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La Covacha
Drive out about halfway to the Everglades (just kidding, but only just) and you'll find Covacha, the most hidden, most hip Latin scene in Miami. Actually, it's not hidden; all the young Latinos know about Covacha and love it well, and we do too. It's an excellent spot to see new bands, upcoming DJs (almost all local), an enormous crowd and pretty much no tourists. It throw one of the best parties in the city.
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La Rosa Flamenco Theatre
This professional flamenco, salsa and merengue dance company blends flamenco styles with tap, Middle Eastern and Indian movement, and also offers a full range of classes and educational programs.
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Laughing Gas
This long-running, wacky improv and comedy-sketch troupe brings its costumed craziness to venues around town, usually in Coral Gables and nearby Miami Lakes. Check the website for information.
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Laundry Bar
You can go with coin-operated or cointreau at this dark and groovy hybrid; as they say, 'get sloshed while you wash.' There's a decidedly gay vibe about, but Laundry Bar is relaxed and welcomes all, although you may have to step around breakdancing poseurs on weekends. By the way, you really can clean your clothes, although every couple in Miami is already making out on the washer units.
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Level 25
When Neo buys Morpheus a drink, they probably meet at this Conrad Hotel spot (guess which floor), where it's all long white lines, low black couches, pin-striped gorgeousity and God's eye views over Biscayne Bay.
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Light Box Theatre & Miami Light Project
The Miami Light Project is a nonprofit cultural foundation that represents innovative shows from theater troupes and performance artists from around the world; recent shows have included Rha Goddes, Global Cuban Fest and Kristina Wong.
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Lincoln Theatre
Miami Beach's theatrical jewel, an intimate house with great acoustics and a perfect location, hosts a wide variety of performances from local groups to visiting artists. It's also the home of the New World Symphony.
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Lost Weekend
The Weekend is a grimy, sweaty, slovenly dive, filled with pool tables, cheap domestics and - hell yeah - a Golden Tee arcade game. God bless it. Popular with local waiters, kitchen staff and bartenders, so you know it's a good time.
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M Bar
The high-class lobby bar here may be tiny, but its martini menu - over 250 strong - isn't. And neither is the bird's-eye view, high up over shimmering Biscayne Bay.
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Mac's Club Deuce Bar
The oldest bar in Miami Beach (established in 1926), the Deuce is a real neighborhood bar and hype-free zone. It's just straight-up seediness, which, depending on your outlook, can actually be quite refreshing. Plan to see everyone from transgendered ladies to construction workers and hipsters to bikers.
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Mango's Tropical Cafe
Cuba meets Coyote Ugly in this tourist hotspot, where a staff of gorgeous and/or ripped bodies (take your pick) dances, gyrates and puts some serious booty on the floor. Of course, you're here for anthropological reasons: to study the nuances of Latin dance. Not to watch the bartender do that thing Shakira does with her butt.
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Mansion
Every night the lines stretch around the block as plebes beg, cajole and strut in a vain attempt to get past that damned red rope. Inside? Well, they don't call it 'Mansion' for nothing. Expect megaclub grandiosity, plenty of attitude, waiting in line for hours and the chance to see Lindsey Lohan do something tabloid-worthy.
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Marlin Hotel
This bar rocks the martini world with incredible beachside Bombay Sapphire martinis. The tropical, chic atmosphere, smooth service, occasional live music, karaoke and open mic nights are included at no extra charge. Also includes a nightclub where there's something different each Fri, Sat and Sun night, from DJs who spin deep house, R&B and hip-hop.
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Miami Beach Cinematheque
This new addition to the film scene is a great one, as it features a wonderfully curated program of smart documentaries, kitschy classics, holiday-timed screeners, speaking events and film-themed art exhibits. A recent sampling of eclectic programs includes a Russ Meyer tribute, Italian shorts, dance films and Judaica on film.
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Miami Chamber Symphony
Its yearly series features world-renowned soloists at shows held at the University of Miami's Gusman Concert Hall, which is not to be confused with the downtown Gusman Center for the Performing Arts.
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Miami City Ballet
Formed in 1985, this troupe is guided by artistic director Edward Villella, who studied under the great George Balanchine at the NYC Ballet. So it's no surprise Balanchine works dominate the repertoire, with shows held at a lovely three-story headquarters designed by the famed local architectural firm Arquitectonica. The facade allows passersby to watch the dancers rehearsing through big picture windows, which kinda makes you feel like you're in a scene from Fame , except the weather is better and people don't spontaneously break into song. Which is a shame, really.
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Miami Hispanic Ballet
Directed by Cuban-trained Pedro Pablo Peña, this troupe presents mainly classical ballets based out of the lovely Manuel Artime Theater, the 'largest, small venue' in the city.
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Miami Improv
Part of a national chain, this 3rd-floor club has the usual club-circuit suspects plus monthly Miami Comics, open-mic shows and Urban Nights, which feature stars from Comedy Central's Showtime, HBO's Def Comedy Jam and BET's Comic View.
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Miami-Dade County Auditorium
On the western edge of Little Havana, this 2500-seat venue with great acoustics has been somewhat eclipsed by the Arsht center, but still holds excellent performances on its lovely stage.
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Momentum Dance Company
Performing original, modern dance programs at rotating venues for more than 25 years, this small troupe has a focus on education and children's performances.
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Mynt
Join the partying stars - Justin Timberlake, Vin Diesel, Britney Spears, etc - by bottle servicing yourself into the VIP section. Otherwise, make friends with the red rope until you can order a drink and then try not to spill it, which is tough in the sweaty scrum of models, Moet and mojitos.
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New Theatre
This strong Coral Gables company performs an eclectic mix of contemporary pieces and modern classics that fall squarely between the conventional and alternative. You'll be up close and personal with the actors since there are only 70 seats in the house.
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New World Symphony
This deservedly heralded NWS serves as a three- to four-year preparatory program for very talented musicians who've already graduated from prestigious music schools. Founded in 1987, the NWS is led by artistic director Michael Tilson Thomas, who still conducts performances for 12 weeks a year despite his national fame and fortune. There are an astonishing number of inspiring and original performances (many of which are free), held at the Lincoln Theatre.
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Nikki Beach
Get your groove on outdoors, wandering from immaculate gossamer beach cabana to cabana at Nikki's, which feels like a full moon party gone incredibly upscale. On Sunday ( Sunday !?) starting around it's the hottest party in town, as folks clamor to get in and relive whatever it was they did the night before. The attached Pearl Restaurant attracts the dinner club set. It's quite the cool-kid spot too, but who needs food when there are thongs in them thar hills?
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Noir Bar
On the 18th floor of this sleek Downtown high-rise you'll find Noir Bar: a dark and sexy lounge, all black except for splashes of orange and red which come courtesy of the geometric candles along the bar. Be sure to saunter into the lobby after a few drinks, where you can peer over the bay and into the night sky through a high-powered telescope.
