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

Managed by Highgate, the posh Elser Hotel & Residences began welcoming guests to its 49-story luxury tower last December. Centered in the heart of bustling downtown Miami, 646 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites come fully equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, stunning Biscayne Bay views, walkout balconies, washer-dryer units, sleek bathrooms, full kitchens, and more. With unobstructed waterfront and city views, the property’s main event space is the spacious and flexible 19,000-square-foot rooftop pool deck, with a 132-foot pool and a 16-foot poolside LED screen, which is ideal for outdoor fashion shows, fitness classes, networking events, panel discussions, weddings, private parties, and more. Portions can be isolated for private, banquet-style meals of up to 150 guests; the total capacity is 350. Full buyouts begin at $20,000, including food and beverage options.

In June, the weirdly whimsical, two-floor, 2,500-square-foot BAROOM Club took over the former space of longtime South Beach staple JAZID. Now, the space boasts a Parisian circus-style cabaret with a sultry Moulin Rouge vibe. Aesthetic highlights include sparkling chandeliers; plush red velvet drapes; and hues of crimson, black, white, and gold. A staircase connects the two floors—each home to its own bar—leading guests to explore various spaces with unpredictable wonders. The 106-capacity lounge has 17 private tables, along with an upstairs VIP section complete with a colorful ball pit to evoke a childhood wonderland. The upstairs outdoor terrace offers a playful photo booth, and curated acts from a distinctive cast of performers featuring snake charmers, contortionists, and aerialists provide nightly entertainment. Suitable for birthday parties, team-building events, and wedding receptions, buyout pricing begins at $5,000.

As of March, the Design District’s former Prada showroom is home to Antonio Bachour’s 5,784-square-foot, 80-seat French-meets-Lebanese eatery, Tablé. The award-winning pastry chef’s newest outpost is a modern, Parisian-style brasserie that also fittingly houses a cafe and bakery. Jorge Gonzalez, in collaboration with Vertical Design Studio, reenvisioned the space to create a modern ambiance with minimalist decor, lush greenery, and commissioned local artwork by Arlex Campos. The menu features French techniques paired with Lebanese and Latin flavors paying homage to Bachour’s roots—think petite falafel with eggplant marmalade; fried artichokes with pistachio aioli; chips and Ossetra caviar with cornichon-infused creme fraiche; and shellfish potage in a garlic-lemon sauce served with a crispy baguette. Creative cocktails and worldly wines round out the sips, while rich desserts range from vanilla bean mille-feuille to Camembert cheesecake—plus, grab a box of French macarons or artisan bonbons to go. Great for baby and wedding showers, client meetings, private corporate events, and more, buyouts start at $5,000.

In February, Hotel AKA Brickell welcomed the ground-floor, 5,400-square-foot, 220-seat Basque-inspired eatery Zeru Miami. The first outpost in the U.S. designed by Mexico City-based architecture and design studio Faci Leboreiro, the refined dining space is brought to life by the open kitchen, with a full view of the Josper grill, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a central bar area with an elevated high-top and lounge seating area (a spacious outdoor terrace will debut later this year). Standout selections from land and sea include bluefin tuna tartare with black truffle and saffron; kampachi tiradito with yuzu; Tudela artichokes with Idiazabal cheese and pata negra; crispy Alaskan king crab and saffron socarrats; and grilled branzino fillet with green leaves—plus a variety of prime steaks, from rib-eye to filet mignon and Japanese Kobe strip loin to wagyu tomahawk. Equipped for holiday parties, private corporate dinners, wedding receptions, graduation parties, and more, event pricing is around $130 per person, with full buyouts available upon request, depending on season and availability.

