Gramps is a bar that seems unlikely in today’s Wynwood, towering with luxury live-work developments and teeming with fancy new restaurants. Yes, a few important arts institutions remain in the neighborhood, and there’s lots of colorful graffiti everywhere. But for an idea of what Wynwood 1.0 was like, Gramps will transport you there—and it’s beautiful.
One of the area’s original watering holes, Gramps channels Old Florida with its tropical dive aesthetic, vintage sports memorabilia, strong cocktails and charmingly ramshackle patio. Its outdoor stage, intimate backroom theater, eclectic event programming and gritty, DIY sensibility have made it a favorite of hipster-leaning locals and adventurous visitors for more than a decade.
Like its nautical logo suggests, Gramps anchors a neighborhood that feels in many ways so disconnected from its former identity as a cheap and boozy enclave for artists. Come here to catch a punk show—or a drag show, watch a soccer match, screen a 35mm film or just escape the heat with a cold beer and blasting A/C. If you’re in the mood to dance, count on a solid lineup of local DJs whose goal is to make you do just that most nights of the week.
The bar opens daily at noon, which means that anytime you happen to find yourself in the area makes for a great excuse to stop in for a smoky Penicillin or hydrating Cucumber in Paradise cocktail. While you’re at it, order a slice of El Peppe from Pizza Tropical, the walk-up window in Gramps’ backyard that slings some of the best New York-style pies around.