8 Miami Spots For A Laid Back Date
Presented by
Monkey Shoulder
You can spend date night trying to have a conversation over a DJ’s set at the latest NYC-turned-South-Beach hotspot, or you can try something a little more low-key. Together with Monkey Shoulder, we’re helping you Stick It To Stuck Up on your next date, with these easy going Miami spots for a non-stuffy date. These all have the right combo of a fun atmosphere, a laid back vibe, and enough things to talk about that you won’t end up spending 10 minutes on the weather. Order something to eat, some Monkey Shoulder whisky to go with it, and get to know your date.
Bar Nancy is a nautical-themed neighborhood bar right in the heart of Little Havana. The inside is dark and cozy and the outdoor patio is the perfect place to sit and talk under some string lights. The drink menu is full of cleverly-named and unique cocktails - we’re partial to the nutty/cinnamon-y Banana Cannon. Grab a gourmet grilled cheese while you enjoy some live local bands, trivia, or spend the night debating which of their many cocktail garnishes is the coolest.
Sometimes you need a good weeknight date, and at 35% off whiskey all night, Whiskey Thursdays at Abi Maria’s is just the place to have it. This Downtown Dadeland spot has a menu full of Cuban-inspired dishes and cocktails, and the seating extends out onto the closed-off street, so it’s fairly easy to grab a table and unwind for a few hours.
photo credit: Tasty Planet
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If you’re looking for something different for your next date night, look no further than Finka Table & Tap. Sure, you can play it safe and order a plate of the famous Islas Canarias croquetas, but wouldn’t it be much more fun to split a pizza topped with them? This Tamiami restaurant has a menu full of combinations that should not work, but somehow do. And they perform a similar trick with the space, managing to make a big, trendy spot feel both comfortable and cozy, and a great pick for a first or fiftieth date.
photo credit: Karli Evans
While you can certainly pick up a few cuts of meat at the full-service butcher counter at Wynwood’s The Butcher Shop, that’s not exactly the part we’re recommending for a fun date. This combination meat supplier/beer garden/restaurant has a big outdoor area that’s great for a daytime hang. Alongside a huge collection of local and imported beers, there are also some great cocktail options like the Monkey on a Mule (made with Monkey Shoulder whisky) to help you wash down their burgers and sausages, all prepared and made in-house.
Coyo Taco has popped up all over Miami, but the original Wynwood location is still a solid place to grab some of the city’s best tacos. It’s an order-at-the-counter, find-your-own-table kind of restaurant, so is great for a casual lunch date. For a different atmosphere, go on a weekend night and visit the not-so-secret speakeasy in the back. It’s got a full bar and a dancing area that’s always packed, so take a date you’re comfortable getting very up close and personal with.
Ariete’s back patio, framed by some of Coconut Grove’s lush greenery all done up in string lights, is probably one of the most romantic settings in Miami. With a mix of Cuban, French, and American fusion dishes, the cuisine here is probably best described as Miami. Where else can you pair caviar with citrus churros? While there’s plenty about Ariete that feels upscale, it’s also pretty down-to-earth and can just as easily be a casual neighborhood spot to grab a drink at.
This new hotel puts you right in the middle of Miami Beach without feeling like you’re in the middle of Miami Beach. The art deco building is kind of tucked away and secluded, so it’s great for a romantic staycation when you’re not really trying to hear Pitbull blasting at two a.m. Layla, the hotel’s Middle Eastern-style restaurant, is open for non-guests too, so check it out if you’re just looking to have a drink or bite on a quiet rooftop by the water.
What was once the oldest bar in Miami has been revamped (and relocated) by the team at Kush Hospitality. No, it’s not the real Tobacco Road, a sentiment the spot acknowledges with a big painted sign and a signature drink by the same name. Still, it’s a fun, low-key bar in Brickell, which is hard to come by. The drink names and presentations are great conversation starters for a first date, and, when it inevitably goes really well, it’s good to know the bar stays open late every night.