Where to Drink?: South Beach Pub Crawl

October 20, 2008 5:03 PM
by Damon Dewitt Boardman

Pub Crawl; a chiefly coined British term described as taking a tour of local bars partaking in one or more alcoholic drinks at each establishment. Ocean Drive; a tropical strip of land sitting between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic famous for its streamline modern Art Deco design and late nights with Latin rhythms. Mix the two together and it’s a far cry from a typical night on the town with Winston Churchill’s crew. Nevertheless, for those who don’t necessarily swing with the trendy South Beach scene known for upscale clubs and crazy covers, Cool Junkie has presented its best effort to take you down Ocean Drive leaving you crawling back to your hotel or calling a cab.

Tequila Chicas
1501 Collins Avenue
305.531.7010

Depending on how you want your pub-crawl to play out you can start your night with tequila or end your night with tequila, either way tequila serves up a sure fire start to your night or possibly becomes the deciding factor to ending your night. “Tequila Chicas” a small open-air establishment located at the north end of Ocean Drive has a Tiki bar feel. The bar itself, located under the hut is the centerpiece. High top chairs surround the bar with 360-degree views of flat screens on the outskirts. Outside the hut, high top tables provide a prime people watching point for polar opposites waiting to get into Dolce. Another highlight is their “Expression Pole” complimentary shots of tequila will be given for those who really know how to “express” themselves. Other than the pole, Tequila Chicas has two things that allow it to stand out from the rest of these so-called “pubs” on the Ocean Drive strip, a jukebox and an extensive stock of tequila. So if you’re peculiar about the sound pumping through your pub their touchtone box has a large eclectic mix to supply and satisfy just about everyone’s music fix. Still not impressed, than come see the bartender beauties and take a view of the menu. With over 100 Tequilas to choose from and $5 for beers, we say cheers to Tequila Chicas.

Finnegan’s Way
1344 Ocean Drive
305.672.7747

Superimposed as a restaurant and pub, this Irish dwelling brings you as close as you’ll get to the roots of pub-crawls. A traditional pub crowd conjures at this unexpected oasis on Ocean Drive. Finnegan’s Way hosts a happy hour 4-7. The Irish pub plays to the tune of the patron. If the bar’s empty last call is as early as 1a.m. A packed house keeps kegs flowing until 5 a.m. The best spots to settle in are the right side of the bar and right by the pool table. At the bar, six flat screens are strung up high, and if that’s not enough to occupy your eye, a 10- foot tank full of tropical fish settles in below. Bar games include a shuffleboard court and one table for shooting a game of stick. Hold down the lone pool table on hand and you will feel like a king…literally. A pair of king sized leather chairs sit a step up from the action, providing a view of the commoner’s below and keen site of your solids or stripes for scheming your next shot. So put your quarters down win the next round, secure the throne seat and consult with your queen as you sip on your drink.

Fat Tuesdays
918 Ocean Drive
305.534.1328

Monday through Wednesday a frozen drink ghost town. Thursday through Sunday a live DJ gives life, and the frozen drink factory wakes from the dead flowing in cadence to the hip-hop crowd. Your best bet is to come through on Sunday. The party starts under the shining sun and continues into the night.

Mangos
900 Ocean Drive
305.672.7223

Mangos’ beautiful half dressed dancers, loud Latin rhythms, vibrant colors, tropical drinks, in essence a steamy sexual scene South Beach is infamous for, i.e. a true tourist trap. Currently crowned hottest spot on Ocean Drive partially due to The Clevelander’s multi million-dollar renovation, Mangos swells up every night of the week. Drink of choice? The Mojito. Dance of choice? It’s a toss up, Conga or Mamba. If you’re a proud pubber and don’t consider yourself a clubber, Mango’s is your median. Definitely not a pub and not quite a club Mangos serves up something for everyone. A true pub dweller is typically stuck to the barstool. So, if normally your hips only unlock for one reason, take our advice give that mentality a rest and let loose on the floor, you only increase your chances of finding a new friend to crawl home with, in turn providing another opportunity to “dance.”

Wet Willies
760 Ocean Drive
305.532.5650

Hosts a fatter frozen drink line-up than Fat Tuesdays. Sun deck seating is a must. Grab a front row seat while you sip on your frozen drink. Perfect for passing the time, great views of the Atlantic, and all the traffic below. Their signature drink “Call a Cab,” might leave you doing just that. With virtually everything on the menu priced under $11 you will have some extra change for that cab ride home. The “Call a Cab” concoction includes Grain Alcohol* (153° or 190°), as well as light and dark rum. Try it with Shock Treatment or Attitude Improvement and Sex on the Beach. One forewarning before you get your feet wet, Willies only accepts cash.