Miami's Ten Best Beer Joints

Although Miami has long been known for its fitness regimen, gluten-free this and that, and more than a fair share of wine bars, the Magic City’s beer culture has only recently taken off. As local breweries such as J. Wakefield, MIA Brewing, and Wynwood Brewing add to Florida’s already incredible craft beer culture, it’s easier than ever to get a great pint in just about any neighborhood around town. However, just to make sure you’re not missing out on one single glass of suds, we’ve assembled a list of ten essential beer joints in Miami. Whether it’s been a long day at work or you’re just trying to beat the interminable heat, head to any of these local favorites for a tall cold one.

10. World of Beer
Some will argue that a chain doesn’t deserve to be on a list next to locally grown restaurants, but even the hard-core beer drinker knows that a place with everything at your fingertips is sometimes worth having. With locations in midtown, Kendall, and Dadeland, World of Beer has you covered when beer is calling is your name. Each location offers more than 500 beers from around the world, satisfying palates in need of something more exotic, all the way to those looking for a heat-busting pilsner. If you find yourself at the midtown location, you can have food delivered from a variety of restaurants located at the Shops at Midtown.

9. Titanic Restaurant & Brewery
A University of Miami staple since it opened in the mid-'90s, this live music venue and beer bar is a favorite among locals and college students alike. Yet another pioneer in the Florida craft beer movement, Titanic offers 12 house-made brews, ranging from ales to British bitters and even an oatmeal stout. Additionally, six regularly changing guest drafts are on tap; currently picks are JDub, Six Point, and Two Brothers Brewing. If all of that drinking makes you hungry, wash down the robust brews with signature pub fare that includes fried calamari, wings, and plenty of sandwiches.

8. Bougainvillea’s Old Florida Tavern
Better known to locals as Bougie’s, this “Old Florida Tavern” is a modern look at classic Florida. It features a massive patio perfect for long summer nights with a cold brew and a loud jam band, and the three bars inside offer innumerable options to whet your whistle. This list is full of plenty of spots to get an esoteric craft beer alongside an epic burger or hand-cut fries, but for those who like their beer as relaxed as the environment, cheap Miller Lite and free pizza fit the bill. Sunday night hosts In the Biz, featuring 50 percent discounts for restaurant and bar employees. Go on and git it!

7. Duffy’s Tavern
Another paean to the culture of old Miami, Duffy's is a place where it’s hard to tell whether there’s more beer in the refrigerators or on the ceiling. This West Miami-Dade tavern-cum-Irish-pub is a local favorite, with daily drink specials like two-for-one after 11 p.m. and lunch specials starting at just $3.95. A favorite for sports fans and tavern lovers alike, Duffy’s keeps a list of around 20 beers on tap, with an additional menu of bottled beers to suit everyone’s tastes. Cheap enough for college kids and friendly enough for the family, and with more than 20 TV sets and plenty of libations, this half-century-old landmark has a bright future.

6. Lou’s Beer Garden
Even with fried chicken and plenty of pork dominating the Beach’s culinary scene these days, gastropubs have been delighting beachgoers for years. Opened in 2009 inside the New Hotel, Lou’s Beer Garden is slick enough for the classy diner yet relaxed enough for an afternoon of beer and proper pub fare. Lou’s craft libations menu features everything from house-made cocktails, eight beers on tap, and a bottle list that even some local aficionados would be happy with. A small menu, featuring cold and hot small plates, as well as a few large plates like roast duck and steamed salmon, pair nicely with the beverage list. 

5. The Seven Dials
What do you get when a London native relocates to Miami? A proper plate of fish 'n' chips and a beer list to match. Seven Dials, located in Coral Gables just off Miracle Mile, is the project of Andrew Gilbert, who spent time at Sra. Martinez as well as the Local. He serves a predominantly local line of drafts, such as Funky Buddha, Cigar City, and the more esoteric J. Wakefield brews, paired with handmade gastropub favorites that include hamburgers, hand-cut fries, and even foie gras. By no means another bar, the Seven Dials will appeal to the most serious gastronome.

4. Tap 79
Quietly playing its role in the burgeoning 79th Street restaurant district, Tap 79 serves up delicious pub fare alongside an ever-changing list of craft beers. Although they have one of the smaller beer selections on this Top Ten, they regularly feature local Florida brews, and up to five world beers. The selection can often include everything from Victory, Chimay, and Blue Point to favorites like Brooklyn Brewing and even New Belgium. Pair any of these with a lamb burger, or perhaps some fried rice balls, and you’ve got yourself a decent afternoon. Their pallet-clad ceiling is one of the most interesting in Miami.

3. The Abbey Brewing Co.
Taking the cake as “Miami Beach’s oldest and only brewpub,” the Abbey has been handcrafting its own beers since 1995. Not for the faint of heart, this old-world-style brewery serves its own take on IPA, stout, double, and trippel ales, better left to beer pros than anyone looking for an easy refreshment. Novice drinkers will find another ten or so European and American craft beers, which change depending upon the whims of owner/brewer Raymond Rigazio. Want a cigar or maybe a glass of port instead? Peruse the stocked gift shop or the full bar with standard, top-shelf, and microspirits. A true drinker’s bar, the Abbey may have you praying for an early night if you’re not prepared.

2. Kush
The Wynwood sibling of Coral Gables’ Lokal, Kush embodies the creativity and indulgence that the arts district has to offer. Situated just off the train tracks on NE 20th Street at Second Avenue, this gritty gastropub has been serving everything from bacon-laced brownies to black-bean burgers, along with a proper list of craft beers, for just a little more than a year. Alongside a refrigerator brimming with international bottled brews, 18 total taps offer an ever-changing look at local and national beers, handpicked by resident expert David Rodriguez. For a dose of culture and a happy gut, Kush is your go-to gastropub.

1. Boxelder
As the most recent, and perhaps the most esoteric, addition to Miami’s rapidly expanding craft beer scene, this market/taproom serves some of the rarest beers from across the nation. With a constantly changing tap list that features sours, goses, porters, hefeweizens, and just about everything in between, Boxelder offers craft brew novices and seasoned professionals alike something to suit their tastebuds. Keep tabs on the taproom's Facebook page — Boxelder regularly hosts beer tastings, pop-up food vendors, and other events to highlight its incredible selection of brews. 

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