Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

Some take tiki culture quite seriously like it’s an academic study into the bartending masters who turned fruits and spices and booze into an art form. Others just want a fun, fruity drink in a coconut shell to melt away the week’s stress. For both, we dove deep into Miami’s tiki bars, risking hangovers from potent concoctions served under acres of faux thatch roofs. The result is this guide that not only offers a virtual trip to Polynesia but also throws down some highly festive late-night parties.  RECOMMENDED: The best speakeasy bars in Miami

Sara Stonecipher, owner of MISRED Outfitters in St. Petersburg, Florida, grew up in the area and studied hospitality management at the University of Central Florida before launching herself headfirst into the fashion industry. She opened Misred in 2010 with $17,000 in savings and tried clothing design, online sales, and floor change planning and distribution. She even opened (and subsequently closed) a second location on her entrepreneurial journey. “All of those growth plans turned out to be stifling,” says Stonecipher. “But I learned a ton and never gave up.” What inspired you to open MISRED? My mom had a consignment boutique in downtown St. Pete when I was growing up. That’s when I was bit by the boutique bug. But it wasn't until I became burned out at my corporate jobs that I decided to revisit my small business dream. Who were some of the mentors or teachers that had an impact on your career? My mom was a huge mentor to me. She was a local small business pioneer way before St. Pete was cool. She started her shop on the now-famous Beach Drive when the historic Vinoy hotel was vacant and in ruins. The year she opened, St. Pete was a ghost town after all the professionals went home at 5pm. There was no nightlife, tourism, or thriving arts culture. Yet she saw something no one else did. She opened her store in 1991 and immediately ran for president of the downtown business association, hoping to be a part of the change she knew St. Pete could be. Today, I try to follow in he

Small business is booming in the Sunshine State, and there’s good reason for it. According to a recent study, Florida ranked as the best state to start a small business thanks to low corporate tax rates and an outpouring of small business loans. But what’s striking about this boost in small business numbers is the diversity behind it. Women own over 45 percent of small businesses in Florida, and the state has the third most businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color. And the entrepreneurs behind these startups are using their culture, family legacy, and heritage to inspire and inform how they do business. From a celeb-endorsed eco-friendly jewelry line to a wellness-based recording studio, small business owners are turning their passion into profits and giving back to their community. It’s time to meet five Florida entrepreneurs who are doing exactly that.

Brittany Berger, founder of Mindful Music Lab in Miami, grew up in Aventura and studied hospitality and event management at the University of Central Florida before moving back to Miami to expand her roots in her hometown. Berger’s donned many hats throughout her career—author, motivational speaker, fitness instructor, wellness programmer, mindset coach, reiki energy and sound bowl healer, songwriter, artist and repertoire (A&R) representative, and executive producer—all of which inform her experience in the mental health and wellness industry. Through her work, she inspires individuals to find their purpose, shift into alignment, overcome their daily fears and prioritize mental and physical health. With her passion for addressing personal truths and embracing authenticity, she has become a leading voice in the field of mindfulness, manifestation, meditation, and community. What inspired you to open Mindful Music Lab? I realized that there was a lack of mental health awareness and action within the music industry. I would be in and out of recording studios and homes with all of my healing equipment noticing that these spaces were not the right environment for healing. A concept of mental health, healing, community, networking, collaboration, and making music did not exist. What are some of your favorite places to visit in Miami? Some of my favorite places to visit in the city are 27 Restaurant & Bar, Broken Shaker, and the Eagle Room at Freehand Miami! It’s the perfect place

There are two kinds of kids: those whose diets consist primarily of processed and pre-packaged stuff, and those who can list off their favorite truffle preparations and demonstrate the correct way to torch a crème brûlée. For parents who have both, going out in Miami means juggling a child who has a taste for the finer things in life and one whose definition of “edible” depends on whether the food’s been dipped in ketchup first. Luckily, Miami restaurants and food halls (especially food halls!) cater to both types of picky youngsters, places where the buttered noodles are just as good as the Peruvian chaufa. Below, we’ve ranked our top kid-approved dining destinations in Miami to hopefully make your life just a little bit easier. And for what it’s worth, we think you’ll actually enjoy these spots, too. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do with kids in Miami

