Here’s where to see the best live bands, DJs and other performers in Miami.
Adrienne Arsht Center For The Performing Arts
Adrienne Arsht Center For The Performing Arts
Spanning two city blocks in the heart of downtown Miami, this performing arts complex boasts two separate major venues as well as black-box spaces. There’s also an on-site fine dining restaurant, Prelude by Barton G.
Insider intel “I go to Prelude for pre-concert-or even post. I like to sit at the bar, which is beautiful and comfy, and love the fact that they have a terrific selection of wines by the glass, as well as some small plates. It’s great if you are running to a show on your own and don’t have time for a meal prior to the concert. If I have more time, I’ll go to Bin 18 or Joey’s.” -Elizabeth Sobol, incoming president/CEO, Decca Label Group
1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. 305-949-6722, arshtcenter.org
American Airlines Arena
American Airlines Arena
This 19,000-plus-seater just south of the Arsht Center houses NBA champions the Miami Heat. It also welcomes tour stops by megawatt artists like Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift. A smaller space within, the Waterfront Theater, mounts acts drawing crowds of 3,000-5,000.
Insider intel “If there’s a really popular event happening, you can always hop on the free Metro Mover monorail and get off at a stop within a couple blocks. Two sure-shot recommendations for downtown before a concert: Soya e Pomodoro, which offers fantastic Italian food in a super-chill bohemian atmosphere, and CVI.CHE 105, which has killer Peruvian ceviche.”
-Aaron Fishbein, producer/musician (Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, the Notorious B.I.G.)
601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. 786-777-1000, aaarena.com
Fillmore Miami Beach
Fillmore Miami Beach
The local outpost of Live Nation’s Fillmore-branded venue chain, this 1,200-seat spot took over the historic Jackie Gleason Theater in 2007.
Insider intel “There are two places I frequent for dining before or after a concert: Rosinella on Lincoln Road for real Italian, or Yardbird, just off Lincoln, for great Southern cooking. For drinks, there’s only one place to go: Club Deuce.” -Woody Graber, president, Woody Graber & Associates
1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. 305-673-7300, fillmoremb.com
Grand Central
The longtime Miami indie tastemakers behind promotion group Poplife opened this independent downtown club in 2011, and quickly made larger booking forces sweat. Housed in a former train depot, this flexible, 1,000-capacity space offers nightclub and theater setups.
Insider intel “We take bands before or after shows to the Corner, which is a cocktail bar and cafe down the street, or to Will Call, another bar nearby. They’re great meeting points for locals and for a very late-night bite.” -Mario Arango, co-owner, Grand Central
697 N. Miami Ave., Miami. 305-377-2277 grandcentralmiami.com
La Covacha
La Covacha
Though it’s far off the beaten Miami clubbing paths, practically hidden in the northwestern Miami-Dade County suburb of Doral, this is the essential venue for young, Latino Miami. This is a requisite stop for any Latin urban or alternative act hoping to make inroads with second-generation Latinos.
Insider intel “It’s like a Caribbean village. They have all kinds of cocktails from Cuba and an outdoor stage.” -Kike Posada, director, Boom Media
10730 NW 25th St., Doral. 305-594-3717, lacovacha.com
New World Symphony
New World Symphony
This 26-year-old orchestral academy moved into its new Frank Gehry-designed digs in 2011. Featuring a circular concert hall as well as black-box theaters and other flexible spaces, it’s an accessible, comfortable place to hear both classical and new works.
Insider intel “The outdoor Soundscape park next to the main building is the best place in town to catch free movies and concerts.” -Lauren Reskin, co-owner, Sweat Records
500 17th St., Miami Beach. 305-673-3330, nws.edu
PAX
Short for “Performing Arts Exchange,” the focus here is on highly skilled, live performance. The programming leans toward the cross-cultural and bilingual, so expect to find the next upcoming fusion and Latin crossover acts.
Insider intel “The owner, Roxanne, and the staff treat each patron as a family member, making it hard for you to leave. The venue takes a risk on booking that probably no other venue in Miami would take.” -Roberto Somoza, president, World Clique public relations
337 SW 8th St., Miami. 305-640-5847, paxmiami.com
King Of Diamonds
This “gentleman’s club” in a former warehouse isn’t quite a venue per se, but it’s definitely the top late-night spot for the city’s urban-industry kingpins.
Insider intel “It’s kind of a drive up to KOD, but once you’re there, it’s quite the experience. Rick Ross had his latest album release party there. People are ripping open bags of cash and dumping them on the dancers. The environment is also very secure, which I’m sure is a draw for rappers. It’s really high-end, too.” -Liz Tracy, music editor, New Times Broward-Palm Beach
17800 NE Fifth Ave., Miami. 305-999-9500, kingofdiamondmiami.com