So this summer, Londoners looking for a bit of tropical thrill can get a small taste of Miami Beach without having to leave town. There's a pop-up minicity in the middle of Brixton inspired by 1980s South Beach.
Dubbed "Brixton Beach Boulevard," the project is the brainchild of a group of promoters who over the winter turned the area into an Antarctic-themed space called the South Pole Saloon. For summer, they brought in
According to the organizers, the space "invites guests to escape the hustle and bustle of London, wind back the clock, and turn up the heat for a series of immersive day and night parties, surprise DJ sets, live broadcasting of this summer’s amazing sporting events, outdoor screenings of classic 80’s films, plus local street food vendors and refreshing summer cocktails."
Entrance fees start at just £4 (about $5.88). Cocktails, which include frozen margaritas and speciality drinks such as the "Miami Vice," cost £7 ($10.33). So it's actually cheaper than the real thing. Food is also available, and the "Miami Bass" eatery section is a "platform for trained chefs to have fun serving up creative street food at democratic prices." However, the bar mentions dishes like "chateaubriand steak and shoulder of lamb," not South Beach favorites like stone crabs and
The event space is located in the Brixton neighborhood, which is sort of analogous to Miami's Wynwood. The trendy neighborhood is known for its recent influx of art galleries, vintage clothing boutiques, and artisanal restaurants. The neighborhood also has a flair for pop-up locations. In addition to hosting the pop-up Miami Beach, the neighborhood is also Britain's headquarters for pop-up restaurants and bars.
The Brits do seem to be getting a kick out of the faux South Beach. Though, we do always invite them to come experience the real thing.