Craving fresh air, warm breeze and a little sunshine on your face as you sip your cocktail? Miami is home to swanky hotel terraces, scene-y beach clubs and tropical dives alike where the booze flows and the sunset views reign supreme. Whether you’re seeking some romance, a day-to-night party or a lively Miami happy hour before setting out to enjoy a proper meal, we have you covered. Best of all, we need not wait ‘til summer to dine al fresco here! No matter the season, we’re free to sun on Miami’s best beaches, imbibe atop the city’s many rooftop bars and, perhaps best of all, bear witness to its stunning Atlantic sunsets from the best waterfront bars in Miami. RECOMMENDED: The best waterfront restaurants in Miami

Whether you’re calling it a greasy spoon or a hash house, one thing’s for certain—a Miami diner by any other name would still smell as gloriously delicious. Chalk it up to the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee wafting through the air and the unmistakable sizzle of eggs and bacon frying to perfection. Getting hungry, yet? You’re in luck, especially if you’re reeling from a long night of drinking at a South Beach club. The best diners in Miami are hotbeds for Miami’s best breakfasts, stellar drunk food in Miami and topnotch deli fare. Don’t forget to order your cup of mud.

When it comes to Miami, South Beach and Wynwood get the lion’s share of the world’s love and affection. And though both have rightly earned their time in the spotlight, a new class of neighborhood is stepping up to give them a run for their money. Case in point: These five on-the-verge areas are making waves with an influx of compelling art, creative wares, great restaurants and lip-smacking cocktails. Admittedly, Miami neighborhoods can be a bit tough to define, but make no mistake, these districts are distinctive, diverse and deserving of your attention.

The highlight of Miami Beach’s year-end celebrations is no doubt Art Basel 2016. Now in its 15th year, the prominent North American art fair will showcase 269 exhibitors inside the 500,000 square-foot Miami Beach Convention Center. Between December 1 and 4, amid a flurry of Miami Art Week satellite fairs, parties and events, Basel attendees will have the opportunity to browse works exhibited by big-name artists and influential galleries across sections that include Nova (younger galleries), Survey (historical works) and Positions (made up of emerging artists). The list of participants is extensive, to say the least, but we’ve singled out the following outfits as the year’s must-see. 

An oldie but a goody, Delano’s sexy lobby bar is situated in a narrow alcove away from its busy entrance. Perfect for intimate nightcaps, the rose-hued space nails the classics (think martinis and a nice Tom Collins) and also makes a great perch for some interesting people-watching.

Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall in Key Biscayne, Donut Gallery has been quietly serving up generous portions of classic American diner fare for over 40 years. Sidle up to the counter at this no-frills joint and order up a glass of fresh-pressed orange juice to go with the Ted’s Special—that’s bacon, ham, cheese, tomato and egg on an open-faced English muffin. But be sure to bring some bills—this is a cash-only establishment.

Perched on the waters of Biscayne Bay right off the Rickenbacker Causeway is a massive tiki hut that beckons thirsty locals with hurricane glasses filled with frosty rum runners, margaritas and Mai Tais. A deck festooned with faux parrots, brightly painted wood and the odd carved coconut or two provides a breezy perch for enjoying the tipples while the bay ripples beyond. Looking for a nosh to soak up some of the boozy concoctions? The menu is replete with bar favorites—nachos, wings, quesadillas—with items like gator bites and fried avocado offering a twist to the usual fare.  

A newcomer to the Miami scene, this Greek dream recently opened up along the Miami River in a 100-year-old converted fish market. A partially covered deck with tied-back white curtains and ivy-wrapped columns sets the scene for the simple, yet rustic Mediterranean fare that’ll accompany date night rounds of ouzo tinged with fresh-pressed juices. And while the main bar is tucked inside the charming rustic environs of the restaurant, the view from outside bar makes the decision to take a cocktail al fresco a no-brainer.

