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Miami's Top 10 Lounges

The Beach Bar at The Setai
2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 · 305.520.6000

Evening cocktails are best enjoyed in a lush setting, and one of the top spots in all of South Beach is the Beach Bar at The Setai. This 90-foot oceanfront bar stretches almost the entire length of the pool and offers some of the best views of the Atlantic available. Grilled Mediterranean-style dishes are also available.

B.E.D.
929 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 · 305-532-9070

SOUTH BEACH. If your idea of decadence is to indulge in excellent cuisine and be attended to in style, you'll adore this posh nightspot. Luxurious beds replace typical seating, and dinner is served on elegant trays, in keeping with BED's acronym: "beverage, entertainment and dining." Early in the evening, an upscale clientele samples eclectic dishes amid the sexy digs; later on, trendy patrons transform the place into absolute BED-lam. While DJs spin tunes meant to get bodies moving, stylish drinks nurture fun and romance. Don't forget to keep an eye out for celebrities.

Blue
222 Espanola Way, Miami Beach, FL 33139 · 305-534-1009

SOUTH BEACH. The glitz and glamour of Miami is intoxicating, but sometimes locals and visitors want to relax in a place that is free of pretension. Escape the see-and-be-seen mentality at this casually elegant hangout, where late-night cocktails are all the rage. The mellow decor, friendly staff, lengthy drinks list and great music have made this a favorite among the more laid-back, South Beach regulars who are proud to say they are too cool to be trendy. As the name suggests, the entire bar is decked out in electric blue paint and decor. Hot DJs are often on hand, playing a mix of deep house and soul.

Cafeteria
546 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 · 305-672-3663

SOUTH BEACH. Open 24 hours, this restaurant possesses an impressive lounge. A sleek, minimalist design pervades the interior, with white egg-shaped ottomans and black banquets lining the walls, and the outdoor courtyard is adorned with square white-cushioned benches. Bloody Marys, cosmos and fruit-flavored martinis highlight the drink menu, and the variety of fare is extensive. For dinner, the offerings include everything from fried chicken, fish and chips and cafeteria meatloaf to crab cakes, mahi-mahi and rack of lamb, while sandwiches, wraps, burgers and breakfast are available round the clock.

Mynt Lounge
1921 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 · 786-276-6132

SOUTH BEACH. Upscale, exclusive Mynt is a bastion of SoBe cachet. Its sleek, spacious interior and custom-designed furnishings establish an otherworldly vibe, perfect for the beautiful patrons and celebrities who often hold court here. The Grand Lounge, complete with 40-foot bar, is open to all, but the Plexiglas-shrouded Ultra Lounge is reserved for special attendees. Well-known DJs spin house and hip-hop tunes, and an aromatherapy system infuses the air with a variety of scents - mint, of course, remains the hands-down favorite.

Oxygen Lounge and Sushi Bar
2911 Grand Ave, CocoWalk, Coconut Grove, FL 33133 · 305-476-0202

COCONUT GROVE. Once you step off the sci-fi-inspired elevator and into designer Andrew Kostas's brainchild, you'll discover a spectacularly chic setting that includes a water wall, a groovy bubble wall (it is the O² Lounge, after all), and lots of metallic silver and blue tones. Indeed, this is where Coconut Grove's young and trendy go to cool their heels, see and be seen, and even shake their moneymakers after 11pm, when the Lounge's energetic DJ gets the dance party fired up. Matching the sleek, Eastern decor is the innovative menu, which features a variety of sushi and Pacific Rim dishes.

RoseBar
1685 Collins, Miami Beach, FL 33139 · 305.672.2000

Wednesday night parties at the Delano offer a glimpse at how the other half lives. Centering in the Delano Hotel's Rose Bar, but often spilling out to the dimly lit pool area and beyond, neo-Warholian hipsters, South Beach party monsters and the occasional celeb assemble to discuss everything from Nietzsche to the Sex Pistols in a dramatic cocktail setting. The Delano's impossibly high ceilings, diaphanous white linen drapes and warm ocean breeze that pours through the enormous corridor spanning the length of the hotel complements the sultry atmosphere.

Pearl Restaurant and Champagne Lounge
1 Ocean Dr, Penrod's Entertainment Complex, Miami Beach, FL 33139 · 305-538-1111

SOUTH BEACH. Pearl is a sanctuary for the fabulous - its Euro-suave style and well-protected guest list heighten the air of exclusivity. Inspired by '60s-era glam, the suave restaurant and lounge glows with bright oranges and whites, and shell-shaped chairs and fur-lined curtains seem to have been pilfered from the set of a funky sci-fi flick. SoBe sophisticates complete the scene, crowding the bar, chatting and sipping flutes of house champagne.

Purdy Lounge
1811 Purdy Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 · 305-531-4622

SOUTH BEACH. Avoid the crowds on Ocean Drive and head to Purdy's, an off-the-beaten-path location with a loyal following. If the scene grows old or if you are simply not in the mood for the nocturnal fray, Purdy's offers just the antidote. The lounge has an appealing retro rec-room aesthetic - you'll think you've entered your best friend's basement circa 1975. (Think lava lamps, funky chairs and assorted board games!) Play some checkers, backgammon, or even good ole Connect Four as you enjoy a pleasant mix of music and some of the lowest drink prices around.

SkyBar
1901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 · 305.695.3100

Skybar in L.A. is an absolute legend among loungers and the Miami Beach version located at the Shore Club hotel is well on its way to reaching this same celebrated status. Set in the Shore Club's pool area directly between the hotel and the beach, Skybar has a whole host of lounging areas that satisfy even those desiring the most intimate of surroundings. Saturday nights are big at Skybar, and Moroccan Nights on Thursdays are hosted by Zack Bush and Erica Freshman. Either way, definitely be on the lookout for their specialty cocktails — our fav is the Passionata served in a flute with a strawberry garnish.

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