Start your night out with water views and sunset hues
The pinks, oranges and yellows of a South Florida sunset are all the more spectacular when they are reflected in water, and silhouetted against the Miami skyline. The best places to take in these views are from the west side of Miami Beach, where a select number of bars and restaurants front the waters of Biscayne Bay. Here are the top places to chill and watch the light show.
The Standard Hotel & Spa, Miami Beach
Want to get away from the tourist scene at Ocean Drive, and start the evening in chill fashion? Then the place to be when the sun goes down is The Standard Hotel & Spa, which is tucked unobtrusively into a corner lot on Belle Isle. From a table at the Lido Grill, you can watch the colors play across the waters of the bay and soak up the hipster-calm vibe of this spa-centric resort. The scene changes on Sundays, when the weekly BBQ pool party draws a crowd of in-the-know locals, who come to celebrate with DJs and rosé wine slushies, aka Frosés.
The scene is serene at The Standard Hotel & Spa, set on a small island between downtown Miami and South Beach. The energy escalates during weekend pool parties. Photo: The Standard
Mondrian South Beach
At the west end of 11th Street, the sleek and trendy Mondrian South Beach is a favorite with young, upscale professionals and SoBe’s glamour crowd. The epicenter of the sunset scene is the indoor/outdoor bar, with groups and couples spreading out to the expansive waterfront pool deck and gardens, where lounges, hammocks and private cabanas are tucked into the landscape. Monday to Friday happy hour tempts with “bites” by Executive Chef Dustin Atoigue. Nibble on chicken lollipops or tuna tartar with one of their signature cocktails. For elevated views of the sun sinking below the downtown Miami skyline, take your drink to the second story terrace.
An upscale crowd of South Beach locals is joined by in-the-know visitors to enjoy sunset views from the pool deck at the Mondrian South Beach. Photo: Mondrian South Beach
Monty’s Sunset, Miami Beach
Staying in South Beach, but want to pretend you are in the Florida Keys? Monty’s Sunset pairs the barefoot-and-boat-drinks vibe of the Conch Republic with the glitz of high-dollar yachts parked next door at the Miami Beach Marina. This long-time favorite recently received some renovations to the restaurant and pool areas, but what hasn’t changed is the four-to-eight-o’clock happy hour, which pairs fresh seafood favorites from the kitchen and raw bar with drink specials from the Tiki Bar. There’s usually live music and a great mix of locals, boaters, fishermen and tourists.
The pool deck at Monty’s Sunset is a slice of the Florida Keys set in the heart of Miami Beach, complete with a tiki bar and a marina filled with sport fishermen. Photo: Monty’s
