Photo by David Rolland
Audio By Carbonatix
Live in Miami long enough, and you’ll eventually have a realization that some high-rise architectural monstrosity stands in a spot where you used to have good times late at night. “Wasn’t that building where Vagabond once was?”, “Didn’t that used to be Tobacco Road?” and “Wasn’t that once Grand Central?” are all questions I’ve found myself asking while driving around our fair city.
Before that fate could await Gramps, there was a closing party to be had. On Sunday night, a line formed from the entrance all the way to Wynwood’s NW 2nd Avenue, as masses of people wished to experience the bar one last time as they knew and loved it. As a watering hole, a live music venue, and a pizza place, before whatever form of gentrification will take its place.
The sad news that the hipster hangout would evaporate from its Wynwood location was first announced last summer. A January 2026 closing date seemed so far away back in August 2025. But time stops for no one, and the long good-bye ended Sunday night with an all-star line-up of local bands who performed at the space countless previous times. Energized by all the goodwill, each band saved its best Gramps performances for last.
First, however, there was a little bit of demolition work to be done. Before the sun set, they letter by letter took down the Gramps sign that stood above the promise of air conditioning, cold beer, and cocktails for the thirteen years of the establishment’s existence. No tears were shed. This was a crowd that wanted to have a good time at this funeral.
Photo by David Rolland
And the musicians reciprocated the energy. It was a night of Miami guitar rock at its finest. MIA kicked things off, and soon after, Seafoam Walls, who bring a blissful blend that they dub South Florida Caribbean Jazzgaze, followed. Next came Las Nubes, who brought a high-energy brand of indie rock that showed off its roots from ’90s alternative music with a cover of the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind”.
As Ben Katzman and his band set up their gear and performed a sound check, owner Adam Gersten came on the stage to read a prayer candle that someone handed him, praising the bar and mourning its passing. Katzman and his four-piece band then took command with a set that was heavy on pun and devotion towards the altar of rock. Channeling his inner Jack Black, Katzman proceeded to work up the crowd with power chords and puns about transcendental shred-itation. A low-key mosh pit quickly broke out, and by the end of their rapid thirty minutes on stage, Katzman’s sweaty, shirtless body was carried by the palms of his apostles in the audience.
Photo by David Rolland
Next came Donzii to bring out their brand of post-punk performance art under the Miccosukee-style chickee hut that shelters the Gramps outdoor stage. With angular guitars, droning vocal modulations, and the constant movement of frontwoman Jenna Balfe, the crowd danced until the end. House lights came on, but the loud chant of “one more song” had Donzii obliging.
The final band, Cumbiamba, had its turn as it played Latin-based grooves. They took their responsibility seriously as the last band that will ever play at Gramps, a venue that has seen performances by Mitski, Parquet Courts, and Waxahatchee, along with countless other musicians from Miami, all over the Americas and Europe.
As mentioned, there was no crying on this night of smiles and hugs. But the bar’s closing feels like the end of an era for Wynwood. Gramps was the last remnant of the neighborhood’s hipster heyday, that of Lester’s and Wood Tavern and all the art galleries that would give free wine on Artwalk Saturdays. Here’s hoping something equally memorable and cool can emerge from its ashes.
