One of the Country’s Hottest Supper Clubs Debuts Its Third Location in Miami
Ever since I moved to Miami in 2020, there has been a looming question over what would take over the iconic WALL Lounge at the W South Beach. Now, it’s safe to say it was well worth the wait as Mary Lou’s — perhaps the hottest dining concept in America — has found its new Miami Beach home in the former WALL Lounge space. On the heels of Mary Lou’s immense success in Palm Beach and Montauk, the Miami opening is set to be one of the biggest openings this season.
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The story of Mary Lou’s Miami begins with an incredibly powerful alliance: co-founders Joe Cervasio, Topher Grubb, and Alex Melillo—the visionary trio behind Mama Hospitality—have joined forces with Jamie Reuben of the globally renowned Reuben Brothers luxury real estate group. The partnership came together through Myles Shear of Palm Tree Crew, a strategic partner of Mama Hospitality, who recognized the potential for something extraordinary when he introduced Reuben to the co-founders.
The chemistry was immediate. Reuben, impressed by the supper club’s meteoric rise and the team’s unwavering commitment to unmatched hospitality and unforgettable experiences, entrusted them with one of Miami Beach’s most coveted spaces: the former WALL lounge at W South Beach, which has sat dormant since 2020.
This isn’t the first time the Mama Hospitality team has breathed new life into a beloved cultural landmark. The flagship Mary Lou’s Palm Beach location transformed the historic Berto’s Bait and Tackle into the hottest ticket in town. Then came Mary Lou’s Montauk, which became the most successful hospitality venture to date at 474 West Lake Drive, cementing the brand’s reputation for creating destinations that transcend typical nightlife offerings.
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What sets Cervasio, Grubb, and Melillo apart is their grounded approach to hospitality, combined with a keen understanding of nightlife’s ever-evolving landscape. They don’t just open venues—they create cultural moments that bridge past and present with remarkable ease.
At the heart of every location is the captivating story of Mary Lou Curtis herself—the late grandmother of co-founder Alex Melillo and an unapologetic force in the Palm Beach fashion scene. Curtis wasn’t just a boutique owner; she was a style savant whose influence shaped the aesthetic sensibilities of an entire generation. Her boutique, La Shack, became legendary along the East Coast, enchanting some of the most iconic women of the 20th century. Jackie O., Elizabeth Taylor, and Betty White were among the luminaries who sought out Curtis’s bold, vibrant, and feminine designs.
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Curtis’s philosophy, encapsulated in her famous directive to “always have a sense of ridiculousness,” informs every aspect of the experience. As the concept expands from Palm Beach to Montauk and now Miami, her spirit remains the guiding force, inviting a new generation to expect the unexpected and embrace the extraordinary.
To understand the significance of Mary Lou’s Miami, one must first appreciate the cultural weight of the space it now occupies. WALL lounge at W South Beach wasn’t just another nightclub—it was an integral part of Miami’s legendary nightlife lore. Its closure left a void in Miami Beach’s nightlife ecosystem. The co-founders recognized that WALL’s legacy demanded a concept worthy of carrying the torch forward. Mary Lou’s, with its high-end cocktail lounge sensibility, world-class design, impeccable hospitality, and commitment to entertainment that surprises and delights, emerged as the perfect choice for this storied space’s next chapter.
For the transformation, the team enlisted Jason Volenec to reimagine the space in a way that honors both the Mary Lou’s brand identity and the seductive glamour synonymous with Miami Beach. The result is spectacular—a surrealist visual experience that fuses sensuality with sophistication. Walking into Mary Lou’s Miami is like stepping into a fever dream of luxury, drenched in animal print, rich patterns, and lush textures that create an atmosphere both familiar and fantastical.
But what truly sets Mary Lou’s apart is that hospitality always takes center stage. This isn’t about velvet ropes and exclusivity for its own sake. It’s about creating an environment where guests feel genuinely welcomed, where service is intuitive rather than intrusive, and where every detail has been considered to ensure an unforgettable experience.
For the Miami location, Mary Lou’s is debuting something entirely new: Mary Lou’s Society, a private members club that elevates the brand’s flair for the fabulous while rejecting the stuffiness of traditional membership clubs. The Society enhances the experience through carefully curated perks, benefits, priority access, and preferred reservations, creating a haven for a thoughtful, like-minded crowd.
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Perhaps the most exciting innovation is Mary Lou’s Beach—reserved exclusively for members of Mary Lou’s Society. For the first time in the concept’s history, the Mary Lou’s experience extends to Miami Beach’s coveted shoreline. The setup includes 30 chairs, complete with towel service and impeccable food and beverage offerings. This is beach-going redefined for those who seek the pinnacle of seaside indulgence.
Mary Lou’s Miami arrives at a pivotal moment for Miami Beach nightlife. The venue promises an idyllic setting for unforgettable moments, backed by an exhilarating lineup of talent and a commitment to keeping guests on their toes. As the doors prepare to open on this latest chapter, one thing is certain: Miami Beach has never seen anything quite like this.
