Mac’s Club Deuce photo
Audio By Carbonatix
The neon glow at Mac’s Club Deuce is a little dimmer this week. Argelio “Angel” Diaz Novo, the longtime bar manager and fixture of the iconic South Beach dive, died on Saturday, January 31. He was 60 years old.
Known for a sharp wit and a steady hand at the helm of the legendary 14th Street Miami Beach dive bar, Diaz was a cornerstone of the Deuce family. In a heartfelt blog post titled “Our Angel” published on the bar’s website, the establishment described him as a master of quips and a sage beyond his years who transcended the typical bartender role to become a friend to everyone.
“I have watched many a bartender work behind this bar over the years,” the post read. “Many memorable, some forgettable, and a few transcend space and time. I watch over them as they bring joy, wit, wisdom, and snark to our patrons. They are family.”
Mac’s Club Deuce photo
A Community Rallies
Diaz had traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, for medical care before his unexpected death. His wife, Christie Ashenoff, the bar’s social media manager and merchandise coordinator, shared the news with the community. She noted that the family is shattered beyond words but lifted by the love of the Miami community.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created by his family to assist with the costs of bringing Diaz home to Florida and to cover funeral expenses.
The response has been swift – in just a few days, donors have raised more than 93 percent of the initial $22,200 goal. Ashenoff noted that any funds raised beyond the funeral costs will be directed toward an educational fund for the couple’s sons, William and Hunter.
Service Information
Services for Diaz are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 13, at Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church in Hollywood, Florida. The date marks the couple’s 11th wedding anniversary. A specific time for the service will be announced in the coming days, and all are welcome to attend.
The bar also plans to host a celebration of life at Mac’s Club Deuce in the coming month. For now, the Deuce staff is asking friends and regulars to raise a glass of Fernet in his honor.
Mac’s Club Deuce. 222 14th St., Miami Beach. 305-531-6200. macsclubdeuce.com.
