South Beach Wine & Food Festival

There comes a point in the timeline of drinking where you grow past the tequila shots, the vodka sodas, and the warm Natural Light beer. When you hit 21 years of age, the legal consumption of alcohol becomes a wild ride and there’s not much you wouldn’t drink. These early college years become a blur of Smirnoff and cheap beer. Eventually – you grow out of that stage and learn to respect and have a preference to what you drink. I asked a room full of college students what the classiest alcoholic beverage is to drink, and nine of ten people said wine.

It’s relaxing after a long day at work, it’s a casual drink when catching up with girlfriends, and most of all it can be a huge conversation starter. The older you get, the more appreciative you become of a good wine. You also become appreciative of what it goes well with. After hearing about the South Beach Food & Wine Festival, I took a personal interest in trying to learn more about wine before exploring it. Naturally, I called my mom to discuss this with. She once bought me a book called “Wine for Dummies,” so I could learn what kind of red goes best with steak, and what kind of white is good at a casual get together. She did give me a few good pointers though!

Many people take up a huge interest in wine and food, which is why wine tastings have become so popular. But if you really want to immerse yourself in the real culture of food and wine, you MUST attend the next South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

Hundreds of people flocked to South Beach this weekend to experience The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival. It is a four-day festival that showcases the talents of renowned wine and spirits producers as well as chefs and culinary personalities.

Wine enthusiast Kelsey Robins attended this past weekend with her parents Kevin and Linda Robins and roommate Kristin Schultz.

“My parents came to the festival to celebrate their 30^th wedding anniversary,” said Kelsey. “We went to a walk-around tasting and went to one of the late-night food tastings over the weekend.”

Kelsey said her parents had a blast attending the festival, and that the atmosphere was perfect. “It was an amazing weekend and a perfect environment to celebrate with them!” she said.

Her roommate Kristin also had a great time experiencing the festival. “I personally loved the desserts, I’m a huge chocolate fan,” she said. “It was also really cool to taste different kinds of wines and learn about all about it.”

After a long weekend of intimate dinners, late-night parties, walk-around tastings and wine seminars, it seems the tourists and townies alike had a fabulous weekend. I know I’m personally preparing for round two when it comes back to South Beach next year. Who says being called a “wine-o” or a “white wine zombie mom” is a bad thing? These wine and food junkies certainly don’t think so! 

Fat Tuesdays - Coconut Grove

It’s getting to be late February, and many people are taking out their green, yellow and purple clothing to celebrate one of the South’s most well-known celebrations – Mardi Gras. Although Mardi Gras may be in New Orleans, there are several events coming up throughout the many areas in Miami. There’s events in Brickell, South Beach, and my personal favorite Coconut Grove.

This blog isn’t about those upcoming events though. It’s about one of Coconut Grove’s most well known bars that directly reflects this holiday. Many people I asked said it reminds them distinctly of Spring Break or Fantasy Fest in Key West. Others said it’s always been one of their go-to bars when going out in the Grove.

This place is Fat Tuesday’s. Fat Tuesdays is known for the “New Orleans Original Daiquiris,” especially their most popular hit the “190 Octane.” Located in Cocowalk in the heart of the grove, it’s easy for any bar-goer to stop into.

“We’ve always gone to Fat Tuesdays, but it always kicks up this time of year,” said University of Miami student Kelsey Robbins.

“We love the 190 Octanes, but it’s so sugary so sometimes we have to switch it up,” she said.

During the week nights, the Grove is a big college bar spot. On the weekends, and on Wednesdays are more local nights. But if you hit up Fat Tuesdays, you’re almost guaranteed to have to wait in line.

Most recently, Fat Tuesday’s has had a new drink special that the college students have been loving - $1 fireball shots.

“Oh man, the dollar fireball shots are dangerous,” said Becca, friend of Kelsey. “They’re so worth it until you wake up in the morning,” she said laughing.

Fat Tuesdays seems to be the place to be, and if you wake up in the morning with a “Jello Shots” stamp on your hand – you know you’ve successfully gotten into Fat Tuesday, and came out several fireball shots deep.

Happy Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday Friends!

Mokai Madness

If you’re a fan of South Beach nightclubs, but are getting sick of the big name, flashy clubs – it’s time to hit up Mokai Lounge. Mokai Lounge is a medium sized hidden venue near North Miami Beach.

It’s a hotspot for University of Miami students as well as many locals. The night I decided to check out Mokai, it seemed to be a UM takeover since it was packed with students. Besides the younger crowd, there were also many tables with foreign tourists.

Paul, a 32-year old architect from Canada was visiting to celebrate his friends Bachelor party. He was at a table with a bunch of mid-30 year old men who seemed to be having the time of their lives at this South Beach establishment.

“It’s very chic this place,” said Paul. “It’s small and dark though, so it reminds me of clubs from home.”

After having been to Mansion nightclub the previous night, he had a huge, well-known South Beach venue to compare it too. Unfortunately, Paul and friends denied any picture requests.

21-year-old Angela Carracino said she frequents Mokai. “It’s easy for younger people to get tables and get in here compared to the flashier clubs,” she said. “Plus, everyone loves the tigers.”

The Mokai tigers are one of the many perks that catch the center of everyone’s attention. If you go to Mokai Lounge with a big group of friends, I’ll bet you see about 20 pictures of them with the Mokai tiger the next day on your Facebook newsfeed.  Another big perk are the sparklers they give out as the night goes on.

If you ask me, the sparklers are great – and honestly, they’re needed for how dark the whole place is. It’s a great venue for an easy night out in South Beach, especially if you’re looking for a younger crowd. Besides that, I found the place a little too enclosed, dark, and extremely smoky. 