Renowned supper club destination BÂOLI Miami unveiled its face-lift in March, following a renovation by new operator Riviera Dining Group. The upscale South Beach restaurant’s 2,400-square-foot indoor lounge is outfitted with Balinese-inspired decor, imported woods, and greenery accents. The 2,277-square-foot outdoor garden sits underneath the open sky in a courtyard clad with the lush foliage and elegant details that inspire the earthy mixology program. The menu offers a variety of Southeast Asian fusion plates, including Japanese A5 wagyu cooked on hot lava rocks with truffle dipping sauce; a hamachi jalapeno sushi maki roll; tuna and salmon crispy rice; lamb satay; and tahini creamed spinach with roasted sesame. Sweet endings include an exotic frozen cheesecake and a Thai-flavored coconut parfait. Great for high-end birthdays, large-group dining, private events, and special affairs, capacity ranges from 140 seated to 250 for cocktail receptions, and pricing varies from $65-$175 per person. There’s also bottle service, nightly DJs, themed greeters, and an outdoor wall projector.

In December, Michelin-starred Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford debuted his third South Florida restaurant concept, Beauty & the Butcher. The 6,700-square-foot modern dining room, with seating for 160 guests, is located in Coral Gables. The space blends contemporary decor with the comforts of home thanks to forest green leather booths, artfully decorated bookshelves, warm earth tones, and bronze accents. Brass-toned chandeliers emit soft mood lighting, while a gray-veined quartz bar wraps around the focal point, a dry-aged meat locker. There’s also a private dining room with seating for 30 or 60 for cocktail-style receptions. The menu is built into four sections with shareable plates, and Ford showcases his contemporary American culinary approach while highlighting an array of global spices. Notable dishes include housemade cured duck prosciutto; dry-aged Japanese yellowtail hamachi; charred octopus anticucho; jerk-charred heirloom carrots; and 48-hour, slow-smoked beef rib. Perfect for corporate dinners and client meetings, semiprivate and full buyouts are available, with prices ranging from $100-$350 per person, with the high range featuring an active chef throughout the experience.

Aba Bal Harbour, a 3,200-square-foot Mediterranean restaurant in Bal Harbour Shops from Top Chef alum CJ Jacobson, first debuted in November and then rolled out its 2,000-square-foot private dining mezzanine in January. Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants was at the helm of the Mediterranean summertime design with earthy hues, olive trees, climbing ivy, and vintage Parisian and Moroccan light fixtures, while furniture fuses brown leather with wicker and teak. The concept focuses on bringing the outside in with grandiose French-style windows and doors that lead from the indoor dining room to the patio and up to the mezzanine. The private dining space features a bar and outdoor seating for 50 (or 100 cocktail-style), and full buyouts are available for corporate events, baby showers, team-building activities, and client meetings, with food and beverage minimums ranging from $7,500-$12,000, dependent on the day of the week. Fresh flavors from Turkey, Greece, Israel, and Lebanon influence the menu in delicious dishes like the muhammara spread; spicy lamb ragu hummus; whipped feta and marinated olives; and grilled cauliflower kebabs.

In January, Runway 84—a 40-year-old, 4,000-square-foot, indoor-outdoor Italian restaurant—revealed its long-anticipated $4 million makeover. Bridging authentic history with a chic refresh, Bigtime Design Studios curated the reimagination, which includes a new Copacabana-themed entry, live music lounge with a grand piano, and sophisticated bar. The reinvented dining room features green, gold, and burgundy hues; a detailed coffered walnut ceiling; “gangster booth” seating and emerald green velvet banquettes; as well as custom chandeliers, brass light fixtures, and a rose wallcovering—along with a “Wall of Fame” honoring past notable guests. The venue accommodates 190 guests and there are semi- and full-buyout offerings for birthdays, client meetings, wedding events, and corporate private dinners. Full buyout prices range from $50,000-$75,000; patio events for 60-70 seated or 80 standing range from $15,000-$20,000; and the 18-guest private dining room is available with minimums starting at $5,000-$7,500. The menu boasts old classics and new favorites like mussels fra diavolo; stuffed artichokes; spicy rigatoni; chicken parmigiana; and swordfish “Runway style.”

