And yet, the internet attempts to make us believe "day drinking" means waiting around until the evening. Listen, if we wanted happy hour or brunch, we would've typed "happy hour." Comprende? This article is about that buzz that makes your lunch break sparkle just a little more. You've got friends visiting from out of town, your cousin from Jersey who keeps asking where she can sip a mojito before 1 p.m., or maybe you're just playing hooky from adulting — whatever the scenario, you need a spot that won't make you wait until the sun is setting.
Luckily for you, Miami isn't stingy when it comes to early pours. We've got rooftops slinging cocktails at noon, breweries cracking open at 11:30, and sports bars that understand the assignment (because wings just taste better with a cold beer at lunch). American Social? Serving as early as 11:30 a.m. Lost Boy Dry Goods? Noon sharp. Cervecería La Tropical in Wynwood? 11:30 a.m. (you'll be sipping a lager under palm trees before most people have even finished their cafecito). This city was built for sipping in the sunlight.
So consider this your ultimate guide to the best day drinking spots in Miami. No more endless scrolling on Instagram, no more Yelp pages that betray you with "Opens at 5 p.m." We've done the legwork, and we can promise you this list is the real deal. Whether you want waterfront vibes on Key Biscayne, dive-bar feels in the Grove, or just a good ol' Flanigan's forest green, plastic cup full of beer, we've got you. So, let's raise a glass — before noon. (P.S. - If day drinking, please arrange safe transportation through a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft, call a friend to pick you up, set up a designated driver ahead of time, call an old-school taxi company from Google, or leave your car at the bar. You can always get it tomorrow.)
American Social Brickell – Opens at 11:30 A.M. (11 A.M. on Weekends)
690 SW First Ct., Miami786-706-8256
americansocialbar.comWinner of New Times' Best Spots Bar 2023, American Social in Brickell is one of the best day drinking spots in Miami thanks to its prime waterfront views, lively crowd, and versatile menu that goes way beyond basic bar bites. From boozy brunches to midday beers, the vibe is equally perfect for laid-back hangs or full-blown game-day watch parties that feel like tailgates on the water. Add in doughnut holes, deviled eggs, and bathrooms so spotless they deserve their own Yelp page, and you've got a spot that nails day drinking from every angle.
Barracuda Taphouse & Grill in Coconut Grove has been a beloved watering hole in Miami for 30 years, serving craft beer, classic fish sandwiches, and neighborhood charm starting at 11:30 a.m.
Barracuda Taphouse & Grill photo
Barracuda Taphouse & Grill - Opens at 11:30 A.M.
3035 Fuller St., Coconut Grove305-918-9013
barracudataphousegrill.shopBarracuda Taphouse & Grill isn't just a Grove institution — it's also one of the best places in Miami to start drinking as early as 11:30 a.m. daily. Under its iconic pink awning, you'll find cold pints, conch fritters, and a mix of locals, students, and fishermen who’ve been coming here for decades. With 52 rotating taps, a laid-back vibe, and picnic tables spilling onto Fuller Street, Barracuda makes day drinking feel less like a guilty pleasure and more like a Miami tradition.
Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen is a great spot for day drinking in Coral Gables
Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen photo
Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen - Opens at 11 A.M. (10 A.M. on Weekends)
65 Alhambra Plz., Coral Gables786-452-0935
bay13brewery.comBay 13 Brewery and Kitchen is one of the best day-drinking spots in Miami, opening bright and early at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends. Located in the heart of Coral Gables, it boasts a vibey, comfortable outdoor patio with couches perfect for lounging over a pint. The brewery is dog- and kid-friendly, impeccably clean, and feels safe, making it an ideal daytime hangout for everyone.
Biscayne Bay Brewing Co. - Opens at Noon
100 NE First Ave., Third Floor, Miami305-418-0179
biscaynebaybrewing.comBiscayne Bay Brewing Company is downtown Miami’s first independent brewery, pouring fresh local beers in a historic building. The airy taproom is filled with natural light, games, and a wraparound bar perfect for lingering over pints. With happy-hour deals and a lively crowd, it’s one of the best spots for daytime drinking in the city.
Popular Wynwood brewery Cerveceria La Tropical is open bright and early
Cerveceria La Tropical photo
Cerveceria La Tropical - Opens at Noon (11:30 A.M. on Weekends)
42 NE 25th St., Miami305-741-6991
cervecerialatropical.comWinner of New Times' Best New Brewery 2021, Cerveceria La Tropical in Wynwood is a fire day-drinking spot where history meets Miami flair, pouring pints from Cuba's oldest brewery revived with its original 1888 recipe. The lush, tropical beer garden, complete with an annex of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, makes it feel like an oasis in the middle of Wynwood. Add in live music, a full bar, and a menu of Caribbean dishes with Miami twists, and you've got one of the city’s most vibrant places to sip the day away.
