So if you are feeling a bit gloomy about the direction the country is headed, think of Fourth of July as an act of defiance and remember the holiday celebrates a time when the American colonies decided to give the British Empire the middle finger and start a nation where all men are created equal. (It would take a few centuries for the concept of "men" to be expanded beyond land-owning white males, something that even to this day America is still working on.) So let this Independence Day be less about patriotism and more about resisting the power structures in place to keep you from achieving the American dream.
Also, let it be about you drinking until you forget that our president makes policy based on what he sees on Fox & Friends. Happy birthday, America!
Fat Joe. Earlier this year, an argument was made that Fat Joe's Ashanti collabo, "What's Luv?" is the perfect early-2000s pop masterpiece. If you agree, you might feel a bit lucky if the Terror Squad leader sings a few bars of the tune when he takes over Wall at the W South Beach. Also on the bill is DJ Irie, who will have just wrapped up his Irie Weekend celebration. With DJ Irie. 11 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at Wall Lounge, 2201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-938-3130; wallmiami.com. Tickets cost $40 via tablelist.com.
Riggi & Piros. Remember the Shore Club's infamous Red Room? It was the South Beach hot spot around the early 2000s. These days, the venue is rarely ever in use, but for nostalgia's sake, it will reopen for a Fourth of July eve bash with house duo Riggi & Piros. And, yes, the lounge is still dripping with red decor and is still intimate enough that it feels like a true VIP room — back when VIP rooms were actually a thing. With Malone and Andre Skyy. 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at the Red Room at the Shore Club, 1901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-695-3100; morganshotelgroup.com. Admission is free before 11:30 p.m. with RSVP via shoreclubhotel.eventbrite.com.
The Martinez Brothers. Plenty of people will roll into work Thursday hungover from so much patriotic pride, so avoid that mistake by celebrating the Fourth at sunrise. Space is making it easy to stay up all night thanks to a marathon set by the Martinez Brothers. This wouldn't be the first time the siblings kept Space's Terrace going for as long as possible, so you are in expert hands. 11 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami; 786-357-6456; clubspace.com. Tickets cost $20 to $50 via ticketfly.com.
12 Planet. While the Martinez Brothers hold the fort upstairs on the Terrace, Space's live-music area, the Ground, will host Smog leader 12 Planet. Though dubstep doesn't seem to get the top billing it garnered five years ago, can you think of a better genre to match the bombastic spectacle that is the Fourth of July? Let freedom ring after the drop. 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at the Ground, 34 NE 11th St., Miami; 305-375-0001; thegroundmiami.com. Tickets cost $20 to $25 via eventbrite.com.
Star-Spangled Awesome. Looking for a Fourth of July bash by the river? The Wharf promises a family-friendly affair with plenty of food and fireworks. Dog and kids will be welcome until 6 p.m., when the party will become decidedly more adult with Kid Nemesis on the decks. The Wharf's patriotic, alcoholic promotion — buy a shot of American whiskey and get a free beer — also guarantees you'll go to work hungover. Noon Wednesday, July 4, at the Wharf, 114 SW North River Dr., Miami; 305-906-4000; wharfmiami.com. Admission is free with RSVP via eventbrite.com.
Camp Nikki Beach. Stuck with the kids for Independence Day? Well, it's not a complete loss thanks to Nikki Beach. From noon to 5 p.m., the beachside club will keep it PG with brunch service: $49.95 for adults and $25 for children (drinks not included). Once things heat up, the kids better have a babysitter, because Nikki Beach will then start doing what it does best: partying. Spanish DJ David Tort will headline the affair, concluding with a fireworks show. With David Tort, Felipe Kaval, Stephan M, and others. Noon Wednesday, July 4, at Nikki Beach, 1 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach; 305-538-1111; nikkibeachmiami.com. Admission is free before 5 p.m. with RSVP via eventbrite.com; tickets cost $20 to $827.40 after 5 p.m. via eventbrite.com.
IndepenDance Pool Party. Returning for an outstanding 14th year,
Bourbon, BBQ & Beer Fest. Bourbon? Check. Barbecue? Check. Beer? Check. Still not convinced? Not only is the party free, but also there'll be free beer samples from Veza Sur, Biscayne Bay Brewing, Wynwood Brewing, Concrete Beach, and others for those who RSVP to this kickback at the Wynwood Yard. Also expect live music by Esco and tunes from DJ Joseph Anthony. 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at the Wynwood Yard, 56 NW 29th St., Miami; 305-351-0366; thewynwoodyard.com. Admission is free with RSVP via eventbrite.com.
Disco-Pendence. The Standard will offer the chicest way to say, "Happy birthday, America!" with its Disco-Pendence party. Local trendsetters
DJ Obscene. If you plan to be on team #NoSleep this Fourth of July, what better place to celebrate America's nonstop freedom than the cavernous den of debauchery known as E11even? On the decks will be local mixmaster DJ Obscene. He's spent years honing his craft in local clubs, so he's no stranger to keeping E11even's crowds moving well past sunrise. 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at E11even Miami, 29 NE 11th St., Miami; 305-829-2911; 11miami.com. Tickets cost $20 via tixr.com.
