429 Lenox Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1989-1992A mixed bar, straight and gay, owned by Lori Weiner. It hosted concerts by dance divas, and “boys nights” aka gay nights (Wednesdays) and women's nights (Thursdays.)
8½
8½1137 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1980-1983 A disco known for its Egyptian parties. In the 1970s this was the location of Miss Kay’s Lounge (see listing.) It is now home to a Thai restaurant.
821 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach
821 Lincoln Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1997-2004Thursdays were women’s night with a party called “Snap.” Also drew locals for parties with themes such as “Crash!,” “Bent,” “Nudes and Dandees’” and” Whatevah Wednesdays.” This space was also home to Bulldog’s, and Peacock Lounge (see listings.)
Alley (Room) Lounge
1685 Alton Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1971-1972This was a home for gay bars going back to the 1940s with Cas-bar. In 1971 it advertised “The Alley Kat Revue” every Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday. At 11:30 and 2:15 and Sunday at 10:30 and 1:00. It was also the location of Delicate Frank’s, Coral Room, Freddie's Piano Bar, and Onyx (see listings.)
Ambassadors III
427 22nd St., Miami BeachCirca 1971-1974Callig istelf "Miami's most together disco" it featured go-go boys and a weekly Friday night dance contest. An ad encouraged patrons to "Exorcise Yourself From Boredom." In the October 1971 issue of David, it was reported that "... has done a beautiful job of remodeling the inside of the bar with a Gay Parae Nightclub effect." This space later became home to the Blind Fox Lounge 9see listing).
Aria
Aria1771 West Ave., Miami Beach Circa 2003 A men's dance club/ This space was also home to Diamante, Maze, and Salvation (see listings.)
Atlantic House
Atlantic House1716 Alton Rd., Miami Beach Circa 1990-1992 Nikki Adams performed there often. This was also home to the Mayflower Lounge from the 1940s-1970s (see listing.) Lori Tanner remembers, “It was owned by Ernie Michaels. It was named after the place in Provincetown. It was way before South Beach became popular. Everyone called it The A House. It was a small, late-night dance club.”
Bambu
Bambu 645 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2007EVO (see listing) later operated at this location
Bang
Bang1516 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1995
Bar 14
Bar 141417 N. Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca early 2000sThe Gay Yellow Pages have Cockpit and Rocket listed as bars operating out of this space at the same time. More likely, they were simply the names of events at the bar.
Bar Code
Bar Code 653 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1994A drag show dinner-theater. Among the performers were Adora, Damian, Rober, Marsha Mallow, Marvella, Bridgette, Sexy, and Mother Kibble.
Bar Room
Bar Room320 Lincoln Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1999-2001A straight bar with a monthly gay night. It was also popular with the leather crowd.
Bash
Bash655 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1995-2007 A mixed gay and straight dance club. The owners included Sean Penn and Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall, with co-owner/manager Eric Omores at the helm, and Kitty Meow holding court. Bash ushered in a short-lived era of relatively unself-conscious enjoyment when it opened in April 1993. The space expanded the VIP-room concept and initiated many theme nights. Omores and his partners (including Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall and, in the early years, actor Sean Penn and nightlife impresario Alexis Ogurik sold the club in 2007. "I guess what made it great was the mix of people. Back then everybody just wanted to have fun," the Senegal-born, France-raised Omores recalls wistfully. "It was nothing pretentious."Dek 23 (see listing) would follow at this location with a popular Sunday gay night event, “Click.”
Basin Street
Basin Street1610 Alton Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1962-1981Basin Street featured a piano bar, cabaret, go-go boys, and drag shows. The bar opened as a primarily Black club. It became a gay club in 1972 under new management. In January 1975, it held its 3rd anniversary with a buffet and show featuring Donnie Jay, Bobbie Ramone, Crystal Beed, Camille St. Lawrence, and special guest star Cecelia Valdez.
Bay City Station (see Flamingo Bay)
BBC
BBC323 23rd St., Miami BeachCirca 1977Its grand opening was on Aug. 3rd, 1977, with a special guest DJ Hub! Owned by the same people who owned the Glory Hole bar in Chicago. It advertised itself as Miami Beach’s first leather-Levi dress code bar and featured three bars. This space has been a gay bar since the early 1970s, serving as home to Billy’s Backlounge, Billy’s Backroom, Dinghy, Duck’s Pastime, Groove Jet, Joseph’s, Little Al’s, Miss Kay’s, Rain, Teran’s, and WOW.
Berlin666 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1998Electra says, “It was kind of like gay Gilligan’s Island back then, all those bars along Washington Ave. You’d just pop from one to another. I stopped going when all the Eurotrash came in. It wasn’t gay anymore.”
Billboard Live
Billboard Live1500 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach Circa 2001-2004 Party organizer Jeffrey Sanker was behind this men’s dance club financed by the Billboard Organization. It opened to great acclaim, then suddenly shuttered. Dolce and Sky Bar (see listings) would take over this space and use the Collins Ave. entrance as their address.
Billy’s Back Lounge
Billy’s Back Lounge323 23rd St., Miami BeachCirca 1990A neighborhood bar with pool tables. This space has been a gay bar since the early 1970s, serving as home to BBC, Billy’s Backroom, Dinghy, Duck’s Pastime, Groove Jet, Joseph’s, Little Al’s, Miss Kay’s, Rain, Teran’s, and WOW
Billy Lee's
Billy Lee's1718 Alton Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1960sA supper club, featuring drag shows, across the street from Onyx (see listing.) Film star Martha Raye sometimes hung out there. In the Miami News of March 1, 1960, columnist Herb Rau reported, “Spotted at Billie Lee’s Back Room in the Mayflower Hotel in Miami Beach; ex-governor Charlie Johns.” It lost its liquor license after a series of raids on gay bars in 1962.
