Miami's Top Dinner Party Spots

Because if you’ve come to South Beach, you’ve come to party. Here’s where to go when a civilized dinner just won’t cut it. These spots are notorious for their dinner parties, which are exactly that–indulgent dinners and anything-goes parties in tandem.

Baôli

The original South Beach dinner party, Baôli sniffs of the South of France with both indoor and outdoor patio seating. With a decadent menu ranging from sushi to pasta to filet mignon, it’s meant to fill you up without slowing you down. Expect DJs spinning, bottles popping and an atmosphere that gets progressively more festive as the night goes on. It’s a quintessential South Beach experience and a worthy stop on your night on the town. Wednesday night’s “My Boyfriend’s Out of Town” parties are notorious. 1906 Collins Ave., South Beach; 305-674-88-22; baolimiami.com.

HaVen

At HaVen, the food is too good to be distracted by the party, yet the atmosphere is too sexy not to get involved. With a tantalizing menu of playful sushi, small plates and sliders elevated by Chef Todd Erickson, HaVen is a high-energy gastro-lounge with a wraparound LED wall projecting anything from digital art to shape-shifting landscapes. Inventive cocktails are just as much the star of the show as are Erickson’s liquid nitrogen icecream. The later the night gets, the louder the DJ turns up for a fashionable crowd to mix and mingle. (Their weekday happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m. is one of the best kept secrets in town, sshh!). 1237 Lincoln Road, South Beach; 305-987-8885; havenlounge.com.

STK

STK is back! Nestled in at the southern end of the newly opened 1 Hotel, the clubby steakhouse is up to its old tricks. Blaring Top 40 hits, house music and hip hop while slinging their signature lil’ brgrs topped with foie gras and truffle, STK is a prime pre-game spot for a night out in South Beach. The decadent dining room is decked out with funky art, chandeliers and copious banquette with music that makes you shimmy while you slice into your filet mignon. 2311 Collins Ave., South Beach; 305-604-6816; stkhouse.com. 

Bodega

Funky taqueria on the outside, hip nightclub hideaway on the inside, Bodega is the latest go-to for South Beach scenesters. Order your tacos from what looks like an airstream and nosh at the open air garage-like restaurant, then head through what looks like a port-o-potty to the hidden speakeasy-style tequila bar. There, you’ll find a surprisingly large bar with an upstairs mezzanine packed to the brim with party people. 1220 16th St., South Beach; 305-704-2145; bodegasouthbeach.com.

Villa Azur

In a similar vein as Baôli, yet even more decadent, Villa Azur is another French import, this one by actor Olivier Martinez (perhaps most well-known for being Halle Berry’s handsome husband). With a baroque, library-like dining room and bar decked out in sumptuous white and ample mirrors, black and white photographs hang over semi-circle banquettes where diners indulge in expertly executed French Mediterranean fare. Prime seating, though, is outside in the garden courtyard. Start with a raw bar tower and keep the bottles of Champagne with sparklers coming as the atmosphere heats up into a festive dance party. Thursday nights tend to be the wildest. 309 23rd St., South Beach; 305-763-8688; villaazurmiami.com.

Michael Mina 74

Michael Mina 74 took the place of subterranean lounge Arkadia and created a high-energy, late night dining destination for premium bites. With a variety of large and small plates to choose from, the tuna tartare, Maine lobster pot pie and dry-aged steak burger are a few favorites. The cocktail menu is equally stellar with drinks like the Goldfinger (named for the James Bond movie filmed here in the 1950s), a boozy concoction of Bombay Sapphire and Hangar One with a sheet of gold leaf to garnish. Expect a DJ spinning and a buzzing crowd in the dimly lit dining room and bar. 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 877-326-7412; fontainebleau.com/web/dining/michael_mina_74.

Villa Bagatelle

The newest dinner party spot on the South Beach scene, Bagatelle joined its French Riviera brethren in April 2015 with fine dining in a festive, classy atmosphere. With locations in New York and LA, in addition to St. Barths and Saint Tropez, Bagatelle’s brought its bon vivant party to Miami. From Petrossian Caviar to Chateaubriand, no request is too indulgent. Their wine and Champagne menu is impressive, while they also offer an array of craft cocktails. The party really heats up for Sunday Champagne brunch. 2000 Collins Ave., South Beach; 305-763-8330; villabagatellemiamibeach.com.

Barezzito

Billing itself as a sushi + bar + music venue, Barezzito is a funky mix of all three. The large dining room bar features a stage for live music, while the restaurant dishes all the tuna tataki and inventive sushi rolls you desire. But looks can be deceiving and there’s more than meets the eye at Barezzito. Late night, through a secret door at the back of the dining room, another world of house music and late night raving opens up to those in the know. There, now you know. 2000 Collins Ave., South Beach; 305-3978882; barezzitousa.com.

This story was originally published December 5, 2008 at 3:12 AM.