The Girl's Guide to South Beach Nightlife by Stephanie Wilson

Face it girls, most nightlife guides are written by-and-for the boys. And the boys (bless them one and all) usually have but one thing on their mind�the thrill of the chase. Of course we girls wouldn�t have it any other way, but don't you think it's about time that someone wrote a nightlife guide from a girl's perspective?

Well, with that in mind, here�s a nightlife guide designed especially for you ladies wishing to further your amorous adventures during your next visit to South Beach.

Clubs, Clubs, Clubs
While Miami Beach is known worldwide for its raging club scene, you must keep in mind that not all Miami Beach clubs are located in�uh��clubs.� Many of the coolest scenes around are found in hotels, restaurants (after midnight) and lounges. The key to Miami Beach nightlife is knowing where and when to find �the scene� on any given night. Here are the must-see-must-do�s:

B.E.D.
929 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.532.9070


The restaurant/night club known as BED hosts a free dinner for ladies every Monday night during their second dinner seating at 10pm. Girls pour in the doors all night long to take advantage of all the club has to offer. The pre-selected dinner (changed weekly) is brought out to the beds where the ladies lounge. Once the girls have dined and the bamboo trays are cleared, the lights dim and the hip-hop music cranks up. This weekly party is by far the hottest Monday soir�e in town, and I recommend getting there early. Be sure to give Empire Events a call (305.534.9909) during the day to ensure your name is on the list�otherwise, no free dinner and the wait at the door can be discouraging. (And don't let the PR photo above fool you...BED is packed every night by 11pm.)


Sanctuary Hotel's Roof Lounge
1735 James Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.673.5455


A recent addition to South Beach, the Sanctuary Hotel's Rooftop Lounge may be the new best-kept secret in town� but don�t expect it to stay that way for long. No expense was spared in making this hotel a chic retreat, and news is spreading by word of mouth alone as the owners aren't bringing in promoters to energize the scene. And from the recent looks of it, nothing more than word of mouth is needed: Sanctuary's roof-top lounge is rapidly becoming the place to be on Fridays and Saturdays as a launch-pad to pre-game for the big party, which in South Beach, lies directly ahead regardless of where the night takes you.


The Hotel Astor
956 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139

On any given Tuesday night, a sure bet is TAI Entertainment�s party at the Hotel Astor. Renowned promoters Casares/Pooch/Roth make sure the models are-a-plenty, providing eye candy for both boys and girls. Be sure to get their early and dress your best, because the hassle at the door can be overwhelming. The party is kept selective by keeping the regular passer-by�s out, but if you dress the part they'll know you're looking to play. Once inside this indoor/outdoor party, you have your choice of several bars, but the drinks can be somewhat pricey (plan on $10-15 a round). Just think of it like this: You're simply paying for the lush atmosphere and the amazingly good-looking company you just met.


The Forge
432 41st Street
Miami Beach, FL 33140


The Forge is a Miami Beach institution and their parties are legendary. On Wednesday nights, after serving dinner to haute Miami�s most discriminating clientele, the place packs a full house of scenesters who are just as picky about their partying as the dinner-crowd is about their steaks. And if you're looking to catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two, The Forge is your place: Anyone in the latest issue of People who happens to be passing through Miami Beach usually makes a stop at this destination for fab dining and exclusive lounging. The music varies between different rooms, pleasing just about everyone in Miami�s socially and sexually diverse scene. And luxurious surroundings full of happy people make for amazing parties, week after week.


Sky Bar at the Shore Club
1901 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.695.3100

A personal favorite of mine, the Shore Club Hotel�s Sky Bar has something to offer no matter what your mood. Their Thursday night party, hosted by Erica Freshman and Zack Bush, brings in the perfect mix of locals and tourists. If you would prefer to move and groove in a club-type locale fit for a P Diddy video, just jump into the notorious Red Room and give your thing a good ole� shake to the hip-hop groves. When your amazing moves catch the eye of one of the resident hotties, and you need to go somewhere to chat, the outdoor living room-themed Red Room Garden is great for conversing with your new found friend, who is obviously interested in buying you as many cocktails as you can consume all night long. If you and your new beau want to lounge by one of the enormous pools on one the beds provided, feel free. The Rum Bar is conveniently located centrally between the two pools for easy access. Just keep in mind that during Sky Bar hours, the pool is off limits: You can look, but don�t touch. *Please note: This rule does not apply to the hunk at your side.


Crobar
1445 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.531.5027



Crobar is a dance-lovers wet-dream. This four-tiered club is a renovated movie theater and everyone here comes to party. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. Crobar is a destination for locals and tourists-alike, and the line is always long, even at 4am. This Miami Beach institution has no problem charging $20 a pop to get through the doors even at 4am, knowing full well that the party is almost over. They get away with it because the party is that good. In order to get away from the almost overwhelming crowd, try to slip upstairs to the VIP (Not an easy task, but try the �My friend has a table right up there. Point, and when he turns to look, slip past like you know what you are doing.) And once you get up one flight of stairs, don�t stop there�There are more VIPs to be found. Almost hidden in the upper left corner of what seems to be the end of the line, there is a door leading to a small private room, which can be classified as Upper VIP. This small, intimate hidden room is home to all the debauchery you can imagine, night-after-night. The walls are lined with small tables and chairs, and those lucky enough to find themselves in this setting can actually talk and hear above the music, unlike the rest of the club, which pumps its house tunes loud enough to get every patron�s body moving.