Blind Fox Lounge
Blind Fox Lounge427 22nd St., Miami BeachCirca 1975-1978Owned by Dekbert Livermore and Roy Speer, George Mockbee was the manager. Previously, this was the location of Ambassadors III
Blue
Blue 222 Espanola Way, Miami BeachCirca 2000-2005A mixed gay and straight club with drag shows. This would later be home to Kill Your Idol
Blue Waters Hotel Lounge
Blue Waters Hotel Lounge4th off Collins on Ocean Terr., Miami BeachCirca 1976An ad in David in Oct. 1976 read "Miss Kay's Back in Action. P.S. Freddie is here too!"
Bond Street Lounge
150 20th St., Miami BeachCirca 2008-2013Located in the basement of the Townhouse Hotel, this was a sushi bar early in the evening, and a cocktail lounge later.
Boy Bar
1220 Normandy Dr., Miami BeachCirca 2004-2010A small storefront neighborhood/dive bar. Club Fly identified it as, “A neighborhood cruise bar with full liquor service, videos, pool table, back room for men only, and a landscaped outdoor patio.” In June 2008, The Miami Herald described it as, “An easygoing drinking dive bar that caters to gay hipsters.”
Bulldog's
Bulldog's821 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach Circa 1993-1994 This bar attracted a leather crowd. This space was also home to 821 and Peacock Lounge
Cabaret
Cabaret233 12th St., Miami BeachCirca 2014The bartenders and servers performed at this cabaret co-owned by Edison Farrow and Ed DeCaso. Farrow said, “Every employee was an incredibly talented singer. Most all are successful singers now and many have been on American Idol and The Voice. We had singers, piano players, burlesque dancers, drummers, saxophone players. There were also special performances with Leslie Jordan, Coco Peru, and Molly Ringwald.” Frommer’s Travel Guide described it as, “an intimate, old-fashioned piano-bar style experience in the middle of sometimes overwhelming Clubland. And besides crooners and musicians, they throw in a little old-school burlesque, even circus acts.”
Cas-Bar
Cas-Bar1685 Alton Rd., Miami Beach Circa 1940s-1960sLocated in the Sea Shore Hotel, near the beach, it was operated by a woman named Shirley. Men and women would stop by after a day on the beach for the free buffet. A wall was painted black, and patrons would trace their handprints on the wall and put their names inside the prints. This became the site of many gay bars since then, including The Alley Room, Coral Room, Delicate Frank’s, Freddie's Piano Bar, and Onyx
Charles Hotel Bar
Charles Hotel Bar1475 Collins Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1954-1965 It was mostly a women’s bar but was welcoming to men. One of the many bars raided in August 1954 by Miami-Dade County Sheriff Thomas J. Kelly.
Chelsea
Chelsea944 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1995 Before it became a chic boutique hotel, the bar was well-known as a hustler hangout.
Circus
Circus 401 Ocean Dr., Miami BeachCirca 1950s-1970s A drag show bar that attracted a mixed crowd. The ads promised “Gay Gay Gay.” It was raided by the police in 1954 as part of a multi-bar crackdown by Miami-Dade County Sheriff Thomas J. Kelly who was quoted as saying, “We don’t want perverts to set up housekeeping in this county. We want them to know that they’re not welcome.” A Miami judge overruled the cops and gave the bar back its liquor license.
Clayton's
Clayton's427 Jefferson Ave., Miami Beach Circa 1990 Only open for one month, then changed its name to Scratch
Club 245
Club 245245 22nd St., Miami BeachCirca unknownThis was also home to Heaven and Onyx Room
Club 1235
Club 12351235 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1988.Sometimes known as just 1235. It opened in 1987 amid a lot of fanfare. An ad in Hot Shots Magazine from Aug. 7, 1987, read, "Coming Soon Grand Opening." Nikki Adams remembers the short-lived bar, “It was a huge space, and beautifully decorated,"Electra concurs, “It was a huge space, the floor could retract and there was a swimming pool underneath. Prince opened a club called Icon (see listing) in this space.” This address was also home to many other bars including Club 1235, Mansion, Paragon, Icon, South Beach Arena, and Z (see listings.) It had a brief surge of popularity but eventually closed on Columbus Day weekend in 1988. This address was home to Icon, Mansion, Paragon, Glam Slam, Level, and Z
Club Benni
Club Benni1610 Alton Rd., Miami Beach Circa 1940s-1954The bar’s owner, last name Klein, no first name listed in the interview, claimed Club Benni was the first gay bar in Miami, “Our nightly drag show had visits from pianist Liberace, playwright Tennessee Williams, television host Robert Q. Lewis and socialite John Jacob Astor VI. ’In those days, it was a little frowned upon, but to me, it was strictly a business. I happen to be married with children. What do I care if somebody’s gay or not? People came to the bar to relax. Some of them were famous. Some of them weren’t.’”The bar closed in 1954 when its liquor license was revoked.
Club Echo
Club Echo1446 Ocean Dr., Miami BeachCirca 1950-1970sA description online titled A Guide to Miami After Dark in 1956 read "Club Echo - This small intimate club has quite a local following among the gay set. It's very restrained since Miami prohibits female impersonators. But the entertainers, of both sexes, do come off with some entertaining antics. Reservations are needed since the Echo is always crowded."It was among the bars targeted in the 1954 purge of "powder puffs" by then Miami-Dade County police chief Kelly. Before that, it, along with the Jewel Box had been a favorite among Miami's smart set.
Club Zen
Club Zen1203 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1997-2000Playing rap and "urban" music, it was a favorite of J Lo, P Diddy (as he was known in the day), and DJ Khalid. This space was also home to Krave and Loverboy
Cock, The
637 Washington Avenue, Miami BeachCirca Feb-May 2014An offshoot of the NYC Club. This cock didn't have much staying power, opening, and closing within a year. This space was also the home of KGB and Café con Leche, its gay night.
