When it comes to watering holes in Miami, few can be considered underground. Before we figured out that it was behind a furniture store directly across from Midtown Miami, we'd have filed Bardot under that category. Same goes for Lou's Beer Garden, where a roadside neon sign beckons from Harding Avenue amid low rises and motels. Drive too fast, and you may miss the place. But if you like the idea of off-the-beaten-path beer and wine with a sleek poolside setting in a neighborhood not usually known for things sleek, slow down and stop at all-green The New Hotel at 7337 Harding Ave.
I'm basically a gin-and-tonic type of guy, but lately I've developed a taste for a variety of vino. On the lookout for a wine I hadn't sampled, I stopped at J. Mark's Restaurant & Bar, at 1490 NE 23rd St. (Copans Road) in Pompano Beach. It has a renowned, out-of-the-ordinary wine list, and I knew that bartender and wine connoisseur Ashley Kester would point my palate in the right direction.
Mardi Gras Gaming has gone to the dogs. As of Nov. 1, the greyhounds are running once again at this casino and racetrack in Hallandale Beach at 831 N. Federal Hwy.
See a tabloid name in person at the Dolphin Mall Friday when DJ Samantha Ronson -- whose name has been more affiliated with Lindsay Lohan than with her turntable mastery -- spins. She's part of the G by Guess Ultimate Remix DJ tour, which comes to our neck of the woods -- specifically the Ramblas Plaza -- from 8:30-11:30 p.m. The location is a far cry from LIV or Cameo, but how refreshing to be able to check out such a talent at the wholesome West Miami outlet mall. Local DJ Troy Kurtz kicks off the party, and free Rockstar beverages will be on tap. Because it's a family friendly event, there is no booze so you'll really be able to tell if Ronson is talented or the Grey Goose has been misleading you all these years. No cover charge, but it is advised you arrive early or else you may have to battle Lohan for a spot. Just kidding.
Iwas completely off base with my preconceived notions about open mike night at the Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre (Seminole Paradise, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5700 Seminole Way, near Hollywood).
Sleepless nights don't always have to be an unwelcome side effect of anxiety. On Saturday, you can put the z's aside in favor of Sleepless Night. Starting at 6 p.m. you can stimulate your senses with an assortment of arts and entertainment diversions from Ocean Drive to Normandy Fountain until 7 a.m. Sunday. The event will feature everything from virtual reality live animation performances and flash mob dances to pajama runs and -- in the wake of that whole balloon boy fiasco -- a show by helium balloon acrobats. There's also a pre-dawn showing of classic cartoons and live music as well as a yoga class for those who insist on doing the downward dog before trying the hair of the dog. The Catalina Hotel and Beach Club will offer options for sleep as well as an assortment of pop art installations and unplugged live music all night long. Best of all, the entire all nighter is free. For a schedule, locations and more, go to www.sleeplessnight.org.
This weekend almost every haunt in town -- with the exception of your corner gas station -- is throwing an All Hallow's Eve event.
If I were king, people would be required to wear costumes every day of the year. But as I'm not in charge (yet), you'll have to settle for wearing ghostly getups for Halloween on Saturday.
I thought I was a nightlife know-it-all but realized I was just a novice when I discovered the Florida Cigar Co. Lounge & Bar.
Halloween's not until next Saturday, but that doesn't mean you have wait to sport that spiffy new Kate Gosselin wig. Wear it to Vizcaya's 23rd annual Halloween Sundowner, which takes place 8 p.m.-midnight this Saturday. The $125 ticket includes open super-premium bar, music from dual DJs, two dance floors, Halloween costume contest and food court. One hundred percent of proceeds benefit Vizcayans Young Professionals, which engages in protecting and preserving the estate. And while Jon & Kate costumes may not be the most novel thing about the party, what's completely new is the fact that this year's bash is going green (and not in the way that you would if you ate too much candy or dressed up like the Wicked Witch of the West). According to event chair Karl Klein, ``By incorporating environmentally friendly practices into the fundraiser, the Vizcayans Young Professionals further align with Vizcaya's mission of conservancy.'' 305-856-4866 or www.vizcayahalloween.com.
