The Resy Guide To Miami’s Restaurant Bars

No restaurant bar in Miami transports you to another time and place quite like Dirty French, where the 1980s seem to live on beneath its pink neon sign. The Ken Foulke décor is an immersion in tropical patterns and polished metal, where Flock of Seagulls and Phil Collins fill the air and plush couches invite you to stay a while. Bartenders are immaculately dressed in coats and ties, pouring fantastic, fruity concoctions that occasionally come in a pineapple glass. While the food in the dining room is fabulous, the bar is the perfect place for an after-dinner drink, especially for out-of-towners who want something distinctly Miami.

Kaori’s street-level bar bills itself as a Tokyo-style listening lounge, which is why the music can be loud and you’ll rarely mind. The DJs know just what music to play over the high-quality sound system to give the room energy. Of course, energy means nothing without good drinks, and Kaori delivers with a massive menu of Japanese-style cocktails like the Vice Highball with Suntory Toki Whisky, yuzu, pineapple, strawberry, toasted coconut, and Perrier. The low-slung tables are perfect for lounging with a small group while you savor the sounds along with your drinks, or for a date where you want to get a little cozier. The Happy Hour is also among Brickell’s best, with $10-12 apps from Kaori’s Michelin-recognized kitchen.

This Philadelphia import boasts one of the most impressive new buildouts of 2025, an elegant, Japanese-inspired space with light wood and frosted glass that feels a little like eating in an onsen. The backlit bar is the best place to take it all in, where you’re greeted with a lineup of spirit-forward cocktails, meant to be sipped slowly as you meld into your surroundings. The Barrel Hitch is an intriguing choice for those who like Old Fashioneds, made with Toki whisky, honey, and Sichuan bitters. The restaurant’s signature dish is its Philly cheesesteak bao, which work beautifully as a bar snack.

The streets of Brickell are full of sights to turn your head, but none holds one’s attention quite like Claudie. This glamorous coastal French restaurant on Brickell Ave boasts a decor that demands attention, and because the dining room opens to the outdoor patio it’s all visible from the street — making it impossible to pass by without at least considering a trip inside. Settle down at the bar and peruse its list of European wines, pair your choice  with a yellowfin or branzino tartare, and try to ignore the humidity as  you pretend you’re somewhere on the Cote d’Azur.

Osaka’s cocktail bar is one of the best kept secrets in Brickell, a sexy, secluded section that seemingly appears out of nowhere as you head towards the back of the restaurant. Turn right, and you’re suddenly in a high-ceiling Japanese cocktail den, with low tables and a long bar that almost make you forget about the restaurant outside. The long cocktail list is packed with combinations you’ve likely never seen before, like the Shiso Bata with butter-washed sagamore rye, Junmai sake, shiso, and walnut bitters. Most drinks come in some sort of eye-catching glassware, too, and the dim lights and strong drinks make it the rare upscale bar that fits for end-of-the-night drinks.

Though Sexy Fish’s interior is about as subtle as a gold-plated Ferrari, it’s the kind of over-the-top campiness that can’t be missed. A giant squid protrudes from a side wall, sculpted sea creatures line the ceiling, and James Bond stands next to you in the men’s room. The crowd at the bar is often equally exaggerated, a showcase of cosmetic surgery and out-of-town expense accounts who aren’t phased by high prices. The food and drinks are standouts too, so it’s not just a place to go for the scene. And if any restaurant bar in Miami is worth the price of a round to experience, it’s Sexy Fish.

ViceVersa originally opened on the ground floor of downtown’s Elser hotel as a sort of pre-game aperitivo bar. But its food – from the culinary minds behind Jaguar Sun – have gained it acclaim, so much so that they easily share top billing with the drinks. So we’ll just remind everyone that ViceVersa is the premiere spot in South Florida for Italian-style cocktails, created by Valentino Longo who cut his teeth in Rome and London before heading up Champagne Bar. His first solo venture is exquisite, with a line of light cocktails including entire menus for negronis and martinis. If you want something a little crisper, go for the Italian Vice, essentially a vodka-soda with citrus.

One of Wynwood’s more low-key experiences is tucking into the bar at Sparrow for a cocktail and a slice of pizza. The bar area is the only place you’ll find Sparrow’s full line of “slices,” which are more like large rectangles cut into little squares for sharing. The chicken parm alla vodka slice is addictively good, so if you do opt to share, you may end up fighting over the last bite. The good news is that Sparrow has plenty of other slices to choose from , like the Caprese with buffalo mozzarella and the Carnivore with ground Japanese Wagyu. Until 8 p.m., you can try Sparrow’s “Sip and Slice” where each slice comes paired with a glass of wine, all around $25 for both.

The bar at Micheal’s Genuine is as close to a “local institution” as you’ll find in the posh Design District. Michael Schwartz’s food has been bringing crowds in for nearly 20 years, but the art deco bar and its perfectly shaken martinis have also become an understated spot for Miami power moves. It gives the energy of a Mad Men-era two-martini lunch, and though the cocktail menu extends far past the classics the drink somehow feels perfect in this environment. Grab an order of Michael’s fresh thick-cut potato chips and onion dip too – those martinis are strong and you’ll need it.

Tucked along Miami Beach’s Espanola Way, Tropezon captures the spirit of Espana more than any spot on the Spanish-inspired street. Grab a seat at the bar and you’ll be treated to tapas like pan con tomate or tuna crudo with ajo blanco, a big step up from the usual bar nuts or popcorn. Drinks are crafted with Tropezon’s special line of gins, infused with everything from yuzu to hibiscus. The unmarked bottles line the bar’s back wall, making it feel like a tiny village bar in the countryside where they may or may not be distilling in the kitchen.

Sunny’s has been the breakout hit of 2025, an easy winner for restaurant rookie of the year with its fine steaks and exemplary service.  The bar is also one of the best places to hang out in the city, a mix of midcentury and art deco elements where you can enjoy all the drinks you miss from Jaguar Sun. The dangerously easy-drinking Green Ghoul is waiting for you, made with tequila, mezcal, poblano peppers and cucumbers. As is the Living Dead, an absinthe drink with passionfruit and Tabasco sauce. You can order food at the bar, too, so if snagging a reservation is a challenge, eating here is an easy and pleasurable alternative.