Miami is an easy city to pull an all-nighter in — and it’s the nights that are supposed to end early that typically turn into the most memorable ones in the Magic City. No matter what day of the week it is, there’s something open and ready to serve food and drinks all hours of the night.
Take an extra shot (or two) of Cuban coffee around 5 p.m. and get ready to go because it’s gonna be a long one. Drinks will most certainly be flowing, but don’t worry— there’s plenty of food along the way and ride sharing apps will be everyone’s best friend.
6 p.m. - Ariete
Ease into the evening in Coconut Grove with an early dinner and drinks at Ariete (3540 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133). Stick to appetizers and order a round of fritas and oysters with bone marrow butter for the table. And don’t miss the tuna conserva, served in a small jar with plenty of crusty bread. Wash it all back with a Cuban daiquiri and get ready for what’s to come.
10 minute Uber
8 p.m. - Better Days
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Head over for a quick stop into one of the best spots Brickell has to offer — Better Days (75 SE 6th St, Miami, FL 33131). While there’s not exactly a cocktail menu, these bartenders are always up for a challenge and make some of the best drinks in town. Grab a free bucket of popcorn and play a game of pool. There’s also karaoke, live comedy, and trivia different nights of the week.
10 minute Uber
9 p.m. - Bar Alter
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Most of Miami knows Alter as one of the top restaurants in the city, but not everyone is aware of the equally as prestigious bar program that takes place on the patio bar outside at Bar Alter (223 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL 33127). Bar manager Gustavo Martinez and his team have put together a multiple page menu of cocktails that change seasonally and offer a flavor profile descriptors under each cocktail like “spirit forward,” “stone fruit,” or “high-octane.” Pro tip: most of Alter’s menu is available at the bar too.
2 minute walk
10 p.m. - 1-800-Lucky
Pop into the bustling Asian food hall 1-800-Lucky (143 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL 33127) for a snack, and split up with each person in the group heading to a different station to order for the table to ensure maximum coverage with less wait time. Soup dumplings from Yip and Miss Saigon fries from Les Banh Amis are easy to share and always winners. As for cocktails, the Mai Taekwondo packs a punch. Don’t forget to end the visit with ice cream from Taiyaki NYC — those fish shaped ice cream cones all over the ‘Gram.
15 minute Uber
11 p.m. - Broken Shaker
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It’s time to cross the bridge and head to the beach. A Miami Beach visit isn’t complete without grabbing a drink at Broken Shaker (2727 Indian Creek Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33140). The relaxed tropical oasis features an ever changing cocktail menu and always an affordable $7 punch of the day. Hang by the pool or even take a dip if it’s that kind of night.
5 minute Uber or 15 minute walk
1 a.m. - Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company
Burst through the doors and start dancing immediately, because chances are there’s a great song playing at Sweet Liberty (237 20th St Suite B, Miami Beach, FL 33139). The menu is split between “Classy Cocktails” and “Fancy Cocktails,” but those who want to be real deal fancy go for a bottle of Krug Champagne. During happy hour it’s $150 a bottle (typically $200 retail or $300 anywhere else), and perhaps one of the best bargains on the beach.
8 minute Uber
3 a.m. - Employees Only
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This New York transplant is easy to miss, but still very much worth seeking out. At Employees Only (1030 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139), the bartenders are in well earned chef coats and free pour drinks — famously no jiggers or measuring allowed. A full food menu is available all night long featuring bone marrow poppers, steak tartare, and chicken schnitzel served with sour cream mashed potatoes. It’s not the average late night Miami crowd, expect to see plenty local bartenders hanging out on the other side of the bar after getting off work. Still hanging around during last call at 4:30 a.m.? Enjoy a bowl of complimentary chicken soup that’s sent out of the kitchen nightly.
10 minute Uber
5 a.m. - The Corner
Back to the mainland and into Downtown Miami, order a quick drink at The Corner (1035 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33136). The relaxed come-as-you-are bar is likely slammed and may take a few minutes to get a drink. Just embrace the chaos and know people are there to either people watch, or to be the people being watched — making it a great spot for seeing the unexpected.
1 minute walk
6 a.m. - E11even
E11even (29 NE 11th St, Miami, FL 33132) is a lot like Vegas, what happens there stays there. The 24-hour nightclub is known for its sexy dancers and hot guest list. The energy is always high, the dancers are topless, and everyone is having a great time. Food might not be the first thing that comes to mind here, but the chicken tenders are sneakily some of the best in Miami.
10 minute Uber
7:30 a.m. - Sunrise on the sand and breakfast at South Pointe Tavern
While there are many alternate endings and routes that can be taken when staying out all night, there’s something special about ending it on the sand watching the sun come up. It’s a rite of passage for anyone who pulls a true all-nighter in Miami. Head to South Pointe Park (1 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139) to watch the sunrise in all its glory. Then slid into South Pointe Tavern (40 South Pointe Drive, 109, Miami Beach, FL 33139) at 8 a.m. for a breakfast before bed. The breakfast wrap with eggs, cheese, onions, bacon or sausage in a spinach wrap is ideal for soaking up the remaining alcohol — or throw a mimosa in for good measure.