You know what’s better than a martini? A martini with a side of spicy rigatoni. Or chicken wings with herbed Greek yogurt and Tuscan-style hot sauce. At these spots, you may show up for the drinks, but you’ll stay for the equally delicious snacks (and full-on meals).
5 Cocktail Lounges Where the Food Is as Good as the Drinks
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Published Feb 22, 2019
Photo by Danny Valdez
Cafe La Trova
We’ll go anywhere that James Beard Award–winning chef Michelle Bernstein is cooking. So we’re all over Little Havana’s newest restaurant and cocktail lounge. Together with acclaimed bartender Julio Cabrera, the spot serves expert-level rum cocktails alongside Bernstein’s sweet corn and chicken empanadas, paella croquettes and Cuban sandwiches. Plus, there’s live music almost every night of the week.
971 SW Eighth St.; 786-615-4379 or cafelatrova.com
Photo courtesy of Jaguar Sun
Jaguar Sun
Locals flock to this downtown Miami hot spot for its legendary bucatini pasta almost as much as for its pineapple daiquiris. Will Thompson, named one of Food & Wine’s best new mixologists in 2016, teamed up with former Momofuku and Per Se chef Carey Hynes to create Miami’s ultimate neighborhood drinking den. Swing by anytime for a killer lineup of exotic cocktails paired with oysters, Parker House rolls, spicy pork rigatoni pasta and even beef short rib.
230 NE Fourth St.; 786-860-2422 or jaguarsunmia.com
Photo courtesy of the Commodore
The Commodore
We’ll take any excuse to hang at this swanky cocktail den inside the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, especially when it involves prosecco rosé and cucumber mules paired with classic meat and cheese boards, ahi tuna tacos and beef sliders. Even better, happy-hour pricing runs until 7 p.m., making everything on the menu under $10. Don’t mind if we do.
3300 SW 27th Ave., Coconut Grove; 305-644-4680 or thecommodorecg.com
Photo courtesy 52 Chefs
The Jim & Neesie
Inside European-based Generator Hostel’s first U.S. location, the Jim & Neesie isn’t an ordinary lobby bar. Broken Shaker vet Gui Jaroschy leads all the food and beverage operations, bringing an eclectic wine list and cocktails like the Negroni Supreme (infused with pistachio and raspberry) to Miami Beach. Chef Daniel Roy, meanwhile, helms the kitchen, turning out dishes like charred asparagus with a crispy poached egg and truffle yuzu, and a burger with white cheddar and caramelized onions.
3120 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 786-496-5730 or generatorhostels.com
Photo courtesy of the Anderson
The Anderson
Sometimes we just need a tequila on the rocks and a buttermilk-brined crispy chicken sandwich with some of our closest friends. And the Anderson is more than ready to provide with its upscale cocktails and comfort-food menu. Be sure to save room for the fried banana split with guava and cream cheese ice cream.
709 NE 79th St.; 305-757-3368 or theanderson.com
