Gay Miami Travel Guide: I quickly realised on my first visit, that Miami was incredibly welcoming for LGBTQ+ travellers, in fact, Miami is one of the most popular gay travel destinations in Florida!
I’ve travelled to Miami every year for the past 6 years and have been able to spend a lot of time exploring the gay scene in Miami.
In this comprehensive gay Miami travel guide, I will share the best gay bars in Miami, where to stay in Miami, the gay beaches and even the best activities on offer for gay travellers to Miami.
Here is everything you might need to know in my Gay Miami travel guide.
Or if you are in a rush, here are some key facts about the gay scene in Miami to get you started:
- Main gay area in Miami: South Beach, with many LGBTQ+ venues along Washington Avenue and Collins Avenue.
- Best area to stay: South Beach for nightlife, the gay beach and first-time visits.
- Most popular gay bars in Miami: Twist and Bar Gaythering.
- Main gay beach: 12th Street Beach.
- Clothing-optional gay beach: Haulover Beach, 30 minute drive north of South Beach.
- Best Gay Hotel in Miami: Hotel Gaythering (the only gay hotel in Miami).
- Key LGBTQ+ events: Miami Beach Pride and Winter Party Festival.
Is Miami Gay Friendly?
Short answer – yes!
Miami has one of the largest and most prominent LGBTQ+ communities in the United States, and attracting over 1 million LGBTQ+ visitors each year has become known as somewhat of a gay mecca.
The Miami area has been gay-friendly for years; in fact, it is one of the few places in the world where the local LGBTQ+ community has their own chamber of commerce, the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC).
Whilst Greater Miami and Miami Beach are welcoming as a whole, the South Beach district in Miami Beach is the heart of the LGBTQ+ scene. It is here where the two popular gay hotels are located, as well as the majority of the gay nightlife.
It’s not uncommon at all to see fellow LGBTQ+ travellers out and about holding hands with their significant others, which is always great to see.
Where is the Gay Area in Miami?
The main gay area of Miami is South Beach, focused along Washington Avenue, Collins Avenue and extending up to Lincoln Road. This area and these streets are where you will find the highest concentration of LGBTQ+ businesses, gay bars, hotels and 12th Street gay beach.
Whilst South Beach is the most established LGBTQ+ area in Miami, Wynwood is also known as being a very popular gay area in Miami with an artsy and alternative vibe – make sure to check out R House Wynwood for their drag brunch.
For first-time gay visitors to Miami, I would suggest staying in South Beach, as this will give you easy access to all the key LGBTQ+ spots I mention in this guide.
Best Gay Bars and Clubs in Miami
The majority of the gay bars in Miami are located in South Beach, with a few more LGBTQ+ venue and gay clubs elsewhere in Greater Miami, including Wynwood and Downtown.
Miami Beach, and in fact Greater Miami, has had long reputation for being a hotspot for LGBTQ+ travellers in search of gay nightlife.
Whether I am looking for a drag brunch or drag show, quiet social drinks with friends, or looking to dance the night away in a nightclub, there is something to suit everyone in Miami.
One thing to note however, which is unfortunate to say, is that like most big cities, some of the gay bars in Miami have a reputation for pickpocketing. So please be careful with your phone / other belongings.
Let me share the current best gay bars in Miami, split between gay bars in South Beach, gay clubs across Greater Miami and of course your best drag spots.
Best Gay Bars in South Beach
Twist, South Beach
Twist is quite possibly Miami’s most famous gay bar, having been in operation for almost 30 years. I love their motto – ‘’never a cover, always a groove’’ – and this has been the case every time I have visited!
Spread across two floors and an outside area, with 7 bars and 3 dance floors to choose from, Twist will always have something on to suit everyone. Open 7 nights a week, and with happy hour specials as well as different nightly events, such as drag shows, dancers, Twist is a must visit for gay travellers to Miami.
