Especially during the winter time, my husband and I often receive house guests. Spending a few days in sunny Miami is very appealing to our friends and family, especially those that live in chilly places. Whenever these house guests descend on us, there is one activity we almost always partake in -- a bar crawl through the various hotel bars on South Beach. This is the prototypical South Beach experience -- even if our guest is not typically a bar person, everyone likes dressing up and going out on the town every once in a while. Now, depending on who we bring with us depends on what bars we would go to, but there are so many hotels and so many corresponding bars, that you can really find a bar to suit all tastes and preferences (even if they do not drink alcohol!). Here are some of my favorites:
First, the classic (and one of the first) South Beach hotel bars -- the Delano. Some may argue that the Delano is not as chic as it used to be and is past its prime. That may well be the case, but for the classic South Beach experience, it cannot be beat. When you walk up to the Delano, like all the hotels you will see, there are ridiculous cars parked outside -- Bentley, Maserati, Ferrari -- cars you usually see exclusively on television. When you walk inside, you quickly realize this is not your ordinary hotel. There are sparse furnishings and white fabric blowing in the breeze. You walk straight through the lobby and do your best Tyra Banks walk down the stairs to get to the pool area. That is where the action is. The pool is long and skinny (like most of the clientele) and there are beds along one side and cabanas along the other side. Depending on your budget and how long you are staying at the Delano, you may want to reserve either a bed or a cabana. Once you find yourself a seat or a place to stand, get a drink and enjoy the people watching. You may even see someone famous! 
Another hotel bar that is a must-see is the Setai. The Setai is slightly more-low key and upscale than the Delano, so this is the place to take an older guest or someone who is not really a big partier. The design of this bar is absolutely insane (and I mean that in the best way possible). It takes some time to even figure out if the bar is inside or outside (the answer is outside by the way). Your group can grab a seat, order cocktails (or food if you like) and just marvel at the architecture and interior design. The Setai will truly take your breath away.
Another great hotel bar with a much different vibe is the Raleigh. At the Raleigh, there is space to drink inside, but the outside area, which is part of the restaurant, is where you should head. It is a calm, peaceful oasis from the South Beach madness. You will sit under huge trees with really cool lanterns hanging from the branches, enjoy your cocktail and just enjoy being so close to the beach and (hopefully) on vacation. A fun fact is that the unusually shaped pool used to be featured in the old Esther Williams movies. So, not only is the Raleigh a great place to chill now, it has a great history behind it.
Another more lively spot is the Shore Club. This is definitely a place to go if you want to really party. There are actually numerous bars located throughout the Shore Club all under the Skybar brand. There is a DJ and bars set up around the large pool area which is called Rumbar. There is also a smaller outside bar next door to the pool called the Redroom Gardens. Inside the hotel is the Red Room which is exactly as it sounds. The Shore Club is often packed and you can sometimes hear the noise from the street. If it gives you any idea of what kind of place this is, I started my bachelorette party here before hitting a South Beach club!
If you are seeking a killer view, I would recommend trying Plunge on the rooftop of the Gansevoort Miami Beach. As the location suggests, this is a lounge on the rooftop of the hotel surrounding the rooftop pool. The view from this bar is absolutely amazing and there is pretty much always a nice breeze. I truly would try out this bar for the view alone though the people-watching here is certainly great also. I think they named the bar after the low-cut tops most of the girls wear (hehe). TIP: Before embarking on an excursion to any of the above locations, please check online or call to make sure they are still open. Bars and hotels open and close very quickly and regularly in Miami. Also, check with the concierge at your hotel or ask around with the locals to see whether there are any new spots you should check out.
No matter what your age (well as long as you are 21 or can fake it well), I think a bar hop to the South Beach hotel bars is a great way to see gorgeous architecture, cool interior design and interesting people. Plus, you get the added bonus of drinking a cocktail al fresco...and really, what could be better than that!
No matter what your age (well as long as you are 21 or can fake it well), I think a bar hop to the South Beach hotel bars is a great way to see gorgeous architecture, cool interior design and interesting people. Plus, you get the added bonus of drinking a cocktail al fresco...and really, what could be better than that!
Delano Hotel
1685 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139(305) 672-2000
http://www.delano-hotel.com/
The Setai Resort & Residences
2001 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 520 6000 or (888) 625 7500
http://www.setai.com/
The Raleigh Hotel
1775 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
(800) 848 1775
info@raleighhotel.com
http://www.raleighhotel.com/
Shore Club
1901 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 695 3100
http://www.shoreclub.com/
Gansevoort Miami Beach
2377 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 604-1000
http://www.gansevoortmiamibeach.com/
