Got a favorite hangout spot in Coconut Grove? If not, we’ve curated a list of the top five bars in the Grove for everything from rare, exquisite sips to casual beers with your crew, plus happy hours so good you’ll be hitting up the neighborhood on the regular.
Botanico Gin & Cookhouse
As the name suggests, Botanico Gin Bar is pure heaven for all of us gin lovers out there. The first of its kind in the 305, Botanico boasts a highly impressive collection of over 150 gin bottles from across the world. Guests can sip on the aromatic beverage straight, on the rocks, or indulge in an array of hand-crafted gin and tonics. Some unique mélanges include the Nordes gin paired with Mediterranean tonic, white grapes, and sage, or Harry Blu’s gin mixed with a lemon tonic, berries, and orange.
While Botanic knows their gin, they’ve also got the wine game down pat. The bar is home to a state-of-the-art wine cellar with one of the most extensive bottle collections in Coconut Grove. Vino lovers, thank us later. To accompany the bevies, don’t sleep on the food menu, which deserves praise in and of itself. From appetizers like shrimp lollipops broiled with tequila and a mango-habanero sauce, to tapas like the irresistible moules-frites, and entrees like the crowd-favorite center-cut filet doused in a green pepper and cognac cream sauce — this place has something for everyone. By the by, happy hour here is all day every day. Yup, you heard that right. What more can one dream of?
Botanico Gin & Cookhouse is located at 3015 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
The Commodore
The Commodore is an incredibly charming bar located inside the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove. The classy bar features an impressive bottle display, leather-lined bar stools, and a fireplace that burns year-round. The bar is open daily from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. with happy hour running until 7 p.m.
Helmed under master mixologist Ingi Sigurdsson, the cocktail program at The Commodore features unexpected flavors superbly mixed with top-shelf spirits with standouts including the Locura crafted with vodka, pear, elderflower, lemon, sparkling wine; or the mind-blowing Show Your True Colors made with gin, snap pea, lime, mastica, and alpine herbs. The bar doesn’t leave patrons hungry either, with delectable bites like the beef sliders, featuring port onion jam, bacon, and white cheddar, cradled within a fluffy brioche bun; or the chorizo manchego croquetas, hand-rolled croquettes paired with a spicy garlic sauce. The cherry on top is the live music playing every Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
The Commodore is located at 3300 SW 27th Ave, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Happy Wine in the Grove
Happy Wine in the Grove is the ultimate vino shop in the neighborhood (if not in the city)—with over 3,500 bottles available to take home or enjoy in the full-service restaurant. The cellar houses wine from across the globe, featuring vintage, rare, and hard-to-find varieties offered at friendly prices to both wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
Meanwhile, at the rustic yet festive restaurant diners can indulge in delicious Mediterranean tapas from crispy deep-fried manchego croquetas to creamy truffle risotto and chorizo braised in red wine. The restaurant also features a remarkable selection of caviar with eight exquisite varieties to choose from, as well as paellas to share, steaks fresh off the grill, loaded bocadillos, and some heavily indulgent (and unmissable) desserts. Find daily specials running all day from Monday to Thursday as well as happy hour from Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m. Enjoy $8 tapas, $8 glasses of sangria, $6 draft beers, and half-off wines by the glass. Something tells us Happy Wine in the Grove will be your new favorite neighborhood hangout.
Happy Wine is located at 2833 Bird Ave, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
SipSip Calypso Rum Bar
Located on the rooftop of the iconic Mayfair House Hotel in Coconut Grove, SipSip Calypso Rum Bar celebrates the Grove’s Caribbean heritage by serving up island-inspired cocktails and bites with a heavy focus on rum. Lounge by the pool and soak up the rooftop views while sipping on the Fool’s Gold rum punch—Banks 5 island rum, coconut, raspberry, guava, and sparkling rosé, or the Goombay Smash—Bacardi coconut rum, Santa Teresa rum, and apricot brandy.
On the menu find hit dishes like SipSip crispy fish tacos made with cornmeal-crusted locally caught fish, Caribbean slaw, and avocado salsa; the tropical ceviche made with shrimp, octopus, and pickled pineapple; or the sweet, chili-glazed island chicken skewers. The sunset menu, SipSip’s happy hour, runs weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and features sips and bites for under $10. Or stop by for a chill Sunday, dubbed Simma Down, where you can enjoy the same happy hour menu practically all day from 12 to 8 p.m.
Sipsip is located at 3000 Florida Ave, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
The Taurus
Open since 1969, the Taurus has earned legendary status as the Grove’s favorite hangout spot. The come-one-come-all haunt prides itself in a stellar selection of craft beer, a substantial collection of spirits, and a scrumptious food menu to boot created by the team behind the acclaimed neighboring restaurants Ariete and Chug’s Diner. Stop by for live sports, trivia nights, stand-up comedy, or just to enjoy a round of drinks with the pals.
Everyone’s favorite Coconut Grove burger can be found here — the Taurus burger made with onion rings and melty cheddar cheese. Make sure to also get an order of the Savage fries for the table doused in cheese sauce, sour cream, and crispy bacon. Last little secret from us: a daily happy hour runs from 5 to 8 p.m. with drink specials like two-for-one house liquors and draft beers, and a Taurus Happy Meal featuring a Scrap burger, fries & 12 oz Monopolio beer. Cheers!
The Taurus is located at 3540 Main Hwy c103, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
