Looking for a low-key evening filled with great drinks and an exclusive environment? While Miami may have its share of top spots to check out that attract the mass crowds, there’s also a few hidden gems that offer the best of the city without all the crowds. Here’s a look at some of our favorite hidden bars in Miami: 

Bodega 

Photo Credit: Menin Hospitality

The South Beach hot spot was the first to enter the scene as a true speakeasy bar, and has quickly become one of the top nightlife destinations in the city. Seriously, what could be better than killer cocktails and tacos + an exclusive speakeasy lounge in the back? Not much, and that’s why Bodega is coveted by locals and visitors alike. With a hip taco bodega out front boasting the best Mexican bites in the city, through a secret bathroom door near the other side of the entrance, guests will enter through to find a two-level lounge bursting with energy. As you finish your night, make sure to grab more tacos for the road or stop by its sister bar, Ricky’s (which houses the NY transplant Artichoke’s Pizza), next door.

Saxony Lounge at Faena 

Photo Credit: Nik Koenig

While the opulent Faena Hotel in Miami Beach is by no means low-key or under-the-radar, its downstairs members-only speakeasy lounge offers the perfect refuge for an intimate night out with killer cocktails, a great crowd and hip music. Its door is one of the toughest in town, so if you’re not a member, make sure you know someone who is.

Employee’s Only

Photo Credit: Instagram: @employeesonlymiami 

The famed speakeasy bar, which originated in NYC and is known as one of the top mixology spots in the world, entered the Miami scene a few months ago at the Washington Park Hotel and has managed to maintain its low-key, exclusive status. The bar itself is hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for, tucked away in the back of a small stone house on Alton Road, emblazoned by its signature “Psychic” sign outside—which is the only way to know that you have arrived at the right place. As you enter, you have to pass through a thick velvet curtain, which hides the hip speakeasy in the back of the building doubling as a bar and a restaurant. Employees Only offers an extensive menu of inventive libations, but if you don’t like what you see, all you have to do is simply tell one of the expert mixologists what you’re looking for and they’ll whip you up something special. We promise it won’t disappoint.

Bar Centro at Bazaar Mar

Photo Credit: sbe

The sexy, Philippe Starck-designed bar tucked away toward the back of the beautiful Bazaar Mar restaurant located at SLS Brickell is one of the most beautiful hidden bars in Miami. Contrasting from its bright white and blue adjacent restaurant, the dark, black and gold bar is the perfect destination for an intimate evening sipping delicious cocktails and wines and enjoying light bites from the famed chef. The acclaimed bar is accentuated by its striking decor, particularly the large gold fish head popping out of the wall behind the center of the bar. In typical José Andrés fashion, guests can expect a lively experience, where Caipirinhas come out flaming with liquid nitrogen and margaritas are topped with salt air.

Anti-Social Room at ORA

Photo Credit: ORA

The top nightlife destination in Miami Beach houses a much cozier, intimate environment for those looking to escape the pumping music, flashing lights and flowing bottle service of the lively nightclub downstairs. Aptly named the “Anti-Social Room,” ORA’s upstairs lounge is the exclusive getaway for a night out with creative cocktails and live DJ sets in an intimate lounge setting.

Foxhole / Drunken Dragon 

Photo Credit: Instagram: @foxholebar

Known as the first speakeasy in Miami Beach, Foxhole, and its sister concept Drunken Dragon located next door, are a challenge to locate for those that aren’t in the know. With no signage outside, located in the back of an alley off of Alton Road, the after-hours lounge is the perfect vibe for those looking for a late night out without having to be in the mix of all the masses. Foxhole features a pool table, arcade games and a jukebox, as well as a large bar with tons of comfy seating surrounding it. If you’re looking to really chill out, you can also escape to one of the couch areas next to the TVs, which play a different old-school movie each night.