What to Do On New Years Eve in Miami

South Beach tends to be up there with New York and Las Vegas as a New Year’s Eve destination. And while some people come down here prepared to spend whatever it takes to make their New Year’s memorable, others are not so keen on spending a upwards of $200 on cover charges.

So why are clubs so astronomically expensive on December 31? And further, if you want to do something other than toast champagne indoors what are your options?

CLUBS

If you are coming here with the intentions of ringing in 2013 at one of our legendary hotspots, bring your wallet. And your friends’ wallets. And your rich uncle’s Black Amex.

In addition to traditionally bringing in A-list DJ talent for their NYE celebrations, our top clubs also realize many visitors are here to party like celebrities. So $250 just to walk in the door and get a free glass of Moet is just the cost of doing business.

FIREWORKS

If you are more inclined to watch big, colorful explosions in the sky, the City of Miami puts on a tremendous show over Biscayne Bay. The best places to catch this are either Bayfront Park if you are on the Miami side, or Maurice Gibb Park in Miami Beach. Parking at either of these places may be tough, so you may want to plan on walking.

If you want to watch fireworks from the sand, Miami Beach puts on its own display over the Atlantic Ocean. You can catch it from anywhere on the beach or Ocean Drive..

South Point Park, at the far southern end of South Beach, offers you the opportunity to catch both displays, as Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic are visible from some of the higher points in the park. Again, parking there may be next to impossible, but if you walk it’s well worth it.

OCEAN DRIVE

The City of Miami Beach closes off Ocean Drive for New Years Eve every year. So if you want to bar hop and have drinks while you wait for the midnight fireworks, Ocean Drive is a fun, free option. Free insofar as it costing nothing to stroll the street. You will still pay jacked-up New Years prices for dinner and drinks.

Still, the prices aren’t near how much clubs will be charging for drinks, and the restaurants are still far less than the traditional Prix Fixe options at some of our higher-end eateries. And at midnight you can just cross the street to watch fireworks over the ocean.

NIKKI BEACH

While clubs vary from year to year in the quality of their New Year’s celebrations, one spot seems to consistently draw rave reviews: Nikki Beach. If you’re the type who likes to be outside in December, and likes to watch fireworks as you toast, it’s the best club event in Miami. The outdoor restaurant/club has a reasonable entry fee ($75 this year) and tables are still reasonable in comparison to what indoor clubs are charging ($500 to start for 2 people, and that includes a bottle). 

And when midnight rolls around you can sit and watch fireworks from the comfort of your table in the sand, then continue to sip your drinks or dance until you’ve had enough.

Getting home from New Years in South Beach is always an adventure. Police are out in full force, and cabs are hard to come by. It is also one of the few nights a year most Miamians go out before midnight, and there may be a deluge of folks going home at 1 or 2. So plan accordingly no matter what your evening entails.

Your New Year’s Eve in Miami is what you make of it. Whether it’s a big club, fireworks on the sand, or a casual evening strolling Ocean Drive, make sure you know what you’re in for before you make your way down. The prices are high, and the crowds are immense. But if you know what to expect this New Years Eve can set the tone for an exciting 2013.

Related Categories: Miami: Nightlife, About the Author: Matt Meltzer is a featured columnist at Miami Beach 411. See more articles by Matt Meltzer. See more articles by Matt Meltzer Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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