Miami - Nightlife

Kick back with classic rock in downtown and the Grove, or jump into a foam party and dance among pretty people in Miami Beach.

Nightclubs change quicker than stoplights in trendy South Beach, where beautiful people groove to thumping beats until dawn. Most big names are clustered along Washington and Collins avenues, with a few along Ocean Drive. Follow Cuban grooves to tiny Espanola Way and toast with creative cocktails on Lincoln Road. In many clubs, expect to pay big bucks to sit at tables.

Catch a movie or rock out to live music alfresco at CocoWalk in the Grove. Side streets offer a more sophisticated selection, from trendy bars to local favourites, and stay open until about 2am. Dark martini bars, fragrant cigar bars, and decadent restaurant lounges complete the mix.

Most clubbing does not start until 11pm and after-hours clubs are hard to find and exclusive with a tough 'velvet-rope' policy to beat. Dress to the nines to be winked in. For late-night partying, stay in South Beach. For casual drinks and live music, go downtown or to the Grove and Gables.

Strut down Ocean Drive to Miami by Will Smith, shake your booty to techno versions of J Lo and Cher anthems, channel Ricky Ricardo as you walk down Calle Ocho to anything by the Buena Vista Social Club; roar over the causeways to Ocean Drive by the Lighthouse Family.