The 17 best day parties in Miami to live it up in the sun

Ever sat in traffic on MacArthur Causeway and thought, “I wish I could pull over for the beach”? Boy, do we have good news for you! Take the exit on Jungle Island and find your way to Joia Beach, a glamorous hideaway on the edge of Biscayne Bay. Naturally, this place leans Tulum with low-lying couches, woven chandeliers, and an upscale tiki hut restaurant—but any pretensions fall by the wayside once you see the views. Dig your toes into the sand and stare out to the Downtown skyline, and you’ll almost forget you’re partying next to a highway.

Ready to take the plunge? The cold plunge, that is. Coffee & Chill is a daytime wellness party centered around big ol’ tubs of freezing cold water. Along with bottomless coffee and a masochistic cold plunge, your ticket also includes health and wellness giveaways like B-12 shots, skincare samples, and mini massages. Though Coffee & Chill is alcohol-free, the ambiance here is decidedly rowdy, perfect for groups and mingling singles.

Dreamed up by the creators of The Wharf (RIP), Regatta Grove is a sprawling waterfront lounge that’s great for day drinking and people-watching, too. The large center bar and faux green lawn have tons of elbow room, plus large-screen TVs and lawn games to keep you entertained. Snack on culinary creations by James Beard-nominated chefs, groove to live DJ sets, or curl up in a waterfront hammock and laze the day away. Swing by on Fridays for happy hour specials from 4 to 7pm. Open Thursday to Sunday, kids and dogs welcome until sundown. 

Castaway is a traveling daytime party run by a handful of local DJs and Miami merrymakers since 2014. Sometimes, Castaway parties take place on a secluded island; others on pontoons, or at Miami hotel pools like Sipsip Rum Bar in Coconut Grove. Wherever they may be, Castaway parties guarantee excellent music and a laid-back atmosphere that’s big on dancing and low on fuss.

Baia Beach Club is the kind of sophisticated scene you might find in Saint Tropez. There’s spacious day beds and stunning waterfront views, vibey lounge music, and Mediterranean brunch on the weekends at an adjoining restaurant, complete with seafood towers and bottomless French rosé. This place is refined, not raucous, though you’ll find plenty of out-of-towners making the most of their Miami vacation.

The iconic Palace—the bar that brought the drag brunch to Miami—delivers one of the wildest day parties around. On Saturdays and Sundays, reserve your seat for this mimosa-fueled live drag show, and after you’ve had your fill of eggs benedict and sassy, nimble queens, stick around for the infamous “T-dance.” When the lights go down, the beats turn up and the go-go boys go wild. Fri–Sun 11am and 2pm, Mon noon; $55 plus tax and gratuity

You woke up and chose Soca today? Welcome to AfroCode, the Saturday day party at Brick where you’ll be moving your hips to dancehall, hip hop and other international rhythms for so many hours, you’ll definitely need to pop an Aleve on the way home. The party runs from 4 to 9pm and is free with RSVP.

Nikki Beach may be a name known around the world, but it all started on a slice of sand along Ocean Drive. The party’s been going since 1998 and a $20 million renovation has helped to elevate this South Beach icon once again. Come in your chicest beach and resort wear to enjoy brunch, take a dip in the ocean or just lounge about as you sip rosé and vibe to the music (especially on Sundays) from 11am to 6pm.

You might come to 1-800-Lucky for the Asian smorgasbord, but you definitely stay once the beat drops. This is one of Wynwood’s best music venues, home to live DJ sets Monday through Sunday on the food hall’s outdoor terrace. Fridays are especially buzzy, when local selectors like Oscar G spin Afro-house with live percussionists. Enjoy happy hour specials Monday through Friday from 4 to 7pm with half-priced cocktails and sake specials, or book a private karaoke room for your very own 15 minutes of fame.

Miami’s infamous bastion for 24-hour partying, Club Space, slows things down every Saturday at 4:20pm (get it?) for a chilled-out yoga flow on the terrace, set to an always excellent mix from one of the house selectors. Come early or stay late to keep the blood pumping and party bumping, with endless opportunities to dance across the multi-floor megacomplex. If you want to tune in while on the road, each session gets released every Wednesday at 6pm on their YouTube Channel @officialclubspace.

On the mainland, R House has claimed its seat as the undisputed champion of lit weekend drag brunches. Hosted by Athena Dion, this fabulous, adults-only affair takes place every Saturday and Sunday, when the best of Miami’s drag performers flip and twirl all over R House’s expansive restaurant and outdoor patio. Reserve your brunch package well in advance: $60 gets you access to the show plus bottomless drinks (mimosas, sangria, mojitos and soft drinks) and a pre-set menu of Latin-inspired brunch hits served family-style.

Where else but at Ball & Chain can you dance to live salsa bands seven days a week—for free? Whether it’s Saturday or Monday, The Ball & Chain Trio takes the stage from 12pm to 6pm, and they’ll be having you vacilando in no time—though a few mojitos always help. Plus, when better to enjoy Miami’s go-to libation than while the sun is still out?

Pools in South Beach rarely come with an ocean view, which makes those at the 1 Hotel South Beach so special. There’s the family-friendly center pool, the more private cabana pool and the 18-story-high rooftop pool, but what makes this hotel such a weekend draw are all the happenings at Tala Beach. Located right on the sand, this Tulum-esque restaurant and lounge is buzzing Thursday to Sunday with DJ sets and themed performers, and occasional new-age offerings like spirit card readings, journaling, and full moon parties.

It’s like Miami Music Week every week at Hyde Beach, where the decibels make the pool ripple and the drinks never stop flowing. There’s bottle service and cocktails, of course, but what’s really helping you soak in the good times is the delicious Katsuya menu enjoyed from the comfort of your cabana. Of course, if the pool bores you, you could set sail with Hyde Seas, their premium yacht program that comes with all the bells and whistles of a boat day. Think great food, a live DJ and a stocked bar, as well as plus-up offerings like wellness features or water activities.

DAER Dayclub at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is the closest Miami will get to a Vegas pool party, even if you do have to trek it to Hollywood, Florida to enjoy it. This place has all the makings of a rowdy day party: spacious cabanas, Co2 fog machines, and mega-star DJs like Alesso and James Hype spinning from noon to night every single weekend. If you want to rage, then this is your place.

Part fitness class, part epic dance party, Daybreaker is a rollicking good time with all of the vibes — and none of the booze. This sober, community-focused event pops up year-round all over the city, each with fun costume themes, heart-pumping workouts, guided meditations and live DJ sets by some of Miami’s best selectors. Even better, all ages are welcome to join the joie de vivre!

Strawberry Moon is what happens when you blend Las Vegas sensibilities with a Palm Beach aesthetic. Or maybe that’s just what you get when Pharrell and Dave Grutman partner up. Regardless, you can expect epic rooftop pool parties Friday through Sunday at The Goodtime Hotel. Daybeds, cabanas and bungalows are all available for your enjoyment, along with pricey pitchers and a Mediterranean-inspired food menu.