Address: 1057 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Bar Gaythering at Hotel Gaythering, South Beach
Located inside the popular hotel, this lobby bar is a well-known meeting point for many of South Beach’s LGBTQ+ residents, and so for visitors to Miami it is the perfect place to meet locals and dip your toes into the local gay scene.
The bar hosts multiple theme nights during the week, as well as various events – karaoke, trivia nights, and drag bingo to name just a few.
And with a daily happy hour 5pm to 8pm, with 50% off drinks, why wouldn’t you come and check it out!
Address: 1409 Lincoln Rd F1, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Palace Bar and Restaurant, South Beach
I have already introduced you to Palace above in relation to their super popular drag brunch, but Palace is more than just a brunch spot.
This iconic Ocean Drive gay bar is the number one drag bar and restaurant in Miami Beach, so of course you need to swing by whilst checking out the South Beach nightlife offerings.
Palace queens perform every night, between 7pm and 11pm, with shows roughly every 15 minutes. We highly recommend stopping by, trying one of their delicious craft cocktails, and letting the high energy performances give your night out a great kickstart!
Address: 1052 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Lust Miami Beach
One of the newer gay bars in Miami, Lust is the ideal place to start your evening. Early on in the evening, the music is low, so you can catch up with friends (and actually hear them!) and the cocktails here are really well made – I am fussy with cocktails but really enjoyed their espresso martini.
Lust is the same location as Wanderlust, they simply change the name from day to night. By day Wanderlust is an LGBTQ+ owned brunch spot with a great menu, and by night it turns into a gay bar, Lust.
Address: 437 12th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
Nathans Beach Club, South Beach
This was a very popular spot but is now permanently closed. That being said, on my last visit I was told by locals that Nathan, the person who ran Nathans Beach Club, may be working on opening somewhere new – so watch this space.
Best Gay Clubs in Miami
Supernatural Haus
Queer owned and operated, Supernatural Haus is a popular gay club in Miami. This multi genre venue prides itself on being an inclusive space for the community and runs a full schedule of club nights and events.
Address: 777 NE 79th St, Miami, FL 33138, United States
Azucar Nightclub
If you’re looking for something a little more upbeat than sitting in a South Beach bar, then Azucar Nightclub could be the choice for you.
Located just off Coral Way, in downtown Miami, Azucar Nightclub is a lively LGBTQ+ nightclub catering towards Miami’s thriving Latino community.
The nightclub specializes in drag – with various cabaret shows, performances and comedy events throughout the week, as well as of course, being somewhere to dance the night away on a weekend.
Address: 2301 SW 32nd Ave, Miami, FL 33145
ClubBOI Miami
Our final gay club in Miami to mention is ClubBOI.
Every saturday of the month, they run all inclusive events, with various music genres including hip-hop, reggae and R&B. Please note that online activity has been quiet recently so please double check if they have a live event before you visit.
Best Drag Shows and Drag Brunches in Miami
There are two hugely popular drag brunches in Miami, one in South Beach and one in Wynwood – I have been to both and highly recommend both of them.
Palace Bar & Restaurant South Beach
Simply one of the best drag brunches in Miami, I have visited Palace South Beach many times and have always been throughoughly entertained.
They are located on Ocean Drive facing the beach, so if you are staying in South Beach, this is the easiest one for you to access.
They run a few sittings per day, you need to book online and the cost of your brunch includes unlimited mimosa (or NA options), food and the show, this lasts for 2 hours or so.
Well worth going on any visit! I will be back next time for sure.
Address: 1052 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
R House Wynwood
The queue for this drag brunch in Miami was almost around the block! It is also equally as popular as Palace, but perhaps leans towards a more local crowd given it’s location in Wynwood.
Again, top class entertainment, plenty of laughs and your ticket includes unlimited mimosas, food and the show.
For both, don’t forget to bring dollar bills to tip the drag queens.
Address: 2727 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127, United States
Miami Gay Beaches
Miami has two gay beaches to choose from – 12th Street Gay Beach, in the South Beach area of Miami, and Haulover Gay Beach, which is a little further north.