Miami Needs R3HAB

Did you ever think you'd hear a crowd of people screaming they need rehab? Well, think again because DJ R3hab took another visit to Miami this weekend to spin at Story Nightclub on Miami Beach. He played for fans and tourists alike at the popular nightclub that opened a little over a year ago.

Pictured: R3hab at Story 2/2/14

Fadil El Ghoul (stagename R3hab) is a Dutch DJ and record producer. Along with other big name DJ, Afrojack, he's known for his modern "dutch house" subgenre. He has remixed for major artists like Madonna, Calvin Harris, Kaskade, Pitbull and David Guetta and Lady Gaga. In 2012, he won the IDMA Best Breakthrough Artist Award. 

I've personally been a huge fan of his since I saw him at LIV Nightclub in Miami Beach last year, when he was still an upcoming DJ. His shows then had crowds calling him a "no name," aka - an unknown DJ. Now, he's traveled around the world to many different countries where his music and remixes have skyrocketed on the charts. He has recently topped the beatport charts with his new hit "Revolution," alongside NERVO and Ummet Ozcan.

University of Miami student Hannah Loeb says she's been waiting for R3hab to be back in Miami since he was last here in October. "I didn't think he'd be back so soon, but when I heard he was going to be at Story, I literally booked my schedule around him," she said.

"That's how bad I need R3hab," she continued. "I'm obsessed."

Pictured: Hannah Loeb and myself

South Beach promoter, Steven (he was Greek and didn't speak much English, so it was difficult to catch a last name over the booming sound) had people texting and calling him all week to try and get in. He said he usually had that many people hounding him for bigger DJ's, but now r3hab has become one of those DJ's.

Pictured: Steven and friend 

In just a few years, R3hab has burst onto the house music scene with his trap, electro and house remixes. He's gone from crowds calling him a "no name," to crowds screaming in adoration, singing and dancing along to his well known tracks. Personally, I could not have had a better night. If there's any nightclub I suggest going to over them all, I say you have to hit up Story. He may be my personal favorite DJ to hit the scene, which makes me biased... but honestly, everyone needs a little R3hab.

Kiss Country Chili Cook-off

After a week of polar vortex weather, it was a shining Sunny and 75 at the 99.9 Kiss Country Chili Cook-off this past weekend. Country fans came from all around the greater Miami area to listen to some great musicians and eat some hearty chili at C.B. Smith Park.   

It was a day filled with boots, booze and bands while people set up their tailgates starting at 7:30 a.m. with pick-up trucks and tents donning American flags, and yes—even some South Floridians flew the Confederate flag to show their deep southern pride.

“I love country festivals,” said country music lover, Claire Zimmerman. “This is my third year at Chili Cookoff and I just can’t get enough. You automatically think about the music and all the great people in the lineup, but then you forget about the amazing chili until you get there!”

Pictured: Claire Zimmerman 

“The crowd’s another great part of it. You see enough cowboy boots and hats to last you a lifetime,” she said.

The artists included in the lineup were Cassadee Pope, Joe Nichols, Brantley Gilbert, and Thomas Rhett. The show closed with the renowned Country Music band, The Rascal Flatts. Some fans were hesitant about the lineup saying last year’s would be hard to beat.

“I came to the cook-off last year soley because of Luke Bryan and the Zac Brown Band,” said Jen Kesten. “It’s my fourth time here, and I was a little worried the lineup wasn’t as strong. Honestly, Brantley Gilbert put on a great show, and you can never go wrong with the Rascal Flatts."

Pictured: Jen Kesten and Friends

“It’s such a cool change up coming to a festival like this. I’m used to upbeat concerts in Miami, or sometimes clubs, but this is a different change of pace,” she said. “Country is a genre people all ages can appreciate together. There was even a 60-year-old man square dancing next to our tailgate!” 

The atmosphere was southern, relaxed, and the whole park was completely over taken with country pride and most of all American pride. At the end of the day, I didn’t even care about my sunburn from the glorious weather, or the blisters from my cowboy boots. As Joe Nichols likes to say, take me somewhere sunny and 75!

Tobacco Road

What better way to kick start a blog dedicated to the bright lights, dancing, music and scenes of Miami nightlife than to discuss the experience of the oldest bar in Miami?

Tobacco Road is the oldest bar in the city and has been in Miami since it opened in November 1912. Some consider it a dive bar, or a “hole in the wall,” but some consider it a local gem.

Local bands B.Miles and Sins of the Loose Buttons performed there this past Friday, and from the sounds and cheers of the crowd, they killed it.  B.Miles is a local band featuring lead singer Brenna Miles, a student of the University of Miami in the Frost School of Music. The band gets their influence from a combination of musicians ranging from the Beatles, the Stones, and Adele. Sins of the Loose Buttons is an alternative indie rock band with members from New York City.

University of Miami students gathered to support their fellow student. Student Lily Barash said she had no idea she could find this type of indie rock music anywhere good in the city amongst the raging night clubs.

“It was a great change to be in a chill environment with some great music instead of the usual house music scene in South Beach,” Barash said. “It’s definitely refreshing.”

Fans were crowded at the edge of the stage jumping up and down, and clearly getting into the music. “It’s a different kind of exciting,” said Loose Buttons fan Justin Fischgrund. “Some think this place is a whole in the wall, but I’ve loved it since I started living in Miami. It was the first bar I went to when I moved here permanently.”

Most people vacation to Miami for the world-renowned clubs and famous bars around the city, but little do they know the oldest bar in the city is the best place to find. With great food, bands and vibes, this place is always a hit.