We have such a wild nightlife here that it’s hard for me to stay home when the sun sets. Yes, when I’m not tossing back cocktails at Nikki Beach in Cabo, I’m working off my margaritas on the dance floors of Florida. Whatever you’re into, we’ve got it. Whether you are a hardcore music lover, a self-proclaimed party-girl, or a cocktail connoisseur, Florida’s hip hangouts offer what you crave.

Miami – Live Music Every Night of the Week

When you want to pair your tequila shots with high-quality music, downtown Miami’s live music venues cure that craving. Sweat Records has retained its gritty vibe, still satisfying music fans and industry insiders who wouldn’t have it any other way, while the White Room has rebranded itself as Eve, a transition complete with a cleanup of its multiple rooms and a scrubbed-up clientele. Both venues regularly bring in live bands and DJs, with Eve hosting entire music festivals, and Sweat Records hosting quirky events like Board Game Night – complete with a speed Scrabble tournament.

Nearby, Churchill’s Pub hosts a musical guest or event every night of the week with frequent CD release parties and fresh local talent. Their open mic night on Wednesdays is a favorite for Miami singers and songwriters to test new material, with the odd poet and stand-up comedian thrown in. Admission is always either free or cheap, so drop by and buy a starving artist a drink with the money you’d spend on a cover charge elsewhere.

When it comes to SoBe’s hip hangouts, two of Miami’s best known clubs come to mind: Mynt Lounge and Mansion. Mynt is exclusive, even by SoBe standards. But if you can make it past the door, you’ll be among the most rich and beautiful of Miami. Enjoy the people watching and the terrific music because the club itself isn’t much to look at. Mansion, on the other hand, is a classic fun and sexy nightclub. Half of the club plays hiphop, the other side plays house music, and both sides have seriously talented DJs. While you don’t have to be fabulously wealthy or a model to enter Mansion, you do have to be able to afford $10 beers. But hey, that’s South Beach.

Tampa’s Classic Cocktail Scene

If you’re the type to ask your bartender “what’s in this drink?” and feel your gag reflex surge if the answer is “sweet and sour mix,” this list is for you. The best cocktails are hand-crafted, squeezed from real fruit and poured out of bottles resting on the top shelf. The classic cocktail movement has finally begun to reach the shores of Tampa Bay.

SideBerns not only has an incredible wine list and fine Mediterranean cuisine, it also has a cocktail menu full of fresh-squeezed citrus, real fruit purées, and organic herbs, along with rare liquors. While you won’t find straight-up classics on the menu, like an Aviator or a Mint Julep, rest assured that the bartending staff can stand up to the test and make them for you on request. But don’t ignore what they do offer, like Tito’s Tonic – vodka, Stirring’s ginger, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, and cinnamon. It’s the cure for what ails you. Come by during Cocktail Hour from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. daily for $6 appetizers and drink specials.

The Columbia Restaurant, located at the Tampa Bay History Center on the Riverwalk, is one of Florida’s oldest restaurants, and is owned by fourth-generation restaurateur Richard Gonzmart. The Columbia mixes pitchers of some of their cocktails tableside, so you can see exactly what goes in them. Try the Imported Sangre de Toro Sangria, or their famous Mojito – possibly the best Mojito in Tampa.

Fly Bar, in the North Franklin Historic District, offers three lists of their signature cocktails: the mildly priced “First Date” list of $8 drinks that blend seriously hard liquor with fruity twists; the $9 “Commitment” menu with entertaining drink names like Wrong End of a Gun (bulleit bourbon, elderflower and lemon), and Fat Cat Daddy (midnight moonshine, crème de cassis, pinot grigio syrup); and the $7 “Golden” menu, with a fresh lime and agave nectar Margarita, and the Fly Sangria (brandy, apples, and oranges). Imaginative mixers are made fresh, like the black pepper bay leaf that goes into a Rollin’ Barrel, or the ginger syrup of the Leather Sofa. The rooftop deck’s rustic bar is mellow, perfect for enjoying the view, your cocktail, and your date’s conversation.

Party On, Orlando

For pulse-pounding music so loud that your body moves with the soundwaves almost involuntarily, there’s only one place to go: Orlando. Dance clubs are as over-the-top as a DisneyWorld parade on a holiday weekend. Antigua nightclub on historic Church Street, for example, combines cascading waterfalls with 15-foot high dance boxes, three VIP areas, and four bars in a club that feels more like an upscale resort. Ladies who sign up for Antigua’s email list get in free on Saturday nights, and on Fat Tuesdays, ladies also get in free and drink free until midnight. Saturdays are good for the guys, too, since everyone drinks for free from 10 P.M. to 11 P.M., followed by two-for-one shots from midnight until closing. It’s a place to see, drink, and be seen drinking.

Independent Bar, on the corner of Washington and Orange streets, is a multi-level nightclub with three bars, two dance floors, an option for café-style sidewalk seating (if you want to carry on a conversation), and music that will literally suit everyone’s tastes. That is my favorite part of IBar: I can dance to alternative music from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s on Sunday, act cool on College Indie Night on Friday, rock out to Industrial and Electro on Wednesday, or groove to old soul and rock n’ roll on “Grits & Gravy” Tuesday. Cover charges range from free to $5, and they offer frequent drink specials, like the “Free Keg of PBR Till it Floats.” Don’t come here for classic cocktails. Do come for high-energy dancing with your friends.

Sky Sixty, on Orange Avenue, is a clean and classy rooftop bar with danceable music, fast service of reasonably priced drinks, and no cover charge. In Orlando, that can be a tough combination to find. The outdoor venue takes full advantage of the cityscape, and the experience is more South Beach chic than Orlando’s usual fare. The only trick is to find the understated entrance that leads to the staircase to the rooftop. Just follow the sounds of people grooving to great music, and you’ll be fine.

The wonderful thing about Florida’s drinking and dancing establishments is that there is always something going on – specials, ladies nights, music festivals, happy hours, and let’s not forget that “Free Keg of PBR ‘Till It Floats.” Having a good time here is as affordable as it is easy.

Out of Town HotSpots

If you find yourself in sexy Southern California, or the even steamier Las Vegas, here are my can’t miss favorite clubs for star-studded nightlife:

Mention my name at the brand-new Nikki Beach in Las Vegas, and my personal friend, general manager Nicky P, will greet you at the private membership club. I love the Nikki Beach chain, so if you can’t hop on a flight to Sin City – Miami is another good bet.

Drai’s Hollywood Nightclub in Los Angeles is one of my recent finds. I shared the dance floor with the Kardashians and half of the L.A. Lakers in this hot and happening club. It’s one of the sexiest clubs I’ve ever been to – and that’s saying something.

I’ll see you out on the town.

Tammy Levent
CEO of Elite Travel
Tammy@EliteTravelGroup.net
www.EliteTravelGroup.net