How exspensive are Miami Nightclubs

[phantom77]

How exspensive are the clubs in Miami i.ie Beers/Vodka, hear there pretty steep, are there any cheaper alternatives? What is the nightlife like in Fort Lauderdale? Cheers

[BryanSereny]

South Beach Clubs charge insane prices $10 - $20 for a typical drink.
Ft Lauderdale is a little better and a younger scene.

[Gus]

Hey, irishboy, thanks for posting. The nightlife in Fort Lauderdale is lame, but the nightclubs in South Beach are expensive - it will cost at least $25 to get in a place like Mansion, or Opium. A beer will cost you $8 to $12, and a cocktail can cost anywhere from $12 to $18.

Drinks often get more expensive the later in the night it gets.

I'm sure nightclub owner's don't want to hear this, but at many clubs, drink prices are up to the bartender's discretion.

It seems like bartenders feel more brave to pad the bill after 3am.

My suggestion is, befriend a bartender, or cocktail waitress when you get to the club and stick with that person.

A cheaper alternative is to hit up a cheaper dive bar like Club Deuce, or Ted's Hideaway (see: local bars).

Another alternative is to get wasted before you go in.

Have fun, but don't be wasted when you leave. Cops line up on 5th Street to bust drunk people driving off the Beach.

[Michelle]

Just a quick note, don't get too drunk before you go or they won't let you in. However, a few cocktails before you go might make the doormen more tolerable. Have fun!

[phantom77]

well were used to expensive over here, €15/€20 to get in somewhere crap,whats all this talk about the summer being low season in miami is the place dead??

[Ange]

Going out in Miami is insane. Drinks at a typical club are like $12-$20 each. And then there's cover at the door. $20-$30 maybe.

Do what I do: find yourself a friend who lives at the beach, go to their place first, get drunk at their place, call a taxi and start your night. You'll save a lot of $$$ and you'll have more stories to tell the next day. I can still remember endless conversations with taxi drivers while under the influence. ;)

Have fun!

[Gus]

Hi, Ange, welcome to Miami Beach 411. Thanks for posting.

Last night, I went to Automatic Slims on Washington Ave., and a beer only cost $3.

Automatic Slims is one of the few bars in South Beach where it's still cheap to drink. If anyone knows of any other places, please post them here.

[Michelle]

Irishboy, Miami Beach is a lot less "seasonal" than it used to be. I wouldn't say it's dead, just not jam packed with people like it is in February.

[Maria de los Angeles]

If you like beer than do yourself a favor and drink at The Abbey. Their home brew is great but the Belgian and German beers are even better. This isn't swigging beer. You'll be sipping your Delirium Tremens or Chamay if you know what's good for you! It's a hole-in-the-wall and totally unpretentious. Quality, artisanal brews averaging in the $6 range for 16 oz. mugs.

1115 16th Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 538-8110

Another dive-style joint, completely unpretentious, is the authentic British pub, Free Spirits on 21st. Two Sapphire gin martinis and a 16 oz. frosty mug of Boddington's cider ran us $23 before tip.

100 21st Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 532-5399

[Minxy]

This all really helpful! Do they have off licence's (Liquor stores) would like to maybe crack open a bottle or two before i go out! Am staying on Ocean Drive x

[Gus]

"Do they have off licence’s (Liquor stores) would like to maybe crack open a bottle or two before i go out! Am staying on Ocean Drive x"

Hey Minxy, you can find liquor for sale at any of these grocery stores. If your hotel is in South Beach, check to see which store is near your hotel.

Here's what Matt Meltzer said about the South Beach grocery store experience:

"For an even greater ‘cultural experience’, you can try one of the many lovely Laitn Markets on South Beach, La Playa on 2nd and Collins being my favorite. La Esperanza on 7th and Washington is another good spot, but you can find several as you stroll the streets trying to sweat off your hangover. If you are looking to buy groceries, Wild Oats and Publix are a good choice, but the cost of the cab ride/physical pain involved in walking there may offset any advantages it may have. Try Lee Ann Drugs on 10th and Washington for cheap groceries."

From: How to eat on South Beach for $10 a Day.

Definitely visit a Latin market while you're here.

[Maria de los Angeles]

Hi Minxy! Grocery stores do not sell hard stuff, just beer and wine. Walgreens Liquor has the best prices for all three. There are two (one near Lincoln Road) and the other on South Beach (on 5th street). I would recommend one visit to stock up for your visit. You will save a TON of money.

PS -- Gus, Apple a Day does not sell alcohol.

[Minxy]

That's brilliant, Thanks Guys! I shall take your advice... Would just lke to say how helpful this site is and to keep up the good work! I am coming for a week in September and then going on for two to Orlando and am sooooooooooooo excited. You're so lucky to live in Miami... I live in England and for the most part I am frozen! A night out usually involves an onset of flu after (Can't wear a coat with a fabulous outfit now, can I?) xx

[Maria de los Angeles]

Hi Minxy! You won't have that problem here. But if you get homesick, there's a very traditional English pub on 23st! LOL! :-P

[Minxy]

I'm sure that i won't!!! I love coming to America and have completely gone off Europe specifcally touristy beach areas it's just basically Britain away from Britain. Love the Greek Islands though and Italy.

[Victoriant1]

Believe it or not I was at Masion the other night and the cover was $50 for guys and $25 for girls. I feel that the clubs adjust their entrance prices based on the bar and the crowd. If clubbers drink less they make up for it at the door. Water drinkers don't do much for revenues. Also it helps them make adjustments to the patronage and the volume of people at the club. Keep an eye out for who the DJ is that is playing at the club that night. Clubs also hike up entrances when they have Super Star DJ's in town. Miami is one of the few cities in the United States that shares the same DJ roster with International clubbing locations like Ibiza and The Netherlands. The nights that Internationally ranked DJ's are in town expect higher prices and a concert type atmosphere and the crowd usually changes based on the Guest DJ.

http://www.thedjlist.com/djs/

Here's a link so you can see where the DJ's rank Internationally..

Have fun and Be Safe!!!!

Cheers!!

P.S. I personally prefer the bar scene... The Abbey is a cool choice and I live at Slims when I'm on the beach. Also try the Purdy Lounge on Purdy Avenue North of 17th street for a cool local crowd..

[Maria de los Angeles]

OMG, $25 ... so ridonculous. But I guess one is sort-of paying for entertainment ... I agree the lounges off the main drag are much better.