12th Street Gay Beach is easy to find and get to, especially if you are staying in South Beach. Walk down 12th Street until you hit Ocean Drive, cross over onto the beach, and look out for the rainbow painted lifeguard tower, which is even numbered ‘12’.
Haulover Gay Beach is a clothing optional beach a little further away, roughly 12 miles north of South Beach, and so you would need to use public transport or have access to a car to get here.
For a detailed guide to these gay beaches, including exact locations, transport, facilities etc read my Complete Guide to the Best Gay Beaches in Miami.
Where to Stay in Gay Miami?
Being such a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travellers, it’s of little to no surprise that there are many gay friendly hotels in Miami to choose from.
South Beach is the best place to stay for most first time LGBTQ+ travellers to Miami, this gives you easy access to 12th Street Gay Beach, as well as the majority of the gay bars in Miami and other key LBGTQ+ venues.
Below I have three recommendation, however I suggest you read my complete guide to the best gay and gay-friendly hotels in Miami for a full overview of your options to plan where to stay.
Hotel Gaythering, South Beach
I have stayed at plenty of gay and gay-friendly hotels over the years, but I have to agree that the Hotel Gaythering in South Beach has to be the gayest hotel I have ever stayed in!
The hotel’s primary target market is definitely gay male guests, and with its fun style and touches.
Hotel Gaythering even has an onsite gay male sauna, complete with jacuzzi, dry sauna, steam room and more – it’s handy you can switch between your room and the sauna if need be. The sauna is free for hotel guests, and only $25 for a day pass for non-guests.
And if all of the above isn’t enough to convince you to stay at Hotel Gaythering, they even have an onsite bar with nightly events such as drag bingo, a shuttle bus to the beach, complimentary beach chairs, and complimentary bike hire.
Check it out for yourself and let me know if you think it is the gayest hotel!
Address: 1409 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
The Balfour Hotel, South Beach
The Balfour Hotel was where I first stayed when I arrived in Miami on my recent visit, and I had a fantastic stay here.
This boutique hotel is located in the heart of South Beach and is another beautiful property that falls under the category of historic Art Deco architecture.
The Balfour Hotel is on Ocean Drive, meaning I couldn’t be any closer to the beach. The hotel even provides complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas. And being on Ocean Drive, the hotel is also within walking distance to the shopping and dining options that Ocean Drive is well-known for.
Address: 350 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Kimpton EPIC, Downtown Miami
My most recent visit to Miami came before sailing on the Atlantis cruise, which is always a crazy and very exhausting week.
Kimpton EPIC is a gorgeous 4-star property located in downtown Miami, away from South Beach and all its temptations, which I needed!
I have always loved the Kimpton hotel chain because of how supportive they are of the LGBTQ+ community; both the Kimpton brand and their parent group IHG Hotels have done some incredible work, such as being proud supporters of Trevor Project – so stepping foot in one of their properties, I immediately felt welcomed as a gay traveller!
The hotel is a luxurious property, with two rooftop pools, two onsite restaurants, a fully equipped gym, and a poolside bar serving delicious craft cocktails. Every guest room also comes with a private balcony, with incredible ocean views.
And for travellers visiting Miami pre/post-cruising, the hotel is a short taxi ride to the cruise terminals, making it the perfect choice all-round.
Address: 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL 33131
Gay Saunas in Miami: Everything you need to know
Is there a gay sauna in Miami? Yes there are two gay saunas in Miami.The most popular gay sauna in Miami is The Sauna at Hotel Gaythering.
Despite being such a gay-friendly destination, there are only two gay saunas in Miami. It doesn’t seem like saunas/bathhouses are quite as popular in the States as they are in Europe.
But, for gay travellers looking for a gay sauna in Miami, these are the details of two gay saunas to choose from.
The Sauna at Hotel Gaythering, Miami South Beach
The most popular gay sauna in Miami, The Sauna at Hotel Gaythering, can (as the name suggests) be found inside Hotel Gaythering, just to the right of reception.
