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Venue Preview: TAO Miami Beach (Miami - FL)

It's time to get excited--TAO, originally of New York City, and more recently of Las Vegas, is expanding to Miami Beach. TAO, the highest grossing restaurant in America, has apparently found a cavernous space on Lincoln Road. Global Domination is sure to ensue:

If you stand on the corner of Miami Beach's Lincoln Road and Drexel Avenue and look to the southeast, you can still see the structure that housed the screen of one of the finest movie theaters in the country, the Beach Theatre. It's been decades since this movie palace ran its last feature, but now a new vibe is coming to 420 Lincoln Road in the form of the ritzy TAO Restaurant & Lounge.

Design work for the new 200-seat TAO Restaurant & Lounge is being completed by one of Miami's premier firms, Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design, which commands an impressive roster of commercial mixed-use, residential multi-family and interior design projects including the W Hotel, The Strand, Starwood Diplomat West and Paramount Bay.

The Beach Theatre was built in 1941 for owner Moses Ginsberg by the firm of Pereira & Pereira. Famed Miami architect Robert Law Weed gave the multi-level, 1800-seat interior a breezy, tropical look that included aquariums built into the marble walls that lined the lobby. (Miami Beach USA)

According to Down By The Hipster a lease has already been signed:

That's what the folks at Tao are planning to do. According to a Little Birdy in the know, "they have signed a lease for a space on Lincoln Rd. off Washington somewhere. No timing yet, sounds like its going to take a while."

As details emerge and an opening date is announced, we'll keep you updated.

Venue Review: Mokai Miami - Lounge (Miami, FL)

Exclusive hot-spot Mokai Miami has been drawing celebrities in droves as of late. HipGuide has some of the bold-faced names:

Haunted by Lindsay Lohan, Pharrell Williams, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Adrian Grenier and Enrique Iglesias (who likes to play, what else, his own CD), this velvet rope club allows just 220 hard partyers inside the doors.

The lounge is heavy on bottle service, featuring a couple dozen tables. The unique decor draws its inspiration from The Lord Of The Rings--and yes, you read that right--the lounge is named for the New Zealand locale where the movies were filmed. Just what does LOTR-inspired decor look like? Think wooden Ottomans and exposed brick walls.

If you can get in, expect to party with debs, celebs, and the rest. Enjoy.

For venue details check JoonBug.

 

Technorati Tags: mokai miami, miami beach, florida clubs

Miami hearts Love...

LOVE Miami
www.loveclubmiami.com

…and they will even more when the European night club brand opens its doors on November 24, 2006. Squeezing onto Washington Ave in the South Beach party area, Miami will be the latest addition to the international LOVE Group joining last year’s “Love Ibiza” and countless other locations around the world.

With two huge dance rooms, the LOVE Bar and a rooftop terrace, the Miami location will have a total of 4,000 square feet, a 400 person capacity, dance floor, VIP lounge area and some expensive sound and light systems.

The Love Group started in 2001 with “Love London,” and became infamous for international Djs and hedonistic, all night parties. What’s a clubber to do but spread the love all around?

The Love brand’s founder grew from the early Acid house and rave scene of the late ‘80s to form his empire “promoting harmony between Club and customer and to nurture a warm and friendly connection guest to guest; inspiring social responsibility benefiting the local and global communities; and creating a modern environment of beauty, style and etiquette.”

Big words for a small scene, but their continual emphasis on “style, fashion, entertainment, and etiquette” is still attracting everyone from jetsetters to House freaks, electro lovers to Jaava punks, at least enough to keep on spreading.

Venue Review: The Pawn Shop - boutique night club - Miami

The Pawn Shop
1222 NE 2nd Ave (between 12th and 13th St)
Miami, FL
(305) 373.3511
www.thepawnshoplounge.com

Hopefully the Pawn Shop in Miami starts a trend in boutique nightclubs. You go to a club and it’s essentially the same- dance floor, DJs, guestlists, a few bars, and maybe some plush seating for VIPs. A club’s popularity determined by either “who’s going” or “top 40” just dulls the senses. Bars and clubs open too often do without considering aesthetic, and the ones that do become too chichi to frequent.

As an alternative to the mainstream clubbing experience Pawn Shop is decked out with personality and style. Their walls are filled up with wacky ornaments including a full-size school bus, a vintage Airstream trailer, an authentic jumbo jet lounge and other colossal collectibles. The new night club appeals to every crowd: artists, models, college kids and even Paris Hilton. It’s a place where all enjoy one thing in common, Pawn Shop’s eclectic environs.

Venue Review: Twilo Miami - Club - Miami

Twilo Miami
30 NE 11th Street
Miami, FL 33132
http://www.twilomiami.com

On July 8th the legendary New York club Twilo opened its doors to downtown Miami's burgeoning Entertainment District. Hundreds lined around the block waiting to enter the cavernous warehouse on 30 NE 11th Street that is the new Twilo Miami.

