Can you smell that, Miami? The freedom! That's America! That's the red, white, and blue! Fourth of July is just around the corner, and we have a patriotic responsibility to celebrate America's birthday the right way.
Let's face it, there are few cities in the U.S. that compare to the 305 when it comes to partying. But if you haven't already made Independence Day plans, don't worry -- we've got you covered.
From poolside ragers to megaclub throwdowns, here are Miami's ten best Fourth of July parties.
See also: Miami's Fourth of July 2014 Party Guide
Afrojack. With Bobby Burns. 11 p.m. Thursday, July 3, at Mansion, 1235 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-695-8411; mansionmiami.com. Tickets cost $30 to $60 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. Don't wait till Independence Day to party like a patriot. Start up the celebration a whole day early with Dutch DJ and America superfan, Afrojack. He'll be throwing it down for all those too eager to wait for the fireworks. It's sure to be popping.
Hyde With Playboy. Presented by Playboy Magazine. Hosted by playmates Shelby Chesnes and Shawn Dillon. Thursday, July 3, at Hyde Beach at SLS Hotel, 1701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-674-1701; hydebeach.com. Tickets cost $30 and up plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. A pool party in the U.S.A. with Playboy playmates? Enough said.
See also: The Six People You Meet on South Beach
IndepenDance Beach Party, Day 1. With Steve Lawler, Boris, Oscar G, and others. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 4, at Nikki Beach, 1 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach; 305-538-1111; nikkibeach.com. Tickets cost $25 to $35 and weekend passes are $99 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. Visit independance.com. Sure, it's a cliche that Miami party people always celebrate Fourth of July by lookin' beautiful in a red-white-and-blue bikini on the beach. But it's just so much fun living up to stereotypes. So throw on that American-flag bathing suit and get ready to rage till the sun goes down to the tune of some house remix of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Good music, good vibes, and America's b-day.
Marcel Detmman and Audiofly. With Thunderpony. Presented by Link & Miami Rebels. 11 p.m. Friday, July 4, at Trade, 1439 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; trademia.com. Tickets cost $15 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. After the fireworks go boom, the late-night patriots still need someplace to party. So clean the cake off your face and march over to Trade for an internationally flavored Independence Day throwdown with Marcel Dettman, the star resident of one of Berlin's most popular night clubs, and Audiofly, the innovators of the Flying Circus. Let your feet feel the beat! Dance like the founding fathers!
See also: South Beach's Ten Best Dance Clubs
Cedric Gervais. With Dvbbs. As part of IndepenDance Music Week. 10 p.m. Friday, July 4, at Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami; 305-375-0001; clubspace.com. Tickets cost $25 to $45 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. Anybody seen Molly? That joke's still cool, right? No? Oh, well, Cedric Gervais may be French, but he's been living on South Beach for so long that he may as well be American. And as long as he spins his remix of Miley Cyrus' "Adore You," he will have no problem getting us to twerk for freedom.
Dada Life. With Dave Sol. 11 p.m. Friday, July 4, at Story, 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-538-2424; storymiami.com. Tickets cost $30 to $40 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. Hell no, it ain't the land of the free and the home of the brave. So why take a trip to Dada Land with this Swedish DJ duo on America's most sacred holiday? Well, there's gonna be red, white, and blue jumbo-size glowsticks. Uhntz-uhntz, party people of the United States!
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My Favorite Robot and Chad Andrew. As part of Notes from the Underground. Friday, July 4, at FDR Lounge at the Delano, 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-674-5752; delano-hotel.com. Tickets cost $15 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. Come party with one of Florida's own, Chad Andrew. Yes, he spent some time living in Ibiza, learning from the rest of the world's superstar jocks. But now bro's back in the good ol' U.S.A. and he's looking to shake some ass, American style.
IndepenDance Pool Party, Day 2. With Loco Dice, Stacey Pullen, Paul Ritch, Louis Puig, and others. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 5, at Raleigh Hotel, 1775 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-534-6300; raleighhotel.com. Tickets cost $5 to $45 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. Visit independance.com. Oh yeah, America deserves more than just one pool party, once a year. That's why IndepenDance is doin' it in the deep end (by which we mean saluting the flag) for a full 48 hours this Fourth of July. Have a drink. Dance a bit. Take a dive. Do it for the stars and stripes.
See also: Six Reasons to Never Have Sex With a DJ
Martin Solveig. With Mednas. 11 p.m. Saturday, July 5, at LIV, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-674-4680; livnightclub.com. Tickets cost $40 to $75 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. Odd that our Independence Day weekend is gonna be soundtracked by almost all European EDMers. But that's no complaint, especially when it comes to French electro-house producer Bob Sinclar. Not only did France give us the Statue of Liberty, but also this popular Parisian. Time to thank them in the best way that we know how -- by partying.
Shady Teez' Shady as F*ck. With Jackal & Hyde, Otto Von Schirach, Code Rising vs. Ohverclock, and others. 9 p.m. Saturday, July 5, at Will Call, 700 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-577-5900; willcallmiami.com. Tickets cost $20 to $35 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. This might be Fourth of July 2014's most Miami party. Heavy bass, Cuban funk, hardcore electronic -- that's what will be blasting at Shady Teez' gathering of Miami's grimiest. And if you've never been to one of these 305 throwdowns, you're missing out. But there's no better time to fix that fail than Freedom Weekend. Ask youself just one question: What would America do?
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