But a beloved, grungy dive bar with decades of wear, tear, personality, sticky floors, and stories to tell?!
Oh, hell no.
That's exactly what is going down over at Seven Seas bar (also written as Se7as Bar), which was named New Times' Best Karaoke in 2024. Located just off of Coral Way near the entrance of Coral Gables — directly across the street from the Granada golf course, no less — this grungy, locals-only watering hole with a pool table and fun karaoke nights is somehow getting a modern-looking makeover, and truly no one is happy right now.
Wait, The Panels Have Gone Where?
It all started when Miami-based blogger Mario Avalos of @lastbitemiami, who happens to be a major fan of the bar and frequent Seven Seas-er, took to Instagram to share a Reel featuring a startling sight: It seems all the moldy and sketchy looking planks from the front facade of the building have been removed, and in their place remains simply a layer of dark gray paint.And people aren't happy. In the caption, he writes, "Trusting the process, Seven Seas Bar, but let me grieve those wood panels a bit."
Classic Miami dive bar Seven Seas, beloved by locals, has removed its wooden panels and mural from the front of the building. Now, a bare concrete wall remains in its place.
Screenshot via Instagram/@lastbitemiami
Avalos tells New Times, "I couldn't tell you specifically what long-term renovations they have planned, but at the very least, they've so far removed all of those old warped and borderline rotten planks of wood that adorned the front of the bar and have redone those walls with concrete. From my understanding, they're going to eventually put up new wood — so, that's good."
But as Avalos says, "It's a little soulless as it currently stands."
Avalos says this mural of a seahorse has been removed following the removal of the wooden planks at Seven Seas bar in Miami
Photo by Mario Avalos
Customers' Favorite Mural Has Vanished
Probably the worst offense during this renovation at Seven Seas is the loss of a seahorse mural featuring an ocean floor, funky clams filled with pearls, and wavy ocean water. Avalos says this mural was taken down when they removed all of the wooden planks. "There was this seahorse mural nestled in the middle of the planks. There are other murals around the building, which are still there, but this one got taken down when everything else came down."Unfortunately, this specific mural was painted by a frequent customer. "The seahorse was made by this local artist who is also a regular at the bar for karaoke," he says.
According to Avalos, muralist Jez Visitante (@jezvisitante) painted the mural back in the day.
Once a Beloved Local Dive, Always a Beloved Local Dive
Don't let these renovations fool you — old-time bars always could use a refresh (especially for health code reasons/or safety)! And Seven Seas is still a legendary dive bar, no less. Although there are definitely more upscale options for karaoke in Miami, you're unlikely to find a space with more quirk to belt out your favorite '90s alt-rock classics, Spanish ballads, or pop favorites than this dingy dive in the ass-end of "La Saguesera," aka "the Southwest Area." (If you know, you know).
It's loud, and the kitschy, nautical-themed bar has seen better days, but the drinks are cheap, and it's one of the few remaining spots in Miami with the kind of neighborhood "regulars" that become bar legends. It's the kind of place you can leave for years and come back to hear some of the same crooners, and it's that kind of consistency that makes Seven Seas the real deal.
P.S. - Karaoke is every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10 p.m. — bring cash.
Seven Seas. 2200 SW 57th Ave., Miami; 305-266-6071; instagram.com/sevenseasbar.
