Miami Beach Gazette

Urban Golf Weekend Tees Off Across Miami Beach, Turning Streets Into Fairways

Miami Beach traded its usual sand and surf scene for fairways and flagsticks this weekend as the city hosted its first Urban Golf Weekend, drawing hundreds of players and spectators to a course carved through the heart of the city. Organizers transformed stretches of Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive, and several beachside parks into makeshift holes, challenging golfers to navigate obstacles like fountains, palm trees, and public art installations instead of traditional sand traps and water hazards. Th

Miami Beach Design Review Board Weighs Pier Park, North Beach Complex in Latest Session

The Miami Beach Design Review Board held its most recent regular meeting on July 9, 2026, at City Hall, working through nine design applications ranging from a new beachfront club facility to modifications for a North Beach community complex. Like the city's other land-use boards, the DRB is not expected to meet again until September 11, 2026, after the Commission's traditional August recess. Pier Park beach club at 1 Ocean Drive One of the more high-profile items was a request to fully de

Miami Beach Planning Board Backs Bigger Raleigh Redevelopment in Latest Zoning Session

The Miami Beach Planning Board held its most recent regular meeting on July 7, 2026, at City Hall, taking up a slate of land-use applications before commissioners head into their traditional August recess. The board's decisions are advisory recommendations that head next to the City Commission for final action. Board backs bigger Raleigh Miami Beach redevelopment The headline item was Nahla Capital's request for comprehensive plan and land development code amendments to expand its long-sta

Miami Beach Commission Sends $789 Million Infrastructure Bond to November Ballot

The Miami Beach City Commission met July 22, 2026, at City Hall for its final regular session before the board's traditional August recess, working through a packed 211-item agenda that included the biggest infrastructure financing decision the city has weighed in years. Bond referendum headed to November ballot The commission's most consequential action was calling for a special election this fall on whether to authorize as much as $789.16 million in general obligation bonds, to be repaid

Gonzalez Barbershop: A Sunset Harbor Miami Beach Tradition Still Going Strong

Located in the heart of Sunset Harbor in Miami Beach, Gonzalez Barbershop represents the perfect fusion of traditional barbering techniques with contemporary style. For years, this beloved neighborhood shop has built a loyal following, becoming a fixture in the community it calls home. What began as a small operation has grown into a trusted destination for residents seeking more than just a haircut. Through changing trends and a shifting neighborhood landscape, Gonzalez Barbershop has remained

Go Greek to Open New Location in Sunset Harbour

Sunset Harbour is set to welcome a new taste of the Mediterranean as Go Greek, a Greek yogurt and specialty foods shop, prepares to open its doors in the Miami Beach neighborhood. The new location will join Sunset Harbour's growing lineup of boutique eateries and specialty food shops, an area that has become known in recent years as one of Miami Beach's most walkable dining destinations. Go Greek is known for its creamy Greek yogurt bowls, house-made granola, honey drizzles, and a menu of Medit

Mac's Club Deuce Turns 100 in September, Marking a Century as Miami Beach's Beloved Dive Bar

Mac's Club Deuce, the unassuming dive bar tucked along 14th Street in Miami Beach, will celebrate its 100th anniversary this September — a milestone few bars anywhere in the country can claim. Opened in the 1920s, the Deuce has outlasted countless trends, ownership changes, and the ever-evolving landscape of South Beach nightlife to remain one of the city's most beloved watering holes. With its horseshoe-shaped bar, neon-lit sign, and unpretentious atmosphere, the bar has become a fixture for l

Bulla Gastrobar Brings a Taste of Spain to Aventura

Aventura's dining scene just got a lot more vibrant with the opening of Bulla Gastrobar, a Spanish-inspired restaurant known for its lively atmosphere and tapas-style small plates. The new location joins Bulla's growing footprint across South Florida, bringing its signature blend of traditional Spanish flavors and modern flair to local diners. The restaurant's menu features a rotating selection of tapas, paellas, and hand-crafted cocktails, alongside a weekend brunch that has become a signature

Inside Aventura's International Jewelry Exchange: A Hub for Local Trade and Craftsmanship

AVENTURA, Fla. — Tucked along Biscayne Boulevard, the International Jewelry Exchange has long served as a cornerstone for buyers, sellers, and artisans in South Florida's jewelry trade. The center brings together independent jewelers, designers, and wholesalers under one roof, offering everything from custom engagement rings to rare gemstones and estate pieces. For decades, the Exchange has attracted both local residents and international visitors drawn by Aventura's reputation as a shopping de

