Miami/South Beach, Florida

Miami After Dark

With miles of dazzling beaches, year-round sunshine, posh waterfront resorts and eclectic Latin-American-fusion cuisine, it's no wonder that Miami attracts a steady clientele of celebrities, A-listers and travelers-in-the-know. But for all of her many charms, the lively metropolis's collection of nonstop nightlife venues are the real siren song for jetsetters. From swanky martini lounges to laid-back breweries, sultry salsa studios to underground jazz clubs, there's something for every reveler in this city by the sea. Here are a few of our favorites:

Ocean Drive. This iconic strip of beachfront real estate is the calling card of South Beach; Ocean Drive is lined in vibrant and meticulously restored Art Deco buildings featured on nearly every postcard you're likely to find in these parts. Boutique lounges and nightclubs spill onto the sidewalks from neon bungalows. Their umbrella-capped tables form a flotilla of dining and drinking options extending for blocks. Have dinner at the trendy Tides Hotel; sip mojitos at the Carnival-esque Mango's Tropical Café; and in the wee hours, meander over to the historic Clevelander Hotel to experience one of Ocean Drive's true late-night party spots.

Collins Avenue. Ocean Drive may get the most attention, but it doesn't own the night. Savvy travelers know to venture to parallel Collins Avenue for a slew of upscale nightlife options. For a sophisticated start, begin the evening at Plunge or the posh rooftop lounge at the Gansevoort South Beach, or head to the elegant Setai Hotel Pool & Beach Bar at twilight for a bottle of bubbly. To turn things up, venture to LIV at the Fontainebleau Hotel for international guest DJs, or to Mynt Lounge, an electric nightclub featuring go-go dancers and tasty (and yes, pricy) signature cocktails. Whatever your plans, don't skip the iconic Rose Bar at the Delano, one of the trendiest, sexiest and most iconic spots in all of South Beach.

Downtown Miami. Drinking, dining, dancing: you'll find it all in spades in Miami, where the biggest challenge is deciding where to go. To get your bearings, head to the swanky Sunset Lounge at the Mondrian Hotel for a dazzling skyline view at sunset. For a taste of history, head to Tobacco Road, a former speakeasy and proud holder of Miami's oldest liquor license, and pair your favorite scotch and cigar with nightly live music. To keep the party going on the weekend, wander over to Space Miami, a converted warehouse that's home to one of the area's most popular dance clubs for over a decade and counting.