Willy's is the full-fledged, no-frills LGBTQ+ bar that's long been missing in the bustling mainland neighborhood known for its colorful street art and nightlife. Though Miami has an estimated 190,000 LGBTQ+ residents, the metro area has only a handful of gay clubs and bars, and most of them are across the bridge in Miami Beach. Created by the founders of Wynwood Pride, Willy's Neighborhood Bar reinforces their original mission to carve out more space for those who call Miami home.
Located in an intimate, indoor section of the now-shuttered Shots Bar, the team envisioned a small, magical space where everyone is welcomed. The 75-person bar is cozy, camp, cheerful and, in this economy, affordable. "We took the features we love most from our favorite gay bars around the world and brought them to Willy’s," says co-founder Jose Atencio.
Specialty cocktails range from $11 to $13 and beers and seltzers start at $7. Happy hours are offered from 5 to 7pm on Thursday and Friday, with $8 cocktails and $2 off bar bites. Atencio's family-run shop, Milly's Empanadas, is on snack duty, serving up convenient handhelds like tequeños, mini empanadas and pastelitos for $8.
As for Willy's programming, the team is drawing on their years of experience running the neighborhood Pride festival to platform a stellar lineup of local queer talent. Guests can look forward to dance parties, themed nights, RuPaul watch parties and album release nights. And, save the occasional special event, there won't ever be a cover charge.
