Club Miami

With Miami's overwhelming Latin American influence, you won't need a passport to see Miami's cultural extravaganza, but you'll want your I.D. to fully enjoy the nightlife capital of the world. For the best introduction to Miami, head to the famous art deco district, South Beach, where restaurants, bars, and clubs in Spanish mission and classical styles face the beach. Start out on the main drag, Ocean Drive, where beautiful people stroll or cruise by pastelcolored buildings in expensive cars. Food and Drink For a touristy town, Miami has a surprising number of good inexpensive restaurants. Stop in before or after you hit the clubs — you'll find tasty Italian, Cuban, or breakfast fare at all hours. The Sport Cafe at 538 Washington offers homemade meals, prepared by two Italian brothers and their mother, for under $13. Another local favorite is Puerto Sagua, a block from the beach. Locals swear by Puerto Sagua's Cuban beef stew, which you can enjoy for less than $10. For a snack anytime of the day or night, the News Cafe has an extensive, inexpensive menu. With tables spillinig onto the sidewalk, it's a great place to loll away the hours either reading one of the many international newspapers on sale or drinking a cafe Cubano, Miami's caffeinated beverage of choice. If peoplewatching is on your menu, grab a tropical drink at one of the nearby hotels or bars and enjoy the show. For a wide variety of beer in familiar bar surroundings, walk over to Brandt's Break, 619 Washington Avenue. The current "in" spot, frequented by Madonna and other celebs, is the 1930's style Delano Hotel. Another beautiful hotel is the Cardozo Hotel, owned by Gloria Estefan. If you're lucky, you might be invited to one of the hotel's private dance parties. Nightlife After your drink, head over to the Park Central Hotel's sundeck overlooking the action on Ocean Drive and the nearby beaches. Make sure you're dressed well — a scanty dress with high heel sandals for girls and simple yet classic cotton pants and shirt from Armani (or Banana Republic, if Armani's not in your budget) for guys — and you'll have no problem getting into some of the swanky spots in South Beach. Start your night at Mango's Tropical Cafe,at 900 Ocean. It plays all the latest rock en espanol, salsa, and merengue hits. Bartenders and bouncers in skintight clothing often dance on the bar to the crowd's frenetic encouragement. Another fun club is the All Star Cafe at 960 Ocean, where the swimming pool morphs into a dance floor at night. Depending on the night, you'll be dancing to rock, hip hop, or live Latino rythyms. Cool down at an outdoor table with a Spanish flamenco guitarist playing nearby. After warming up on Ocean Drive, walk a block to Collins and Washington Street and join the crowds trying to get into some of Miami's most exclusive clubs, like clubsofthemoment Liquid, Amnesia and the Shadow Lounge. Accommodations After your night out, you can fall into bed at the Clay Hotel and Youth Hostel at 1438 Washington, which is rumored to be the most beautiful hostel in the U.S. It's in a 1920sstyle Spanish Mediterranean building on historic Espanola Way. You'll either be sleeping in Desi Arnaz's former house or part of a casino once run by Al Capone. Single beds here are $12 to $15; rooms run $30 to $50, depending on the season. Another alternative is the Banana Bungalow, a 1950s era motel across from the beach at 2360 Collins. With its own private pool, kayaks, motorboats and free nightly movies, it's a good deal for the active traveler. Single beds range from $10 to $16 and doubles start at $35. The Beach In the morning, shake off your hangover on Miami's white sand beaches. On the way, stop by La Sandwicherie, an open air lunch counter, at 229 14th Street for some of the best fruit shakes and $5 sandwiches in town. If you need a swimsuit, check out any of the shops along Washington or Collins, the cheaper alternatives to Ocean Drive or the Lincoln Road Pedestrian Mall, a pedestrianonly street filled with restaurants, shops, cafes and art galleries. Follow the ultrachic to Lummus Park Beach, between 5th and 14th Street. You'll see skimpy swimsuits, wellbuilt bodies and even nudists. For a nominal fee, rent a chair and umbrella to take in all the sights, including lifeguard stations that resemble spaceships and Shinto temples. Walk the miles of white sand and see what you find — you're sure to be surprised. Buena suerte!