These days, there seems to be a better balance. Yes, megaclubs still offer table service if you want it, but most VIP nightlife experiences in Miami can be found in more intimate spaces. Because what's more exclusive than denying entry to everyone but the crème de la crème?
If you want to have the kind of VIP nightlife experience that only Miami can deliver, here are ten spots you'll want to make sure you're on the list for — or at least make a table reservation.
Don't let Delilah's "clubstaurant" environment foot you — the Los Angeles import knows how to cater to A-list clientele.
Delilah Miami photo
Delilah
301 Brickell Key Dr., Miami305-400-4657
delilahrestaurants.comLos Angeles import Delilah made its East Coast debut during Miami Art Week 2023 and quickly became the place to see and be seen. It definitely falls into the "clubstaurant" category, which is often used as a derogatory term, but luckily, Delilah has some substance to set it apart. The spot stays open late, particularly on weekends, and the recently opened boat slip means you could technically avoid the notoriously bad Brickell Avenue traffic and arrive here in style. The entertainment tends to be of the Jazz Age variety, with live bands playing everything from pop covers to Cocopacaba-esque numbers.
E11even has perfected the after-hours VIP experience.
Photo by Adi Adinayev/adinayev.com
E11even
29 NE 11th St., Miami305-829-2911
11miami.comOf course, if you can pay the cover charge and stick to the dress code, you'll be granted access to E11even, but VIPs know that this haven of late-night debauchery can go a lot further if you are willing to fork over the cash. Nicki Minaj, Usher, Quavo, 50 Cent, and many more have made appearances here, and how close you get into their orbit depends on where your table is located. And rest assured, getting a table at E11even is basically a requirement in order to make the most of the night. There are also private suites for up to 20 guests and "conversation rooms" (what some may call "Champagne rooms" in other circles).
Gala
235 23rd St., Miami Beach305-315-4252
galamiami.comOccupying the space that formerly housed Mokaï, Gala already inherited some VIP pedigree when it first opened. However, it has ratcheted up the exclusivity factor tenfold. Billing itself as "Miami's premiere ultralounge," it's small footprint means that the door is pretty strict about who it lets through its velvet ropes. Like any self-respecting lounge, the dance floor is nonexistent, meaning that if you want to have fun here, table service is the name of the game.
Komodo Lounge
801 Brickell Ave., Miami305-534-2211
komodomiami.comPart of Dave Grutman's hospitality empire, Komodo is a multilevel restaurant in the heart of Brickell. It also has a lounge that gets going every Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m. — although this being Miami, arrive a bit later if you actually want to have fun. The intimate space has oversized banquettes designed by artists like Mari Kim and Hebru Brantley, blending Miami and Southeast Asian aesthetics. (In fact, while Miami hospitality has bungled time and time again the "general Asian" motif with offensive stereotyping, Komodo avoids falling into such traps.)
LIV
4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach305-674-4680
livnightclub.comLocated inside the Fontainebleau, LIV feels like a relic of 2000s Miami nightlife, a time when the scene felt more diverse, somewhat chaotic, and overall fun. The megaclubs are sort of a rare breed these days, yet LIV continues to be the quintessential Miami nightlife experience. It keeps attracting crowds because it continuously books popular DJs like Tiësto, Black Coffee, Kaskade, and more. For the VIPs, there are plenty of tables spread throughout the venue, but for those wanting a bit more privacy, there are balcony tables where you can take in the atmosphere without mingling with the regular folk. (LIV also recently opened a Las Vegas outpost as part of the Fontainebleau's long-delayed project out in the desert.)
Medium Cool doesn't let the pretentious VIP experience get in the way of having a good time.
Medium Cool photo
Medium Cool
1690 Collins Ave., Miami Beach305-704-3600
mediumcool.miamiThe best thing about Medium Cool, located in the basement of the Gale Hotel, is that it feels more like the next generation of VIP lounges. It's not crazy pretentious but still has a door policy that keeps the place feeling intimate and cool. The cocktails are superb, but you are also welcome to enjoy table service if that's more your vibe. The space is also gorgeously designed, taking cues from art deco and using rich mahogany tones.
Mila Lounge offers a more laid-back approach to VIP nightlife.
Photo by Alex Tarajano/AlexTphoto.com
Mila Lounge
1636 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach786-706-0744
mila-miami.comPart of the restaurant of the same name, Mila Lounge quickly has become a South Beach hot spot. It offers a handsomely designed space, with a DJ spinning a house-y vibe to match the atmosphere. Don't expect the kind of party-hard environs you might find at other venues — here, it's all about the down-tempo vibes. There's also a limited menu of light bites and expertly made cocktails that are a rare find in your average club.
Mr. Jones
320 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach305-602-3117
mrjonesmiami.comAt one point, Roman Jones ran Miami Beach's nightlife. Under his Opium Group banner, he had Mansion, Set, Mokaï, and Opium Garden. These days, his empire only really includes Mr. Jones and Kiki on the River, with the former located in the space that once housed Set. The venue often hosts the rapper du jour, adding to the exclusivity that oozes from its walls. Again, this is a venue where Roman Jones — a literal walking meme of Miami excess — had bestowed himself as its titular mascot. It doesn't get more Miami than this.
Mynt Lounge
1921 Collins Ave., Miami Beach305-532-0727
myntlounge.comYes, Mynt Lounge is still open. The space first opened in 2002 and has remained a VIP favorite decades later. It has received several upgrades over the years, so it doesn't at all feel dated. It was also one of the pioneers of bottle service in Miami, which was still very much a novelty back in the early 2000s. Mynt is run by nightclub impresario Romain Zago, who has been a staple on the scene for quite some time now. As a Frenchman, he gives Mynt the kind of lux European touch that VIPs crave.
Saxony Bar
3201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach305-534-8800
faena.comLocated inside the Faena Miami Beach, Saxony Bar is an art deco stunner. If you want to feel like a million bucks, pull up to the bar and order any of the masterfully crafted cocktails. Fancy is the name of the game here, so come looking the part or be prepared to stick out like a sore thumb. There's occasionally a jazz band performing live, but into the late-night hours on the weekends, the DJ comes out, and the doorman appears to make it much harder to get in. Come correct, or you'll definitely be denied entry.
