Japanese-Inspired Cocktail Bar Kiss Opens in South Beach

When Kissaki opened in South Beach earlier this year, it brought a polished take on Japanese dining to the upscale South of Fifth neighborhood. Now, the team behind the omakase restaurant is expanding its footprint with Kiss, a cocktail and tapas bar that opened last week just steps from its flagship location.

By day, the space housing Kiss operates as Lilikoi Organic Living, a health-focused café known for its juices and wholesome fare. By night, it trades its daytime vibe for a sleek cocktail lounge offering inventive drinks and globally influenced small plates. The dual-use concept mirrors Miami’s blend of wellness and nightlife, appealing to green juice seekers by day and cocktail enthusiasts by evening.

The beverage program is led by Joji Watanabe, cofounder of the New York cocktail bar Rokc, known for its creative presentations and avant-garde techniques. At Kiss, the drinks lean toward the experimental, with offerings like the "Smoky Piña Colada" made with milk-washed coconut milk and mezcal, and the "Cucumber in the Pepper," a spicy margarita served in a hollowed red bell pepper. For a nostalgic twist, there’s "Coke Without Coke," a housemade cola syrup blended with rum and more than ten other ingredients.

“We wanted to create something unique for Miami,” says Watanabe, whose influence extends to every element of the bar program. “Each cocktail tells a story, from its ingredients to its presentation.”
The food menu, designed by Kissaki Miami’s executive chef Benjamin Tellez, offers a mix of lighter fare and heartier bites.

Highlights include crisp Wagyu tacos topped with sesame avocado purée, caviar cornets filled with crème fraîche and Ossetra caviar, and patatas bravas elevated with confit potatoes and a duo of aiolis. For dessert, the matcha pot de crème comes paired with sesame doughnuts, while a vanilla soft-serve is dressed with olive oil, sea salt, caviar, and gold.

The bar has a contemporary, elegant look with velvet chairs, vintage wallpaper, and plush lounge seating that make the space feel both stylish and inviting. Polished wooden tables are scattered throughout the intimate dining room, where soft instrumental music — jazz, acoustic guitar, and piano — sets a relaxed tone. For a front-row seat to the action, guests can grab a spot at the bar, where bartenders mix cocktails with dramatic touches like smoke and fire.

With this new concept, Kissaki aims to further integrate itself into the neighborhood. “Kiss is a natural extension of what we’ve been building here,” says owner Gary Kanfer. “It’s a place for locals to unwind, try something unexpected, and enjoy great food and drinks.”

Kiss. 500 S. Pointe Dr., Miami Beach; instagram.com/kissmiamibeach. Wednesday through Sunday 6:30 p.m. to late.