Complimentary for hotel guests, non-guest are welcome to visit the sauna with a day-pass fee of $25, or should you wish to visit more than once, a 30-day pass is just $100.
The sauna offers slippers, towels, lockers, a dry sauna, a steam room, showers, a jacuzzi, and a few other spaces. The sauna is open daily, but operating hours vary depending on weekday and weekend, as well as entry hours varying depending on if you are a hotel guest or a visit so it’s best to check locally before arrival.
To check the most up to date details, visit the Hotel Gaythering website.
Address: 1409 Lincoln Rd F1, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Club Aqua, Coral Gables, Downtown Miami
Club Aqua is the other main sauna in Miami, located downtown, and is actually more of a ‘health-club’ with its wide range of amenities:
- Fully equipped gym
- Steam room
- Dry sauna
- Outdoor pool
- Sundeck
Despite all the above offerings, Club Aqua is actually very reasonably priced, with a one-off visit costing just $12 on a weekday, and $15 on a weekend, (both plus tax). And being open 24/7, it should be pretty easy to schedule a visit on your next trip to Miami!
Address: 2991 Coral Wy, Miami, FL 33145
Gay Events in Miami
Of course Miami is home to a number of huge gay events. The notable gay events in Miami to look out for are:
- Miami Beach Pride – Miami Beach Pride is usually celebrated in April.
- Winter Party Festival – if you can’t wait until pride, check out this queer music festival at the end of February/start of March. Keep up to date on their Instagram.
- Ultra Music Festival – not a gay event per se, but pair EDM with a destination like Miami and yes, it gets pretty gay. Keep up to date on their Instagram.
Gay Maps of Miami
For a gya ap of Miami, so you can plan where to stay and where to go, see below:
Things to do in Miami for Gay Travellers
There are countless things to do in Miami, both beach based in and around the iconic South Beach as well as in downtown Miami. And when it comes to things to do for gay travellers, I could of course focus on ‘the usual’ – gay nightlife, the gay scene and relaxing at the gay beach…
But during my most recent visit to Miami, I had more time and wanted to delve a little deeper and experience more of what this destination had to offer – and I was kept busy!
Here are my personal recommendations for what gay travellers should do whilst in Miami.
Visit the LGBTQ+ Visitor Centre
Located in South Beach, the LGBTQ+ Visitor Centre is a great place to learn more about LGBTQ+ things to do in Miami. It is a useful and free resource, providing booklets listing all the gay bars in Miami, venues and upcoming events.
Do go and support this place, it’s great to see a central hub for tourists and locals to go. They also have lots of queer books here if you want to stop and read.
Address: 1130 Washington Ave 1st Floor, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Treetop Trekking Miami at Jungle Island
This is something that was right up my street!
Treetop Trekking Miami is located at Jungle Island eco-adventure park, on Watson Island (a man-made island connected to both mainland and South Beach by causeway) and is actually South Florida’s only aerial adventure park.
Strapped into a climbing harness, I explored the jungle canopy as I climbed, swung, navigated suspension bridges and zip-lined through the treetops.
There are a number of different treks you can do, to suit either age or experience, but naturally I had to go for the ‘’Thrill-Seeker’’ Trek – the most challenging option! Despite being a lot more work, and aching head to toe the following day, it was worth it for the views I had of the Miami skyline!
And being located at Jungle Island, either before or after your treetop-trek you are invited to explore Jungle Island too, and see the various wildlife such as flamingos, lemurs, and capybaras.
Find out more and book for yourself here.
Address : 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami FL 33132
Thriller Speedboat Adventure
Yet another thrill-seeking activity – this time on the water.
After my morning amongst the treetop canopies, I headed to downtown Miami to depart on my ‘’Thriller Speedboat’’ tour.
The tour departs from Bayside Marketplace and is a 45-minute sightseeing cruise onboard the Thriller Miami Speedboats. The tour was great fun, taking me along the Miami coastline, past the various islands in the Bay of Biscayne, including Star Island – which is home to various celebrity mansions, including J Lo and David Beckham’s!
