DCBW Hits the Beach...

DCBW took a well-deserved breaky break to the warm beaches of Miami. We had to do the standard South Beach outings, which included visits to the big clubs and trips to the beach, but we also hit up some lesser-known treasures of the city. All in all, DCBW succeeded in turning Miami into Ourami.

Make sure not to miss out on these 10 typical (and not so typical) things to do in South Beach:

1. Hit Up Nikki Beach On A Sunday Evening...Buy A Table/Mooch Off Of Wealthier Patrons.
2800 Biscayne Blvd. # 6
www.nikkibeach.com

Nikki Beach is well-known as one of the pillars of Miami. Part of a string of high-end clubs peppered throughout party cities around the globe, including Marrakesh, Sardinia and St. Barth's, Nikki Beach is a staple of the club life in the city. Sunday Night, Nikki Beach is hands down the place to be and while we showed up moderately early, 11:00 pm or so, there was already a reasonable line and a $40 cover. Luckily we managed to sweet talk a wealthy soybean farmer from Indiana (contradictions abound) who shared his generosity and let us hang out at his table. The small bottle of Belvedere ran him a cool $350, but trust me, the table is worth it. Inside Nikki Beach is two levels, with a more exclusive lounge upstairs and a crazy rave party below. (I swear, I have never tried ecstasy but after 20 minutes bumpin' and grindin' downstairs I feel like I have a MUCH better idea)
The real beauty of Nikki Beach lies in the oceanfront lounge adorned with wooden tables, white umbrellas, canopied beds, and sheer cabanas. As our first taste of the club life in South Beach, we were certainly impressed. The ocean breeze, smell of beach salt and lazy attitude sums up the swanky atmosphere of this particular beach community. The one and only major drawback was the lack of facilities on-site. In order to make the necessary trip to the restroom inside, the bouncer could "not guarantee me entrance back to the table." Wait...I am fortunate enough to be graced with the lure of a VIP table and but since I have to go inside to relieve myself there is the potential of no-return? Seeing as that wasn't an option for me, I was resigned to using a Port-a-Potty. Yes folks, the ever-present construction site adornment was the lavatory at Nikki Beach. My advice? Build a swanky cabana with some legitimate toilets and people might be more encouraged to buy that $350 bottle of vodka. The crowd was certainly attractive, although dress was much more casual and varied than expected. While we dressed to impress, there was a surplus of denim cutoffs and belly-baring shirts. In short, don't waste your time teetering on heels as you're literally walking through sand and boardwalk.
All in all, a great first impression of the elegance and exoticism that awaited us.

2. Stroll/Shop On Lincoln Road

As an essentially closed off avenue lined with shops, restaurants and outdoor lounges, Lincoln Road is the spot to stroll, saunter or skip while snagging that must-have dress for the evening. Be sure to allow yourself time to enjoy a cocktail/appetizer at one of the many eateries along the road. If you've got a sweet tooth, but want to watch those calories for the beach tomorrow stop into Blissberry (1650 Alton Rd) for a frozen yogurt that will certainly cool you down from all the heat the city creates.

3. Dance On The Tables At Taverna Opa.

I don't want to play favorites but if you only take one piece of advice from this list...GO TO TAVERNA OPA. A traditional Greek restaurant across from Nikki Beach, Taverna Opa is truly a gem of a find in the city. Upon entering the restaurant the staff showers you with a fistful of napkins all while screaming the namesakes', "Opa". You just get the feeling it will be a good dinner. We started off with cocktails at the back bar and Taverna Opa surprised me with their vast and sophisticated array of martinis. After being seated we were immediately served a stone chalice filled with hummus. Catch is, you grind it yourself. While I never thought I would support partaking in the creation of food I was paying for, this was a clever twist. Aside from the creativity of the dish, it was hands down the best hummus I've had (and I consider myself something of a hummus connoisseur). The way the restaurant works is you pay a flat rate (a mere $25) for community plates. After the hummus came warm goat cheese, a variation on the traditional Greek salad, kabobed meat, calamari, and fish. More food than the 12 of us could eat, we certainly got our money's worth.
While the food was something to rave about, the entertainment provided the true rare beauty of Taverna Opa. A beautiful belly dancer graced the dining room and as a major twist, danced on people's tables. While this certainly was something to watch the real fun happened when the waiter pulled a few of us up, and then a few more and before we knew it, the entire restaurant was groovin' and shakin' atop our tables. A mixture of Greek House music and popular favorites (once Rihanna's "Please Don't Stop the Music" came on we were overly impressed). The night ended with a stunning performance by our favorite male waiter as a bowl of napkins was drenched in vodka and lit on fire. The staff hopped on the table, danced a traditional line dance and threw a few more fistfuls of napkins into the air before we danced out the door, singing praises the entire way.
Taverna Opa delivered on everything they promised and more. While I'm not a foodie, it sure impressed the heck out of me. I will be back to Miami just to dine on self-ground hummus and dance under napkin showers. Taverna Opa must make your list because it will certainly make your trip.

