All Aboard: The Bad Habits Bus Connects Queer Nightlife in Miami and Wilton Manors

Most points between Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are less than an hour away from each other, but with expensive Ubers, limited late-night trains, and death-defying drives on I-95, the chasm separating you from a fun night out in the next county can feel much wider.

That's where the Bad Habits Bus — a rolling, rhinestone rebellion against boring commutes and segregated nightlife — comes in. Launched by real-life partners Alexander Puga and Santiago Diaz Giral, Bad Habits is part shuttle, part social experiment, and all about building a safer and more connected queer scene across South Florida.

"Bad Habits came to Santiago and me after a year of talking about visiting Wilton Drive but never actually doing it," Puga tells New Times. "When we finally committed to going one night, we had an incredible experience...but we realized how hard it was to make it happen."

The duo decided to do what Miami queers do best: turn a logistical mess into a party.

"The name 'Bad Habits' was born from the idea that nightlife should be indulgent, fun, and a little mischievous — without compromising safety or inclusivity," Puga says. "We spoke to other friends who shared similar struggles, whether it was bad ride-share experiences, the cost of transportation, issues with taking the train, or even dangerous situations involving drinking and driving. That got our gears turning. We started asking ourselves: How can we make this easier, not just for us, but for all our friends and the community at large?"

Their solution: A neon-lit bus that rolls between Wynwood and Wilton Manors, scooping up anyone and everyone interested in enjoying queer nightlife. Whether you're headed to happy hour or hitting the dance floor until the sun comes up, there's a time slot and a seat ready and waiting for you.
But the Bad Habits Bus isn't just about convenience. It's also about connecting two South Florida queer communities that often feel worlds apart. Wilton's old-guard gay bars and Miami's experimental queer nights are separated by more than just distance — they're split among generational, cultural, and even racial lines. Bad Habits seeks to undo that divide, one shuttle ride at a time.

"The vision is to create a more united and connected queer scene for South Florida," adds Puga. "If we can help people experience the full spectrum of what the queer community has to offer here, then we're doing our job."

Bad Habits partners with queer-friendly hubs like Willy's in Wynwood for pick-ups and drop-offs, prioritizing safety from both discriminatory environments and drunk driving. But don't mistake "safe" for "boring" — for the shuttle's soft launch, patrons hit up Wilton Drive for some good old-fashioned bar hopping and ended in Miami Beach's legendary gay bar, Twist.

"Friends from all different stages of my life came to support, and by the end of the ride, everyone was laughing, sharing stories, and bonding," Puga recalls. "New friendships were made. The energy was completely effortless and electric — exactly the vibe we hoped to create."

Bad Habits Bus. Starting at 10 p.m. Fridays and 8 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets cost $19.50 each way via badhabitsbus.com.