The Cleat Key Biscayne - Opens at 3 P.M. (2 P.M. on Weekends)
No Name Harbor, 1200 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscaynelighthouserestaurants.comWinner of New Times' Best Kept Secret (Dining Division) 2024 and Best Waterfront Bar 2022, the Cleat is one of Miami's best-kept day-drinking gems, hidden away in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, where the trek feels like part of the adventure. Opening at 2 p.m. on weekends and a few weekdays, it rewards the wait with jaw-dropping waterfront views and some of the most stunning sunsets in the city. With mojitos in hand, toes in the sand, and a breezy escape-from-it-all vibe, it's a gorgeous slice of paradise that feels worlds away from Miami.
Flanigan's - Opens at 11 A.M.
Locations Across Miamiflanigans.netFlanigan's is a legendary Miami day-drinking spot where locals have been raising those iconic Big Daddy green cups since 1959. With oversized portions of ribs, wings, and nachos fueling the buzz, it’s the perfect place to camp out all afternoon while catching every game on the wall-to-wall TVs. Equal parts sports bar, seafood grill, and Miami institution, Flanigan’s is where day drinking turns into an all-day affair.
Gramps Getaway - Opens at Noon (11 A.M. on Friday - Sunday)
3301 Rickenbacker Cswy., Key Biscayne305-465-2482
instagram.com/grampsgetawayGramps Getaway is an iconic Miami day drinking spot where tiki hut cocktails and Biscayne Bay views instantly wash your worries away. The vibes are unbeatable, with DJs spinning, dogs welcome, and a menu of smoked fish dip, conch fritters, and juicy sandwiches that hit just right. It’s the kind of waterfront escape that feels like therapy, only with stronger drinks and better company. Your friends and coworkers will be so jealous you're day drinking here at 12:30 p.m. on a random Wednesday.
Hillstone Coral Gables - Opens at 11:30 A.M.
201 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables305-529-0141
hillstone.comHillstone in Coral Gables is epic for day drinking because you can totally pass it off as an “extended work lunch” without raising eyebrows. The bar is always buzzing, classy, and packed at all hours, so ordering a dirty martini at 1 p.m. feels completely normal. With a menu full of crowd-pleasers and a polished vibe, it’s the perfect weekday escape disguised as productivity.
Two cocktails from Lost Boy Dry Goods by Chris Hudnall and Randy Alonso of Lost Boy & Co.
Lost Boy Dry Goods photo
Lost Boy Dry Goods - Opens at Noon
157 E. Flagler St., Miami305-372-7303
lostboydrygoods.comLost Boy Dry Goods is a downtown Miami staple for day drinking, thanks to its laid-back vibe and expertly crafted cocktails. It’s the kind of bar where classics get subtle, creative twists, making every drink feel fresh without being fussy. With its cool, no-nonsense atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to sip away an afternoon in the heart of the city.
Magic 13 Brewing Co. - Opens at Noon (11 a.m. on Weekends)
40 NE 61st St., Miamimagic13brewing.comMagic 13 Brewing Co. is a killer day-drinking spot in Miami, with a huge shady tree and beer garden that feels like your own backyard party. The house-made brews are always flowing, the live music keeps the vibe going, and you can even switch it up with cocktails made from their own spirits. Add in tasty bites from Magic Kitchen, and suddenly "one beer" turns into a whole day well spent.
Monty's Raw Bar - Opens at 11:30 A.M.
2550 S. Bayshore Dr., Miami305-856-3992
instagram.com/montysrawbarcgMonty's Raw Bar in Coconut Grove is an iconic day-drinking spot where tropical vibes and laid-back energy collide. Nothing beats sipping a Pain Remover while watching the boats roll in and the sky turn cotton-candy pink at sunset. With fresh oysters, dockside views, and that breezy Grove atmosphere, it’s pure Miami magic.
Monty's Sunset - Opens at 11:30 A.M.
300 Alton Rd., Miami Beach305-672-1148
montyssobe.comMonty's Sunset is an incredible daytime watering hole where epic bay views and nonstop people-watching make every sip feel like a scene. With the marina right in front of you, frozen drinks in hand, and a crowd that knows how to party, the vibes are always electric. It's the kind of spot where you come for a drink and end up staying all afternoon, soaking up pure Miami energy.
