After Two Decades in Business, Purdy Lounge is Closing

It’s a sad day for the Miami bar world as beloved drinking den and go-to late night Sunset Harbour spot, Purdy Lounge (1811 Purdy Avenue), is closing up shop for good come February 8, 2020.

The space announced the closure in a Facebook post that read, “They say all good things must come to an end. In this case something truly great is coming to an end. On February 8th we will be closing our doors. There is a lot you can do in 20 years, begin a new century, build a new business, develop a neighborhood, make new friends, strengthen bonds, dance, celebrate, cry, fall in love, and drink a few happy meals. We’ve covered all of it, but like we said all good things must come to an end, and with gratitude and thanks to 20 years of parties we say goodbye to Purdy Lounge.”

The reason for the closure? A few different factors, according to one of its owners Dan Binkiewicz, who noted that the lease was up and it would have been too expensive to renew in the now booming Sunset Harbour neighborhood. But the main reason he cited: “mostly it’s time.”

The bar, which opened in 2000, has seen its neighborhood and surroundings certainly evolve over the years, with the area transforming into a high-end destination filled with restaurants, boutique gyms, and grocery chains — a far cry from its quaint beginnings in the early aughts when the area was mainly populated with tow yards and gas stations. However, this evolution created plenty of tension between Purdy Lounge and residents in the area in recent years over the bar’s late closing times and loud music in the increasingly gentrified neighborhood.

For those mourning the loss of the bar, there’s still time to mask visit (or two) before it shutters in February, which it promises to be a blowout bash, “Our final party will be February 8th and we hope you can come celebrate. No attitude, no cover, no bullshit. Always and forever.”