12 New Venues in Miami/South Florida for Fall 2023 Meetings and Events

The 7-year-old Hilton West Palm Beach just underwent a $25 million renovation to refresh guest rooms, suites, a lush lobby and lobby bar, artfully elevated public spaces, and a fully transformed suite of dining experiences from executive chef Rodrigo Mezadri—including brand-new eatery Mezze. The resort-style hotel is centrally located in downtown West Palm Beach and directly connected to the Palm Beach County Convention Center by covered walkway. For meetings and events, there’s more than 29,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, including the 13,350-square-foot Oceana Ballroom (800 banquet, 1,000 reception, and 1,200 theater); the 5,800-square-foot Coral Ballroom with 23-foot ceilings and dramatic chandeliers (350 banquet, 450 reception, and 525 theater); and the 5,000-square-foot, newly expanded Event Lawn (250 banquet, 300 reception, and up to 1,000 guests including the complete pool deck). Additional offerings include weekly fitness and wellness classes, cocktail experiences, monthly wine dinners, holiday festivities, and seasonal programming. Event pricing for small, private settings starts at $10,000 and larger, 1,000-person events begin at $100,000.

In November, TPG Hotels & Resorts is revealing a multimillion-dollar renovation of the four-star Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel. The 189-room property is receiving a full interior and exterior renovation, including all guest rooms; the lobby; and an all-new, 30,000-square-foot resort-style pool with a deck and waterfall feature. A highly anticipated new addition is the adjacent fourth Meat Market outpost, an award-winning, 9,000-square-foot modern American steakhouse from David Tornek, chef Sean Brasel, and Sébastien Tribout. Additionally, the concept will operate WET by Meat Market, an elevated tiki bar serving food and drinks to VIP cabana and resort pool guests. The restaurant will also become the exclusive catering partner for all conference and banquet room spaces at the hotel, which encompasses 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space with modernized rooms and new public spaces with cosmopolitan style and flair. Multiple private banquet and meeting spaces—along with the pool deck, veranda, and restaurant—will all be available for private, corporate, and social bookings.

Michelin-starred chef David Myers debuted 2,413-square-foot Mediterranean restaurant and bar ADRIFT Mare on the 25th floor of Hotel AKA Brickell in July. Michael Gabellini of Gabellini Sheppard Associates was at the helm of the design, which showcases floor-to-ceiling windows with gorgeous views of the city skyline and Biscayne Bay. Natural nods like wave-patterned stone floors in ocean-inspired hues and lush greenery invite South Florida elements inside, while artisanal materials, including light oak wood; hammered silver nickel; bronze mirror; marble and stone; textured glass panels; and silk, linen, and velvet fabrics reflect the breezy, fun-loving-meets-chic Mediterranean. Fare ranges from grilled meats to fresh fish to crustaceans accompanied by light pastas and veggie dishes and paired with elegant yet bold sips from acclaimed mixologists Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy. The restaurant is ideal for private corporate parties, power lunches, birthdays, client meetings, and wedding events, and there’s a 1,240-square-foot private dining room for 45 seated or 60 reception-style available for a $2,500 minimum spend. Full buyouts begin at $30,000.

In July, the 15,000-square-foot ZeyZey—which means "happiness" in the Indigenous Colombian language Iku—was unveiled in Little River. Co-founder and creative director Pili Restrepo Hackler was the brains behind the blueprint, which welcomes all through a gated entrance to what was designed to feel like a friend’s house anchored by a banyan tree. Notable elements include the Jewu, a natural wine and craft beer gazebo with communal seating; Tima, a bungalow house with white walls and psychotropic-inspired furniture; vinyl listening room Iba; and three private outdoor lounges with table service and backyard views. A redesigned shipping container doubles as a cocktail bar, and there’s a main stage area for live music ensembles and DJ sets. Four food vendor stalls under the culinary direction of Sebastian Vargas of Grassfed Culture complete the concept. Great for concerts, community and team-building events, group fitness, cooking, art, and dance classes, this unique venue can host 750 to 1,000 guests with semiprivate buyouts beginning at $1,500 in the offseason, $5,750 during season, and full buyouts starting at $10,000.

