When it comes to Miami lounges, there are plenty of staples people flock to for a solid night out. While those lounges provide us with crafty concoctions in a reliable setting, sometimes change can be good — especially when supplied in uncharted territory. For those interested in checking out a spot that still has the cachet of being a well-kept secret, here are four lounges that won’t disappoint.
The Flat
A great “in between” hot spot, The Flat offers its decked-out trendsetting guests a place to gather after finishing dinner from a neighboring restaurant and before hitting a nightclub. Located in the high-end South of Fifth location, this new European-inspired space provides handcrafted drinks with strong flavors and unique combinations, such as a truffle-infused pisco sour and the infamous Smoked Salmon Caviar Bloody Mary, garnished with a caviar-stuffed quail egg. 500 South Pointe Dr., Miami Beach
Lazuli Lounge
Parked inside the stunning lobby of The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel, the recently revamped Lazuli Lounge packs in hotel guests, elite happy-hour sippers and most of the area business workers. Soft purple hues, the scent of fresh flowers and a cozy fireplace all work together to make this lounge a prime location for specialty must-try cocktails that include the Elderflower Royal with champagne and fresh strawberries, along with the lychee and rose martini with Van Gogh vanilla vodka. 3300 SW 27th Ave., Coconut Grove
Rec Room
One of the newest and most talked-about spots in South Beach (but without the excessively pretentious attitude), Rec Room sits below the classic, retro-style Gale Hotel and offers a world of its own. Wood accents, comfy couches and vinyl-lined walls create an old-school aesthetic that hearkens back to basement hangout sessions from the 1970s, but the crowd is anything but dated. While both young and old patrons can be found sipping on vodka-charged watermelon martinis as live DJs spin out prime ’90s tunes, only the fashionably well-informed manage to make their way inside this recreation room. 1690 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
TSL Lounge
A majestic starlit garden and edgy art gallery joined forces at TSL Lounge, the latest Wynwood newcomer. Tucked away from the rest of the hype, this stylish open venue offers a space for local artistic talent, art spectators and partygoers alike, but without the typical flashy South Beach crowd. As for drinks, there are several “social lubricants” to choose from, ranging from The TSL Fizz with pineapple vodka, to the smoky J.D. Shortcake made with Jack Daniel’s. 167 NW 23 St., Miami
Photos Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC, The Flat, Rec Room