Hallandale welcomed this unique, two-story, 5,000-square-foot container restaurant project, KAO Bar & Grill, in May. An alfresco patio is adorned with natural wooden accents, plush lounge chairs and sofas, and ambient lighting, which lends itself to big celebrations and intimate nights alike. There’s also a 14-seat outdoor bar—with an extensive drink menu—where guests can enjoy live entertainment. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows give the main dining room an open atmosphere colored with murals by Falopapas. The space is ideal for team happy hours, private corporate events, baby showers, and birthday parties of up to 75 seated; ask about larger-capacity options for standing cocktail receptions. There is also an upstairs event space with a minimum food and beverage spend—personalized menus tailored to each event with choices ranging from a la carte dining to prix fixe menus are available—with a minimum of 20 confirmed guests to reserve the space. Inquire within for pricing details. Fare is Argentine-American fusion, and menu items include sharing-style tablitas—like antipasto, chorizo, and empanada platters—as well as burgers, milanesas, and grilled steaks.

Along lively Las Olas sits Palm Room, a new old-school-meets-new-school Florida-themed bar. The 2,400-square-foot concept opened in April and flaunts murals from local artists including custom toile designs with golden alligators and flamingos. A vintage marquee sign leads to back booths with walls painted with “monkey business” antics to evoke the playful nature of the watering hole, and the cane-covered drop ceiling brings the island flavor. Sporting a player’s club culture, guests can lounge in pleated leather booths while watching the latest games on large-screen TVs, while others might opt for premium bottle service. A DJ brings on the night vibes, and there’s plenty of beer, pizza, and Instagrammable cocktails—like the Old Gregg, a Bailey’s-infused shot served in a Croc shoe, or the Trophy Wife, poured in a coupe glass with a comical “nice day” sign attached by clothespin. Fun for sports watch parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, team-building activities, and more, there are four event packages ranging from semiprivate to full buyouts for groups of 20-100 guests. For prices, inquire within.

Gilded chandeliers and a domed entryway dining lounge greet guests at the spacious, 8,000-square-foot Jupiter Grill, which opened in April in Harbourside Place. The formal dining room features iridescent mermaid tile-scaled interiors and a seaside design palette coupled with plenty of waterfront views. Barrel Room seats 50 ($5,000 food and beverage minimum); Waterside Patio seats 60 or 100 cocktail-style ($4,000 food and beverage minimum); Bar Patio seats 40 or 100 cocktail-style ($4,000 food and beverage minimum); and the Rooftop seats 275 or 200 cocktail-style ($20,000, plus a $2,000 rental fee). Full buyouts range from $15,000-$20,000 during the off-season and $30,000-$35,000 during season, dependent on day of week. The space is suitable for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate networking events, bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, bachelorette brunches, fundraising dinners, and more. The fare is modern coastal steakhouse cuisine, specializing in prime steaks, seafood, and a high-end wine list.

In March, this 5,000-square-foot upscale Chinese restaurant opened in Boca Raton. The main dining room focal point at Red Pine is anchored by a U-shaped iron red verso granite bar, and there’s a mix of intimate, tufted red leather booths and tables, as well as private dining areas bathed in red LED accent lighting. The covered outdoor dining garden and patio were designed for year-round comfort, with an overhead pergola and adjustable louvered roof with roll-down screens at the sides. Live plants throughout complement the ambiance, as do decorative rice paper chandeliers, Chinese lettering symbolizing good hospitality, ceramic rice wine jars, Buddha sculptures, and various vintage-crackle red-painted elements. The main dining room seats 180; the outdoor dining garden seats 40; the bar seats 20; and the glass-encased private dining room seats 35—inquire within for event pricing estimates. The cuisine is inspired by the culinary traditions of China and East Asia, and both food and beverage offerings are served in vibrant, photo-worthy formats.