South Beach Party Girls
Miami Beach is well known for it’s nightlife. Fancy overpriced clubs are hidden away during the day, but at night you can locate them by the velvet-roped lines of people in miniskirts and Ed Hardy shirts.
You can’t come down to Miami and not visit at least one expensive South Beach nightclub. It’s part of the Miami experience. Pretending you’re a rock star is just what people do down here; call it a local tradition. So even if you’re traveling on a budget, make sure to add this experience on your list of things to do.
There are a lot of nightclubs in South Beach. But plenty of them pop up one month, only to close down 3 months later.
Only a few spots have really stood the test of time, and are worthy of the hefty cover charge and drink prices. I’ve carefully chosen these clubs to give you the true “South Beach Experience”. This list is short and sweet, with emphasis on big clubs that non-locals will be able to get into without much of an issue. While these certainly aren’t the only options, they are my top recommendations for travelers.
Busta Rhymes Says Hi
Fun South Beach Nightclubs:
MANSION: Mansion is the quintessential South Beach nightclub. If you can only visit one spot, it should be this one. Big, loud, and extravagant parties are the norm. But you’ll also have to put up with a lot of crap. Pushy bouncers, overpriced drinks, bad service, and a lot of pretentious bullshit. This is part of the South Beach experience though.
LIV: This gigantic club is part of the Fontainebleau Hotel. The lighting in the club is ridiculous, definitely a show by itself. It always hosts some of the biggest acts too. The hotel has been visited by many American Presidents, as well as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Elvis Presley. It’s also been featured in James Bond’s “Goldfinger” and in the movie “Scarface”. It used to be THE spot to be seen in Miami Beach, and it’s just had a $1 billion dollar renovation.
CAMEO: Cameo is another large, multi-level club that used to be an old theater. It has a fantastic light and sound setup, with great interior design. The club has a very 80′s Miami Vice type feel to it, in fact the VIP room upstairs is actually called “VICE”. A two story tall LED wall changes colors to the thump of the music in the main room, while the DJ performs from inside a huge disco ball.
BUCK 15: If you really despise big overpriced nightclubs, you can check out this hidden local favorite instead. Buck 15 is a great dive bar not too far from the main pedestrian walkway of Lincoln Road. It’s about the size of someone’s living room, is full of character and South Beach locals, including the occasional low-key celebrity. The place is always packed but it’s not a tourist trap. You’ll find a younger crowd here, and it feels more like a house party than a club. One of my favorite spots.
Sexy GoGo Dancers
South Beach Nightlife Tips:
The South Beach club scene has it’s own rules, and if you don’t know them, you might not have a very good night out.
RULE #1: There is a Dress Code. Do not wear shorts or sandals if you want to get in.
RULE #2: The lines start getting big around midnight. Go earlier if you don’t want to wait in line, but be aware that most people don’t go out to the big clubs until midnight or later. You might walk into an empty club if you go too early.
RULE #3: If you are forced to wait in line longer than 45 minutes, it’s probably because the door guy doesn’t like you and you’re not cool enough to get in. Slip him a $20 to get inside (you’ll still have to pay the cover) or find another club.
RULE #4: Get on a promoter’s guest list. Do a little research a few days before you go, and find someone who promotes for that particular party. You can often get a reduced cover charge, and have less hassle getting inside the venue if you talk to a club promoter beforehand.
RULE #5: Go with girls. If you’re just a group of guys on your own, you may be forced to buy bottle service if you want to get in. This can cost $350+.
Follow these guidelines and you’ll have a much happier South Beach nightclub experience. 