Comedy Zone
1121 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1997A straight comedy club, Tuesday was gay night.
Coral Room
1685 Alton Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1960sA lesbian dance club, it adjoined the Onyx, a men's bar (see listing.) This was the site of gay bars going back to the 1940s with Cas-bar. It lost its liquor license because of a series of raids on gay bars in 1962. This space was also home to The Alley, Cas-Bar, Delicate Frank's, and Freddie's Piano Bar (see listings.)
Coyote Bar
Circa 1992-1993
Creme Lounge
925 Lincoln Rd., Miami BeachCirca 2007-2013The upstairs area at Score, you would enter through the back, on Lincoln Lane. They had a popular Thursday night party, and on some nights there were dancers. Paxton recalls visiting there, "The layout of this place was really cool! Saturdays were rocking because there were live bands on those nights. The decor is totally admirable. Painted wooden floor, glass walls, and sparkly blue ceiling. In the center, there were two grand bars with an excellent selection of wine and cocktails. Hot chicks, lesbians, and the gay boys, this place had everything."
Delicate Frank's
1685 Alton Rd., Miami BeachCirca late 1950sAdvertised as the "Gayest Spot on the Beach," it was known for the variety of performers, many of whom were cross-dressers. This space later became home to The Alley, Cas-Bar, The Coral Room, Freddie's Piano Bar, and Onyx (see listings.)
Diamante
1771 West Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2001-2002The bar was located on the second floor. This space was also home to Aria, Maze, and Salvation (see listings.)
Dinghy
323 23rd St., Miami BeachCirca 1975-1977The bar attracted an older crowd and offered slow dancing. An ad in Travel With Pride from 1975 invited folks to "Dance to the latest beat on the shimmering dance floor, drink at the ship-shaped bar, and admire the nautical décor."This has been a queer bar since the early 1970s, serving as home to BBC, Billy's Back Lounge, Billy's Backroom, Groove Jet, Joseph's, Little Al's, Miss Kay's, Rain, Teran's, and WOW (see listings.)
Dolce
1501 Collins Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2010-2011Alicia Keys once performed a set at this club which featured hip hop and Latin grooves. It originally opened as Billboard Live. Sky Bar (see listings) would take over this space.
Dream Lounge
1534 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2009-2013Mostly straight but hosted occasional LGBTQ events.
Duck's Den
Circa 1984
Duck's Pastime
323 23rd St., Miami BeachCirca 1978There was a buffet every Sunday at this neighborhood hangout. Happy hour from 4- 7 p.m. featured beer for 50¢ and bar drinks for 90¢. This space has been a gay bar since the early 1970s, serving as home to BBC, Billy's Back Lounge, Billy'sBackroom, Dinghy, Groove Jet, Joseph's, Little Al's, Miss Kay's, Rain, Teran's, and WOW (see listings.)
Eclipse
Eclipse1969 71st St., Miami BeachCirca 1992Located in an isolated area, this became a popular after-hours dance club. This later became home to Lucky's (see listing) which continued in the same format.
El Morocco Bar
32nd St. and Collins Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1954Located in a hotel/apartment complex that also included a restaurant. One of the many bars raided in 1954 by Miami-Dade County Sheriff Thomas J. Kelly
Equus
Circa 1999
Escuelita
1620 Collins Ave., MiamiCirca 1996Just south of Lincoln Rd., it had two floors and a stage. A 1997 New Times article read, "The sweet boys of the beach converge for a drag show and dancing in the gay Latin showplace, with hostess Electra."
EVO
645 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2020Held once-a-month parties for black men on the down-low. Bambu (see listing) operated at this location earlier.
Falcon's Lair
1654 Meridian Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1992-1994Attracted a mixed crowd of gays and lesbians, advertised as an "Alternative Club for Men AND Women."
Fifth (The)
1045 5th St. Miami BeachCirca 2009-2010Mostly straight, it occasionally hosted LGBTQ events. Every listing on Yelp cited how lousy the music was.
Five O' Clock Club
211 22nd St., Miami BeachCirca 1930s-1940sThis club, owned by comic and actor Martha Raye (a lesbian), closed during the off- season. At five o'clock drinks were on the house. It featured many big-name entertainers, many of whom were gay and friends of Martha's, who was also a lesbian.
Frankie & Johnny's
1766 Bay Rd., Miami BeachCirca 2002-2003A men's dance bar and cabaret, it featured drag shows. Frank Scottolini and John Ormento opened it. It was the first gay bar in the Sunset Harbor section of Miami Beach. Frank and John had previously worked together for many years at Twist (see listing). It later became Jade Lounge and Madiba (see listings.)
Freddie's Piano Bar
1685 Alton Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1972It offered a buffet every Sunday at 9 p.m. This was the site of gay bars going back to the 1940s with The Alley, Cas-Bar, Delicate Frank's, Freddie's Piano Bar, and Onyx (see listings.)
Frenchie's Pub
1614 Alton Rd. Miami BeachCirca 1964-1975
Fruit Bar/Fruit Palace
12th & Ocean, Miami BeachCirca 1987Original name/location of The Palace. The owner served juices and added the word fruit to the name of their place so as not to offend the gay folks who hung around thearea.
Gertrude's
826 Lincoln Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1995The bar hosted Beach Bingo with 100% of the $5 admission going to CRI, a non- profit AIDS research organization. Also, hosted breakfast meetings for the South Beach Business Guild each month.
Glam Slam
1235 Washington Ave., Miami Beach Circa 1994-1998Prince opened the club and held an after-party after one of his concerts. He seems to have lost interest in it soon after opening and it continued without much focus. In 1996, after a drug raid, the Miami Beach Police shuttered the club. This space was also home to Club 1235, Mansion, Paragon, Level, and Z (see listings.)
