6 Best Bars, Live Music, and Nightclubs in Miami

If you’re in Miami to hit the clubs, South Beach has to be on your radar. Party through the day in your best swimwear – plastic champagne flute in hand – at Nikki Beach Miami, then carry on to one of South Beach’s hottest dancefloors, such as celeb-hangout LIV or sister-club Story. The top-tier of DJs from Europe and the US are regularly performing at these party spots, so the music is always on point. Rocking it SoBe is never cheap, so dress to impress and be ready to splash the cash.

The balmy weather of Miami is tailor-made for evenings spent drinking and dining at rooftop bars. Downtown Miami has the biggest concentration of rooftop bars, with recommended spots including Bloom at The Langford Hotel and the ‘big city’ feel of Area 31.

If you’re looking to stay by the beach, head to the always-bustling Skybar at Shore Club South Beach on Collins Avenue or the Skyline Deck at The Betsy Hotel, with its Art Deco stylings. To enjoy Miami nightlife in such lofty surrounds, be prepared to spend plenty of money. Drinks at many rooftops around Miami are among the most expensive in the city, but most places do offer happy hour deals in the early evening.

The cultural influence that travels north from Latin America doesn't stop at food and cigars. Miami's live music scene is loaded with venues that showcase Latin bands and DJs that specialise in infectious beats ranging from Afro-Cuban fusion to Latin jazz and contemporary electronica.

Hoy Como Ayer, in Little Havana, is an enduring favourite for live music in Miami. Open from Thursday to Sunday, you’ll find a mix of live bands, DJs and packed dancefloors.

Located in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel, LIV is one of Miami's hottest spots for dancing until dawn. The 18,000 sq ft club is lavishly decorated and features private skyboxes for VIP service. LIV is the stomping grounds of Hollywood's young elite, as well as a platform for world-famous DJs. But this kind of exclusivity comes at a cost – there’s a minimum spend on VIP tables that can run well over $1,000.

A Miami landmark noted for its signature beach club, Nikki Beach is a top spot for dancing with your feet in the sand. Outdoor tiki bars and cabanas provide a retro and kitschy setting for disco, dance, and lounge-music nights. Dress in your finest beachwear and consider spending for a table with bottle service. It doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a classic snapshot of Miami’s fun and fancy beach party scene. There’s also a restaurant specialising in seafood, sushi, and some easy-to-share snacks like pizzas.

For an otherworldly experience, step out onto Skybar's terrace decorated to resemble an intimate and exotic living room. Bougainvillea and passion flowers act as a tropical backdrop to creative cocktails and DJ entertainment. You can enjoy a sundowner cocktail with ocean views, or come later and enjoy the cool, lounge house beats while kicking back in a hammock. There’s a smart causal dress code at Skybar, and the security have been known to be picky, so dress in your best ‘beach chic’ threads.