The Ultimate Guide to Miami Art Week’s Best Eats, Drinks, and Parties 2019

It’s officially Art Basel time once again. The weeklong art extravaganza was originally centered around art — and the argument whether it still does remains in full force — but now it has taken over the whole city featuring world-class shows, dinners, and activations from Miami Beach to the Gables and just about everywhere in between.

While there are hundreds of events and art fairs that happen over the next week, Eater Miami has rounded up some of the best food and beverage related dinners and pop-ups, events and activations around town. All are open to the public (no doorman bribery here) and either are free, RSVP, or ticketed. Happy Basel-ing.

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Dinners and Pop-Ups

Zahav/Official Press Photo

Icebox Cafe Photography Pop-Up

WHAT: During Art Week Icebox Cafe will offer two bubbles and caviar pairings along with a pop-up photo exhibit from local artist, Rodit Arcos. The exhibit will feature photos from around the world, including the Dominic Republic, Mexico, and Spain, that will be available for purchase.

WHEN: December 4-8. Icebox Cafe, 1855 Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach

National Hotel Sunday Farewell Art Basel Brunch

WHAT: The National Hotel is closing out Art Week with an elaborate brunch with everything from waffles, to an omelet station, to bottomless mimosas, alongside artwork by local artist Eddy Bogart.

WHEN: December 8. noon to 3 p.m. $39 for brunch, $20 for mimosa add on. National Hotel, 1677 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Truffle Omakase Dinner at Zuma

WHAT: For those looking to step up their swanky factor, celeb hot spot Zuma is offering a Art Basel truffle omakase dinner just for Art Week. Offering four courses will items like seabass sashimi, seared wagyu tataki, roasted lobster, and ribeye, all topped with a lot of truffle.

WHEN: December 2-8. $395 per person. Zuma Miami, 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Downtown Miami

Art of Food at Cantina la 20

WHAT: Cantina la 20 is serving up a special menu with week-only dishes from chefs Aaron Brooks, Juan Manuel Barrientos, Fernando Trocca, Jose Mendin, and Santiago Gomez, that are all art-inspired.

WHEN: December 5-8. Cantina La 20, 495 Brickell Avenue, Brickell

Zahav Pop-Up at Habitat at 1 Hotel

WHAT: Chef Michael Solomonov is bringing a three-day pop-up of his Philadelphia outpost Zahav to Habitat, 1 Hotel South Beach’s restaurant, in collaboration with American Express. Guests will dine on a four-course, family-style dinner that includes dishes like hummus-tehina, cauliflower baba ganoush, and Bulgarian lamb kebab prepared by the five-time James Beard award-winning chef.

WHEN: December 4-6. $195 per person. Purchase tickets here. 1 Hotel, 2341 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Atsushi Tanaka and Abe Schoener Dinner at Hiden

WHAT: Described as the “Picasso of Gastronomy,” Franco-Japanese chef, Atsushi Tanaka, will be joined by wine expert, Abe Schoener, to create a two-night only dinner and sake dinner.

WHEN: December 6-7. $300 per person with optional $200 sake pairing. Reservations here. Hiden, 313 NW 25th Street, Wynwood

Quixotic Projects Pop Up at Three

WHAT: This month-long, French-inspired pop-up inside Three and No. 3 Social is brought to Miami by Quixotic Projects, the team that most recently took over Bar Marilou in New Orleans. Guests can expect cocktails, natural wines and French fare in both spaces.

WHEN: Month of December. Three, 50 NW 24th Street, Suite 101, Wynwood

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Art Exhibits and Activations

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey 3D Printed Bar

WHAT: Bulleit has teamed up with Miami artists Elidea and Jason Skeldon to debut a modern spin on the classic “ship-in-a-bottle.” The artists will combine various mediums with 3D-printing within multiple 1.75mL bottles of Bulleit Bourbon, while guests can sip on cocktails from 3D cocktails from Bulleit.

WHEN: December 4-8. Mana Wynwood, 318 NW 23rd Street, Wynwood

BaseCamp at Magic City Innovation District

WHAT: A new arts and cultural park debuting to Art Week, the two acre space features new food and drink outposts including a food truck by Todd English, a taqueria, and a juice bar, plus two bars.

WHEN: Opens December 4. BaseCamp, 298 NE 61st Street, Miami

Drink Marvelously at III Points Festival

WHAT: Join Ketel One Vodka at III points festival for a chance to Experience Art Basel in the clouds. Ketel One will activate a hot air balloon at the festival where guests can enter for a chance to win a ride via a social media contest that will take place on the first day of the festival. This year’s lineup includes Grimes, Sophie, A$AP Rocky and more.

WHEN: December 5-7. RC Cola Plant, 550 NW 24th Street, Wynwood

Follow the Vine with Santa Margherita Wines

WHAT: Guests can get lost amongst the grapevine maze, sip on cocktails, be immersed in the dome theater, and taste Santa Margherita wines at this immersive pop-up.

WHEN: December 4-7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. RSVP here. The Beach at Pérez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Downtown Miami

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Cocktails and Parties

Viaggio: The Cocktail Series

WHAT: Le Sirenuse Champagne Bar continues its Viaggio: The Cocktail Series with guest bartender and Fords Gin Founder and managing partner, Simon Ford. It also will kick off the restaurant’s ‘Martini Moments’ with Fords Gin – a martini trolley that will allow the Le Sirenuse bar team to handcraft and offer up customized table-side martinis every Thursday night.

WHEN: December 5. 7 to 10 p.m. Le Sirenuse, 9011 Collins Avenue, Surfside

ART Collection and Cocktails in the AQ Bar

WHAT: AQ Bar has teamed up with Fine Art Mia, and during Art Week guests can view pieces from Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, while sipping art-themed cocktails like the Campbell Soup Mule.

WHEN: December 5-6. AQ Bar, 17875 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach

ArtCade at Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club

WHEN: Sip on cocktails by Absolut, spiked Italian ices, and a menu “curated with nostalgia,” as guests relive their child room in this vintage pop-up Arcade.

WHEN: December 4-6. 6 to 10 p.m. Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, 3925 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

The Art of the Cocktail

WHAT: Join a cocktail masterclass led by JP Calabria, SipSmith Gin US Brand Ambassador and Ben Potts, Bar Director of The Sylvester and Beaker & Gray followed by an interactive do-it-yourself custom candle bar by Candleland Miami.

WHEN: December 6. noon to 1:30 p.m. Metroquadro Miami, 177 NW 23 Street, Miami

Rioja Wine Art Soiree

WHAT: Wines of Rioja hosts an evening of tapas and live music, along with a presentation of artwork by Miami-based artist J.Margulis. Each piece will be paired with a different Rioja wine style.

WHEN: December 4. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Purchase tickets here. Kimpton Angler’s Hotel, 660 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach

NYAA Reception

WHAT: Mandarin Oriental has partnered with the New York Academy of Art to exhibit a show called “Bliss.” The exhibition, curated by supermodel and photographer Helena Christensen, along with actress, Brooke Shields, will be on display throughout the hotel lobby December 2-6 with a closing reception that’s open to the public at the end of the week.

WHEN: December 6. 7 to 9 p.m. MO Bar + Lounge, 500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami

Rum and Bass Block Party

WHAT: Daily Paper is hosting a closing party with local resident DJ Walshy Fire and Bacardi celebrating local artists, and creatives from all walks of life.

WHEN: December 8. 3 to 10 p.m. 1800-LUCKY, 143 NW 23rd Street, Wynwood