Glass Menagerie (The)
8000 Biscayne Blvd., Miami BeachCirca 1975Located in the 8000 Resort. This space was also home to Mr. D's and Stonewall Too Disco (see listings.)
Groove Jet
323 23rd St., Miami BeachCirca 1998-2001Gay-friendly, dancing, and entertainment billing itself as "the only club that matters," Groove Jet was one of the trendiest hot spots on the planet. Voted the best dance club in Miami, late-night revelers started pouring in around 2 a.m. Danny Tenaglia was the resident DJ. Just a block off the beach, it had three rooms with five bars, three dance floors, and the outdoor Crystal Lounge, named for the tiny mirror shards decorating every square inch. The celebrity clientele included Matt Dillon, Leonardo Di Caprio, and Marilyn Manson. This space has been a gay bar since the early 1970s, serving as home to BBC, Billy's Back Lounge, Billy's Backroom, Dinghy, Duck's Pastime, Joseph's, Little Al's, Miss Kay's, Rain, Teran's, and WOW (see listings.)
Halo Lounge
1625 Michigan Ave., Miami BeachCirca early 2008-2018Halo Lounge was opened by Babak Movahedi with Jason Tamanin as the general manager. Edison Farrow recalls, "It was a beautiful, upscale lounge with DJs, a great happy hour, and a very attractive staff. I was the promoter for the Friday night party that became the busiest night of the week. On Fridays, we had DJ Bryan Zero, Pussila as hostess and performer, and guest drag performers." Named "Best Neighborhood Bar" by New Times 2008, which said, "a must-stop on the gay and politico circuits, Halo Lounge is quickly becoming a favorite with straight locals looking for something a little out of the ordinary."In 2019 it changed its name to MOVA (see listing.)
Hamlet
1663 Lenox Ave., Miami Beach Circa 1988-1994 In 1991 the bar hosted a reception for six local artists who created a mural saluting Miami's diverse community on the back exterior wall of the bar.
Heaven
245 22nd St., Miami BeachCirca early 2000sKnown to be a very cruisy bar. An episode of the Spanish language television show "Que Pasa U.S.A.," about a Cuban American family, filmed an episode where one of the characters, Joe Pena (actor Steven Bauer, born Esteban Ernesto Echevarría Samson), goes to the bar to research gay life. This was also home to Club 245 and Onyx Room (see listings.)
Hi Room
Alton Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1960sA lesbian bar, it adjoined the Red Carpet, a men's bar (see listing.) In the book "Lonely Hunters: An Oral History of Lesbian and Gay Southern Life, 1948-1968", Rose remembers, "The Hi Room was dark, with a velvety look, immaculate and cool."
Hombre
925 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1993-96Owned by Bobby Guilmartin and Diane lannucci it was a quasi-leather bar. Electra remembers, "They had a large patio, and at the back of the bar, they had a slide show (not videos) of naked guys."
Icon
1235 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1994-1997Owned by Prince, its grand opening was Dec. 9, 1994. It was one of the big dance clubs in Miami Beach's heyday. This address was home to many other bars including Club 1235, Mansion, Paragon, Glam Slam, Level, and Z (see listings.)
Il Libra
Circa 1996
Indra Lounge (Wurk)
841 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2008-2012Mixed gay/straight dance club owned by Sammy Indra. Janelle F said, "The best part about Indra Lounge is that you could get a hookah while listening to super chill music and drinking at a full bar. Most hookah places only serve beer and wine." This was previously home to Stallions (see listing.)
Jade Lounge
Jade Lounge was in the former Frankie & Johnny's (see listing.) Euphoria Fridays was the gay night. Edison Farrow was the promoter. There were three rooms; the front room had a DJ playing 80s music, drag shows, and sometimes live bands. The second room had Latin music live drums and a saxophone player. Upstairs was commercial hip-hop and dance music.Edison Farrow remembers, "There was always a line to get into the upstairs room. Many gay celebrities attended these nights including Rupert Everett, the cast of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and Janice Dickenson." The venue later became Madiba (see listing) and the party continued there for one more year.Siren was its monthly women's night and was named New Times' "Best Lesbian Bar" in 2004.
Jade Show Lounge
192nd St. on the Ocean, Miami BeachCirca 1975In the Marco Polo Hotel, "The Gay Deceivers '75", America's most beautiful boys with Pryce Williams, Carmen Terrell, and Frost Martin. Shows at 10 p.m. and midnight, nightly.
Jam's Tavern & Grill
1331 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1995
Joseph's (on Miami Beach)
323 23rd St., Miami BeachCirca 1989A small bar that played progressive and house music. This has been a gay bar since the early 1970s, serving as home to BBC, Billy's Back Lounge, Billy's Backroom, Dinghy, Duck's Pastime, Groove Jet, Little Al's, Miss Kay's, Rain, Teran's, and WOW (see listings.)
KGB
637 Washington Ave., Miami Beach Circa 1998-2002 Café Con Leche was the gay night at this dance club. This was later the home of Cock (see listing.)
Krave
1203 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2004-2005A dance club. This space was also home to Club Zen and Loverboy (see listings.)
Kremlin
727 Lincoln Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1995-1997A dance club with shows. Advertised as "gay owned and operated."The layout was ingenious, making the place seem bigger than it was. At one end a large, stately bar sported all the elegance and mahogany ambiance of a drinking room inside an ornate old palace. At the other end, dancing go-go boys surrounded a loud, crowded dance floor.Edison Farrow said, "Kremlin was a fantastic bar with one bar in the front and a main dance room in the back. There were DJs and dancers. The dancers would also perform in the showers that were high above the back wall on a catwalk." Electra tells about a show she did there, "They had this chair that went across the dance floor, real high above, near the ceiling. So I'm doing a number in it, and the chair gets stuck in the middle. All the queens under me moved away toward the wall. I guess they were thinking, "If she's going to fall, I don't want her to fall on me." So I looked at the DJ and said, "Just keep on going.' And I did the rest of the show from up there. I also saw the porn star Rick Donovan, the guy with the 14-inch dick fuck somebody on the bar."The Backdoor Bamby event, Score, and Tunnel 1437 (see listings) also called this location home.
