Tobacco Road Turns 100 With a Two-Day Celebration

Tobacco Road turns 100 this Saturday, November 17.

In this day and age of restaurants and bars closing their doors after a few months or weeks, even, it is astounding that this little establishment that serves simple booze, grub, and live music would hit the century mark.

Read also:
– Top Ten Reasons Tobacco Road Should Live Another 100 Years

The secret to the “Road’s” longevity might lie with its ability to go with the flow.

Since opening in 1912, it has served as a speakeasy, gambling hall, and a storehouse for bootleg hooch, getting by despite prohibition, police raids, and hurricanes.

Now, at the grand old age of 100, the Road faces its biggest challenge — progress. Back in May, the block that Tobacco Road sits on was purchased by an investment group for around $12 million. Though the distant future is uncertain, Tobacco Road has a three-year lease, and a lot of good karma on its side.

Something tells us Tobacco Road will still be around long after the rest of Miami turns into a Jetsons theme park — the little neon light glowing a warm welcome as shiny chrome robots line up to have a beer and a shot.

A century celebration is too big to cram into one day, so Tobacco Road is starting the party tonight, Friday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. with live music and food trucks. No cover.

On Saturday, November 17, sing Happy Birthday to the Road, starting at 6:30 p.m. with more food trucks, a killer music lineup, and some surprises. $10 admission in advance, $75 VIP service includes an open bar all night. Purchase tickets through brownpapertickets.com. Limited to 2,500 people only.

Saturday’s musical lineup includes:

• Big Sam’s Funky Nation
• The Heavy Pets
• Iko-Iko
• The Spam All Stars
• DJ Le Spam
• Locos Por Juana
• Jay Blues Band
• August Campbell
• DJ Smooth
• Hosted by Mark Weiser & DJ Oski.

Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.

Follow Short Order on Facebook , on Twitter @Short_Order, and Instagram @ShortOrder.