The WetLab has been one of the best-kept secrets in Miami—and for good reason. It takes a bit of maneuvering to find (it’s located behind the University of Miami’s RSMAS campus on Key Biscayne), but the views and prices are more than worth it. A wide-open terrace looks out over the turquoise waters of the bay, with string lights gently illuminating the view after the sun sets. Wine is a mere $4 and beer—including an exceptional craft selection—will put you out anywhere between $2.50 to $4, max. It’s a bargain beer drinker’s paradise.

You can study the rapidly changing skyline for clues of Miami’s evolution, but what do the interior of the buildings themselves reveal about a city? That’s the focus of Miami Motel Stories, a real-time immersive theater experience taking place inside hotels and motels in developing neighborhoods. The three-part series launches on October 27 at Little Havana’s Tower Hotel (1450 SW 7th St), former stomping grounds of Billie Holiday and other jazz legends. The collaborative project is the brainchild of Juggerknot Theatre Company (and made possible by a Knight Foundation grant). It brings together writers and real estate developers of Barlington Group—which has been fiercely committed to revitalizing Little Havana since 2004—to tell the story of Miami’s past, present and future. The result: an actor-led walk through rooms in which stories of migration, segregation, love and family unfold. Penning the first production is local playwright Juan C. Sanchez, who was born and raised in the area. “I’m fascinated by Little Havana’s history, especially what it’s been to people of different cultures through time,” he says. Sanchez, as well as playwrights of future untitled productions, is working with HistoryMiami Museum to conduct interviews and sift through archives to better understand the spaces he will explore through his play. “We often hear that there is a lack of artistic space in Miami; I want to disrupt this belief with Miami Motel Stories,” says Tanya Bravo, founder and artistic

Multitasking moms are in for some serious pampering. POD 22 is Florida’s first indoor playground and nail spa. The brains behind the glossy new operation is Virginia Aguirrebeitia, a busy Miami Shores Village mom whose digits and viable day-care options were in distress. “During the week, I traveled extensively for my corporate job, and on weekends I attended birthday parties for my kids’ friends. I had no time to relax without constantly feeling guilty about having to leave my children,” says Aguirrebeitia, who channeled her anxiety into creating a place where kids and parents could go together but also spend time apart—so Mommy can get a manicure while her kiddo climbs rocks nearby. POD 22 has ball pits, swings, nets and structures for children to scale under staff supervision. Parents can rest assured that their little ones are safely engaged in active play while they treat themselves to a luxurious mani at the spa in the back or a cup of tea in the lounge. Pinkies up!   To get a BOGO deal on supervised playtime POD 22 click here.   Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

During the day, Miami’s museums are mild-mannered treasure troves of art, photography and sculptures. But after hours, the city’s cultural institutions come alive with evenings full of music, cocktails and dancing. (And, yes, even some art.) Here is where to head for a cultured night out. PAMM Third Thursdays: Poplife Social Pérez Art Museum Miami is home to 200,000 square feet of galleries and idyllic public spaces perfect for whiling away the day. Things change on the third Thursday of the month, when it teams up with event promoter Poplife to host a roster of indie acts. The exhibits stay open late (including Julio Le Parc’s showstopping “Form into Action”), but this is also your shot to soak up live entertainment and dance on the terrace. Mar 16, Apr 20, May 18 6–10pm; with $16 admission free. Coral Gables Museum’s Gallery Night Live! Housed in the City Beautiful’s old fire station, the Coral Gables Museum pays homage to the city’s past with guided architecture tours and photography displays. On the first Friday of the month, the Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables Gallery Night Live! takes over the plaza for live music and artist meet and greets. Mar 3, Apr 2, May 5 6–10pm; free. Jazz at MOCA The Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami offers something for everyone on the last Friday of the month. Free admission (7 to 10pm) and more than 600 pieces by artists from around the world—including Jean Claude Legagneur’s exhibit “Faces of Freedom”—draw the crowds inside. Outside, live