Miami Beats
Miami was on my list for a while, partly because a friend was living nearby and also because the thought of it brought memories of a caressing sun, vintage vibes and relaxed scenes. It had been over ten years since we last connected, and a quick Tarot consult sealed the deal. I was booked for a short pre-Xmas getaway. I spent the first days in Boca Raton; my friend's place was as dreamy as I had imagined. The heated pool, lush garden and deliciously ripe starfruit tree helped create the vibe, otherwise known as the Miami beat.
We left the house early and headed to Miami on Sunday morning. After about an hour’s drive, we arrived at our first neighbourhood: The Design District. I had picked a restaurant, but we chose another with a welcoming sunny terrace on the corner of NE 2nd Avenue and 46th Street. Jass Kitchen is also right next to a local Mediterranean fav Mandolin. I chose their signature breakfast, which came with a selection of cheeses, apricots, honey, olives, pastries, and Turkish coffee. Next came the Institute of Contemporary Art and its lovely sculpture garden and store. We walked through the district to admire the architecture, window displays, and lovely patios, a designer's playground; the mesh of materials, textures and pleasingly over-the-top visual compositions was inspiring and exhilarating. The beats were getting faster.
Our next stop was Vizcaya, where we discovered an enchanting villa and its lush greenery along Biscayne Bay. The house is a delightful museum, but the decadent gardens are extraordinary and bring the beats to a total different place.
Then things got a bit wilder in a down-to-earth way. My friend insisted on taking me to an iconic nightclub dating from the 30s and 50s known for live Latin sounds, history and charm. Hello Little Havana! A completely different side of Miami where things feel more natural and roosters (yes, live roosters ) roam the street, and music & dancing reign! We got to Ball & Chain, and I fell into an immediate trance; maybe it was the vintage show posters showcasing masters of the scene or the smiles and laughs that took over the space. Then there were the spicy drinks, live Cuban jazz, and street admirers dance-walking by the open façade.
Bartenders came in and out with brown leather suitcases containing their unique mixology tools. I was immediately transported to another era, and pace - the beats were further settling in.
We walked to our next stop, which was just as much of an institution, Café la Trova! We sat at the front bar of this supper club, giving us a 360 view of the action, from the bartenders concocting delicious drinks to the live musicians playing Latin jazzy sounds to the guests' entering with outrageous outfits. Everybody shines at la Trova. After an espresso martini, I was ready to explore more; we left Little Havana and drove to Wynwood – Miami's creative and cultural hub. This area of town is growing in popularity, and lots of development projects are brewing. We explored the wall art, youthful scenes, and street food market and settled for a slice of NYC's Joe's Pizza – in Miami, and yes, at this point, the beats were getting louder.
We ended our day by hitting Miami's first vinyl listening joint - Dantes HiFi – again, not knowing what to expect. We found the place despite its incognito appearance. A kind lady let us through a dark hallway which opened up to the, dare I say, music heaven? Resident music director, Rich Medina's personal collection of vinyl records, makes for a sensational bar backsplash.. But that's not all... The drink list was divine, and the vibe was melomanic, sophisticated and real. We swayed to rare Latin, Afro, Haitian, Cuban Christmassy concept music and extraordinary beats.
Three relaxing days in Boca Raton and one jam-packed day in Miami were just enough to reset. This magical adventure reminded me that I need more sun, starfruits, cocktails, vinyl records and one-of-a-kind inspiring peeps. More music has made it to my goals this year, and stay tuned to see how this will evolve.
Traveler Tips
Miami offers a wide range of experiences for music lovers, artistic souls, and design enthusiasts; get ready to spend more than you would maybe elsewhere. On this trip, I based myself at a friend's place in Boca Raton, where the beaches are sublime. The ocean was tumultuous, but I braved the waves and my fear of sharks to face surprisingly warm waters. That being said, my courage stopped with the mention of jellyfish, and at one point, this got me running back to shore.
If you head to Boca, other worthy spots include the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens and the Wakodahatchee Wetlands for bird watching. Lastly, if this is your thing, I've never seen such ornate and intense Xmas light displays.
My previous visits were based in South Beach at the Standard Hotel, a relaxation haven. November (after Art Basel) to Christmas is the low season, so you can get some deals depending on demand, but watch the weather. Reservations are essential everywhere nowadays.
