The Place: Kitchen 305 (at the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort)
16701 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach
305-949-1300
The Hours: Monday - Friday, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The Deals: Get 50 percent off all appetizers and drinks. The food menu includes options like Key Lime Conch Fritters ($4.50), Kobe Beef Sliders ($7.50), and a variety of Flat Breads ($6-$7).
Thursdays from 6 - 9 p.m. feature "Seven", an evening of $7 food and drink specials and complimentary seven minute massages and valet parking.
The Scene: Sunny Isles Beach has recently been stepping up its after hours appeal with swanky hotel lounges featuring competitive drink specials. The area's shift really began with Kitchen 305, as they were the first spot to be heavily promoted as a multi-faceted location. The restaurant transitions into a lounge/club as the evening hours approach with the transition most evident during happy hour. The back lit bar changes colors, guests and locals begin filling in for drinks, and the musical melodies get more upbeat.
The Conclusion: Head there on Thursdays when the hotel hosts the two happy hours at overlapping times. The weekly Seven is occasionally used as a networking event, so the people are very social and friendly. Seven's complimentary massages and valet definitely offer more bang for your buck, as valet usually runs around $10.