Rose Bar at the Delano Hotel
1685 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.672.2000


There's no place in South Beach quite like the Delano. Upon entering the front door of the hotel, patrons are awed by the sheer massiveness of the walls and of the sophistication of the setting. Only the elegant feel of the Rose Bar matches the old-world Miami Beach grandeur of the lobby. Located in the back of the main floor of this South Beach landmark, the Rose Bar pours plenty-a-cocktail every evening, and does so in a style befitting a queen (you). The atmosphere virtually demands that you sip only the finest bubbly while gabbing with your friends. And if you're in need of a sugar-daddy, The Delano is your best bet. (While recently enjoying my own glass of bubbly in the lobby, I overheard an older gentleman say to his young prey: �I want to buy you something � not a drink, I was thinking more along the lines of a handbag.� And what girl couldn�t use one more purse?)

Hotel Victor
1144 Ocean Dr
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.428.1234

A new and much-needed addition to the South Beach nightlife scene, the Hotel Victor has certainly taken over Thursdays with their party hosted by Michael Capponi. Whether you plan to relax in the posh settings for the entire night or to simply start your evening off in the right place, the Hotel Victor's bartenders are hot, the digs are beyond fashionable, and the d�cor is stunning. The scene is at once both relaxed and stimulating. The restaurant draws in the upper echelon, dressed to the nines, and after dinner they make their way up to the second floor atrium and mingle with the crowd where you are just as likely to find patrons in jeans as fancier frocks. The Hotel Victor is highly recommended.


Mansion
1235 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.531.5535



Having just celebrated their one-year anniversary in style, Mansion�the biggest club in South Beach�shows no signs of slowing down. Their parties are the best of the best and consistently bring in top celebrities galore. Mansion is best on weekends (including Thirsty Thursdays, of course), where both the main and hip-hop rooms are packed with partiers. Be prepared to dance, dance, dance once you make it inside, which, by the way, can be a feat in and of itself. Because of the overwhelming popularity of Mansion�s bashes, be prepared to wait in line a bit to join the fun. But as always, acting like you should be in is always one way to get it. Girls, march right on up to the door man, give him your best smile, (shoulders back, chest out) and let him know that you are on the list, even if you are not. But if you really want to avoid the fuss, easiest thing to do is make a phone call during the day and ensure your guest-list status. Give the club a call and ask them who is handling their guest list for the night�s event. Its one sure way to guarantee you're in the game, instead of cheering from the sidelines.

Mynt
1921 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
786.276-6133

Possibly the most selective of all of South Beach�s clubs, Mynt Lounge is host to superb festivities every weekend. The front room plays up-tempo house beats, while the back room blasts the hottest hip-hop. This is where the 1% gene poolers come to party: bouncers have no problem telling the not-so-perfect they are not up to par with the regular clientele. But the attitude at the door doesn't hinder the party inside, which is always bumping. The beat often moves many a girl to shake it on the table top� I personally have damaged some personal property at this posh locale by putting my heel through the white leather couches while dancing in the hip-hop room. Oops! What can I say, the music moved me to new heights, and I was forced to live in the moment. So ditch the shoes if you want to dance high above the crowd.


Priv�
136 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.531.5535

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays there is no place like Priv�. This club is actually considered the VIP room of the Opium Garden, which lies below. Priv� is made up of a hip-hop room and a house room, both of which are packed weekend after weekend with South Beach�s young hot crowd. Upon gaining entrance to Priv�, you're also given access to Opium Garden and you can feel free to gloat: Those not in-the-know enough to stick to the left upon arrival at the complex are forced to stay down below in Opium Garden. But there are worse places in the world to be stuck than Opium Garden (such as any of the clubs that lie between 500-700 Washington Avenue). The party down in the trenches is just as hot as up in Priv� and by hot I mean both bumping and without air conditioning�Opium Garden (unlike Priv�) is an open-air party, so keep an eye on the weather before heading out.


The Roof at the Townhouse Hotel
150 20th St
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.534.3800


On Friday nights the rooftop lounge at the Townhouse hotel gets packed with the young and laid-back beautiful people who are just looking for a good time� on a waterbed with a view. For guests and locals looking to get their groove on high above the hectic street below the Townhouse hotel opens up its rooftop lounge where the unique red-and-white d�cor seems straight out of a 60�s movie set. The party is more of a starting-out point than a final destination and the innovative drinks available soothe your inhibitions and get you ready for whatever the night brings.


Raleigh Hotel's Sunday Soiree Party
1775 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.534.6300


When you're looking to end your weekend in the right place, head over to The Raleigh Hotel's Sunday Soiree pool/beach party, and join the rest of Miami Beach�s in-crowd as they relax after a weekend of partying like the stars they are. Whether you are looking to gear-up or wind down, The Raleigh�s Sunday Soiree is a must-do. The atmosphere is one of a casual pool party circa 1955, albeit with dance music instead of Sinatra. Feel free to lie by the pool, sit at one of the tables on the sand, or join the crowd around the fire-pit. Once the sun goes down, the tempo of the party gets kicked, and people settle in to party all night� again.

posted by Victoria @ 3:57 PM Comments: 0