Miami Nightlife

Partying Professionals

by Tracy Block on May 07, 2009 at 07:16AM

It ain’t always easy working for the weekend. Admit it, sometimes you need that one night out to get you to Friday. For those of you in South Florida who are looking for strong drinks, top-of-the-line sound systems and a crowd who will do its very best to convince you staying out until 5 a.m. on a workday won’t hurt come sunrise, this one’s for you. For professional partiers and partying professionals, your guide to spring and summer’s hottest reoccurring weeknight gigs.

Black Sunday

Dylan Thomas once wrote “Rage, rage against the dying of the light,” urging the fight against death and darkness. It might sound morbid to condone the embrace of these two things, but Black Sunday at Bella Rose was birthed on a ‘howl at the moon’ concept. Nightlife mastermind Alexis Mincolla created the gig for the anti-elites. Not to say they’re not elite, but this party is for SoBe rebel rousers ready to cause ruckus. Embrace the night as Mincolla sets the tone with eerie aesthetics: his own makeshift murder movies (they’re fictitious, but artistic genius) and guest DJs from his Filofax of endless entertainment. No velvet rope, no rules. Black Sundays have been hot since last summer, so they must be doing something right (insert Cocaine Cowboys reference here).

Karaoke Monday

Burgers, beers and good beats (depending on the vocalist). Two-month-old 8 oz. Burger Bar on Miami Beach is serving up all-beef patties, special sauce and a side of Karaoke on Monday nights beginning at 9:30 p.m. Take a night off from the club and go for the grub. Paul’s the man to ask for at the bar, he’ll hook you up with one of his handcrafted cocktails like the Margarita Bandita with a kick of jalapeno and a punch of cilantro, or a Lost in Translation, one for the citrus-and-whiskey lovers. Don’t overlook the microbrews (they’ve got Blue Moon, Dogfish, Seadog, Rogue, Terrapin), domestics and imports if you’re a fan of the hops. After you satisfy that appetite with a grass-fed burger or Niman Ranch lamb burger (two standouts), order up another round and warm up those pipes. Don’t worry, they won’t kick you out before midnight – unless you really, really suck.

Laidback & Local Tuesday

The thing about Purdy Lounge is that it’s outlived hundreds of Miami Beach venues throughout the past decade. Celebrating its ninth year, the regulars decided it might just be a genius idea to throw a weekly party for themselves. Hence the rise of Laidback & Local Tuesday. Three great things about this gig: no dress code, mashed tunes and the perfect amount of energy. Grab a pool cue or pull up a barstool, lounge on a couch or dance like fool. DJ Damaged Goods serves up sounds of Rock, Hip-Hop, House and Funk. No one really cares what you do, just as long as you’re not a downer. Bink and Steve (owner and manager) might not share too many tales – the stories are stuck in the walls – but they’ll join you for a brew. If you get out of hand, there’s a stocked supply of Blow Pops so you can cork it before you embarrass yourself (I should heed my own advice).

Dirty Hairy Wednesday

I’ve already boasted about this party in depth, but if you’re planning on heading out on a weeknight, reserve Wednesdays – it’s not an order, just a hard-headed suggestion. Chances are you’ll thank me later. If you are a self-proclaimed electronic music citizen of the world, then you need to start penciling this bash into your rage agenda. For experienced beatheads, Dirty Hairy at LIV is the place you can come for a reprise of your favorite DJs or finally catch a dedicated set live in action. Smuggle in a flask and round up that crew, you know those kids mom still doesn’t approve of even though you’re 26 (still acting like a misfit though). Dirty Hairy has conquered the scene with well-deserved praises for its legendary corruption, with featured artists past: Diplo, Chromeo, Fischerspooner, Holy Ghost!, Flosstradamus, Beacher’s Madhouse, Steve Aoki; and future: The Juan MacLean (May 27), The Japanese Popstars (June 3) and MSTRKRFT (July 1). The death of Dirty Hairy won’t be creeping up anytime soon.

Dine-In Theater Thursday

You’ve spent more nights sloshed at B.E.D. (and in bed) than you care to rehash, so the creative minds at the gastro-lounge have joined forces with New Concept Video to give your legs and liver a well-deserved break. With the launch of B.E.D.’s Dine-In Theater, you can reserve dinner seating with a prix-fixe tapas menu and blockbuster for $30 per person. B.E.D.’s kicking off the series with a proverbial bang: mobster movie May. The flicks are cast onto six-foot projection walls along with a Dynacord Alpha Concept Sound System while you kick back in oversized beds for the full experience. Executive Chef Freddy Vega is serving up complimentary truffle-butter popcorn and gourmet chocolates, where a champagne or wine pairing package is an easy palate pleaser. Lucky for you, B.E.D.time just got an upgrade.

…As for Friday and Saturday, well you can’t be that ill-informed. Can you?