48 Hours: Miami’s Brickell area nightlife rises in popularity with residents, visitors

Posted October 17, 2017

By ERICA VAZQUEZ-BACARDI

Miami is one of the most famous cities in the United States, mostly known for the nightlife and beaches in Miami Beach and South Beach. But there’s more to this fast-paced city such as Miami Beach’s popular neighbor, Brickell and Downtown Miami. Brickell, the area just south of the Miami River and adjacent to Downtown Miami, has become one of Miami’s most popular areas for dining and nightlife. From the outside, all one can see is high rises and other tall structures, perhaps a smaller version of New York City, but there’s many exciting features about this district that make it the perfect place for a weekend vacation.

Friday

12 p.m., Enjoy lunch at Edge Steak & Bar

Located in the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Brickell, Edge Steak & Bar is a scrumptious way to start a weekend getaway. The restaurant offers a vast menu of American-style dishes, including high-quality cuts of meat, popular and unique seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables and sandwiches. For a light option to start the day, dive into the natural half chicken with brown butter, roasted garlic and thyme, arugula and Parmesan salad ($28) or the lobster and shrimp roll with Maine lobster, lemon poached shrimp and tomato jam ($19). Or go for the 18-ounce American 7X Ranch Boneless Rib Eye ($99), a cut that’s sure to satisfy anyone’s inner carnivore.

2 p.m., Relax at Exhale Spa at the Epic Hotel

Many hotels found in Brickell and Downtown Miami have spas to provide guests with the ultimate relaxation treatments. Exhale Spa at the Epic Hotel is one of the top spas in the area, offering more than 50 services varying from acupuncture, facials, massages, nails and waxing. A satisfying massage is perfect for getting into the vacation mood after traveling and the services such as the Fusion Massage, Flow Message and Deep Tissue Massage will definitely hit the spot. Prices for these services depend on the length of the massage, but they range from $30 to $220.

6:30 p.m., Dine by the ocean

Walk to east side of Brickell and you’ll run right into the Biscayne Bay with the ocean at your feet. Luckily, enjoying the view and having a delicious and intimate meal by the water is easy. With several dining options such as Crazy About You, Il Gabbiano, Area 31, River Yacht Club and others, there are water-front options for every palate. A visit to one of these restaurants in the summer at this hour will ensure a gorgeous yellow-purple sky before the sun goes down.

9 p.m., Visit Sugar at the East Miami for after-dinner drinks

Brickell is the go-to area for a Friday night with several bars, lounges and clubs in walking distance of each other. Sugar, ever since its opening in 2016, has been a hit in the Miami scene.  The Asian-inspired restaurant and bar experience is located on the 40th floor of the East Miami hotel, and offers a beautiful garden setting overlooking the skyline of downtown Miami, fresh craft cocktails and light bites with Asian flavors. To compliment any vacation, The Getaway cocktail ($15) made with plantation pineapple rum, tamarind ginger, chutney, pineapple and ginger beer, seems most appropriate to end a spectacular day in the city.

Saturday

10 a.m., Have breakfast at Café Bastille

In the heart of Downtown Miami, Café Bastille is the one and only authentic French café in the area. The restaurant offers a range of light and indulgent European-inspired breakfast and brunch items to choose from, including brioche French toast, ricotta pancakes, croque monsieur ou madame and oeufs Benedict. Another great option would be to take your breakfast order to go and head to the bay.

12 p.m., Enjoy the weather at Bayfront Park

Visiting Bayfront Park is a great place to enjoy the day outdoors. If in the mood to relax, sit by east side of the park by the water to gaze into the ocean and feel the breeze. More active-goers can visit Bayfront Park’s website at BayfrontParkMiami.com and see the schedule of Yoga classes held at the park, some of which are free. The park is also children-friendly with the Lee & Tina Hills playground located at the south end of the park with unique play sculptures, slides, bars and more.

3 p.m., Catch a movie at CMX in Brickell City Centre

Miami has a new luxury cinema experience located right in the heart of the gleaming and highly-esteemed Brickell City Centre – CMX Movie Theatre. CMX provides the ultimate VIP experience consisting of reclining seats in each theater, cutting edge audio and visual technology, a full food menu and crafty cocktails. Although ticket prices are more expensive than other Miami movie theaters, with tickets ranging from $21 to $25, the VIP treatment is guaranteed by this investment.

7 p.m., Dine in Brickell City Centre

Choosing a place to have dinner in Brickell City Centre might be difficult as there are more than 12 restaurants and cafes. For popular recommendations, Pubbelly Sushi, an American take on Asian classics, and Tacology, a fine dining Mexican-style experience, are two top choices in the mall. Other options for light bites, coffee and desserts include Pasion Del Cielo, Haagen Dazs and Dr. Smood.

Sunday

10 a.m., Brunch at Perricone’s

Start your day like a true Italian. One of Miami’s most popular Italian cuisine spots is Perricone’s Marketplace & Café located in the heart of Brickell. The sweet spot between breakfast and lunch is Perricone’s specialty, offering a $21.95-per-person brunch buffet with items such as pancakes, smoked salmon, an omelet station, bacon and sausage, and the list goes on. Guests have the option of enjoying their meal inside, or outside in the air-conditioned garden ambiance.

12 p.m., Visit the Frost Science Museum

A science museum, planetarium and aquarium all in one. The structure opened in 2017, and has been the go-to spot for all families ever since. The earlier one arrives, the more time they’ll have to visit all the areas and sections at the museum. The museum, as of Oct. 1, closes at 5:30 p.m., so there is plenty of time to see all it has to offer including the bird and flight exhibition, MeLab to learn how the body and mind works together, and the rooftop to overlook downtown and the ocean. Non-Miami residents can attend the museum for $29 for adults, $20 for kids ages 3 to 11, and children 2 and under can go for free.

If You Go

  1. EDGE Steak & Bar
  • 1435 Brickell Ave., Miami, Fla. 33131
  • For reservations, call 305-381-3190
  • Street and valet parking available
  1. Exhale Spa
  • 270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami, Fla. 33131
  • For reservations, call 866-760-3742
  • Street and valet parking available
  1. SUGAR
  • 788 Brickell Plaza, Miami, Fla. 33131
  • 305-712-7000
  • Street, valet and garage parking available
  1. Café Bastille
  • 248 SE 1st St., Miami, Fla. 33131
  • For reservations, call 786-425-3575
  • Street parking available
  1. Bayfront Park
  • 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla. 33132
  • 305-358-7550
  • Street parking available
  1. CMX
  • 701 S. Miami Ave., A-401, Miami, Fla. 33130
  • 786-482-2097
  • Street, valet and garage parking available
  1. Brickell City Centre
  • 701 S Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33131
  • 305-350-9922
  • Street, valet and garage parking available
  • For a full directory and restaurant descriptions, visit BrickellCityCentre.com
  1. Perricone’s Marketplace & Café
  • 15 SE 10th St., Miami, Fla. 33131
  • For reservations, call 305-374-9449
  • Street, valet and garage parking available
  1. Frost Science Museum
  • 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla. 33132
  • For tickets, call 305-434-9600
  • Street and garage parking available