Inspired by car lovers and collectors, the 30,000-square-foot Hagerty Garage + Social, a luxury clubhouse and storage facility, opened in Little River in April. The clubhouse features an open layout with modern, industrial aesthetics, and the overall space is a versatile lounge with tables, chairs, and couches; a 13-foot TV that spans across one of the main walls—perfect for watch parties or presentations—a bar area to host any food and beverages needed; a private conference room for smaller meetings and events; and an outdoor patio. Hagerty Garage + Social can host seated events for 150 to 200 guests, ranging from car shows to dinner parties to galas. Inquire within for event pricing, which varies largely by event type and venue needs.

Brickell said hello to the 18,000-square-foot, retro-inspired, three-story dining and entertainment destination Okeydokey in April. The first story includes four food vendors (Little Bird, Yoso Ramen, MAC, and ATLAS), and the 64-seat outdoor oasis La Terrasse, clad in boho-chic furnishings, hanging greenery, and live music on Thursdays. The second floor has Coffee Break, which opens at 8 a.m. and serves breakfast, pastries, artisanal coffee, tea, and fresh-pressed juices. On the third floor sits the recently opened Metronome—the listening room boasts long velvet curtains, a disco ball, and dim candles surrounding a center stage—which will soon welcome comedy shows, live music, DJs, and more. Three bars serve craft cocktails from Miami Bar Group, along with plenty of beer, wine, and sake offerings, and various communal workspaces with Wi-Fi bring guests to a living room setting. The space is amenable to birthdays, corporate events, bridal showers, client meetings, performances, and more. Single-floor buyouts begin at $6,000; full-venue rentals begin at $25,000, including food; and bar packages start at $16 per person, per hour.

Toku, a sleek, 14,000-square-foot modern Asian eatery, opened in Aventura Mall in June. The design was inspired by a 19th century Japanese home. The bar seats 53 and has an illuminated surface, dark wood accents, and a Chinese dragon mural by Krave. A large stone Buddha overlooks the 170-seat main dining room, filled with plush banquettes and views of the open kitchen and sushi bar. The private dining room has capacity for 20 and features art by Fin DAC, with access to the expansive covered patio area with seating for 135. The menu features global cuisine with predominantly Japanese and Chinese influences—think miso black cod, sesame-crusted tuna, wagyu steak frites and Peking duck, and a plethora of rice and noodle dishes, plus sushi options. Craft cocktails with an Asian twist, sake, Japanese whisky, wine, and beer round out the beverage experience. The venue can host corporate events, happy hours, baby and wedding showers, holiday parties, and charity fundraisers, along with space for a DJ or live music setup. Inquire within for event prices.

Touches of pre-Spanish Mexico are prevalent throughout this 6,000-square-foot, 170-seat indoor-outdoor restaurant in Coconut Grove, which opened in May. At KoKo, an array of cultured artwork, textures, patterns, and materials pay homage to Mexico’s traditions and craftsmanship. The fully immersive experience is complemented by macramé and embroidery murals, light fixtures made of natural Mexican fabrics, terra-cotta flower pots, and barro ornaments. The 20-seat bar is made from solid Yucatan-inspired wood and decorated with brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures. Seating is inspired by typical Mexican furniture made from local leather with traditional embroidery and braiding techniques, and the open kitchen allows guests to dine while watching handcrafted, from-scratch tortilla-making. Authentic food items range from guacamole and queso fundido to tacos and enchiladas, while spirits are strongly focused on mezcal pairings—there are 400 bottles in stock. Reserve space for birthdays, banquets, corporate lunches, and group happy hours. Contact the internal team for rates.

