While people complain about the lack of live music in town, and usually the same people complain about going to South Beach for anything, Jazid is a lone soldier quietly battling to prove the naysayers wrong. Sure, the venue has changed plenty over the years — for one thing, only one night a week is devoted to the music genre from which Jazid originally cribbed its name. But an increased democratic approach to music bookings has widened the club's appeal and allowed it to thrive for 14 years. That scores it the title of longest-running Miami Beach nightclub — no small feat in a fly-by-night industry.
Jazid is beloved by fans of world/fusion-y beats for its low-key attitude but high-energy parties, which begin and end late, often with revelers shedding clothes as the festivities progress. Celebrate this weekend by checking out its annual anniversary event, which in recent years has stretched over two days. The party starts Friday night with the debut of its new weekly reggae party, Freeup Fridays, hosted by local reggae journeyman Lance-o. Besides his DJ sets, live entertainment comes courtesy of roots groups Jahfe and Mixed Culture. The next night groups a holy trinity of Miami scene staples: Spam Allstars, Suenalo, and Nil Lara. A slightly predictable lineup — but all three acts consistently deliver topnotch live shows. Better yet, if you arrive before 9 p.m. either night, you can take it all in for free.