Everyone wants to feel cool and "in-the-know." Whether it's the thrill of the chase or a desire to feel like an "insider," that fuels you, don't worry. We've got the top secret bars that are mixing up creative libations, classic cocktails, wines and craft brews that are definitely worth seeking out.
Coyo Taco
Coyo Taco has already established itself as Wynwood Miami's go-to destination for Mexican street food. But wait, there's more!
Step through the door marked "employees only" and discover the hidden, unnamed tequila bar and lounge behind Coyo's taqueria. Enjoy cocktails handcrafted using its own tequila and mezcal collection or try the chia margarita made with chia-infused lime juice. This drinking den opens daily at 5 pm and features a DJ booth streaming Afro-Cuban funk or deep disco to go along with the order of tacos.
El Carajo
Locals may not want the secret to get out that there's a place where you can pump gas and order delicious Spanish wine and tapas, but we're here to spill the beans. Located in the heart of Miami on scenic Coral Way (SW 22nd St.) at a BP gas station, El Carajo houses one of the best and most varied selections of wine in Florida. But you can also order soups, salads and small plates meant to be shared, like bacon wrapped stuffed dates and Spanish omelette with chorizo. It's been written about in countless international, national and local publications, rating it one of the best-kept secrets in Miami.
The Broken Shaker
Unique and bold, The Broken Shaker is set in an alcove inside the Freehand Hotel & Hostel in Miami Beach. A few blocks from popular destinations like the Miami Beach Convention Center, Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road Mall, The Broken Shaker is no ordinary bar.
This watering hole is a semi-finalist for the coveted James Beard Award. Adorned with twinkling Christmas lights year round and boho chic furniture, drinks are concocted with elixirs, syrups and infusions from the bar's outside garden, and other exotic ingredients from around the world.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
We owe a debt of gratitude to the food truck craze that swept the nation for raising the profile of Mexico's outstanding street food. From al pastor tacos to Texas barbecue carnitas and flame-broiled Spit tacos, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in Miami Beach delivers tasty over-the-top Mexican food out of a tricked out food truck, making it the ideal spot for a casual lunch or a late-night snack.
At first glance, your run-of-the-mill restaurant, but walk through the blue port-o-potty door marked "baños" (bathrooms) to discover the secret tequila bar. Here you'll find multiple variations of tequila drinks like Pico Picante Maduro, the Old Fashioned, the Mexican French Kiss and Don Diablo tequila to get your tastebuds tingling.
The Apothecary 330
You wouldn't expect to find a cocktail bar adjoining a pizzeria but that's where The Apothecary 330 calls home. The dual concept restaurant in downtown Himmarshee in Fort Lauderdale focuses on creating authentic artisan pizzas, pasta ond other Italian specialties at PizzaCraft while also offering 1920s-inspired cocktails from its cocktail bar behind the black curtain.
Bardot
Do you know the secret handshake that'll get you into this classy, intimate lounge? Well, first you have to find the club's entrance. Named after bombshell actress Brigitte Bardot, Bardot is a true speakeasy with no exterior signage and an entrance through the parking lot under a red awning.
Once inside, the bar features cool Moroccan furniture, a pool table and a stage where musicians and DJs perform during late-night parties. The crowd is filled with well-dressed trendsetters looking for the best cocktails, music and vibe.
Le Chat Noir
Prohibition may be gone but this cozy club steps away from the Downtown Miami courthouse—where mobster Al Capone was tried by the way—embodies the spirit of the era. It's fitting that at Le Chat Noir an original 19th-century poster of the Parisian cabaret by the same name—that was secretly run by the world's smartest house cat—hangs in the entrance. At Le Chat Noir, find an assortment of charcuterie, gourmet cheeses, beer and wine, plus a cellar space—a former 1940's bomb shelter—downstairs with live jazz music nights.
Riverside Market
Riverside Market sets itself apart as an amazing place to pop open a cold brew and enjoy some surprising items from its carefully crafted menu. Serving over 550 craft beers, Riverside Market is self-proclaimed as "Fort Lauderdale's Official Craft Beer Hangout."
Part restaurant, bar and market, its tucked away in the confines of a residential neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale, and nestled between the Sailboat Bend and Riverside Park neighborhoods, and worthy of seeking out.
Libertine
Downtown Miami's latest haunt—Libertine—is another bar to open in the thriving nightlife scene of the area. This swanky place's decor inspired by turn-of-the-century London is adorned with green velvet curtains, crystal chandeliers and a Baby Grand piano.
Located next to the iconic Club Space, it offers a selection of Prohibition-inspired cocktails: The Libertine (Bulleit Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Elderflower liqueur, bitters, cognac) to Firewater (Grey Goose vodka, Bacardi Superior rum, grenadine, sugar, fresh squeezed orange juice), to a barrel of authentic Libertine moonshine which behind the bar. DJ Michelle Leshem, Miami's most requested DJ at events and underground clubs, will curate the eclectic mix of musical genres from cult classics to indie dance and funk remixes.
