Photo by The Louis Collection
Audio By Carbonatix
Chef Danny Grant brings a more relaxed expression of his culinary vision to Miami with Eight Bar, his newest restaurant now open at Miami Worldcenter. The neighborhood bistro and raw bar quietly debuted on October 24 on the ground floor of Maple & Ash, offering a contrast to the high-gloss spectacle often associated with Grant’s restaurants: expansive dining rooms, prime cuts of steak, and indulgence-forward menus.
Designed with the city’s energy in mind, Eight Bar is meant for shared plates, after-work drinks, and late-night bites. Rather than replicating its Chicago counterpart, the Miami location has been thoughtfully adapted to suit the local dining habits. “Eight Bar has always been about serving incredible food and drinks with equally genuine service, without the pretense,” says Grant. “With Miami, we wanted to create a place that fits the way this city eats and gathers. Somewhere you can stop in for sushi after work, grab a burger with friends, or open a bottle of wine late at night and feel like it’s your spot.”
Photo by Felipe Cuevas
A Very ‘Miami’ Dining Room
Reimagined as a neighborhood gathering place, Eight Bar strikes a balance between polished design and playful charm, trading white-tablecloth formality for a refined yet approachable atmosphere. The menu reflects that intention, offering sushi, seafood towers, burgers, and cocktails designed for lingering. The result feels less like a destination restaurant and more like an everyday favorite that fits seamlessly into the rhythm of downtown Miami.
Eight Bar’s indoor-outdoor setting serves as a natural extension of the steakhouse above. A custom, art-lined elevator corridor connects the two spaces, guiding guests between Eight Bar’s tropical, lounge-like ambiance and the glamour of Maple & Ash’s dining room. Hospitality remains central to the experience.
Designed by Studio K, Eight Bar Miami feels like a retreat from the surrounding city. Leopard wallpaper, lush greenery, and marble floors come together beneath a trimmed lattice dome, creating a space that feels grounded yet quietly luxurious. During the day, natural light floods the room, giving it an airy, garden-inspired feel. At night, the atmosphere shifts into a dimly lit lounge that invites guests to relax and unwind.
Photo by The Louis Collection
Seafood Takes Center Stage
Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite or settling in for a full meal, Eight Bar’s menu is built with sharing in mind. As a bistro and raw bar, seafood takes center stage. The “Plateau Del Mar” is a standout, piled high with lobster, prawns, scallops, oysters, and fettuccine tossed in a spicy Calabrian chili sugo.
Sushi receives equal attention. The indulgent “King Crab Roll” arrives with truffle and warm drawn butter, while the Hamachi “Pizza,” layered with nori, wasabi aioli, and pickled chili, delivers a playful take on familiar flavors. For those looking to splurge, nigiri selections such as “Toro and Caviar” add an extra layer of luxury to the experience.
More casual options round out the menu. The “Eight Bar Burger” features a juicy Wagyu beef patty on a toasted milk bread bun, while flame-grilled skewers of miso-butter chicken or Wagyu beef make for easy crowd-pleasers. Hand-cut Kennebec fries are not to be missed, whether ordered classic, truffled, or “Get ’Em Dirty” with blue cheese dust. They pair just as well with cocktails as they do with the burger, if not better.
Inventive Cocktails and a Great Happy Hour
Eight Bar’s cocktail program mirrors the spirit of the space, balancing inventive signatures with well-executed classics. House creations like the “Vice City,” a mix of smoky mezcal, papaya, hot honey, and mango limonada, or the “Electric Flamingo,” with its citrus notes and subtle bubblegum finish, feel playful without veering into novelty. For those who prefer a little heat, the “Good Trouble” blends ghost tequila with spiced watermelon for a bold yet approachable sip.
Classic cocktails, including the Aperol Spritz, Gimlet, Lemon Drop, and Martini, are crafted with the same attention to detail, making them reliable companions to both raw bar selections and heartier dishes.
Happy hour runs daily from 4 to 6 p.m., offering $8 bites and drinks that make it easy to sample the menu or unwind after work. Eight Bar also leans into convenience, with select dishes and cocktails available for delivery via DoorDash, extending the neighborhood feel beyond the dining room.
The restaurant is currently open for dinner Thursday through Sunday, with happy hour offered daily from 4 to 6 p.m. Maple Hospitality Group plans to introduce lunch and weekend brunch in the near future. Delivery via DoorDash adds another layer of accessibility for downtown residents and office workers looking for something more refined than standard takeout.
Eight Bar. 699 NE First Ave., First Floor; Downtown Miami; eightbarrestaurants.com.
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