Gay Miami
Miami is the “Gay Riviera” of the United States East Coast. Enjoy a margarita and soak up the sun at Miami’s gay beach near Ocean Drive. When night falls, dance the night away at one of the city’s amazing gay and lesbian nightclubs. When you’re in town, don’t skip gay-friendly South Beach. The city has still maintained its reputation as the hotspot gay playground. Here you’ll find a diverse blend of tourists, giving it an International flair. The Atlantic Ocean borders South Beach to the East, Alton Road to the West, Sixth Street to the South, and Dade Boulevard to the North. Think “The Birdcage” with hot, tan bodies everywhere.
Gay Scene Miami
South Beach, or SoBe, is the heart of gay Miami. The gayborhood is flanked by the ocean on one side and a rainbow of pastel-colored hotels, restaurants, and bars on the other side. South Beach is home to the largest concentration of gay-friendly businesses and hotels in Miami and is the hotspot for nightlife and fabulous dining. Swanky meets sexy on the sun-splashed playground.
Coconut Grove was once the epicenter of gay and lesbian life in South Florida before South Beach took the wheel. The neighborhood still maintains its reputation as a gay-friendly area of Miami, just 10 minutes south of downtown on Biscayne Bay. Coconut Grove is home to the famous Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, which has hosted the annual White Party on occasion. Side note: Madonna called this pocket of Miami home for many years!
While not nearly as gay-centric as South Beach, Coral Gables is a cute neighborhood with trendy restaurants, shops, and a couple of lesbian and gay nightclubs. In South Beach, the gay beach is located between 12th Street and Ocean Drive. Just look for the rainbow flags. This strip of sand is dominated by gay men, who come here to see, be seen, and catch up on gossip from the night before. It's the heart of Miami's gay scene.
When to Visit
In South Florida, Miami is a fantastic year-round destination thanks to its tropical weather and plentiful sunshine. It's especially popular with tourists in the winter from "sunbirds"—those that live further north who escape to Miami and South Florida to take advantage of the warmer weather and sunshine.
The biggest LGBTQ events of the year in Miami include the White Party in November (an annual fundraiser for AIDS under the guise of a circuit party), Winter Party in March (an annual fundraiser for the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force), Miami Beach Pride in April, and AquaGirl in October (an event catered by and for LGBTQ women). The annual ArtBasel event also occurs in Miami each winter and draws in a very gay-friendly and LGBTQ crowd to the many parties and art events that make the festival so famous.
Gay-Friendly Activities & Attractions
Water sports
For those who enjoy sports and thrilling outdoor activities, don’t forget about Miami’s diverse water-based sports. Enjoy parasailing, jet skiing, kite surfing, windsurfing, and much more. South Beach has many areas where you can experience these activities at very affordable rates.
Miami's gay beaches
There's also the fabulous Miami gay beach on 12th street! It’s not very hard to find as it is marked with rainbow flags, and it is considered one of the must-go places. This gay beach is a haven for gay men, but you’ll also find stupendous amounts of lesbians and straights. Want to take it a step further? Check out Haulover Beach Park, one of the best nude beaches in the United States. This beach is 11 miles from South Beach, so a taxi or car may be too expensive. Thankfully, there is another cheaper option; check out the Route 120 Beach MAX as an inexpensive bus alternative.
Everglades National Park
If you have some time and you’re looking for a break from the pulse of the city, drive to Everglades National Park, where you can see alligator farms and take airboat rides through the swamp. If you take SW 8th Street all the way from downtown Miami, you can pass through Little Havana and grab some authentic Cuban food for lunch on the way.
Gay-Friendly Dining
These gay-friendly restaurants in Miami will give you some of the best dining experiences in a city famous for its fusion of cultures and food.
R House is a gay-owned business located in the contemporary Wynwood Arts District of Miami. This is a place where diners, imbibers, art mavens and music lovers come to enjoy a full sensory experience. The weekend drag brunches here have become locals’ new favorite place for tableside entertainment this side of the MacArthur Causeway.
Manolo’s is one of the most popular eating scenes in SoBe. Not particularly a fine dining place, it makes it a perfect spot to go with friends, family, or by yourself at any time. They have a very varied menu that includes breakfasts, sandwiches, brick oven pizzas, burgers, and empanadas.
Restaurateur Brad Friedlander and chef partners Peter Vauthy and Jonathan Bennett introduce Red, the Steakhouse in South Beach. Red, the Steakhouse utilizes classic, artfully created techniques, and phenomenal ingredients, as well as the freshest of meats to create an innovative and tantalizing menu.
Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife
To experience the best gay nightlife in Miami, you need to go to South Beach or SoBe. Here you will find the hottest gay bars and clubs in Miami.
Make sure to bring your sunglasses to this multi-story, warehouse-style club complete with an outdoor terrace in the heart of downtown Miami—you’re gonna need ‘em! The uber-hip space attracts a mostly straight crowd but has been known to attract many gay club-goers well into the afternoon hours (hence the sunglasses) on Sundays.
Sunset Tavern is a college type bar, mostly a lesbian place but college kids go all the time because it's across the street from the University of Miami. There is a small bar and a large outside patio area. The drinks are good, the people are great, and it's always a good time at Sunset Tavern!
One of the very best clubs in Miami Beach. If you love an international crowd and underground DJs, this is the place to be!
Safety
Miami is generally a very safe destination for travelers, and the many LGBTQ venues make it especially welcoming for gay and lesbian travelers. Like many other beach destinations worldwide, pickpockets operate on the beach and at the many seaside cafes and bars. Keep your belongings close, and don't leave bags unattended while taking a dip in the water
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