Itook a few pics with my cellphone cam while sitting at the Lava Tiki Bar & Grille. I sent them to my New York friends and attached a subject line that read ''This is why.''
The Miami Dolphins aren't the only game in town if you crave a little glitz with your gridiron. Take the new Monday Night Football party at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino. It runs every week no matter who's winning or losing and features more than 30 flat screen TVs, guest DJs, a tailgate food menu, ''tight end drink specials'' that we hope are more tight wad than tight end, free admission and parking and a colorful crowd of fans.
We still find it somewhat ironic that a city in which the concept of less is more is taken literally when it comes to dress codes, has countless ''fashion weeks.'' Now that Ocean Drive's is so last week, get ready for Funkshion: Fashion Week Miami Beach, a mouthful of a name for a series of runway shows showcasing the spring and summer 2010 collections of designers, including Richie Rich, Nicole Miller, Abi Ferri, Custo Barcelona. Celebrating its 13th season from Oct. 14-17, Funkshion will have runways at the Setai and the Bass Museum of Art, which will also double as a ''gifting and accessories showcase,'' which is a fancy way of saying, ''Freeloader Headquarters.'' The big highlight of this year's Funkshion is the 8 p.m. Wednesday opening at the Setai, featuring Rich's A*muse line presented by Pamela Anderson.
Even though I waited until the second week of Oktoberfest to visit the authentic German restaurant Old Heidelberg, the bratwurst brigade was still in full force when I walked into the lobby.
Most bars stay open until 2 a.m. Others don't close the doors until 4. But the most nocturnal night owls know they can belly up to the bar at Andy's Lounge until 8 in the morning.
Achange of scenery is always good, especially when that scenery involves rotating art exhibitions such as the one at the hip new eatery The Urbanite Bistro at 62 NE 14th St., where the concept of ``location, location, location'' takes on different meanings. We mean that in the best of ways. Located in the dodgy 'hood across the street from The Vagabond, The Urbanite not only features two bars and, based on our initial visit a few weeks ago, a cool, bluesy soundtrack, but also 25 domestic and European craft beers, more than 30 wines by the glass and creative cocktails. The food is fab, too. We loved the shrimp corn dogs and the Moroccan lamb sliders. Check it out Tuesday when the restaurant hosts a reception for the provocative artwork by artists Gabriela Sanchez-Vegas and Rudolf Kohn. Their Concrete Tears and City of Love, respectively, will show all month. Reception is 7-9 p.m. and comes complete with an Urbanite VIP card, which entitles each guest to a complimentary specialty cocktail.
As soon as I opened my car door at Boomers, I was hit with that typical amusement park music -- a hit from more than a year ago, tinny and completely devoid of bass. This time is was John Mayer's Waiting on the World to Change. Could have been worse.
Some people may have noticed a distinct dearth of crowds at certain South Beach night spots lately, and we aren't sure the absence is entirely due to the recession. For the first time in many years, the beach is no longer the only game in town. Now we have the bustling Brickell area, where such places as Brickell Irish Pub and Club 50 are packing in barflies, hipsters and aspiring socialites. And The Little Engines That Could neighborhoods (the Design District and Wynwood) are slowly but surely proving to people that there is life after a meal at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink.
While downtown Miami is hardly a bustling, thriving metropolis for social activity, some people are trying to change that. Human beings may not be moving into these condos cum ghost towns, but at least the bars and restaurants are.
Spring break or not, people used to party seven nights a week at Beach Place in Fort Lauderdale as if they were college kids out on the loose. I traded this scene for a more mellow one but have recently been itching for some wilder times. So after applying an extra coat of hair gel, I headed out to this beachfront bash at 17 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.
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