If you needed another excuse to explore Miami’s award-winning cocktail scene, we’ve got one!
Celebrated during the Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans last week, the 20th Annual Spirited Awards honor the best in the global drink industry. This year, the prestigious title of Best U.S. Hotel Bar was awarded to one local hotspot: ViceVersa Miami.
This is the bar’s second time being nominated at the Spirted Awards, following last year’s top 4 finalist nomination for Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar. It was also the only Miami winner this year, cementing its status as a must-visit for cocktail lovers across the country!
The bar has actually been racking up plenty of titles, recently appearing on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 for the first time at No. 46, and on the 50 Best Discovery guide, from the people behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
What makes ViceVersa stand out
Nestled in the lobby of The Elser Hotel in downtown Miami, ViceVersa is helmed by acclaimed bartender Valentino Longo alongside the Jaguar Sun team. The name is a playful way to say there’s no right time to enjoy aperitivo, whether you prefer in the afternoon gearing up for a night out or, vice versa, later in the night to wind down.
It operates as an Italian aperitivo bar with a Miami flair, focusing on the “Polibibita” philosophy of blending surprising, contrasting flavors into modern cocktails. Inside the 60-seat emerald green space, you can expect raw bar selections, salads, pizza and other modern Italian bites, in addition to expertly crafted cocktails like Negronis and its signature Mi-To dolce amaro blend.
How Spirited Awards winners are chosen
Honorees for the annual awards are selected through a multi-step process using a global panel of over 250 industry experts, led by Tiffanie Barriere and Ryan Chetiyawardana, the U.S. & International Spirited Awards Chairs. Nominations are not based on popular vote, and all are evaluated by their respective judging committees to ensure each vote carries equal weight in the process.
What to know before you go
Ready to check out the best hotel bar in the country? Here’s all you need to know to plan your next night out at ViceVersa.
📍 Where: 398 NE 5th St, Miami, FL 33132
🕜 When: Open daily from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
🍸 Happy Hour: $10 cocktails and wine, as well as half price oysters from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday – Sunday