La Lechusas
21st St., one block west of Collins, Miami BeachCirca 1978-1982La Lechusas means "The Night Owls", it was a lesbian dive bar. Vivian Olivo remembers "It was owned by a trans couple. The bartender was Maria, but she presented as a man and was legally married to the entertainer Mario/Maria. He was going through a sex-reassignment surgery. That was the first person I ever met going through that in my life. They were truly in love with each other. Mario and Maria. You walked onto a dance floor with a bar to the left and pool tables down at the end of the room. It was mostly a lesbian bar, but men would come in for the drag shows when Mario would perform. She was known for imitating La Lupe, a Cuban performer."
La Madrague
1340 Collins Ave., Miami Beach Circa unknown Located in the Shepley Hotel.
Laundry Bar
721 Lincoln Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1999-2009A real laundromat with a full bar, DJs, drag shows, and live bands. Karen Olen opened it. Edison Farrow recalls, "You could do your laundry while having drinks and watching performances. Thursday night was the busiest night. It attracted a mixed crowd of men and women, queer and straight."Vivian Olivo used to go to the bar, "But, what I didn't like was that people would smoke and your laundry would smell like smoke. So, I never did my laundry there." Cathy Johnson adds, "I moved back from L.A. in 2000 and that became my spot because all sorts of people hung out there."Bar 721 and Black Sheep (see listings) were also at this location.
Leon & Eddie's
829 Biscayne Blvd., Miami BeachCirca 1950-1956Charles Barker moved his Hallandale Club Ha Ha show to this spot after his Hallandale club burned to the ground. Its ads touted "Gay Talent Night!." In 1956 Miami After Dark described it as "Once quite a gay place, this spot has been toned down by Miami's new blue laws. But there is still something for everybody."It was raided in a crackdown on gay bars in 1950 and all patrons were tested for syphilis. This was also the location of The Left Bank (see listing.)
Level
1235 Washington Ave. Miami BeachCirca 1999-2004Opened by Rick Lazes and Gerry Kelly 11-99 Four dance floors with state-of-the-art sound and light equipment, nine service bars, and six VIP areas. It would have a Sunday morning party starting at 8 a.m.Originally opened in April 1935 as The French Casino, it was built as a supper and vaudeville club, featuring cabaret acts and showgirls. This space was also home toClub 1235, Mansion, Paragon, Glam Slam, and Z (see listings.)
Liquid
1439 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1995-2003Friday nights and Sunday tea dances were popular times for this trendy club housed in an old art deco building with two music rooms and a large VIP room. It was synonymous with Washington Avenue's glam heyday of the late nineties when the notorious gang thug turned club king Chris Paciello and Ingrid Casares, Madonna's gal pal ruled Miami nightlife
Little Al's
323 23rd St., Miami BeachCirca 1979A disco attracting a Latin crowd. This has been a gay bar since the early 1970s, serving as home to BBC, Billy's Back Lounge, Billy's Backroom. Dinghy, Duck's Pastime, Groove Jet, Joseph's, Miss Kay's, Rain, Teran's, and WOW (see listings.)
Living Room
671 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1999-2000Located in the Strand Hotel, it was a lounge with a sexy atmosphere, dining, and dancing. The Sunday tea dance was held in the Moroccan VIP room with DJ David Solero. Wednesdays were uber-fashion industry nights.
Loading Zone
1426 Alton Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1996-2020A leather bar, that you entered through the back alley on 14th Court. It hosted monthly sex parties. The bar closed during the COVID pandemic.
Loft
1053 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2002A leather bar, part of the space that is now occupied by Twist (see listing.)
Loverboy
1203 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca unknownHosted "Factoria" a party with music by Sound Factory according to an undated flier. This space was also home to Club Zen and Krave (see listings.)
Lua
409 Espanola Way, Miami BeachCirca 1999Lua was a members-only club, an intimate affair where the in-crowd went to relax and chit-chat. Overstuffed couches and chairs, discreet lighting, and candlelight lentthis spot the air of an exclusive retreat, and there was usually a famous face or two among the patrons
Lucky Cheng's
600 Lincoln Rd, Miami BeachCirca 1997A drag performance restaurant opened by Hayne Suthon, the owner of the NYC location. It first opened on Ocean Dr. and later moved to Lincoln Rd.; it closed soon after the move.
Lucky's
1969 71st St., Miami BeachCirca 1995-1996A neighborhood bar. The was also home to Eclipse (see listing.)
Madiba
1766 Bay Rd., Miami BeachCirca 2009This club, which started as an event at Jade Lounge (see listing) before taking over the venue, was earlier home to Frankie & Johnny's (see listing.)
Mayflower Lounge
1716 Alton Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1948-1978In 1948 Billie Lee opened Billie's Backroom at the Mayflower. It was one of the first bars in Miami Beach where same-sex couples could dance. Gay men and lesbians, while both there, rarely socialized with each other. An ad in David Magazine from June of 1976 notes "Your hosts Tony Rinaldo, Roger and Julio."The Stonewall Archives has notes from Robin Bodiford in which she writes about The Mayflower Lounge, "...the women were served by a butch woman bartender named Lou. Ethel Merman once propositioned a woman at the bar."In April 1977 two police, supposedly undercover, started a fight at the bar and were suspended, when all the patrons, including a former police officer, testified that they did not identify themselves as police, according to The Miami Herald on Aug 16, 1977. This space would later house The Atlantic House (see listing.)
Maze
1771 West Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2003Lime was the upscale lounge inside of Maze. The design was sleek and modern.A gay-friendly dance bar, Saturday was gay day. Aria, Salvation, and Diamonte (see listings) also occupied this space.
