Miami? Fort Lauderdale? Miami Beach???

It used to be that the only “hip” stuff to do in the Miami Area was on South Beach, but that has changed.  Miami and Fort Lauderdale are only about 45 minutes away from each other, but are vastly different experiences.    You can check flights to both Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports to find the cheapest one, as the Ft. Lauderdale airport is located in Hollywood, a town on the border of both counties. West Palm Beach has a much quieter airport where you can get your rental car in minutes versus the bigger airports.   You WILL need a car unless you are staying on Miami Beach but you will need to take a car service.

Club highlights-

Gramps-176 NW 24th Street, Miami-Indoor outdoor club that has occasional Great bands.
There is one and only one punk club in the Miami Area, and the only worthwhile shows around.  Its in Little Haiti and is called Churchills.  It has recently been sold and may change format.   The other problem is the neighborhood can be a little sketchy so watch your car, or better yet, splurge on a cab to get you there.  That way you can drink.

Lookout for cool punk band Boy Prostitute.

Record Stores

Yesterday and Today-9274 S.W. 40 ST, Miami, Florida 33165,  305 554-1020

Sweat Records- records & CDs, plus rock tees, gifts & a vegan coffee bar with occasional instores- 5505 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137  (786) 693-9309

The best Miami Bars-
On one of my last trips to Miami, I discovered a bar that almost made me feel at home.  It is the Purdy Lounge, 181 Purdy Avenue near the Venetian Causeway.  Parking is a breeze, the crowd is quite relaxed and the drinks are reasonable.  The only problem is the music they spin is crap.  

The ONLY DECENT BAR IN MIAMI BEACH IS MACS CLUB DEUCE.*

*exceptions-Ted’s Hideaway -124 2nd St, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 532-9869-Skimpy dressed bartenders and burgers too

Lost Weekend-218 Espanola Way, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 672-1707-Pool tables and occasional burlesque.

South Miami-Bougainvillea’s Old Florida Tavern -7221 SW 58th Ave, South Miami, FL 33143-Open til 5 am: (305) 669-8577-old style joint, but its college-y so can be douchy.

Seven Seas -2200 SW 57th Ave,Miami, FL 33155(305) 266-6071-Divey dive bar with sea memorabilia glued to every square inch of space.

When getting to Miami, find a copy of the

Miami New Times weekly paper.  It will give you the low down on the current ever changing club scene.  Also, in the friday Miami Herald weekend section, there is also a very good rundown of clubs. In Fort Lauderdale, XS is the weekly of choice, though there is a much more prevalent frat boy contingent.  Also Broward and Palm Beach Share another edition of the New Times.

Live Music-

Las Rosas-2898 NW 7th Ave, Miami, FL 33127 open til 5 am most nights (786) 780-2700

Bar Nancy– 2007 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135 (305) 397-8971

Space Mountain Miami-738 NW 62nd Street, Miami, Florida 33150

1306-1306 N Miami Ave, Miami, Florida 33136

MIAMI, FL: Contrary to popular opinion, there really isn’t anything hip going on in Miami. But Joe’s Stone Crab is really an amazing restaurant. Tip: If you can’t make it to Joes at 5 pm for the early seating, don’t bother going there until at least 6:30. Joe’s Stone Crab-11 Washington Avenue , Miami Beach (305) 673-0365.  Joe’s is closed when it is not stone crab season, usually from the end of April to early October.  They do open in the summer with a different menu.

The Food I dream about-

When i’m in Miami, I always get the following, and all require cars:
Mario the Baker-2508 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137, Miami-must have garlic rolls.  The rest of the food is simple red sauce italian but the garlic rolls rock.
Flannegans-Many Locations, best non bbq bbq ribs out there.
Frankie’s Pizza-9118 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33165
305-221-0221www.frankiespizzaonline.com-in south miami, square pizza, amazing sauce, awesome

Other Food-

La Sandwicherie -34 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33130 ? Closes 5AM  (305) 374-9852-The other location of this fantastic sandwich and salad shop. Get extra “French Dressing” On everything which is actually a Dijon Vinegrette

Scullys Tavern, in South Miami, divey looking bar with Gourmet food, 9802 SW 72nd St, Miami, FL
Also in South Miami is a Puerto Rican Restaurant called Bennys Seafood, which specialized in Mofongo, a dish of plantains smashed together with garlic and pork rinds, topped with the meat really as a condiment, which can be pork, garlic sauteed shrimp and many more. Benny’s Seafood, 2500 SW. 107th Ave. , South Miami, FL 33165 305-227-1232, while out there you can visit Pinecrest Gardens, located on the site of the old Parrot Jungle, which moved to Watson Island and is now called Jungle Island.  The old location has many of the rare tropical plants planted by the old Roadside Attraction.Tip: For those from northern climates, do not exceed more than an hour and a half the first few days or you could wind up with SUN POISOINING which can really mess with your vacation.