After the cruise is over, I highly recommend having a look around Bayside Marketplace, a two-story open air shopping centre. It is full of shops, bars, and many dining venues, and with a great view out to the Bay and the marina.
Book your own speedboat adventure here.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is the former villa and estate of a wealthy American businessman, located on Biscayne Bay in the Coconut Grove neighbourhood of Downtown Miami.
This huge 20th-century estate (dating back to 1916) is home to the villa itself, now a museum, and 50 acres of land, 10 acres of which are the stunning Italian Renaissance Gardens.
A National Historic Landmark, Vizcaya is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Greater Miami area, and I can see why! It has even been used as a filming location for many films, including Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Bad Boys 2, and Iron Man 3.
For more information and to book tickets you can visit their website.
Address: 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33129
A meal at Giannis – the former Versace Mansion
I have been to Miami multiple times and can’t believe that this is the first time I went to eat at Giannis Restaurant – located at the former Versace Mansion!
The venue itself is stunning, as you would expect, being located in one of the most historic buildings in South Beach, but equally the service was flawless, and the food was delicious.
Giannis is open for both lunch and dinner, and it is highly recommended to make a reservation as early as possible.
I went for a lunch date, and had the 3-course lunch menu which had plenty of choice, and I was shocked to discover was just $38 per person – an absolute steal considering the setting and the quality!
I already can’t wait to return and sample their dinner menu!
Address: 1116 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Drag Brunch at Palace Bar and Restaurant, South Beach
I’ve been to a few drag brunches in my time, but Palace South Beach has to be the best I have been to! I enjoyed it so much that I even went back a second time – I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Palace has been the number 1 drag bar in Miami for over 30 years and I can see why! The queens performing are top of their game, and they certainly know how to work a crowd. The energy and atmosphere during the 2-hour show was incredible, exactly what I needed to wake me up after a night exploring the South Beach gay scene!
At the time of writing, the drag brunch is a fixed price, at $55 per person for the brunch menu and 2 hours of bottomless mimosas.
The drag brunch is such a popular activity in South Beach that Palace offers two seatings Friday through Sunday, at 11am and 2pm, and have even added an additional show on Mondays at 12pm.
I strongly recommend booking as far in advance as you can as this does book up – reserve your table here.
Address: 1052 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Walk Ocean Drive to South Pointe
This was something I did most mornings during my visit, as I found it the perfect way to start my day!
Given that the jetlag coming from the UK is just enough to cause me to wake a couple of hours earlier, I decided I may as well get up and make the most of it. So, I grabbed a Starbucks, and set off walking down the Ocean Drive seafront promenade.
The walk itself is beautiful – and what I loved the most about walking down the promenade is that all the iconic images you picture when you think about Miami become a reality – people roller skating, people working out on the sand, power walkers with their morning coffees and smoothies, and countless joggers sprinting alongside their dogs!
I walked down the paved promenade all the way to South Pointe Park – a beautiful green space right at the southern-most tip of Miami Beach. The view from here is incredible, especially if you head out to the end of the pier. You can see the skyline of Downtown Miami, Port Miami and the cruise ships docked here, as well as the shoreline of South Beach stretching north.
South Pointe Park itself is relatively small but lovely to walk around – there is a small playground, picnic and barbeque facilities, a jungle gym, and if you have come down here to exercise, there are several winding paths throughout the park for running, cycling or roller skating.
There is also direct beach access from South Pointe Park, with chairs and umbrellas available for rental.
Muscle Beach/ Lummus Park
Okay, I had to include this one. I mean, it’s an iconic location within South Beach, and so of course I had to stop by and check it out.
Muscle Beach is located within Lummus Park, which is itself found between 5th Street and 14th Place and nestled between Ocean Drive and the actual beach. Lummus Park is more than just Muscle Beach – it’s home to a playground, paved pathways for running, cycling and rollerblading, benches to sit and read and people watch, volleyball courts, but of course, for me, the main attraction was Muscle Beach Fitness Area, found adjacent to 9th Street.
