South Beach Photo Album
& Scene Articles

December 2002

Global-scene -
South Beach

HOPE GAINER

The high-season has barely begun, and I am exhausted already. Truth of the matter is that South Beach has become a 12-month-long hotspot! No downtime to relax and slack anymore.

The 2002/3 season is off to a flying start. First we had Mick and his Rolling Stones doing their thing for the masses at American Airlines Arena in Miami. The limos were stacked three deep outside. Later that night they jammed impromptu in B.E.D. for a smaller group of trendoids. Mick supposedly also made a pitstop at Fuacata, at Hoy Como Ayer, the underground Latin spot that rocks in Little Havana. Ben and J Lo have been seen out and about strolling and smooching. And in her spare time, J Lo even managed to drop $9 mil on a little pad on North Bay Road, the street of many highroller residences. Roberto Cavalli, the Italian designer of sexy stuff, put on a chic private show that attracted the likes of Cindy Crawford, Enrique Iglesias, Paulina Rubio, plus Gloria and Emilio Estefan among others. Yoko Ono was in town to show her art at MOCA. Prince Albert had some charity dos for a couple days. And even ex-Prez Bill has been hanging out. Of course, Willy can't resist the South Beach scene… and I'm sure you won't be able to either!

Gear up and fasten your seat belt for another wild ride on good ole South Beach! Here's how the scene stacks up at press time. Every day is a new day of openings so get a hip local to update you upon arrival in our wonderful land of paradise. But visitor beware, travel to South Beach on an off-weekend. Three-day/holiday weekends have become way too crazy to enjoy this hotspot the way it was intended.

NOTEWORTHY NEWCOMERS

  • PRIVE (ultra private club within Opium Garden - rocks on Friday nights)
  • LA PIAGGIA (private beach club for lunch, sunset drinks or dinner)
  • AUTOMATIC SLIMS (laid-back spot for Tuesdays)
  • SAGAMORE HOTEL (hotel/art gallery - early Friday evenings for cocktails or anytime to sleep in one of the fab suites)
  • BARTON G (fine dining at its best in a cool house)
  • JERRY'S FAMOUS DELI (24/7 with an endless menu - an LA transplant)
  • WORLD PIE (pizza, etc. from the Hamptons in kitschy digs)
  • CAFETERIA (coming soon from NYC)
  • SATINE (newly renovated Diplomat from Hollywood - hot on Thursday nights)
  • MERRICK PARK (Coral Gables chic shopping center)
  • OXYGEN (Coconut Grove - for younger grove groupies)
  • RITZ CARLTON (Coconut Grove - for a touch of class for any age; nice lobby bar & Amadeus for a cigar with your martini)

    STILL HOT!

  • NOBU (most expensive sushi in town in Shoreclub Hotel; great people watching at the bar)
  • MYNT (tough to get past the velvet ropes, but worth it once inside)
  • RUMI (dinner, drinks or lounging around)
  • NIKKI BEACH (on Sundays for the best outdoor scene from noon to midnight. Don't miss the teepees out back)
  • PEARL (think shagadelic orange with good food and chic champagne lounge)
  • Satine (inside Diplomat is hot on Thursdays)
  • CROBAR (Mondays anything goes and weekends still rockin)
  • B.E.D. (Wednesday eves for sexy, high-energy hip crowd)
  • SHORECLUB (Ian Schrager of the Delano took over so expect the scenesters)
  • DELANO (Wednesdays for a cocktail in the Rose Bar or anytime to see the best of Philippe Starke design)

    CLASSICS

  • SMITH & WOLLENSKY (perfect for sunset and boat watching any day, with a great view of Fisher Island, the wealthiest residential area in America.)
  • THE PALM (new digs in Coral Gables at Merrick Park - after you shop til you drop, splurge on the best steaks and lobster you come to expect from any Palm establishment.)
  • THE TIDES (classy and hip piano bar lobby lounge and great dining on the steps or in 1220 - the scene when you don't want to be seen - celebs have their own private VIP entrance to special suites)
  • CARPACCIO (Bal Harbour dining and people watching any time)

    • South Beach