4 Miami Spots Among the Best Bars in North America

Something's stirring in Miami — and it's not just the ocean breeze or the hum of nightlife. Behind the palm trees and neon lights, a new kind of magic is taking over, one shaken, stirred, and served in a glass. You might think you know Miami, but lately, the city's been crafting something even locals didn't see coming: world-class bars that could stand tall anywhere on the planet.

International food and beverage ranking publication World's 50 Best has announced its annual list of North America's 50 Best Bars. This year, for the first time, the publication included an additional 50 bars in its 51-100 List 2025, and four Miami bars made the cut. The news comes a week after New Times published its 2025 list of the Best Bars in Miami, spotlighting every local favorite shaking up the city's cocktail scene.

From a hidden anime-inspired speakeasy to a Champagne-soaked slice of old-school glamour, the four bars selected in the list offer very different experiences, but they all raise the standard for what it means to drink in the Magic City. Below, based on ranking, are the four additions to the list.

ViceVersa (No. 56)

Downtown Miami's ViceVersa, helmed by acclaimed bartender Valentino Longo, has become one of the city's highest-ranked entries — and for good reason. Hidden inside the Elser Hotel, this Italian aperitivo bar reimagines classics like Negronis and Americanos with a Miami twist. Highlights include the "ViceVersa Negroni" made with ViceVersa Mi-To (the house dolce amaro blend and Bombay Sapphire), as well as the "Negroni Sbagliato" made with ViceVersa Mi-To, Franciacorta (an Italian sparkling wine). The menu also has three other sections dedicated to other spirits and cocktails. But the real sleeper hit? The neo-Neapolitan pizzas, made with freshly stretched mozzarella and local flours that undergo a slow 24-to-48-hour cold fermentation — a looser, more playful take on classic Neapolitan traditions. It's the kind of place that shows you how to aperitivo like a true Italian — and the industry is taking notice: Not only was ViceVersa named one of New Times' 7 Best New Bars of 2024, but it also earned a 2025 James Beard Award nomination for Best New Bar.

Champagne Bar at The Surf Club (No. 61)

Step into the Champagne Bar at the historic Four Seasons Surf Club and step back into another era — the golden age of glamour. Miami's largest Champagne selection anchors the experience, complemented by global cocktail riffs, seasonal creations, and a custom cocktail cart experience starting at 6 p.m. for those craving something even more bespoke. Set just outside the Lido at Surf Club Restaurant, the emerald-green bar spills into a plush lounge and outdoor patio, serving as the property's stylish lobby bar. Cocktails lean pricey — around $25 each — but they're some of the finest you'll find anywhere in the city. And if nothing on the menu calls to you, there's always a deep list of Champagne and sparkling wines by the glass or bottle.

Bar Kaiju (No. 77)

Bar Kaiju is the kind of place you have to know about — but once you do, you'll never forget it. Tucked upstairs at The Citadel in Little River, this anime and kaiju monster-inspired bar is drenched in neon-red vibes and cinematic nostalgia. Drinks come printed on trading cards, and each cocktail is as playful (and powerful) as the creatures that inspired them. The "Groot," for example, is a cask-aged cocktail made with roasted hazelnut-infused bourbon, peach, Palo Cortado, and dry vermouth, while the "Tarasca" is a martini taken to new levels with fino sherry, Manzanilla olives, and extra-virgin olive oil. New Times declared Bar Kaiju home of the "Best Cocktails" of 2024, as did Bon Appétit, which included the bar on its 11 best new bars in America list last year.

Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery (No. 78)

Miami Beach's Swizzle Rum Bar is a love letter to rum and to the craft of cocktail-making without shortcuts. Housed inside the Stiles Hotel, this cozy, tropical bar pours up everything from coffee-banana daiquiris to new-age tiki creations, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and freehand flair. You'll find classics (such as a rum Manhattan) and imaginative cocktails like the "El Presidente," made with rum, pomegranate, molasses, and Angostura bitters. Swizzle also offers rum flights if you care to explore the world from your barstool.

Other Miami Spots Recognized as Best in the World