Mexicana Club
Collins Ave. Miami BeachCirca 1950s-1960s
Middle Room
2232 Park Ave., Miami BeachCirca mid-1960s-1973The neighborhood hangout featured pool tables and pinball games. It shared the space with The Pin Up Lounge and The Nite Owl (see listings) It advertised "Three bars under one roof." One of Miss Kay's numerous bars (see listing) was located here for a brief period.
Miss Kay's 71 Bar
1220 Normandie Dr., Miami BeachCirca 1975Grand opening soon ad in April 1975. "Your hostesses: Annie (days) Miss Kay (nights)"
Miss Kay's (& Marie's) Hideaway
323 23rd St., Miami BeachCirca 1971-1974Miss Kay was a popular bartender from the late 1960s through the early 1990s. She had a mixed following of men and women. Lori Tanner reports that she ended up living in the abandoned Carillon Hotel. "Miss Kay was quite the character. She had a big white bouffant and used to drink Crown Royal. Nobody ever knew if she was a lesbian or not. I don't think anyone ever wanted to sleep with her. We never found out. I think she was married to Crown Royal."The bar later changed its name to Miss Kay's in 1972. Kay was later at the Blue Waters Hotel Lounge on Collins and 74th (see listing) and several other locations (see listings below.)This location has been a gay bar since the early 1970s, serving as home to BBC, Billy's Back Lounge, Billy's Backroom, Dinghy, Duck's Pastime, Groove Jet, Joseph's, Little Al's, Rain, Teran's, and WOW (see listings.)
Miss Kay's Lounge
Miss Kay's Lounge2232 Park Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1974The bar moved from the location on 23rd St. but didn't last long. His was previouslyhome to the Middle Room, Nite Owl, and Pin U Lounge (see listings.)Miss Kay's Lounge1137 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1977Another of Miss Kay's bars, this one featured Bernie Randall's Follies every Friday and Saturday. In 1977 it advertised "New show starts Friday, May 13: "Boys A La Carte" starring Jan Britton." Monday nights were 69 Nights when all bar drinks were 69¢. Later this would become the location of 81⁄2 (see listing.)
Miss Kay's Lounge
Circa 1992
Miss Kay's Zoo Lounge
Miss Kay's Zoo Lounge2457 Collins Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1979A bar with a pool. Freddie was a popular bartender.
Mother Kelly's
1405 Dade Blvd., Miami BeachCirca 1932-1940sOne of the popular bars of the era. Owner Robert A. Kelly, aka Mother Kelly, appeared in drag, doing an impression of actress and personality, Tex Guinan. In 1941 Time Magazine described him, "...fat male, Mother Kelly dishes up steaks, drinks and hermaphroditic comedy."
Mova
1625 Michigan Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2010-2014A late-night club, it was formerly known as Halo (see listing.) Both clubs were owned by Babak Movahedi. As Time Out said, "If you like your gay bars slick, posey, and full of pretty boys, your prayers have been answered. MOVA-formerly known as Halo- embodies stark South Beach minimalism with its white walls, shiny black bar, and red leather banquettes. Pink and blue lighting notch up the glitz factor. Needless to say, cocktails are more prevalent than brewskis." By May 2014 it was closed.
Circa 1972Nite Owl2228 Park Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1965-1977On Oct. 1, 1977, it invited everyone to "Celebrate Sally's birthday and first anniversary at the Nite Owl." It shared the space with The Pin Up Lounge and The Middle Room (see listings) and advertised itself as "Three bars under one roof. Something for guys and gals." This was also the location of one of many of Miss Kay's bars (see listings) and is now the location of the upscale boutique Kayak Hotel.
Normandy Lounge
1220 Normandy Dr., Miami BeachCirca 2011-2012A small storefront neighborhood bar. This location was formerly home to Boy Bar (see listing.)O.J.'s2305 NW 107th St., Miami BeachCirca 1989
Onyx
1685 Alton Rd., Miami Beach Circa 1960s Lonely Hunters: An Oral History Of Lesbian And Gay Southern Life, 1948-1968 called it, "A swank, hot, touristy club that featuring nationally known female impersonators such as Charles Pierce..." It adjoined the Coral Bar, a lesbian club (see listing.) It lost its liquor license after a series of raids on gay bars in 1962. This space was also home to Alley, Cas-Bar, Delicate Frank's, and Freddie's Piano Bar, (see listings.)
Onyx Room
245 22nd St., Miami BeachCirca 1999A dance club, gay on Fridays only. (this was also the location of Club 245 and Heaven (see listings.)
Our Place
630 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1992
Palace
1200 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach Circa 1988-2017Originally opened as a juice bar called Fruit Palace (see listing.) Edison Farrow recalls his time working for the bar, "The Palace was a restaurant on Ocean Drive across from the gay beach. They had drag shows and a popular Sunday afternoon party. It closed and then reopened as another restaurant that only lasted for a few months. Henry and Douglas re-opened The Palace and owned it for a few years, Thomas Donall later bought it from them. I was the promoter for the Sunday tea dances with DJs and drag shows. We would stop traffic on Ocean Drive with dancers performing in the street."Vivian Olivo recalls, "It really wasn't a bar, it was a place to eat, watch the dragshows, and be seen."It closed in its original location in 2017 when the building was sold, and it moved two blocks away to its current locale (see listing below.)
Pandora's Box
Circa 1980 A lesbian bar.
Paragon
A dance club, it was the place to go on the weekend. The space was previously home to many other bars including Club 1235, Icon, Glam Slam, Level, Mansion, Pump, and Z (see listings.)Miami beach icon Kitty Meow recalls, "When Paragon opened, they had this big cattle call. They said, 'Okay, you all get out there and dance." At Torpedo, I'd met James St. James, part of New York's club scene, and he told me 'If you really want to work the clubs, you have to work the door.' So I said, 'I'm not here for that, I want to work at the door.' They gave me a little text, and I used to look at all these celebrities in magazines... and they gave me the door. Comes the grand opening and I'm working the door. That gave me so much notoriety in South Florida it offered me the opportunity to... travel all over the world, and I'm so grateful for it."
