 different brews ranging from popular imports like Leffe’s Blonde and Weihenstephaner’s Hefeweiss to domestic craft brews like Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA and Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale. A wine list is also available. Flat-screen TVs and exposed brick walls create a sleek sports bar ambiance. Cervezas does in fact show many sporting events as well as host a popular karaoke night on Thurs. Beer tastings occur on the first Tuesday of every month. For only $20, patrons can sample up to 20 different beers.
7. Cavas Wine Tasting Room
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (305) 667-5332
Address: 5829 SW 73rd St.
Description: This unpretentious tasting room does not expect guests to know their entire wine lingo. A wine tasting room provides ample and comfortable seating as well as a prepaid card machine that allows drinkers to order a variety of flavors in ounce, half-glass, or glass sizes.
8. Cavas Wine Tasting Room
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (305) 667-5332
Address: 5829 SW 73rd St.
Description: Designed as an unintimidating place to taste, this local wine bar hosts live music at 8 p.m. on Thurs. Call for lineup details and expect a surplus of wine choices—there are over 80 in-house.