The hidden gems of the Miami nightlife.
South Florida has long been a premier tropical destination for the LGBTQ+ community, rendering Miami a nightlife hotspot full of fabulous gay bars and clubs to discover. Whether you’re looking for a fantastic drag, roaring music and dancing or just to spend an evening out with folks with whom you might have more in common, Miami is always the place to go!
From the heart of LGBTQ nightlife in Miami Beach to amazing spots to check out in Wynwood and Wilton Manors, we’ve rounded some of the best LGBTQ clubs and bars for an unforgettable night out in Miami. Check them out below!
1. R House, Wynwood
This super fun art gallery/ brunch spot in Wynwood offers some of the best tableside entertainment in the 305. Don’t miss out on their amazing weekend drag brunches, held every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. hosted by the one and only Athena Dion (Miss Ultimate Miami Drag Queen)! Delight yourself with R House’s excellent Latinamerican-inspired menu and catch fabulous performances by some of Miami’s best drag performers!
Find it at 2727 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127.
2. Jamboree Lounge, MiMo
If you’re looking for a chiller night out, then Jamboree Lounge is the place to go. The only gay, dive bar in town this place is ideal if you’re just looking to grab a drink and chat without losing your voice in the process. Plus, they’ve got some really good and affordable wine and beer specials!
Find it at 7005 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138
3. Gramps, Wynwood
Although it’s not strictly a gay bar, Gramps is probably the most LGBTQ-friendly bar in town. This awesome Wynwood spot offers RuPaul’s Drag Race watch parties and drag shows by the dozen and is home to some of the best weekly drag parties in Miami — Double Stubble. Not to mention their Wednesday Drag Bingo nights are a totally fun opportunity to grab some of the best cocktails in town and have a few laughs with your friends, and maybe even win some merch from the hosting queen!
Find it at 176 NW 24th St, Miami, FL 33127.
4. Hotel Gaythering, South Beach
There’s plenty going on at Miami’s only gay hotel to suit your every mood all the way from karaoke to spa days. Join Karaoke nights with Karla Croqueta on Mondays, trivia nights on Wednesdays, and delight in 90s tunes on Thursdays. You can’t miss Bears & Hares nights on Fridays, where you’ll find your fair share of — you guessed it — bears, and you’re looking for a bit of dancing and partying you cannot miss out on Supposably Saturdays, a fabulous dance party hosted by Juanita LaBanjee.
Gaythering’s bar is also ideal if you’re in the search for low-key drinks, and we cannot forget the hotel’s star attractions, its spa and sauna, with private rooms and amenities available to all.
Find it at 1409 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
5. Twist, South Beach
With seven bars, three dance floors, go-go boys and drag queens, Twist has been the heart of gay nightlife since the closing of Score in 2018. This South Beach institution has been keeping the party going for decades now and is still going strong! Plus, its tiki bar, salsa room, hip-hop room, pop room, and countless other choices ensure that there will always be something going on for everyone here.
Find it at 1057 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
6. Palace, South Beach
Possibly the best drag show in town, the iconic Palace bar on Ocean Drive offers all-day breakfast, half-off happy hours and, of course, some of the best drag performances in town that you simply won’t want to miss!
Find it at 1052 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
7. The Manor, Wilton Manors
Located in Wilton Manors — the second gayest city in the US — The Manor’s giant complex is well worth the trip up North if you’re looking to party all night long. The multi-level has multiple bars, dance floors and a fantastic performance place where you’ll sometimes find world-class performers putting on unforgettably awesome shows!
Find it at 2345 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, FL 33305
8. Azucar, Little Havana
Ya tu sabes que our roundup could simply not go without the best Latin gay bar in town! While it’s true that most LGBTQ+ venues in Miami feature a Latin night (and how could they not) Azucar is the only spot entirely dedicated to Miami’s Latin crowd. This fabulous, spicy spot offers Drag War nights, cabaret nights with a Latin twist, and of course plenty of dancing!
Find it at 2301 SW 32nd Ave, Miami, FL 33145.
9. Nathan’s Bar, South Beach
Located in the heart of the action, Nathan’s Bar’s outpost offers nostalgic TV vibes with a twist which includes a giant painting of the Pink Panther requesting nudes. Offering different theme parties every night (think Pop Culture Mondays and Wednesday Sing-Alongs), this super fun bar is perfect for going out any time of the week as you’ll always find something going on. But if you just feel like chilling out with friends and some good music, don’t forget to grab one of their comfy plush seats and sample cocktails from their extensive and creative drinks menu!
Find it at 1216 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
10. Sky Bar at AxelBeach, Miami Beach
Located inside South Beach’s hetero-friendly AxelBeach hotel, Sky Bar is home to some of the biggest weekly LGBTQ+ parties in the city. Featuring live DJs and drink specials, parties at Sky Bar welcome all genders and sexualities which usually results in a fun, inclusive crowd. Also at AxelBeach, you’ll find the Ground Bar with a light-up dance floor perfect for getting down to your favorite tunes and the Alibi Monkey Bar, an uber-popular spot with locations in New York, Provincetown and Wilton Manors.
Find it at 1500 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
11. Kill Your Idol, Española Way
Preceded by a life-sized, karate-ripped statue of Bruce Lee, Kill Your Idol is another great spot for those looking to enjoy a bit of drag in South Beach. This quirky and fun Española Way spot offers weekly drag shows every Friday night featuring half-off drinks and stellar performances by some of the biggest drag names on TV like Trinity K. Bonet and Miami’s own Malaysia Babydoll Foxx. Kill Your Idol also offers other nightly events such as live music, karaoke and Ru Paul’s Drag Race making it one of the most lively experiences in South Beach.
Find it at 222 Española Way, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
See also: This Swanky Speakeasy Hides Inside One Of Miami’s Best Ramen Spots
[Featured image: Shutterstock]