The Raleigh Martini Bar

Address: Raleigh Hotel, (at 22nd Street), South Beach, Miami, Florida, 33139, United States
Tel: +1 305 534 6300
Website: view The Raleigh Martini Bar’s website
Door: Open door
Style: Hotel bar

Review

The elegant, Art Deco Raleigh Hotel is one of the most beautiful on the Collins Avenue beachfront. And since it is owned by Andre Balazs, the man behind New York's Mercer and the Standard, Los Angeles, it is now also one of the most fashionable. The architecture is stunning but the 300 foot private beach lined with cabanas and the scallop-shaped pool area are more celebrated than the hotel proper. The beautiful design attracts equally stunning supermodel types.

Many visitors walk straight through the lobby and make a beeline for the sun loungers beyond. They are missing a gem - the intimate, 1940s lobby bar tucked away on the left. The small panelled room is warm and loungy, and light jazz and lounge music softly play. Sadly, we understand there is a plan to take the wall down and open the bar up. So, while you still can, pull up a red leather barstool and pass the night chatting to regulars and hotel guests in this fabulous space.

Drinks wise, the small selection of cocktails served are made to a good, if not great standard - especially if Stephen Wicker is behind the stick. If he is, then ask him for his When the Smoke Cleared - served long with mezcal, lime, pineapple, Aperol and ginger syrup.