Paris Modern
550 Washington Ave, Miami BeachCirca 1989A late-night spot, open until 5 a.m.
Peacock Lounge
821 Lincoln Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1995This space was also home to 821 and Bulldog Road (see listings.)
Peg's Place
1049 Washington Pl., Miami BeachCirca 1999A bar known for its Sunday tea dance.
Phoenix
1125 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1994-1995A dance club, Mondays were two-for-one drinks and Adora hosted "Out of the Fire."Piano Lounge113 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach Circa 2011-2012A mixed gay/straight piano bar.
Pin-Up Lounge
2228 Park Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1978-1981A neighborhood bar., in 1971 Dick and Bob were your hosts. It celebrated its 6th anniversary on Oct. 7, 1975. “Bobby, Wayne, Walter, and the crew invite you to join the fun." It changed locations in 1982 reopening as Pin Up II (see listing below). This is now the location of the upscale boutique Kayak Hotel.
Pin-Up II
22 Ocean Dr. Miami BeachCirca 1982-1983After the original Pin Up Lounge (see listing above) closed in 1982, it reopened for a brief time at this location.
Ready Bar
560 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1996-2000New Times reported in Dec. of 1996, that the club's Sunday night Mulberry party featured, "Special guest drag queens Adora, Taffy, and Marvella both perform at and host the all-out extravaganza with a special performer each week -- anything from a fire eater to a contortionist -- adding to the gaiety. But why stop there? Stick around for Ready's late-night Sunday party "Recycle," with lounge-y tunes by DJ Top Cat
Red Carpet Lounge
Alton Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1957-1960sAdjoined the Hi Room (see listing), a lesbian bar. A newspaper at the time reported that, on April 6, 1957 "35 patrons of the Red Carpet Lounge on Alton Road were arrested for vagrancy by Miami Beach deputy Joe Gorman. Local TV stations were present filming the raid."
Red Square
411 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1998A cabaret.
Rex
409 Espanola Way, Miami BeachCirca 1997-2000A men's dance bar with entertainment. Lua (see listing) would later open in this space.
Rise
1230 18th St., Miami Beach Circa 2000A dance club.
Riviera Bar
908 71st St., Miami BeachCirca 1997
Rok
1905 Collins Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2004-2005
Rumpus Room
22nd and Park Ave., Miami BeachCirca: 1942Famed female impersonator Ray Bourbon appeared at the supper club that promised: "Havoc from dusk 'til dawn."
Salvation
1771 West Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1996-2001Open only Friday through Monday, it was one of the leading dance palaces in the late 1980s and early 1990s, often referred to as the Versace era. It was co-owned by Hilton Wolman, who produced many fundraising events in South Florida. This space was also home to Diamante, and Aria (see listings.) Randy Clark recalls, "Our apartment was in the building next door and the whole building would shake from the music from Salvation."Electra said, "I'm well known for my Bette Midler impression, and they were giving Bette the key to the city, and they asked me to emcee. I wouldn't do Bette in front of her."Later this would be home to the short-lived Maze (see listing).
Samba Bar
249 NE 1st St., Miami BeachCirca 1950sAmong the bars caught up in the bar raids of 1954. Bob Hardin and Dom Bonafede writing an "expose" in The Miami Daily News in 1956 about the after-effects of the raid, stated that they had negligible effect and that the "perverts returned to the same places." The piece described the Samba Bar, "A wavy-haired blond man walked up next to the reporter and ordered a drink. He made a suggestive remark and introduced another man as 'Mother'."Silver Lounge/The Grill (see listing) were also located in this building.
Score
1437 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2013-2020Elaine Lancaster ruled the roost at Score, owned by Andrew Delaplaine and hissister, Rene Delaplaine, who also owned Warsaw and Scratch (see listings.) New Times reported, "Since its inception, Score has been the epicenter of the well-coiffed and tightly muscled set."Cathy Johnson adds, "They were also very supportive of the lesbian community. They held benefits. They also had a karaoke night."Suite and Tunnel 1437 (see listings) also called this location home, the rear entrance was 727 Lincoln Rd. where Backdoor Bamby parties (see listing) were held. After closing, many of the folks involved began producing roving parties, many in the Wynwood neighborhood, which continue until the present day.
Scratch
427 Jefferson Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1990-1991Originally opened as Clayton's (see listing), a month later it changed its name to Scratch. It was owned by Andrew Delaplaine and his sister, Rene Delaplaine, who also owned Warsaw (see listing.) It was a restaurant and dance club, and billed itself as a "gay theatre bar"
Sea Gull
100 21st St, Miami BeachCirca 1987A hotel and bar with drag shows and a popular tea dance on Sunday. Cathy Johnson recalls, "It was right next to the gay beach (21st St. Beach), and we'd all go thereafter a day at the beach for drinks."Nikki Adams, "We called it The Dirty Bird." It was skeevy, but a good time
Secret Garden
161 Ocean Dr., Miami BeachCirca early 2000sA bar in the Stanton Hotel, there is no longer a bar.Semper's Underground860 Ocean Dr., Miami BeachCirca 1990s-2000A popular spot to stop in for karaoke with Kitty Meow. Organized by Mykel Stevens and Carmel Ophir, the duo responsible for the popular Backdoor Bamby club events.
Seven
685 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2008A multi-racial group of men frequented this dance bar opened by Dan Sehres and Jefferey Sanker and designed by Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone. It was a restaurant and lounge.