On the heels of its successful Fort Lauderdale debut, Whiskey Neat opened a 2,500-square-foot sister location in Plantation in June. The cocktail lounge, with space for 50, is reminiscent of the Prohibition era with metal bars of a cell door upon entry and added character thanks to local art of 1950s legends, including Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. If you look closely, you can spot graffiti of Whiskey Neat's name painted in black on the brick walls. The red-tinted bar is centered by a faux fireplace crackling with homey vibes, facing an open floor of tufted leather chairs and couches for a blend of rustic and industrial design while still evoking elegance. Behind the bar, towering shelves showcase a multicolored liquor wall stocked with hundreds of rare and highly sought whiskeys—it’s home to over 230 bottles. Guests can enjoy flights, along with craft cocktails, mocktails, wine, and beer. Pair libations with bites from the adjacent Quarterdeck’s kitchen (same ownership), including sushi, poke bowls, burgers, and tacos. Plan networking happy hour, team-building events, and small receptions. Contact the team for rates.

Olive & Sea, an indoor-outdoor intracoastal rooftop restaurant, opened in Fort Lauderdale in August. The 156-seat indoor dining room features a 14-seat robust bar with polished brass details and a 12-person private dining room. Olive & Sea pulls inspiration from its surrounding glistening waters and marina life with natural decor of sandy colors and pops of vibrant and lush hues. Tangible accents like woven rope light fixtures and marine-grade rope materials are integrated into the seating; wood-look porcelain floors are inspired by luxury sailboat finishes; and plush, communal lounge seating welcomes guests to relax among the laid-back charm illustrated by a custom mural by Ernesto Kunde and various sculptures and art installations throughout. Family-style eastern Mediterranean eats by Miguel Toro Franco are infused with bright ingredients and soulful flavors. Menu favorites include hummus and fresh pita, falafel, an array of seasoned meat and seafood skewers, roasted cauliflower, and couscous, along with spritz-, cooler-, and refresher-themed cocktails. The space can host private dinners, client meetings, baby showers, and more, with pricing assessed on a case-by-case basis.

South Bar & Kitchen, a 7,600-square-foot indoor-outdoor restaurant, brought Cajun- and Creole-inspired flavors to Pompano Beach in May. The team from SFL Food Group (Canyon, Rio’s Tequila Bar, YOT Bar & Kitchen) was inspired by the concept of community sparked by Louisiana culture, from the live music-friendly community patio with a banyan tree adorned with hanging lights to the all-day meat smoker that produces mouthwatering delicacies. There’s also an additional courtyard area with life-size games. Drink highlights include the Caged Cobbler, a peach-infused rye cocktail served in an actual birdcage swirling with dry ice, along with several bourbon and rye flights. The menu is packed with high-quality comfort food, including deviled eggs, boudin balls, fried chicken, muffuletta, and an array of po’boys. Think of South Bar & Kitchen for corporate luncheons, team-building events, and client meetings, as well as weddings, engagement parties, and bridal showers. Pricing varies based on appetizer packages, set menus, family-style service, and buffet style, with open bar, beer and wine, and premium bar options too.

In April, Loews Miami Beach Hotel welcomed a new wellness refuge to its historic St. Moritz Tower. Sea Spa (formerly Exhale South Beach) is 12,184 square feet and home to 16 treatment rooms, a hair and nail salon, locker rooms with Jacuzzis and steam rooms, a coed Zen Lounge, and an updated fitness center. The third-floor outdoor spa terrace offers stunning resort pool views, and the space can be purposed for 35-guest, open-air group fitness classes, as well as alfresco luncheons or socials for up to 45. Plus, the indoor fitness studio is available for events with a maximum of 15 guests—both the outdoor spa terrace and fitness center are available for $500 rentals every two hours, with pricing flexibility available depending on event type. Additionally, full spa buyouts for up to 112 guests include treatment packages and use of the entire facility for beauty events, private parties, corporate wellness retreats, and more, with 50-minute treatment pricing ranging from $190 to $222 per person, while treatment room buyouts are $1,000 per day.