11 Things to Do in Miami at Night

Looking for fun activities? Here's a round-up of cool nightlife: bars, clubs, shows and amazing tours - Miami has it all!

Katherine Betances

Katherine Betances

8 min read

11 Things to Do in Miami at Night

Miami | ©Mack Male

Miami is not a city that invites you to go to bed early. If you find the daytime activities interesting, wait until you see what the nightlife scene in this vibrant place has to offer. It's not for nothing that Miami Beach's parties and entertainment venues are among the most exclusive and famous in the world.

However, when it comes to nightlife in Miami, it's not all about bars and nightclubs. No matter what type of traveller you are, you'll find something for everyone- read on and check it out!

1. Miami City: The best place to improve your salsa steps!

Dancing Salsa| ©jazidukes
Dancing Salsa| ©jazidukes

It is no secret that much of the atmosphere and spirit of the city of Miami is due to the strong influence of the Latin-Caribbean culture in this part of the United States. In fact, Miami is one of the best destinations in the world to get the hang of the salsa steps.

That's why booking a salsa lesson has become a popular social activity. You'll find nightclubs offering nightly lessons for beginners and enthusiasts of all levels who want to improve their dancing.

It's great fun to attend, as in addition to the learners you'll find live music performances and professional Latin dancers with amazing skill.

Book a salsa class

2. Experience an NBA game

basketball game|©albedo20
basketball game|©albedo20

The first thing I recommend you do when you buy your tickets to Miami is to book your ticket for the Miami Heat. Wondering why? Going to an NBA game is an unforgettable and spectacular experience that you have to have at least once in your life.

When you get your ticket, make sure you choose the seat you want so you can enjoy the game to the fullest. And on the day of the game, go in good time. An NBA game is a spectacle and you have to enjoy the atmosphere, buy some souvenirs, watch the cheerleaders dancing and the players entering the court.

The official length of an NBA game is 48 minutes (4 quarters of 12 minutes each), but between half-time and time-outs it usually lasts up to two hours.

Book your Miami Heat tickets

3. Take a sunset cruise on Biscayne Bay

Biscayne Bay| ©Angelofdie
Biscayne Bay| ©Angelofdie

To make the most of your evening in Miami, I recommend booking a cruise on Biscayne Bay to enjoy the beautiful sun set and admire the array of buildings that make up the city skyline.

Another unforgettable activity is to book a boat party where you will enjoy the wonderful night views of the city while listening to the music of a professional DJ.

Miami is a beautiful city, and getting out on the water and admiring its beauty from a different perspective is an ideal plan.

Useful information

  • Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
  • Time: At sunset. Be at the meeting point 20 minutes before boarding.
  • Price range: From €28 per adult ticket.

Book a Biscayne Bay Cruise

4. Miami Sightseeing Bus Tour

Miami Sightseeing Bus Tour| ©Ed Webster
Miami Sightseeing Bus Tour| ©Ed Webster

Booking the Miami night bus tour is one of the best activities you can do to discover Miami. It is highly recommended if it is your first time in the city and your stay is only for a few days, for example 3 days in Miami or less.

The night tour bus tour starts at Biscayne Boulevard, one of the most beautiful areas to stroll along in Miami after sunset.

On board the bus you will find pre-recorded commentary explaining the most iconic attractions along the route. The guide is available in several languages including English, Spanish, German and French.

Useful information

  • Duration: The non-stop tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, making it an ideal activity to do in combination with others on the list.
  • Timetable: Available every day from 8pm.
  • Price range: Adult tickets start at €29 while children between the ages of 3 and 12 pay approximately €23.

Book the Miami Night Bus Tour

5. Take a helicopter tour to see the night lights.

Helicopter Flight| ©Viator
Helicopter Flight| ©Viator

Flying over the city of Miami in a helicopter is a very popular activity that allows you to see the city in all its splendour and from a totally different point of view.

Book a helicopter tour to enjoy the sunset over the city and watch the city's most iconic and beautiful landmarks slowly light up: Wiliams Island, Indian Creek, the mansions of the rich and famous along the Intracoastal Waterway and many more.

A private champagne flight tour of Miami is also a perfect romantic plan if you're in town celebrating a special occasion, as many local companies include complimentary plans with champagne toasts during the flight and other surprises that you can arrange.

Useful information

  • Duration: It will depend on the excursion you book. The flight can last between 30 and 50 minutes.
  • Time: At sunset.
  • Price range: The private experience is available from around €286, the maximum number of participants allowed is usually 2 to 4.

Book a helicopter tour

6. Sign up for a night tour of the Everglades National Park

Night in the Everglades| ©Insite Image
Night in the Everglades| ©Insite Image

An Everglades National Park mangrove adventure from Miami is one of the best things to do in the city, but did you know that Everglades activities are available at night? That's right, you can book a nighttime airboat tour in the Everglades.

It's worth going to the Everglades at night, as it's one of the few places in Miami where you can enjoy the stars without light pollution.

Useful information

  • Duration: Approximately 1 hour to complete the tour.
  • Time: Only on Wednesdays and Saturdays after sunset.
  • Price range: The tour costs approximately €42 per person.