Also take a trip THRIFT SHOPPING to the Red, White and Blue on 126th St. and 6th Avenue in North Miami. While up in that neighborhood, head up West Dixie Highway to 139th St. and GET THE GARLIC ROLLS at Mario the Baker. Mario the Baker has just started chaining but the original has a retro 70s vibe to it. Every other dish there is basic red sauce italian, but the rolls are heavenly. Tip: pour some parmesean cheese onto your bread plate and dip the rolls into it. Yum!!  Mario the Baker -13695 W. Dixie Highway , North Miami (305) 891-7641.  Marios has recently exploded into a chain but the original has retro charm.
They also have an evil twin in Pembroke Pines, FL, about 15 miles northwest.  It was started by defectors but is about the same.  John The Baker -12592 Pines Boulevard , Pembroke Pines (954) 431-4315

La Camaronera Fish Market – 1952 W. Flagler St., Miami, FL 33135 –
(305) 642-3322 fried fish and hush puppies in little havana.  Amazing Shrimp and a lobster sandwich too.  All fried.  The minuta is served with Ketchup and onion and is a piece of fried yellowtail, boned but with tail attached.

La Perrada de Edgar, 6976 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, FL 305-866-4546-one of a number of Columbian hot dog joints whose many varieties include the basic columbian which is bun, sausage, mozzarella cheese, onion, potato sticks, sauces: pink, house, cheese, ketchup, mustard

La Perros-1427 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33141-(305) 397-8305-another Columbian fast food joint, one of several in town.  This one has burgers and dogs, plus the greatest drunk food known to man, Maicitos, sweet corn with cheese, chicken, house sauces and crushed potato chips.

Sonny’s Famous Steak Hoagies -1857 NW 66th Ave., Hollywood, FL 33024 – (954) 989-0561

One of the many Columbian Hot Dog Joints in the North Beach Area of Miami Beach

Barracuda Bar & Grill-3035 Fuller St, Coconut Grove, FL 33133 (305) 918-9013-Nautical themed bar with rope lined tables and all the normal Florida stuff, smoked fish dip, conch fritters, snapper and mahi (dolphin) sandwiches.

Miami Nightlife Links and Clubs-
Club Planet to get on club Guestlists.

poplife  -Former the best of the local ongoing parties now just a handful of Events

Churchill’s -The Best live music in Miami, Period
Kill your Idol:  222 espanola way, 305-534-1009

Other Stuff-
The Wallflower Gallery -10 NE 3rd Street , Miami – Art and Music Space

Where to stay

For cheaper accommodations downtown, you might want to check out Miami River Inn (118 S.W. South River Drive, 305-325-0045).  The Clay Hotel, 1438 Washington Avenue, (800) 379-2529 is on the funky block of Española Way and is partly a youth hostel. Most rooms with private baths.  2 blocks from the beach.

Another option that provides a little more peace and quiet and is among the last of the midcentury type is  Thunderbird (18401 Collins Ave., 800-327-2044), reasonably priced and provides plenty to keep you occupied, including a Tiki bar.

Getting around
You’re pretty much looking at renting a car if you plan on doing much around town.

Where to eat
check out El Rancho Grande (1626 Pennsylvania Ave., 305-673-0480), a very popular and laid-back Mexican place where you can eat good food in a totally casual atmosphere.

Broward County including Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines and other areas

Broward County is both blander, yet somehow seedier than Dade.  Broward is home to the swing club Plato’s Repeat, love child of the early 70’s New York City club. Fetish Factory holds monthly Fetish Parties around town.  Euphoria project has events and great links.

Records-

Radio-Active Records-845 N. Federal Highway Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304

we-got-the-beats-5130 N. Federal Hwy, Suite #2, Fort Lauderdale FL 33308

Clubs-
Revolution-200 West Broward Blvd, Ft Lauderdale

Live Music-

Poorhouse -110 SW 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 (954) 522-5145-Huge smelly bar with live original music that starts late and is usually free in a huge hellish club area with all the skanks and bros at the other joints.  This is the best place in the stretch and theres some old sideshow art.

Eats–