10 Bars To Help You Drink and Dance Your Way Through Downtown Miami

This former clothing store turned friendly neighborhood watering hole has reinvigorated the Downtown Miami bar scene with its eclectic vintage flavor. The kitschy interior is inspired by traditional English pubs and retro Americana and features a long wooden bar, brass mermaid handrails and an old-time piano. Challenge a friend to a game of billiards or test your aim at the dartboard in the corner. A straightforward drinks menu presents classic cocktails like old fashioneds and negronis alongside various tap beers served in Imperial English pint glasses. Shuffle in from 4pm to 8pm Monday through Thursday for happy hour when all beverages are half off.

Wedged between the towering skyscrapers of Downtown Miami, this quaint lounge serves colorful cocktails and good times in a funky ’70s-inspired setting. The moody crimson-carpeted room is anchored by an oval-shaped wooden bar with dim retro lighting fixtures and a series of dark leather booths. Themed music nights, including Disco Sinferno Sundays and Ladies’ Night on Wednesdays, will keep you in the mood to party all week long. An imaginative cocktail menu offers tasty riffs on classic favorites such as the Porn Star Martini alongside craft beers and a shareable punch bowl for $50. Get an early start with happy hour from 3pm to 8pm daily with $7 specialty mixed drinks and $2 bar snacks.

Located in the lobby of a communal apartment building in Downtown Miami, Jaguar Sun is a sleek cocktail bar with an urban tropical atmosphere. This trendy bistro combines fresh craft cocktails with expertly prepared comfort food in an intimate and friendly setting. Start things off with a classic tom collins or try the imaginative Volcano Rabbit (tequila, espresso and Grand Marnier). Offering something for everyone, elevated dishes range from small bites like oysters and spicy beef jus to bucatini pasta with three-year parmesan. A lively happy hour takes place from 5pm until 7pm daily and includes $8 cocktails, a $4 house lager and $3 crab claws.

Situated in Downtown Miami’s nightclub district, The Corner is a unique after-hours bar with a speakeasy vibe that attracts an eclectic crowd of night owls. A welcome alternative to the frenzied nightclubs nearby, this friendly nook features high ceilings, indoor-outdoor seating and a large bar made with 150-year-old wood. The impressive drink menu offers over 30 beers and hand-crafted cocktails like the New York Sour or The Aristocrat (Hendricks gin, cucumber and lemon). Tuesday nights come to life with live jazz from 10:30pm on, and happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4pm to 8pm with all canned beer and Chicago-style dogs for $3.

Hidden inside a thrift store at the glitzy 500 Brickell building, Better Days is a buzzing late-night neighborhood bar with a laid-back vibe. Funky retro furnishings, old framed photos and small potted palms give off the feel of a ’60s beachside cottage. The drinks menu offers over 30 beers plus signature cocktails with comical names like Brohito and Dat Fizz Shizz (vodka, lemon juice and pineapple soda). A pool table, old-school arcade games and live music will keep you entertained until that 5am last call. Be sure not to miss happy hour from 5pm to 8pm when all drinks are half-priced.

Perched atop the Langford Hotel in Downtown Miami, Bloom Skybar is a stylish oasis with sweeping city views. Comfort is paramount here with modern furnishings and indoor-outdoor seating options. The cocktail menu offers offbeat versions of classics like the miami mule and specialty drinks including the famous Giggle Water (gin with champagne and lavender foam served in a mini bathtub). Reasonably priced bar bites range from spicy edamame and tempura calamari to your choice of beef or chicken sliders. With live DJ sets from 4pm to 3am on weekends and a two-for-one happy hour daily, it’s impossible not to enjoy this New York-style oasis.

Part of the Downtown’s late-night scene, Blackbird Ordinary is open until 5am, 365 days a year. Inside, sleek wood finishes and dark leather booths frame the well-stocked bar that takes center stage. An extensive cocktail menu offers 20 handcrafted cocktails including the signature Blackbird (sweet tea vodka, lemonade and fresh blackberries), over three dozen beers and an impressive array of bourbons. A pool table and nightly live music (with no cover) will keep you on your feet. Get an early start with happy hour from 3pm to 8pm when all drinks are two for one.

On the south side of the Miami River, Redbar Drink Co. is lounge, event space and art gallery all at once. Colorful furnishings are offset by wood finishes and a vibrant mural on the back wall, while indoor-outdoor seating and exposed industrial ceilings give this cozy room a spacious feel. Mixologists serve up specialty cocktails like the Youfizz.com alongside premium versions of classic favorites such as the moscow mule or a fresh margarita. Add some spice to your life with the Dirty Dip, featuring chipotle salsa syrup, lime juice and Olmeca Altos tequila. A rotating schedule of events includes comedy Mondays, whiskey Wednesdays and ladies night on Thursdays.

Located within the arteries of Downtown’s pumping late-night scene, 1306 is an upscale lounge and event space with old-world charm. Black and grey damask wallpaper, suede armchairs and potted plants give the feeling of a posh European home. Cocktails are straightforward and include classic favorites like negronis and long islands. The private tree-lined garden boasts a separate bar and a music stage hosting a wide variety of entertainment, from afro beats and live bands to an unplugged open mic on Wednesdays. Stop in during happy hour from Wednesday through Friday (5pm to 8pm) when all drinks are half priced.