Book a nighttime airboat tour in Everglades

7. Ride the city's Ferris wheel: the Skyview Miami Wheel

Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel| ©Tomas
Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel| ©Tomas

Take a ride on one of the newest attractions added to the city's urban environment. This is possibly one of the best things to do with children at night.

The 60-metre high Ferris wheel is located on Biscayne Boulevard, offering travellers and tourists alike breathtaking views of the iconic downtown skyline, Biscayne Bay and Bayfront Park.

In addition to spectacular visuals, attending the Skyview Miami Wheel at night is an attraction in itself, as the wheel is dressed in fun colours in a light show that illuminates the surrounding area. Food stalls and other amusements are also available for the public to enjoy.

Useful Information

  • Duration: As long as you like.
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Price range: Approx. €15 per adult ticket. Children under 4 years old are free when accompanied by an adult.

Book a Biscayne Bay cruise

8. Enjoy the neon light show in Miami Beach

Neon Lights| ©MarioB
Neon Lights| ©MarioB

Miami Beach is one of the most popular areas of Miami and the reasons are obvious. This small elongated island, separated from the city by the beautiful Biscayne Bay, has been the hub of nightlife in the city for centuries.

Bustling, vibrant and colourful, the neighbourhood's Art Deco buildings are lit up nightly in an eye-catching neon light show. Head to this area of the city to enjoy a stroll along the waterfront avenues and book an art deco tour.

Also, if you're interested you have the option to join in with some of the many parties that take place, so don't hesitate! To keep up to date with the parties, I recommend checking Eventbrite a few days before your trip.

Some useful information

  • Time: When night falls over the city.
  • Price range: Free.

Book an art deco tour

9. Enjoy a live jazz music show

At Ball & Chain| ©Helena Lopes
At Ball & Chain| ©Helena Lopes

If you're a jazz fan or just curious about this unique musical style, you should know that Miami offers one of the most interesting live jazz offerings in the United States.

While it's true that jazz in Miami is less diverse than in cities like New Orleans or New York, it's also true that it has its own unique flare that's worth soaking up.

The best jazz bars in Miami.

Here is a list of the best places in Miami to enjoy a fun night of jazz:

  • Ball & Chain: Located in Little Havana, this is a historic jazz club, founded in 1935, which maintains the jazz tradition to this day; its weekly programme alternates jazz nights with salsa-themed nights.
  • Le Chat Noir: If you are looking for good wine, cheese and cosy music for a romantic evening, this French-inspired bar is the best choice.
  • Casa Lagniappe: A locals' favourite, with an atmosphere much like the bars of New Orleans. Live music shows are held nightly.
  • Museum of Contemporary Art: Located in North Miami, this museum offers free jazz performances on the last Friday of every month.

10. Check out the best rooftop bars in Miami

Pink Sky Rooftop| ©Hernan D
Pink Sky Rooftop| ©Hernan D

Miami is one of the cities with the widest variety of rooftop bars and terraces, and nighttime is the best time to enjoy these spaces, as this is when the atmosphere is at its most lively and interesting.

On your next visit to the city I recommend you take the time to visit some of these locations and enjoy a good drink accompanied by fabulous views.

The best rooftop bars in Miami

You will soon realise that the options for rooftop bars in the city of Miami are many, my recommendation is to do your own research whenever possible, but if you don't have the time to do so, use the following list as a starting point:

  • Rosa Sky Rooftop:: Located in the Brickell area on the rooftop of a 22-story building.
  • Area 31:: Located on the 16th floor of the Kimpton the EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami.
  • C-LEVEL Rooftop:: Located on the 16th floor of the Kimpton the EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami. Located in a six-story building in the beautiful South Beach area.
  • Sugar:: Located on the 40th floor of the EAST Miami Hotel in the Brickell area, it is the highest bar in Miami.
  • Juvia:: Located on the 9th floor in the Miami Beach area.

11. Enjoy the best nightclubs in town.

LIV Miami| ©872lorev
LIV Miami| ©872lorev

When it comes to all the things to see and do in Miami, there are three things you shouldn't miss on your itinerary: swimming and sunbathing on its idyllic beaches, enjoying its delicious food on a food tour and, last but not least, enjoying the party atmosphere of its iconic nightclubs.

There's a reason why Miami's nightclubs are among the best in the world and I invite you to find out by attending the most popular ones. Here is a list of some of them:

  • LIV Miami: Miami Beach's most famous club. It is possible to find celebrities in the VIP section of the club.
  • Basement: an amusement centre that combines bars, an ice skating rink and a bowling alley.
  • Floyd: small, trendy and exclusive. It is one of the best places in Miami to enjoy dance music.
  • Story: DJs such as Travis Scott often stop by Story, an influential and important spot for the local hip-hop scene.
  • E11even: part nightclub, part entertainment centre. Neon lights are part of the classic ambience, as are trapeze dancers hanging from the ceiling.
  • Club Space: a favourite with travellers and locals alike, ideal for dancing the night away to techno music.