Don't miss Little Havana, especially if you love cigars/Cuban sandwiches/Cuban coffee (café con leche).
Little Havana basically runs down SW 8th Street ("Calle Ocho") between 12th and 17th Avenues, south and west of downtown. The restaurants along Calle Ocho are all hopping, with music spilling onto the street. An outdoor, live music stage can be found next to the recently renovated, local landmark, Tower Theater.
It's a party all the time.
My personal favorite restaurant; Cuban eats at decent prices, go to El Esquito at Calle Ocho and 15th Avenue (next to the Tower Theater).
For something different, especially if you have a Lady along: Flamenco Nights (Tuesdays and Thursdays) at Casa Panza. Located smack dab in the center of things, on Calle Ocho at 16th Avenue. Dancing, guitars, mojitos and more. Officially starts at 8:30 PM, but really heats up later.
For general partying, South Beach can't be beat (any map/hotel can tell you how to get there)...if you go during the day....topless sunbathing is NORMAL on the beach (take your darkest sunglasses and a towel..you won't believe the scenery) ...but after dark, the place is a non-stop party 'till the sun comes up.
If you plan to go there for the evening, get there early, (other than the great beach scenery)....parking is a real b*tch, unless you drive a Ferrari/Lamborghini/etc...if you get there, you'll understand.
Have fun....but don't expect to get much sleep...
This message has been edited. Last edited by: rbihari,
"Stupidity cannot be cured with money, or through education, or by legislation." ~ Robert A. Heinlein (1907 - 1988)
Great post by rbihari! I would suggest that you try out Cuban food at a place on Calle 8 (SW 8th) called "Versailles". The exact info is: 3555 Sw 8th St Miami, FL 33135 Phone: (305) 445-7614. I love it still - after living here for the last 12 years and I love taking people who are new to Miami there.
There is a ton to do here, incredible beaches, great fishing and plenty of family friendly stuff too. Let me know anything specific I can help with. I grew up in Massachusetts, so I spent many a year calling crushed gravel and ice water a "beach" too!
With regard to cigars, I think we're pretty spoiled here. It's all about demand - kinda like finding the freshest Copenhagen in Mississippi - I find that when I travel I am surprised by the high prices of the sticks that I can get for less at home. So, what I am saying is leave them in your coolah in Mass, Chief and buy 'em here!
Let me know how I can help. Andy
C4S Club Member #003
Posts: 1430 | Location: Miami, FL, USA | Registered: July 29, 2003
As Andymiami said, put Versailles on your "must do" list. Excellent food (loved by my wife's Cuban grandmother!) and truly inexpensive.
Also, many cigar manufacturers are local to that area - visit LGC and Perdomo, Puros Indios and Padron, and don't forget to say hello to Ernesto Padilla!
__________________________________________________________ Let the winds of change blow over my head / I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead. -Jimmy Buffett's Growing Older But Not Up
All of the above is good however if you're going to be in Ft.Lauderdale check out the Blue Martini Bar on Sunrise Blvd, they are cigar friendly with great martini's. A bit expensive on the martini's but beautiful eye candy and live jazz. I recently found this cigar bar on Oakland Park Blvd and A1A. Great crowd, nice walkin humi and also across from the beach. Good luck and have fun!
