Part of that is due to inclusive spaces and traveling parties like Thursday's Double Stubble at Gramps and Steer Queer at the Corner, which have filled a void. Yet the scarcity is unrelated to quality, with decades-old spaces continuing on and newly minted bars joining in on the celebration of the queer community.
Check out New Times' list of gay bars in Wilton Manors, South Florida's LGBTQ+ mecca, here.
Azucar Nightclub
2301 SW 32nd Ave., Miami786-234-4027
instagram.com/azucar_shows Not to be confused with the family-friendly ice cream shop in Little Havana, Azucar is Miami's long-standing, resident LGBTQ+ club that is not too far from typically tame Coral Gables. A boisterous establishment with a strong Latin vibe, Azucar is quintessential Miami. Known for the glitz and glamour of its drag shows, Azucar also emphasizes dancing with its residents and visiting DJs. Operating Thursday through Sunday, opening late and closing later, Azucar isn't a casual hangout spot — it's a party.
Gaythering Bar, located inside South Beach's Hotel Gaythering, offers a relax environment to mix and mingle.
Photo by Alexander Guerra
Gaythering Bar
1409 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach786-284-1176
gaythering.com A cozy bar tucked away on the ground floor of the Gaythering Hotel, Bar Gaythering is just as boutique, with curated art and activities filling the space. By virtue of its hotel connection, hospitality is high here. A friendly staff and robust calendar featuring Karaoke Mondays, Trivia Wednesdays, and Bingo Thursdays match entertainment with libations. Located west of West Avenue, it is removed from the bustle of Miami Beach nightlife that offers a relaxed and elevated "gayborhood" feel. As an added bonus, it is the only queer bar on the list that also has reasonably easy access to a hot tub and sauna if the mood strikes you.
Nathan's Beach Club is helping fill the void by the exodus of queer spaces in Miami Beach.
Nathan’s Beach Club photo
Nathan's Beach Club
1216 Washington Ave., Miami Beach305-724-8951
nathansbeachclub.com A welcoming and irreverent atmosphere differentiates Nathan's Beach Club from the tendency of over-seriousness of Miami nightlife. Filling a void left by an exodus of South Beach queer bars in recent years, Nathan's is a welcome addition to the area. A full bar and classic food menu make it the perfect place to catch up with old friends and even make some new ones. The amiable programming features karaoke on Tuesdays, a Latin night on Thursdays, and multiple evenings of drag-centric events. In the best possible way, Nathan's has the inviting vibe of someone's decked-out basement hangout.
Palace Bar
1052 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach305-531-7234
palacesouthbeach.com A South Beach institution since 1988, Palace Bar is world-renowned. Best known for its epic drag shows and larger-than-life performers, Palace Bar is a place everyone should visit at least once. Beyond the entertainment, an impressive and expansive menu of food and beverages keeps the place very busy. It's wise to make sure you have a reservation for the bottomless brunches and evening shows. With so much action on the ground floor, it's easy to forget that the new location features a rooftop bar and pool. Make sure you catch the performers and the wonderful view of South Beach. At Palace Bar, South Beach is the stage, so be prepared to witness or be part of the next viral moment, whether you are a patron or a passerby.
R House
2727 NW Second Ave., Miami305-576-0201
rhousewynwood.com As Wynwood has come to rival South Beach as a Miami entertainment destination, it's no wonder R House has sprung up. It dares visitors to discover their alter egos, transforming from an award-winning eatery on Wednesdays and Thursdays to a high-octane drag spot on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. An evening show starts off the weekend and finishes with two days of a spectacular drag brunch where the food and the queens vie for attention. The House of Dion is in control of the entertainment, and the chef is in control of the cuisine, which creates the perfect partnership.
Supernatural Haus
777 NE 79th St., Miamisupernatural305.com A new take on queer spaces, Supernatural Haus, is a private club and creative studio. The space is all about curation; you'll find impressive, detail-oriented production values in each event. It's difficult to predict what you might see on a given night, but there is always the promise that it will be unforgettable. A self-proclaimed "sanctuary for creatives, innovators, and free spirits," Supernatural Haus has become an incubator for queer art, fashion, music, performance, and, above all, experimentation.
Twist South Beach
1057 Washington Ave., Miami Beach305-538-9478
twistsobe.com "Never a cover. Always a groove." These words are burned into the brain of Miami's queer community. It's the mantra of Twist, one of Miami's longest-running queer spaces. Since the 1990s, Twist has been a mainstay of Miami nightlife, and for good reason. Its labyrinth-like seven-bar layout should entertain any and everyone. Twist has it covered, with each bar conveying its own identity. You can start at the old-fashioned downstairs bar before heading upstairs to pulsating EDM beats or dancing to the latest and vintage pop music videos next to a mural of Lady Liberty and end up back downstairs to dance salsa in the Latin room. The fresh air of the outdoor space collides with the smell of sweat from the dance floor, which has perfumed many memorable and blurry nights in Miami.
Willy's has a plethora of events happening every week.
Photo by @PhotosByBrendaBrooks
Willy's Neighborhood Bar
356 NW 24th St., Miami786-766-3612
willyswynwood.com The latest addition to the Miami queer scene, Willy's Neighborhood Bar, is a small space with big ambitions. From the team behind Wynwood Pride and Milly's (get it?), Willy's wants to go beyond being an average neighborhood bar and instead serve as a "community hub." Its clever rotating event calendar features great ideas like the speed friending mixer Amigos Meet followed by Where's the Trade? party. From Thursday through Sunday, Willy's has a plethora of things to do, ending it all with a Sunday Tea Dance as the perfect way to wind down the weekend. The Miami spin on bar food, featuring tequeños, empanadas, and pastelitos, as well as an inventive cocktail list, including a "Hibiscus Mule" and "Golden Show" shot, are strong reasons to make Willy's your home bar. With the countless queer bar closures in Miami's past, Willy's is a bright spot for the future of queer nightlife in the city.