Bentley Tower Rises Along Sunny Isles Beach Skyline

Construction crews are making steady progress on the Bentley Tower, the latest luxury high-rise to reshape the skyline of Sunny Isles Beach. The oceanfront project, closely watched by residents and real estate observers alike, has climbed several stories in recent weeks as work continues on the tower's structural frame. Developers behind the project have touted the tower as one of the most ambitious residential additions to the stretch of coastline in years, with plans for amenities aimed at lu

New Apartment Complex Near Aventura Brightline Station to Add Hundreds of Units

Aventura is set to welcome a major new residential development within walking distance of the city's Brightline station, as developers move forward with plans to add hundreds of new apartment units to the growing South Florida corridor. The project, still in active construction, is part of a broader wave of transit-oriented development taking shape around Brightline stops in South Florida, where officials and developers have pushed to build dense, walkable housing near rail access points. Avent

Historic Hampton House in Miami: A Landmark of Civil Rights Legacy Lives On

MIAMI — Tucked in the heart of the city's historic Brownsville neighborhood, the Hampton House stands as a powerful reminder of a pivotal era in American history. Once known as the "Green Book Motel," the Hampton House Villas and Nightclub served as a safe haven for Black travelers, entertainers, and civil rights leaders during the segregation era, when other hotels across Miami-Dade County turned them away at the door. Built in 1954, the motel quickly became a cultural hub, hosting legends suc

Oorite Arts Set to Open New Space on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach

Miami Beach's Lincoln Road is set to welcome a new creative presence as Oorite Arts announces plans to open a location on the iconic pedestrian corridor. Oorite Arts is known for its work supporting local artists, offering a mix of exhibitions, workshops, and community-focused programming designed to make art more accessible to residents and visitors alike. The organization has built a reputation for blending contemporary art with hands-on engagement, giving emerging and established artists ali

Wonderlong Hair Salon Brings Fresh Style to Aventura

Aventura's growing lineup of local businesses has a new standout: Wonderlong Hair Salon, which has quickly become a go-to destination for residents seeking quality hair care close to home. Located in the heart of Aventura, Wonderlong Hair Salon offers a full range of services, including haircuts, coloring, styling, and treatments for men, women, and children. The salon's team of experienced stylists has drawn praise from early customers for their attention to detail and personalized approach to

Golden Chariot Brings a Taste of India to Aventura

Aventura's dining scene has a new destination for lovers of South Asian cuisine: Golden Chariot Indian Restaurant, which has quickly become a gathering spot for residents craving authentic flavors close to home. Located in the heart of Aventura, Golden Chariot offers a menu that spans the many regions of India, from creamy butter chicken and slow-simmered lamb curries to tandoor-fired breads and a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes. The restaurant has drawn attention for its use of f

Miami's Andiamo Pizza to Be Replaced by Burger & Shakes

A familiar slice of the Upper Eastside dining scene is closing its doors. Andiamo Pizza, the longtime pizzeria at 5600 Biscayne Blvd, will be replaced by a new concept called Burger & Shakes, according to sources familiar with the change. The transition is expected to take place in 2026, marking the end of an era for the beloved pizza spot that has served Miami residents for years. Andiamo built a loyal following for its wood-fired pies and casual, neighborhood atmosphere, becoming a go-to stop

Miami's Speedboat Thrill Rides Draw Crowds Seeking High-Speed Adventure on Biscayne Bay

Miami's waterfront is roaring back to life this season as speedboat adventure tours draw record numbers of thrill-seekers to Biscayne Bay. Local operators say demand has surged as visitors and residents alike look for an adrenaline-charged escape on the water. The tours, which typically depart from marinas near downtown Miami and South Beach, send fleets of high-powered boats skimming across the bay at speeds that can top 40 miles per hour. Riders don life jackets and hold on tight as captains

Brickell Homeowners Association Welcomes Court Decision Setting Aside City Approvals and Affirming Community Participation in Historic-Preservation Proceedings at First Miami Presbyterian

Miami in the 1920s: The Boom That Built a City — And the Bust That Nearly Broke It

In the early 1920s, Miami transformed from a sleepy southern outpost into one of the most talked-about boomtowns in America. Fueled by promises of endless sunshine, cheap land, and quick fortunes, speculators and settlers poured into South Florida by the thousands, reshaping the region almost overnight. Real estate agents lined the streets of downtown Miami, selling swampland and coastal lots to buyers who often never set foot on the property before signing. Prices soared week to week, and stor

The Story of Bacardi Rum: From Cuba to the World

What began as a small distillery in Santiago de Cuba in 1862 grew into one of the most recognized spirits brands on the planet — and its journey is inseparable from the political upheavals of the 20th century. Don Facundo Bacardí Massó founded the company after developing a smoother, more refined rum-making process, using charcoal filtering and a specific strain of yeast that set his product apart from the harsher rums common at the time. For nearly a century, Bacardi remained closely tied to C