The best bars in Wynwood, from HiFi listening rooms to cozy wine bars

Vibe: Record producer’s velvety basement den
Best For: Listening to damn good music

Dante’s HiFi is the place where your favorite DJs favorite DJ plays. Its location on the outer ridge of the neighborhood makes it an off-the-beaten-path destination. The most prominent feature of Dante’s is its wall of vinyl records numbering in the tens of thousands (the personal collection of the bar’s music director, DJ Rich Medina). Dubbed Miami’s first all-vinyl listening bar (at least, in the 21st century) this record-spinning joint is inspired by the high-fidelity listening rooms that frequent Japan; but that’s where our parallel ends. This Miami, and when the music’s right, you won’t keep us in our seats for long. In the later hours of the night, expect to be packed in there like a happy sardine trying to flag down a bartender for one of their signature highballs—unless you can score a coveted (and highly recommended) table reservation. 

Vibe: Indie sleaze with chancletas
Best For: Getting weird

The sign out front says it all: air conditioning, beer and cocktails. This long-standing, laidback haven in perpetually hot Miami hosts weekly karaoke and eclectic live music, DJs and comedy shows (Hannibal Buress and Eric Andre have stopped by for surprise sets), along with one of the city’s most stalwart drag nights. Plus, it’s home to a variety of local brews and boasts the best Moscow mule in the city.

Vibe: Party at grandma’s 😈
Best For: Dressing down to get down 

Purdy Lounge, Broken Shaker, Blackbird Ordinary, Beaker & Grey: If there’s a bar you love in Miami, Ben Pott’s has likely been involved. It’s no wonder locals and visitors alike embrace The Sylvester, whether for a “chill” round of happy hour cocktails, or a “chill” night that turnt up. Its location, closer to Midtown than Wynwood proper, makes it more of a destination than a place you stumble upon—and that’s one of the things that keeps this venue pure. That and the Old Florida vibes that come across through the tropical wallpaper, mismatched photo frames and vintage lounge furniture scattered around. Once that DJ gets on though, the promise of purity is long gone. 

Vibe: Inclusive dive with high-key creative queer energy
Best for: Living your truth under the disco ball

It was about damn time Wynwood got its own gay bar! Located in the former Shots warehouse, Willy’s is the place to go for the LGBTQ+ community in Miami, hosting weekly drag shows on Wednesdays, speed friending mixers, queer-led markets and so many themed nights (Madonna, Chappel Roan, the list goes on). But don’t get it twisted, it’s not all for twinks and rainbows! In addition to all the above, there’s a neverending daily happy hour ($8 well drinks and $5 beers until 10pm) and nightly lineup of stellar local DJs that falls thumpingly glorious on all ears. Best of all, you’ll almost never run into a cover charge. 

Vibe: Rainforest canopy on acid
Best For: Easing into the night

Higher Ground is located on the third floor of the neighborhood’s first and only boutique hotel, Arlo Wynwood, so you know it’s going to emanate a chilled, vibe-heavy atmosphere. The cocktail menu, curated by the award-winning Bar Lab team, features tropical patio pounders like the refreshing Above the Canopy (made with fresh aloe, cucumber and eucalyptus essence) and Palo Santo (a tequila-meets-pisco libation with chicha morada). Stop by for a tasty tipple during “lucky” hour (Thursday to Saturday, 5 to 7:30pm) for chicken wings and beer, ArLOL comedy nights on Thursday, or keep abreast of their social to find out about special events like vintage pop-up markets, tech happy hours and the ever popular STAMPED afro-beats party.  

Vibe: Urban tapas bar in a sleek industrial setting
Best for: Exploring wines unpretentiously 

Barcelona Wine Bar is one of Wynwood’s best-kept secrets, the kind of place that’s unpretentious enough to come to again and again, whether on a date or with an overflowing table full of friends. The restaurant boasts an award-winning wine program,  featuring nearly 400 bottles and 40 wines by the glass from over 70 regions, with half priced under $50. A big focus is on natural, organic, biodynamic wines, and guests can make their way across some of the best wine-making regions with custom flights of six or three-ounce pours. The menu also presents an extensive selection of tapas, from your usual Spanish comforts like albondigas and paella (various types) to more experimental riffs like chorizo with sweet and sour figs and one of the best grilled chicken thighs I’ve ever bitten into (with a generous dollop of sumac and aji amarillo). 

Vibe: Modern brewery meets old Havana glam
Best for: Drinking with the fam

As tends to be the case with breweries, La Tropical is a great family-friendly option for festive daytime drinks and snacks in Wynwood. With connections to one of Cuba’s oldest breweries, the glamorous brewpub lives up to its name: Its lush garden patio boasts rare plants and orchids installed in partnership with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The beer list is pretty extensive and pairs perfectly with the tasty Caribbean-inspired snacks like the crispy mojo yuca bites and Cuban sandwich empanadas. Try out one of their beer cocktails or take advantage of their full bar.

Vibe: Beer garden for sneakerheads
Best for: Watching the game with Miami bros

Wynwood’s take on a sports bar, Grails is a bit heavy on the bro energy but manages to draw in a fun, mixed crowd with its large patio, good-enough cocktails, friendly service and plenty of bar games. Drinks here come in the shape of Jordans of various sizes, like shot glass, personal cocktail and even a punch bowl for sharing. If you’re hungry, solid pub options like poke nachos and cheeseburger dumplings will get the job done. 