Shore Club
1901 Collins Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1994-1995Patrick Reilly and Dennis Doheney, formerly of The Copa and Paragon (see listings), leased the property from the Berkowitz family, kicked out the elderly Jews who lived in the building, and remodeled the residential hotel into a resort and nightclub. Its grand opening was on Columbus Day weekend, 1994, it was closed by the end of the year. Although it was operating again for a short time in 1995, under different management.
Sky Bar
1500 Collins Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2020-presentUnlike the 1950s, when gays had to be on the down low in downtown hotel bars, the Axel Hotel hosts a proudly LGBTQ bar. The rooftop pool, deck, and restaurant are LGBTQ dominated. Previously operated as Billboard Live and Dolce (see listings.)
Stallions
841 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2006Men, dancing, video, and a Latin night. This would later become home to Indira Lounge (see listing.)
Stonewall
211 22nd St., Miami BeachCirca 1971-1974The Miami Herald reported on March 3, 1974, "A fire destroyed the Stonewall Discotheque in Miami Beach Saturday, injuring three firemen before it was brought under control. 'It seems like arson. There were too many separate fires going at once,' Fire Captain Barry Rice said. Owner Larry Bochner said he closed the night spot and went home at 5:45 a.m.
Suite
1437 Washington Ave., Miami Beach Circa 2006"For a short time, this was celebrity central, with Paris Hilton holding her album release party at the club. Fergie and Venus Williams were also spied at the club. "Sleaze Sundays" was a popular night. Score and Tunnel 1437 (see listings) also called this location home, the rear entrance was 727 Lincoln Rd. where Backdoor Bamby parties (see listing) were held.
Surfcomber
1717 Collins Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1975Known for its Sunday tea dance.
Swirl
1047 Washington Ave., Miami Beach Circa 1997-2000A dance club attracting men and women.
Tantra
1445 Pennsylvania Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2009-2010Owned by Tim Hogle, Monday nights were the hot nights to attend this restaurant and nightclub, which also offered hookahs.
Tavern on the Beach
1799 Collins Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1989-1995Popular for its Sunday tea dance.
Temptations
1532 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1999-2002This was previously the location of Zep Tepi (see listing.)
Teran's
323 23rd St., Miami BeachCirca 1987-1988A late-night bar with strippers and dancing. This has been a gay bar since the early 1970s, serving as home to BBC, Billy's Back Lounge, Billy's Backroom, Dinghy, Duck's Pastime, Groove Jet, Joseph's, Little Al's, Miss Kay's, Rain, and WOW (see listings.)
Tony Pastor's
634 Collins Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1930-1950Drag shows were part of the nightclub act for a primarily straight audience in the bar front by the band leader and radio star. In the 1990s Torpedo Bar (see listing) would open in this spot.
Torpedo Bar
634 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Tunnel
1437 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1999-early 2000sScore and Suite (see listings) also called this location home, the rear entrance was 727 Lincoln Rd. where Backdoor Bamby parties (see listing) were held.
Ultraviolet
1201 Washington Ave., Miami Beach Circa 1997
Vivid
743 Washington Ave., Miami BeachCirca 2000Attracted a mostly Latinx crowd. Fashion show with host Ernesto Arambatzis and house DJs Dean Drake and Tracy Young. Sayra Moto was the club's events promoter.
World of Women
323 23rd St., Miami BeachCirca 1994The bar hosted women's parties. This has been a gay bar since the early 1970s, serving as home to BBC, Billy's Back Lounge, Billy's Backroom, Dinghy, Duck's Pastime, Groove Jet, Joseph's, Little Al's, Miss Kay's, Rain, and Teran's (see listings.)
Wagon Wheel Pub
1211 17th St., Miami BeachCirca 1976The grand opening was held on May 22, 1976, with the return of Donnie Jay the queen of high camp and the original Great Pretenders.
Warsaw (Ballroom)
1450 Collins Ave., Miami BeachCirca 1987-2012This was a very large dance club. Boy George was the featured performer on New Year's Eve. In 1989 Andrew Delaplaine took over the lease on what had been the China Club (see listing) and renamed the club the "Warsaw Ballroom." Warsaw transformed itself into the center of the buff-boy universe in 1989. The interior was re-designed by George Tamsitt in 1991 for Warsaw's second anniversary. Cathy Johnson remembers, "It had a big dance floor and a seating area in the back and Sunday was a special night."Celebrities such as Suzanne Bartsch, Louis Canales, and Gianni Versace came to the club attracted by artistic pseudo-S&M performances that degenerated into the real thing being performed on-stage, requiring the owners to kill the lights and separate the performers, to strippers whose act consisted primarily of allowing patrons to extricate 30-foot ribbons from various orifices-all generating an unending list of warnings, citations, and fines from the city.In 1995 it held a "Mr. Hard-On Pageant and later that weekend a Red-Hot Ball with Electra and a cast of Marilyns for "Some Like It Hot" and a Marilyn Look-A-like contest.Electra says, "Boy George saw me at Warsaw and took me to London to open for him. Versace also saw me there. He and his lover used to go there all the time. He hired me to perform as Elton John for Elton John's birthday."This was also the location of Ovo (see listing.)
Weekend Club
924 Lincoln Rd., Miami BeachCirca 1997-1998A neighborhood hang out.
Z
1235 Washington Ave., Miami Beach Circa 1984Originally opened in 1935 as The French Casino, it was a supper and vaudeville club, featuring cabaret acts and showgirls. By 1937, the interior was converted to a motion picture house by adding 1,000 seats. It was re-designed by noted architect Thomas Lamb, at a staggering cost of $3 million for that era and renamed the Cinema Casino Theatre. When Miami Beach went through a low period in the 1960s and 1970s, the building's owners wished to demolish the lobby and convert it into three separate stores. Local preservationists stepped in and convinced the owners to close off the entire auditorium and upper lobby mezzanine and turn the lobby into storefronts.
