Views in the world, sizzling nightlife, and balmy breezes virtually all year long, Miami is one of the best cities in the world for roof bars. Once the sun sets and the temperature drops, there’s no more appealing place than a sybaritic roof-top terrace high above the city.
Many are open only at night and on weekends, but some are open in the afternoon when the view is completely different. Expect to pay sky-high prices for drinks, and appetizers, if they’re served.
Here’s our list of the best roof bars in Miami:
When it opened in 2008, Gansevoort South stole some South Beach cachet and made Mid Beach the new place to see and be seen. With swaying palm trees, a huge infinity pool, and private cabanas with chandeliers, their roof bar – Plunge – looks out over the Atlantic Ocean from 18 stories up. Thursday nights are the time to go. Oversized beds and chaise lounges are spread out across 24,000 square feet of teak decking. So grab a spot and a perfectly made mojito, and enjoy.
Compared to Plunge, the Rooftop Lounge at the Townhouse Hotel is practically a secret. But locals know it’s a great alternative with less attitude and more reasonable prices. The lounge was recently redone with king-size waterbeds and red canvas umbrellas, and with a maximum capacity of 250, it’s easier to get to know your neighbors. If you hit Plunge on Thursday, come here on the weekend.
When it comes to views, Club 50, on the 50th floor of the Viceroy Hotel, takes the prize. During the day, the club is reserved for hotel guests and residents of Icon Brickell. But Tuesday through Saturday nights, it’s open to the young and beautiful who come to dance to music spun by the area’s top DJs. The Asian-influenced design features natural materials – lots of wood and marble. And there’s a pool near the bar. Club 50 is hard to get into, so look and dress your best.
Todd Oldham designed the Spire Lounge atop The Hotel, and it has some of the best views – and cocktails – in South Beach. It’s open to the public Thursday through Saturday. The lounge is furnished with big white sofas with red pillows, and the floorboards are bright stripes of red, pink, and beige. The whole space is bathed in the cool glow of the original neon Tiffany hotel sign. If you get hungry, interesting tapas are available. The Spire can also be hard to get into.
The roof bars at the Sanctuary Hotel and the Setai Hotel are also quite nice.
Find our list of the best roof bars in Rome here.
1) Plunge at Gansevoort
2) Rooftop Lounge at the Townhouse
3) Club 50 at the Viceroy
4) Spire Lounge at The Hotel
5) Sanctuary Hotel
6) Setai Hotel