On a recent random Friday, I had a friend in town so we decided to hit up some of the “typical” spots and enjoy an evening on South Beach.  There is never a lack of things to do in Miami, but when folks are visiting there are a few spots that most people want to go to.   First stop… the infamous Wet Willie’s on Ocean Dr.  This palace of liquored-up frozen drinks is a legendary spot in Miami, i.e., you cannot come to Miami and not go to Wet Willie’s!!  With over  20 flavors and unlimited combinations of frozen, slushy goodness made with 190 proof grain alcohol, it’s always a good time whether day or night.  It is open from 11am to 3am during the week and 4am on weekends and it is ALWAYS packed!  The most notable drinks at the two-story, laid back, inexpensive establishment include the Call-a-Cab, made with diesel 153 grain alcohol, rum, and cherry flavoring. Also popular is the Superman, a mix of Call-a-Cab and Shock Treatment (same as Call-a-Cab but with lemonade flavoring).  On this particular Friday night, we stop by Wet Willie’s and grab a couple “Superman” drinks…to go.  They also serve food at Wet Willie’s… wings, chicken fingers, fries, and the like which are all OK, but nobody comes to Wet Willie’s for the food, they come to DRINK!!  It is also a great place to people watch!

Second stop… Dinner at De Rodriguez Cuba.   This upscale restaurant featuring modern Cuban cuisine is helmed by James Beard award-winning chef Douglas Rodriguez.  Along with the amazing cuisine, they also serve great cocktails.  I had the Organic Half Boneless Chicken ($25 Grilled with chicken port glaze, served with potato spinach gratin) and my friend had the Rabo en Lata ($32 Boneless oxtail, tomatoes, capers, olives, spicy red wine sauce with cauliflower purée and Congri rice).  We both were happy and satisfied with dinner.  To complement dinner, we had a few Cojitos (Don Q coconut rum, lime, mint, fresh coconut).  I drank mine too fast to get a good picture lol!  They also serve traditional mojitos and a few other flavored varieties.  During their awesome happy hour, they have a selection of $5 tapas and all cocktails are also $5.  Happy hour is Monday thru Friday from 5-7pm.

Last stop…Prime 112.  Anyone and everyone in Miami or who visits Miami knows about this hot spot where on any given night you may run into a major celebrity, a beautiful starlet, or a few members of the Championship Miami Heat, who are all regulars.  At its essence it is an upscale steak restaurant.  And while they have amazing steaks, many of the most popular dishes on the menu include the amazing lobster bisque, crisp and refreshing daily special ceviches, and the Prime 112 chopped salad (with Romaine, Spinach, Hearts of Palm, Cucumber, Celery hearts, Grape Tomatoes, Asparagus, Smoked Bacon & Green Goddess Dressing).  All the food is amazing, the service is on point, and yes, the cocktails rock!  So even though you may have to wait a while for dinner, it is all worth the wait.  Since we were stopping by after dinner, we made our way to the crowded and always lively bar.   I order my favorite drink, the lychee martini made by Olga (one of the beautiful and friendly women that has tended bar there for years).  Along with our cocktails we enjoy the addictive crispy bacon which is their signature bar snack and which I think is the best and most innovative bar snack EVER!!

After hanging out and enjoying a few cocktails at the bar, we sauntered home…

Wet Willie’s, 760 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

De Rodriguez Cuba, 101 Ocean Drive (inside the Hilton Bentley Hotel), Miami Beach, FL 33139

Prime 112, 112 Ocean Drive., Miami Bach, FL 33139