Whilst the name given to the actual beach here, Muscle Beach is also the name of the outdoor fitness area for exercise, weightlifting, and gymnastics. For people who prioritize working out whilst on vacation, this is a must-visit location, as one of the best things about Muscle Beach is it is open to all and free to use!
Whilst I was keen to get stuck in, I was also content sat on a bench watching the world go by.
Places to Eat in Miami
It would be absolutely impossible for me to list all the places I have eaten during my various trips to Miami over the years.
But during my most recent visit, I visited the below three dining venues, and absolutely loved them all for different reasons, and so felt that I had to include them as personal recommendations!
Giannis at the Former Versace Mansion
I have already told you about my lunch date visit to Giannis – but this place is seriously too good to miss!
Giannis is predominantly an Italian / Mediterranean restaurant and is open for both lunch and dinner. Just make sure you make a reservation!
I visited for lunch, where the menu consists of three courses for just $38 per person, with plenty of choice to suit me. The dinner menu is a little more extensive, also introducing more fish and seafood onto the menu.
The setting of the restaurant is definitely unique and adds to the experience – sitting at a table alongside the stunning gold-lined mosaic pool – and the food is absolutely delicious.
I definitely can’t wait to return on my next visit to Miami.
Address: 1116 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
El Turco
This place was absolutely fantastic, and definitely one to visit!
I had never ventured beyond South Beach on my previous trips to Miami, but I am so glad that I did as I had the most delicious lunch at El Turco – and I would definitely leave South Beach again just to eat here!
El Turco brands itself as ‘’the best Turkish food in South Florida’’ – and I can believe it! The restaurant is located in Upper Buena Vista in downtown Miami, in the Design District, so I would couple a lunch here with exploring the area. They also offer all day dining options.
The food here is so good, it is even on the Michelin Guide, winning the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award, but I also loved the location – within a shopping enclave, in an oak tree sheltered courtyard, it really was a hidden gem.
El Turco serves traditional, authentic Turkish food – I loved everything I ate and will definitely be back.
Address: 5026 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Palace South Beach
You know a place is worth a visit when you include it in your blog post three times! But I can’t recommend Palace South Beach highly enough.
I have already introduced you to their drag brunch, recommended it as one of South Beach’s top gay bars, but it is also a brilliant dining venue to add to your list.
Of course, you can dine here if you visit for one of their weekend/Monday drag brunches – just take your pick from a menu with traditional brunch fare – pancakes, steak and eggs, chicken and waffles, French toast etc.
But actually, when visiting for lunch or dinner, Palace has an extensive menu, with everything from tacos, to burgers, to pasta dishes – and of course, all accompanied by a big serving of drag!
Being so popular with its Ocean Drive location, I highly recommend booking a table if you want to visit and dine and watch the shows, even if coming midweek.
Address: 1052 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Practical tips for Miami
- Best time to visit Miami? – Miami is great to visit from December to April, weather is great for the most part but showers are possible due to its tropical climate (they normally don’t last long). Plan to visit for LGBTQ+ events like Winter Party in February.
- How many days do you need in Miami? – 3 – 5 days is a good amount of time, since you can relax on the beach, do some activities and have a night out.
- Miami or Miami Beach? – Miami Beach is a municipality within the broader Greater Miami area. Most tourists focus on Miami Beach but there are many other parts of the wider Greater Miami area to explore.
- Getting around Miami – South Beach is very walkable if all your time is spent there. Beyond South Beach, public transport does exist, however Uber and Lyft are both relatively reasonable cost wise and more efficient. If your property has convenient parking, a car could be useful.
- Nearest airport? The nearest airport is Miami International Airport. Fort Lauderdale Airport is also close (about 40 minute drive).
Clearly, Miami has a lot to offer gay travellers – and it’s easy to see why I have fallen in love with Miami!