The best South Beach clubs

As seen on TV and heard in rap lyrics by everyone from Kanye West to Drake, LIV sets the standard for megaclubs worldwide. Nestled inside the lobby of the historic Fontainebleau hotel—itself a backdrop for major motion pictures including Scarface to Goldfinger—LIV is at once opulent and turntbeyond belief. Afrojack, Martin Garrix and Laidback Luke hold down monthly residencies at the EDM powerhouse alongside a regular program of huge DJs and rap stars. And the stars show up to worship. On any given Sunday, you might run into Floyd Mayweather, Lil Wayne or a Kardashian. With a focus on bottle service, there is more table space than dance floor. Deep pockets are encouraged.

Be prepared to be wowed as you walk through the beautifully renovated lobby of the Edition on Miami Beach. Basement is packed on the bottom floor of the old Art Deco hotel where its disco era-inspired decadence fits right in. The club itself is straightforward with a penchant for booking funky underground heroes, but the real showstoppers are the rainbow-colored bowling alley and ice-skating rink just next to it. Partiers often take a break from dancing to enjoy drinks and play a few games. That’s part of the fun.

And the award for best nightclub name goes to! This spot on the beach is expertly decorated, lined from ceiling to floor with gold-painted cassette tapes and a dance floor topped with a glowing flying saucer for a light fixture. Designed more for dancing than sitting (hence the name), its packed tight and kept very dark, except for those moments the fixture flashes and illuminates everything around you. Partially owned and operated by internationally renown DJ-producer Behrouz, it’s earned a reputation for top-tier guest acts and underground sensibilities—no VIP allowed.

Owned and operated by the same people who gave the world LIV, this two-tiered LED-explosion is a little edgier with a reputation for booking deeper, slightly more underground house acts. Nestled on the south end of Collins Avenue, it costs just as much as to get drunk here as it would at its big sister but features a much roomier dance floor. Catch it in the first episode of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Miami-centric dramedy Ballers.

This double-decker nightclub on Washington Avenue is sure to offer a little something for everyone. The bottom floor is where Score reigns, a traditionally gay club with a bumpin’ sound system and an airy backyard terrace. The men are delicious and ready for a wild night, no end in sight, so don’t come sleepy. Upstairs, hipster house types mingle beneath the giant disco ball and dance the hours away to internationally-renown DJs or local favorites. Drinks average at $12, which is actually a pretty fair deal on the South Beach side of the city.