Photo by Leo Diaz
Audio By Carbonatix
As 2026 shapes up to be a promising year for live music across Miami, Miami Beach is adding exciting news to that momentum.
The Miami Beach City Commission has unanimously approved a temporary deregulatory ordinance designed to make it easier for qualifying indoor live entertainment venues and restaurants to open in key commercial corridors, including Lincoln Road and Washington Avenue. The measure removes the conditional use permit requirement and raises the occupancy threshold for indoor venues from 200 to 750 people, a move that would help bring live music venues back to Miami Beach.
The move arrives as new venues open across Miami, from Midline and Throw Social in Wynwood to the JAM Arena at Casino Miami in Hialeah. Bar Black has also made a comeback with a pop-up at the former Gramps space, while listening rooms continue to pop up citywide.
What the New Miami Beach Rules Mean for Live Music
“We’re temporarily deregulating and streamlining approvals to make it easier for live entertainment and quality restaurants to make a comeback on the Beach,” said Miami Beach Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez in a press release sent to New Times. “When people reminisce about the heyday of Miami Beach, they think of beloved venues of the past like the Van Dyke Cafe that was famous for its live jazz. The irony is that this type of venue that people miss would not be allowed to open as of right under the framework we just changed. By removing the requirement for conditional use permits, we’re opening the door for live music, quality restaurants, and bringing life back to our main commercial corridors.”
The policy applies to districts including Lincoln Road, Washington Avenue, Collins Avenue between 65th and 75th streets, 71st Street and Normandy Drive, and 41st Street.
Picture courtesy of Medium Cool
“Miami Beach is open for business. We’re cutting red tape while maintaining high standards, so responsible businesses can open faster and bring energy to our commercial corridors,” said Mayor Steven Meiner.
“This is another proactive business tool made possible by Miami Beach’s leadership,” added Lyle Stern, president of the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District. “It immediately eliminates overregulation and restrictions that have prevented our business community from being competitive. Now is the moment to bring the energy of live music back to Miami Beach.”
If the ordinance delivers, venues could soon join Kill Your Idol and the Miami Beach Bandshell in reshaping the Beach’s soundscape.
