The Ten Best Labor Day Weekend Parties in Miami

Work hard, play hard, right? Bid adieu to summer, unofficially anyway, and celebrate Labor Day with a jam-packed weekend of events that'll make your return to work the Tuesday after the holiday nearly impossible. The long Labor Day weekend is always filled with events. Here's a guide to some of the best.
38 Years of Churchill's. The walls of this Miami music institution are primed with 38 years of sweat and beer. New Times named this dive the best rock club in Miami, and it'll celebrate its birthday with a three-day music festival over Labor Day weekend. Its flyer advertises free drinks from 5 to 7 p.m., so be sure to get there early. The shindig will offer three stages with more than 50 acts that include performances by Talking Dogs, the Zoo Peculiar, Analog, Deadman's Gambit, Drawing Bored, Bitter Blue Jays, Donzii, the Osceola Brothers, Eunoia, Radio89, Dead Cat Lounge, Jellyfish Brothers, Buffy, and others. Here's to many more years of rock 'n' roll in the Magic City. 5 p.m. Friday, September 1, through Sunday, September 3, at Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-757-1807; churchillspub.com; Admission is free.
Nicky Romero at Ora Nightclub. The rise and fall of some our city's famed music venues is still a sore subject for many locals. Thankfully, new ones are slowly popping up and reinvigorating the scene. This 10,000-square-foot überexclusive megaclub was recently dubbed by New Times as one of Miami's best new music venues, and it has already hosted some of the biggest acts around. Dutch DJ and producer Nicky Romero, who sits at the #29 spot of DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list, will be the shot of adrenaline you need to properly kick off your Labor Day weekend. 11 p.m. Friday, September 1, at Ora Nightclub, 2000 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-912-1010. Tickets cost $30 via oranightclub.com.
Ball & Chain Music Festival. This Little Havana institution is celebrating its 82nd anniversary with a weekend-long free music festival. Just the thought of the number of mojitos that have been consumed at this spot since 1935 is enough to make your head spin. The three-day celebration will present more than 100 musicians and DJs performing genres and styles ranging from Afro-Cuban funk to jazz to latin pop and more. Enjoy music under the sun at the venue's spacious garden during performances on the gigantic outdoor Pineapple Stage, as well as on the indoor Main Stage. Noon Friday, September 1, through Sunday, September 3, at Ball & Chain, 1513 SW Eighth St., Miami; 305-643-7820; ballandchainmiami.com. Admission is free.
Palace Sunset Tea Dance. The iconic Palace that once stood on Ocean Drive at 12th Street was the heartbeat of South Beach's Lummus Park and a pillar of the city's LGBT community. Soon after the bar closed, the owner vowed to open a larger Ocean Drive location. The queens have heard our prayers, and they're ready to rule a new Palace. New Times reported yesterday the famed bar will, in fact, return to Ocean Drive (the exact location has yet to be revealed) and will temporarily call South Beach's Clevelander C-Level Rooftop home for its Tea Dance party. A premiere is set for Saturday, August 19, and an official opening August 27, but you know the performers will go all out for the holiday weekend too. The event advertises "ocean views, drink specials, no cover, and a fantastic sound system" on its Facebook page. 5 p.m. Saturday, September 2, and Sunday, September 3, at the Clevelander C-Level Rooftop, 1020 Ocean Dr., Miami; 305-532-4006; palacesouthbeach.com. Admission is free.
Kendrick Lamar With YG and D.R.A.M at the American Airlines Arena. Kendrick Lamar is back to grace the stages of Miami once again, but this time with YG and D.R.A.M for his highly anticipated Damn tour. The show at downtown Miami's American Airlines Arena is the final stop of the tour, so if you failed to witness his epic set at Rolling Loud 2017 in May, there's still a chance to redeem yourself. This show will be one for the books. Pro tip: Finding parking in downtown on a holiday weekend shouldn't be on your list of events, so do yourself a solid and take the Metromover to the arena. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 2, at American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 786-777-1000. Tickets cost $45.50 to $125.50 via ticketmaster.com.
Miami Nice All White Yacht Party. Get your best white outfit ready for a late-night maritime bash aboard the South Beach Lady, because are you even partying in Miami if you aren't popping bottles on a yacht? The four-level luxury vessel boasts cash bars on each deck, bottle service, VIP areas, a DJ sky booth, and cabana-style furnishings. Get down to the sounds of DJ Prince and DJ Snap, and don't miss the complimentary grub at the light buffet. Fair warning: This event does not run on Miami time. The yacht will depart from Miamarina at Bayside Marketplace at 12:30 a.m. sharp. 11:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday, September 2, aboard the South Beach Lady, 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 718-930-3959. Tickets cost $75 to $1,000 via miaminiceweekend.com.
Deadbeats, Presented by BLNK CNVS, at Mana Wynwood. The Deadbeats tour will unleash sonic mayhem on sunny South Florida with a stacked roster of heavy-hitters. Zeds Dead will invade Mana Wynwood with Slander b2b Kayzo, Space Jesus, Eprom, and Champagne Drip. Miami, this is your invitation to rage. 9 p.m. Sunday, September 3, at Mana Wynwood, 2217 NW Fifth Ave., Miami; 305-573-0371; manawynwood.com. Tickets cost $35 via ticketfly.com.
Hyde Night Swim Labor Day Weekend Edition. It's no secret that the Magic city likes to party hard. Hyde Beach pool parties are the East Coast version of a rowdy Las Vegas one. The oceanfront spot beckons the city's holiday weekend warriors to come out for a wild night and swim under the stars at the SLS Hotel. Damaged Goods will take over the decks at this Labor Day fiesta. As Hyde's Facebook page warns: "Be sure to expect the unexpected!" Don't forget to snag a photo with the giant duck statue. 6 p.m. Sunday, September 3, at Hyde Beach, 1701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-455-2990; sbe.com. Tickets and table reservations are available via sbe.com.
Labor Day Party at Foxhole. You'll know you've arrived at this hidden back-alley spot when you find a lone door illuminated by a red light. Once you've made your way in, you'll be greeted with a blue neon sign that reads "I Found Foxhole." If you're looking to get your Sunday drink session on, you're in the right place. The South Beach bar is hosting its annual party with half off drinks from 5 to 9 p.m. and music by DJs Rascal and Tony G. The two-story bar boasts a pool table, arcade games, darts, spacious booths, and flat-screen TVs. 5 p.m. Sunday, September 3, at Foxhole, 1218 14th Ct., Miami Beach; 305-534-3511; foxholebar.com. Admission is free with RSVP via eventbrite.com.
Camp Nikki Beach. There's no better way to kiss summer goodbye than sinking your toes in the sand at a proper beachside bash. We all remember the great times at summer camp, and now is your chance to relive those fun times at Nikki Beach. The South Beach staple will celebrate Labor Day weekend summer-camp-style with an all-day, adult-friendly party featuring s'mores. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 3, at Nikki Beach, 1 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach; 305-538-1111; nikkibeach.com.