Punch Room. Image via Instagram @editiontampa.
Two bars in Miami and one in Tampa made Esquire’s “The Best Bars of America 2024” list.
Competition is stiff in the nightlife industry. It’s not enough to just serve good drinks. It’s also about having the right vibe, crowd, decor, food, and music.
Esquire sent its writers all over the country to visit new bars and find the true standouts. Three bars in Florida made its list: “The Best Bars of America 2024.”
These are the Sunshine State winners:
Kaiju, Miami
Bar Kaiju. Image via Instagram @bar_kaiju.
Kaiju promises to “keep it weird” as a neighborhood bar dedicated to monsters. The bar is named after a type of giant monster featured in Japanese fantasy and science fiction movies. Located on the mezzanine level inside the Citadel, a food court in Little River, this bar stays true to its theme with dramatic red lighting. The menu comes in a zippered case containing Pokémon-style cards with descriptions of the drinks, all named after monsters, such as the Muki, MechaGodzilla, and Bonguru.
Medium Cool, Miami Beach
Medium Cool. Image via Instagram @mediumcoolmiami.com.
In a sea of splashy nightclubs along Collins Avenue, this bar strikes a low-key note, offering both live jazz for those who want to listen and lounge, in addition to Dj sets for those in the mood to dance. It may On its menu, you’ll find the Piña Colada Daiquiri, which is, as the name suggests, a blend of the two iconic drinks. Don’t let the bar’s unassuming name fool you; this venue was cool enough for Bad Bunny to film his video “No me quiero casar” here.
Punch Room at the Tampa Edition, Tampa
Located inside Tampa’s first five-star hotel, it’s only fitting that the decor is swanky with polished wood paneling, royal blue and chartreuse seating, and a roaring fireplace. The menu is dedicated to the flavors and spirits of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, including the Principe de Gales, which is inspired by Tampa’s historic Cuban cigar industry, and Ziggy’s Punch, a rum drink from Jamaica.
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