Vibe: Chill Argentinos (or just hanging like one)
Best for: Feeling at home in Wynwood 

Unpretentious and cozy, Ruka Winewood is very much a private oasis away from Wynwood’s typical hustle and bustle. Here, you’ll find indie wines sourced from every corner of the globe and bites perfect for sharing, like the much-loved Wagyu pastrami sliders, homemade focaccia and charcuterie, not to mention a divine homemade Basque burnt cheesecake adorned with local orange jam and strawberry wine jam. The vibes are lowkey and weekly live music is a guarantee.

Vibe: House music with a side of dumplings
Best for: Bao buns and bumpin’ beats

1-800-Lucky is a popular Wynwood destination for delicious Asian eats slung from kiosks in a 10,000-square-foot complex that somehow manages to still feel cozy and cool. Line your stomachs with sushi and dumplings, head to the bar for cocktails (the yummy frozen Tropical Kiss is served in a Chinese takeout carton) and prepare to vibe out; once the sun sets, tables on the patio are cleared to make way for the dancefloor. Everyone from Boys Noize to Danny Daze has played here (there’s a vinyl record store and bodega on-site, too). 

Vibe: Massive patio with nowhere to sit 
Best for: Wine, good conversation and no reservations

A night at Lagniappe feels like a backyard bash at a friend’s—if said friend had a spacious yard filled with mismatched lawn furniture, strung-up bistro lights and a rotating cast of ragtag jazz ensembles posted up in the living room. Stop in for a casual vibe that lends itself to intimate date nights as well as big group outings. Upon arrival, select your bottle from the cooler, bring it to the register and then head out to the yard to enjoy. The live music starts every night at 9pm. It’s that simple.

Vibe: Brewery with a bit of sazón 
Best for: All-day drinking with a distinctly LatAm flavor

Wynwood’s once thriving brewery scene has shrunken down to about two spots, and Veza Sur has always been among the best of the bunch. Following construction and cosmetic upgrades to the brewery and pub, Veza Sur reopens this December as Casa La Rubia. The energy here skews more towards a bar vibe (read: fewer children) than some of the other tap rooms around town. Highlights at this mainly outdoor spot (don’t worry, they employ several massive fans) include the chopp, their version of Brazil's popular crisp lager, plus a selection of beer cocktails. Pair your seasonal michelada with Latin-inspired plates for a perfect Sunday drinking activity.

Vibe: Bumping block party with bottle sparklers
Best for: Dancing and drink specials

Old-school hip-hop, sexy R&B and bass-laced trap beats can all be heard emanating from Brick, a day-to-night lounge nestled in a 1920s house with an open-air beer garden, bottle service and burgers. Reserve a table in advance or stop by for a more casual night out with your crew. Either way, expect reliably lit tunes and strong cocktails at better-than-average prices, like $8 Don Julio drinks on the old-school hip-hop-heavy Sucka Free Sundays.

Vibe: One night in Medellin
Best for: El Perreo

“Where can we go dance to reggaeton?” is a commonly asked question in Miami and the best answer is: Perro Negro. This legendary perreo discoteca made its way from Medellín to Miami, establishing itself as ground zero for reggaeton culture in the 305. It’s a whole experience, an epic sweat exchange under neon red lights as you grind up against whoever’s next to you with Feid or Wisin on blast. There’s always a cover but cuando el cuerpo te lo pide, you’ve just gotta give in. 

Vibe: Cozy neighborhood wine bar and market
Best for: A deep, intimate wine education

A cozy neighborhood spot in the Wynwood/Edgewater area is a gem, and that’s exactly what Brix is. This slender space boasts over 300 wines, a plethora of delicious specialty meats and cheeses and live music on some nights of the week. Brix’s true flex, however, is owner and sommelier Brian Atkinson, who hand-picks every item in the store and can make you feel at ease when walking you through the intricacies of every region, grape and vintage. Pro tip? In addition to themed tastings and educational events, Brix hosts a wine fair every month where you can sample 30 wines for just $30.

Vibe: Pasta bar with a sexy cocktail garden out back
Good for: Relaxed drinks and conversation on a cool night  

Otto & Pepe is a pasta bar and enoteca that specializes in natural wines. Beyond the impressive shop, pasta counter and dining room, though, you'll find a leafy, enclosed outdoor courtyard with low-slung seating and its own bar slinging expertly crafted tipples, including a delicious Peperoncino Margarita and a Truffle Negroni served with a parmesan cheese garnish, because snacks. 

Vibe: Calle Ocho meets Wynwood
Best for: You guessed it, mojitos

If you’re visiting Miami, you might as well stop by a watering hole that embraces the South Florida heat with refreshing libations and beach-inspired digs. Miami Mojito Company serves up quite possibly the best mojito in Wynwood with flavors like cucumber, passionfruit and pineapple in a colorful setting equally as upbeat as the DJs who stop by to spin. Enjoy happy hour Monday to Friday from 3 to 6pm, when mojitos, margaritas and mules go for 50% off.