Wynwood

When one thinks of the nightlife of Miami, what comes to mind? The nightclubs on South Beach with the pumping bass beating out the doors of the club as the bouncer lets in another lady wrapped in a tight red dress with matching stilettos for free while the guy has to pay with a crinkled twenty. Or maybe the bars with the music-too-loud-to-hold-a-conversation pulsing in the background as more and more rounds are ordered for, sometimes underage, college students and older folk alike. Or maybe even the crowds of people flocking to the beaches at the wee hours of the morning once all the clubs begin to close, staring up the few stars visible through the light pollution of the city.

But there is a whole other side to the nightlife of the city, and yes right in South Beach itself. The second Saturday night of every month is known as ArtWalk in the Wynwood Art District where galleries and studios for blocks and blocks are open to the public to view and peruse at their leisure. Besides the stunning paintings and sculptures made by local artists there is also a section called the Wynwood Walls which is a permanent outdoor art fixture that features a large mural accompanied by some sculptures, including the multi-colored deer featured above.

And if you are of age, some of the galleries even offer wine and champagne as well as mixed drinks to viewers as they enjoy the artwork. A few other studios will have music subtly or quite loudly playing in the background and hand out free h'ordeuvres of cheese and crackers. The environment created in each is completely unique and tuned to that particular artist's taste.

So probably contrary to popular belief there is a lot more to the nightlife of downtown Miami than simply the flashing clubs smashed full of dancing drunks, but rather the sophisticated taste of art critics sipping champagne.

Picture Source:

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