Space functionality was well implemented and thought out. The entrance starts you through a small chill-out area before you hit the HUGE dance floor with two massive florescent light fixtures on either sides of the room. Moving through the dance hall leads you to an outdoor patio area made for smokers, but would later become a retreat for those escaping the heat inside.

To accompany the space, Twilo Miami follows with the latest and greatest in sound reinforcement equipment as the revolutionary sound system installed by Phazon that made Twilo NYC a hit also has a hand in Twilo Miami. Crowds piled in to get a first hand feel of Twilo Miami as DJ Abel christened the sound system opening night.

Surrounded with three bars, you’d think waiting on line for 30 min for a drink couldn’t happen, but the forces that be willed it so. Expect large crowds in the up coming months as curious club goers coupled with major DJ talent passing through pack Miami’s latest nighttime addition.

You’re in for a treat if you’re in the area this weekend. On Saturday, July 29, 2006 the club will feature the legendary Junior Vasquez (known for his Juniorverse parties at Twilo New York). Check their website for more information.

New Venue Opening: Studio A - Club - Lounge - Miami

Studio A
60 NE 11th St
Miami FL
(305) 358 1625
website

Miami sure isn’t lacking for superlative nightspots, but Studio A hopes to blend live Rock with a stunning club setting.  Founded by NYC nightlife icons Georgie Seville, Pedro Mena, & Fancy, Studio A is loaded with eye candy from the massive ovular main bar accented with a corona-like chandelier hanging overhead. Studio A boasts a huge elevated stage tricked out with a state of the art sound system.  Along the sides of the stage are VIP alcove sections with plush couches & low slung tables. 

For photos from events, click here

For a list of upcoming events at Studio A, click here

Here’s a couple shots of the interiors at Studio A.

Venue Review: Art Cafe South Beach

Art Café South Beach
427 Jefferson Ave (@ 5th St)
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 531 0770
website

With more than a touch of whimsy, Art Café South Beach blends equal parts restaurant, enoteca, and art gallery.  Each dining area has a different motif ranging from the surreal Dali Room to the stunningly well-appointed classic Sommelier Room.  The Art Café South Beach excels at a modern Italian menu with a smattering of Asian influences.  Signature dishes include the Four Cheese Lasagna layered with black angus beef and the risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella & anchovies. 

Here’s what Citysearch and Digital City thought about Art Café South Beach

For photos from events, click here

For a list of upcoming events at Art Café South Beach, click here

Has anyone been to Art Café South Beach recently?

Venue Review: A Fish Called Avalon - Restaurant - Miami

A Fish Called Avalon
700 Ocean Dr (@ 7th St)
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 532 1727
website

At the north Deco tower of the historic Avalon hotel, you can enjoy a wide slice of Ocean Drive life while dining at A Fish Called Avalon.  The main room has an elegant, minimalist charm, but prime seating is on the patio facing Ocean Drive and the Atlantic.  The emphasis on the menu is on seafood with influences from across the Caribbean, Floridian as well as Asian and Mediterranean touches.

Here’s what Citysearch and Digital City thought about A Fish Called Avalon

For photos from events, click here

For a list of upcoming events at A Fish Called Avalon, click here

Has anyone been to A Fish Called Avalon recently?

Venue Review: Jazid - Club - Miami

Jazid
1342 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 673 9372
website

While South Beach is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of Jazz Clubs, Jazid serves up a tasty and refreshing double scoop of Jazz, R&B, Soul, Funk and more.  The main floor has a dark, sexy, smoky feel and focuses more on live acts while the upstairs area is more colorful and trippy with DJs spinning fusion, downtempo, soul and Afro-Cuban beats with space to chill out and dance.  Jazid blends up some creative and tasty signature cocktails.   

Here’s what Citysearch and Digital City had to say about Jazid

For photos from events, click here

For a list of upcoming events at Jazid, click here

Has anybody been to Jazid recently?

Venue Review: Wet Willie's - Bar - Lounge- Miami

Wet Willie’s
760 Ocean Dr
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 532 5650

With a strong easy going vibe and even stronger drinks, it’s easy to see why crowds of beachcombers flock to this two floor bar with an ever festive rooftop patio.  Wet Willie’s drink menu is long, strong, and creative.  Legions of locals and tourists come for memorable drinks like “Call a Cab” “Attitude Improvement,” or one of their many frozen margaritas and daiquiris. 

Here’s what Citysearch and Digital City thought about Wet Willie’s

For photos from events, click here

For a list of upcoming events at Wet Willie’s, click here

Has anybody been to Wet Willie’s recently?