A most exciting NY Eve in Miami Beach

**swaps522** · 01-15-2013, 05:18 PM

New Year's Eve on the Old Beach.

Going back to the days of no valet, no minimum, or cover. I picked up my future wife at the Marine Terrace Hotel on 27th and Collins. (Now razed.) Started with a drink at the Deuce, then headed to lower Ocean Drive to some lounges with a pianist or a small band.
We returned to the Marine Terrace Cocktail Lounge, great view of the pool and ocean, for a nightcap and a plethora of 'smoochies'. Hotel parking was easy a century ago - just pull up and park in the hotel front lot; throw keys under the seat and walk in.
When I came out, four or five autos were parked behind me, blocking my exit. Feeling no pain or conscience, I entered each car, found the keys in the ignition switch, and backed each one out on to Collins Ave.. I thought about returning them to the lot, but figured I had done enough for the evening - so, I left the errant revelers' vehicles in the street, and cautiously drove home to 1330 Penn. Ave.. Hard to top that New Year's Eve! Clocker Sidney

**Jess** · 01-16-2013, 09:59 AM

Wow, cool story! Those days sound like a much friendlier South Beach.

**Leo** · 01-18-2013, 11:02 AM

Sounds like it was a magical evening. It's always nice to hear about a positive experience.

People leave their car keys in the ignition

?

**dylan** · 01-18-2013, 01:43 PM

Psh now a days that story would have ended with, I returned to the parking lot and all the cars were gone. It is hard to realize that that Miami Beach your wrote about is TOTALLY different these days.

**swaps522** · 01-20-2013, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by Leo

Sounds like it was a magical evening. It's always nice to hear about a positive experience.

People leave their car keys in the ignition

?

Nobody stole your car a few decades ago. It was a totally different city; rather like a small town - we knew the cop on the beat. He looked the other way when the server took horse bets at the luncheonette on 14 st. and Wash. Ave.. And the S & G Syndicate ran all the big horse rooms in the hotels. Place a bet and a get a sandwich and a pepsi on the house. Jazz and blues ruled the city, with plenty of clubs along Dade Blvd., 23rd Street, and Alton Rd.. Walk the streets after midnight - not a problem. The world has changed and along with it, the Beach. Sid.

**Leo** · 01-21-2013, 12:20 AM

Your memories remind me of a scene out of a movie. It sounds like a spectacular time during a wonderful time. I can only use my imagination and that won't even come close to experiencing it. I love reading your posts! Thank you

.

**Matt Meltzer** · 01-21-2013, 03:45 PM

You can still walk the streets after midnight!

**dylan** · 01-22-2013, 01:55 PM

Matt of course you could walk the streets ad midnight, the same way you can go swimming with Great Whites with raw meat attached to your body. You can do it if you dare... lol

**Matt Meltzer** · 01-22-2013, 03:34 PM

I mean in the beach the streets are packed at midnight. It's totally safe.

**Jess** · 01-22-2013, 03:54 PM

In fact, everyone is totally drunk, so stumbling after midnight may be slightly more accurate these days

**swaps522** · 01-25-2013, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Matt Meltzer

I mean in the beach the streets are packed at midnight. It's totally safe.

Unless you get caught in the crossfire between the Beach Fuzz and the bad guys. And sudden, wanton sex on or in the sand is not exactly safe either; re: Cowboy Cop on his Beach Scooter - "Whoops, sorry about that, but I still have to give you a ticket for having Unprotected Sex in a Protected Turtle Procreation Zone."

Side note: browsing library after finishing three four star books by John Burnham Schwartz; one of them was made into a movie: Reservation Road. Noticed a couple of books by Brad Meltzer? el Sid.