Miami-Dade

Getting Out for Spring Break

More than parties for college students on spring break in Miami

 

Special to The Miami Herald

Alright college students, enough is enough.

Time to log off of Facebook, close Reddit — admit it, you have been browsing those sites in class all semester — and get outside.

It’s spring break — explore a little.

While South Florida may be known internationally for its beaches and nightclub scene, there is plenty more to do aside from toasting under the sun and visiting the trendiest mainstream venues.

Dive bars in Little Haiti and Wynwood offer drink specials, including beer as cheap as $2, live music and open-mic nights. Homestead restaurants offer authentic Mexican dishes, such as fajitas and enchiladas, while a new Southern cuisine restaurant in Coral Gables showcases the pig. And for those shopping on a budget or looking for styles that cannot be found at the mall, Palmetto Bay consignment store The Recycled Closet and North Miami Beach vintage shop The Rabbit Hole may be the answer. Finally, a walking tour of downtown Miami will show off the area’s colorful history and relics that remain from as far back as when railroad magnate Henry Flagler commissioned the building of the Royal Palm Hotel in Miami.

From cultural experiences to shopping and dining, activities in South Florida abound, leaving college students with an array of choices on what to do during their week off.

The Night Scene

Happy hour is a must for many spring breakers who are 21 and older.

And why shouldn’t it be?

It is an easy way to catch up with friends from other schools and meet new people without breaking the bank.

Gramps, at 176 NW 24th St. in Wynwood, and Churchill’s Pub, at 5501 NE Second Ave. in Little Haiti, are known for laid-back atmosphere and great prices. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday, Gramps offers $2 off all drinks, which translates to beers such as Budweiser and Miller High Life selling for $2.

Missed happy hour the first time? No problem.

Late-night happy hour runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from midnight to 3 a.m.

At Churchill’s, domestic draft beers sell for $2.50 during the day and $3.50 at night, and imported drafts are $3.50 during the day and $6 at night.

But both venues offer a lot more than drink specials. At Churchill’s, there is live music seven days a week. Over the years, the likes of Social Distortion and Iggy Pop have played at the Little Haiti bar.

“It’s a little hole in the wall that not many people know about, but once you do, it’s a gem,” said Justina Nanes, human resources manager, about Churchill’s. “If you come here, you’ll be one of the locals.”

And Thursday is karaoke night at Gramps. During spring break, Gramps will host day parties from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on March 22 and March 23, with live music, food and, of course, booze.

Patron Justin Long, 32, says he enjoys coming to Gramps because of the music and drinks.

“It’s become the artist hangout in Miami,” Long said.

Dining Out

By this point in the semester, the idea of fast food and cafeteria food is getting old.

And believe it or not, while your mother may be the best cook in town, there are plenty of places in South Florida to get comfort food.

If you are looking for Southern comfort food in particular, then check out Swine Southern Table & Bar, 2415 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Coral Gables’ newest spot.

Read more Miami-Dade stories from the Miami Herald

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