4. Rent A Beach Chair At The Delano

The famed Delano, widely regarded as one of the swankiest hotels in Miami, offers quite a deal for the economically conscious fabulous wannabe. For a measly $20 you can rent a coveted spot of the Delano section on the best stretch of South Beach sand. For practical reasons, a chair is a good call. There was not one day on the beach where sand was not perpetually blown in our faces and being a foot and a half off the ground cures that problem. But the real reason to rent a chair is to get a glimpse into how the "other half" vacations. With a well-dressed cabana boy waiter, the delivery of fresh grapes and giant ice pops gratis (any place that serves ice pops cannot be that pretentious) and a deliciously delectable menu (make sure to try the grilled fish sandwich with pineapple glaze), served chair side made us feel like celebrities. It didn't hurt that we had a clear view of McSteamy Eric Dane (filming a movie in Miami) and his beautiful wife Rebecca Gayheart as they lounged in the same chairs we sat on a mere two rows away from us.
As the best $20 I've spent in a long time, a beach chair at the Delano is a small opportunity to experience the understated glamour of South Beach.

5. Fist Pump At Mansion
1235 Washington Ave

Since it's impossible to talk about Miami without bringing up Mansion I won't go into great detail. If you're looking for the archetypal Miami beach club experience, Mansion certainly delivers. If you're not, go anyways and appreciate the fact that Mansion is not a part of your weekly party schedule. With a ridiculous line, bright lights, loud music, gorgeous patrons and a slew of VIP lounges Mansion sums up the all-night exclusivity Miami is known for.

6. Dine On Late-Night Sushi At Moshi Moshi.
1445 Washington Ave

As the only sushi bar I've encountered that serves rolls until 4:30 in the morning, Moshi Moshi brings post-club noshing to a new level. The menusis extensive and, as an added bonus, items are highlighted as a black light creates a low-budget kitschy trick. Only spending 5 days in Miami, we managed to dine at Moshi Moshi twice and heading back to the district I was depressed that I would not be able to drunkenly stumble in for a salmon crunch roll.

7. Shoot Pool At Felt.
1242 Washington Ave

While several members of my crew might argue this claim, Felt was one of my favorite places in Miami. It certainly is a departure from the typical South crowd. Think tattoos, chucks and punk rock but definitely a good mixture of people. Half the bar is a dance lounge with leather booths and a small bar, while the other half, lined with seating, hosts about 8 pool tables, and an expansive bar. While it's not the place to hit up if you're in the mood for the aforementioned fist pump, it definitely strikes a chord if you're looking for the more underground Miami scene. In our case, we chose Felt (twice) for the relaxed vibe that beckoned our beloved DC bars.

8. Enjoy An Early Evening Cocktail On A Balcony At The Continuum.
100 South Pointe Drive

Arguably there are a host of posh condos scattered throughout South Beach. We were lucky enough to spend our evenings (pre-clubbing) drinking and dancing at a fabulous unit in the Continuum. As each separate condo takes up half of the floor, with private elevator access, this building is certainly something to see. The infinity edge pool perched above the azure ocean viewed from a modern glass encased balcony set the tone for the lavish evenings out. Certainly, such a condo is a long shot for most of us average joes, but if you happen to know someone/can meet someone who has a place, it's certainly worth taking a peek at the properties of the well-to-do.

9. Grab A 5:30 AM Beer At Cafe Del Mar.
6995 Collins Ave

The absurdity of this opportunity makes it a must-do on the list. Why you would want to drink a beer at 5:30 AM was unclear to me before visiting Miami. Now, I cannot imagine the city without such a place. Be sure to take a picture, beer in hand, with a clock somewhere in view. Your friends will think it's a joke.

10. Lounge In A Cabana At The Delano.
1685 Collins Ave

I know, I know, the Delano now appears on this brief list twice. But truly, you cannot do one without the other, and you really can't do Miami without the both of them. The Washington Post raves the interior of The Delano stating, "Design Icon of the Decade." Let that marinate for a minute as you realize what a lofty praise the Post bestowed upon the posh hotel. While pretty unassuming from the exterior; Liquid Cocaine notes, "It has a 1950's vibe...but not in a chic way," the decor of the Delano is anything but disappointing. Once inside, it is clear that the aesthetic beauty is enough to make a person faint.
Floor to ceiling (we're talking several stories tall) sheer white drapes drift casually in the breeze and intimate tables with lounge chairs pepper the dark wooden floor. Continuing through the Blue Door Restaurant and onto the terrace the view literally captures your breathe. I can only liken it to Alice falling down the rabbit hole. Antique wrought iron daybeds scatter the perfectly manicured grass while a life size chess board solidifies the fantastical quality of the Delano "Orchard". The pool completely redefines conventionality as it moves from shallow to deep, all the while providing separate areas for lounging, swimming and even dining. (Oh yes folks. There is a quaint wrought-iron table and chairs complete with candelabra situated peculiarly in the shallow end of the pool. Taking your shoes off and frolicking in the water only to enjoy a raspberry mojito at this table is something you must do.)
With two story fairy-tale bungalows lining the left, and private cabanas complete with flat screens, bottle service and stark white daybeds on the right, I never wanted to leave.
While I don't want to drop names, Jay-Z and music mogul Scott Storch happened to be partying in the Florida Room (the go-to spot for celebs) on the night we were there and the energy was unquestionable.
An absolutely magical evening that proved to me heaven on earth does exist; in a gracious garden in Miami.


xo,

Gin