Since 2016, the beloved Meraki Greek Bistro has been giving Downtown Miami a taste of Greece without a need to travel. Transporting you to the streets of Mykonos with splashes of white and blue, the spot is already hidden away in an inner courtyard down an alleyway, making it easy to miss! But that’s not the secret we’re here to uncover today.
If you ever find yourself feasting on authentic Mediterranean food inside and make your way down the bathroom hall, you’ll find a door that leads you to the edgier-looking Saloni Bar. Not to be confused with Meraki’s Saloni Lounge on the second floor, this is the perfect setting for a hangout with friends, a romantic date, or even catching your favorite sports game.
In true speakeasy fashion, the vibe is similar to that of Athens’ modern metropolis, with dark industrial design and moody lighting. In fact, Saloni translates to “living room” in Greek so you should feel right at home! There’s even a different menu focusing on a selection of natural Greek and Italian wines (highlighted by a selection of more than 15 white, orange, red, and sparkling wines), craft beer, and mezes (shareable dishes we all know as either appetizers or tapas) prepared by Executive Chef and Owner Giannis Kotsos.
You can expect dishes such as calamari, chicken or pork mini skewers, octopus carpaccio, hummus, and crispy zucchini sticks, as well as the Greek burger, pita sandwich, fish and chips, and salmon kabobs.
It is a bar after all, so happy hour runs daily from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and includes $1 draft beer ‘shots,’ $12 draft beer pitchers, and $5 Moscow Mules. Are you a wine lover or know someone that is? You can even purchase a bottle of wine for the price of a glass during happy hour. Plus, ladies night is every night from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., where women can drink for free from a selection of beverages.
If you don’t have any plans for July 20 yet, Saloni is officially celebrating its grand opening with the launch of a new music series, Downtown Sessions, aiming to bring live music to the community. From 7 to 10 p.m., local musicians Wizzmer and El Jam will be bringing their fantastic sounds to the new hotspot. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to this one! This music series is here to stay.
Saloni Bar is located at 140 SE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33131. Now open from Sunday to Thursday, from 4 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.