12 New Venues in Miami/South Florida for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events

In April, the six-story Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Weston completed a $4.6 million makeover. Exterior updates include warm wood cladding and state-of-the-art lighting fixtures, a freshly landscaped outdoor courtyard, and a newly furnished lobby with work-friendly media pods. The 176 guest rooms are fully redesigned and upgraded, from bedding to furniture to wallcoverings, along with refreshed entertainment and workspace features. Plus, 2,015 square feet of meeting and event space—including the Savanna Room (598 square feet with capacity for 32 to 50); The Falls Room (520 square feet with capacity for 18 to 40); and the Meadows Boardroom (260 square feet with capacity for 10)—now offers enhanced amenities ideal for business gatherings, conferences, social receptions, and small ceremonies. The on-site Bistro restaurant also presents a renewed dining experience with American cuisine, Starbucks coffee, and evening cocktail service.

Mexican vibrancy meets speakeasy sophistication at the rejuvenated 3,000-square-foot Los Altos Lounge from Mad Room Hospitality, which reopened in March. Hiding behind an upstairs Mexican candy shop façade are repurposed church doors that open to an upscale enclave lined with posh banquettes and a bar decorated with sugar skull decor and señoritas with roses. From pop-up Taco Tuesdays to Secret Fridays, expect bites like guacamole and quesadillas, along with an inspired drink menu—try the spicy tequila-forward Oaxaca al Pastor or the mezcal-infused Sayulita. Great for corporate events (pricing from $500), social events (pricing from $3,000), or small-scale weddings of up to 120 guests (pricing from $5,000), expect plenty of fiesta flavor at this Little Havana hangout that channels the Prohibition era.

A bar area lined with emerald-hued seating capped with circular neon inspo signage greets guests upon entry to the 8,000-square-foot Salty Flame, Brickell’s newest Asian-influenced steakhouse, which opened in March. A meat locker is tucked between the bar and main dining area, which transports to the Far East with red and gold accents highlighting the open-concept kitchen. A DJ booth, a state-of-the-art sound system, and three hidden TVs for special events enhance the atmosphere—there are two private dining rooms, the Sapphire Lounge (seating for 40) and Reflection Room (seating for 12), and the restaurant is equipped for private professional events, client meetings, and intimate gatherings. The fare is an elevated journey from sushi to premium cuts with unique flavors—spicy tuna pockets are the perfect starter bite, while paigu pork ribs are a sweet-and-sticky hearty treat. A hot stone wagyu experience headlines the steak bar, and don’t miss the Josper-roasted branzino and veggie-packed signature fried rice. Pair the eats with an array of adventurous Asian cocktails, Japanese beers, and complementary wines. Inquire within for pricing.

In January, Esplanade at Aventura welcomed The Amalfi Llama, a 9,595-square-foot dining destination fusing vibes from Patagonia with the Mediterranean’s Italian coast. Outside, there’s an expansive, 92-seat covered patio. Inside, the space features warm farmhouse elements with pale woods, neutral finishes, and panoramic windows inviting natural light, accented with native greenery and art made from Peruvian llama tassels. There’s a lounge with an 11-seat bar upon entry, a main dining area with a central 30-seat bar and room for 157 guests, followed by an open parrilla grill and wood-burning oven for a glimpse into the live-fire cooking. Cuisine includes puccia bread with whipped eggplant, indulgent from-scratch pizzas (like the Positano with soppressata and hot honey), and comforting pastas (think: truffle tagliatelle), along with succulent seafood and steak, plus refreshing salads and imported cheeses and charcuterie. Sip an Aperol Spritz or a limoncello-infused Balisco Fresco or choose from premium wines. Event capabilities range from client meetings and networking events to baby showers and birthday parties beginning at a $20,000 minimum buyout.

With Simone Mayer at the helm, in May, Sanctuary MiMo revealed its transformation of a forgotten landmark into a brand-new Upper East Side two-winged multiuse event space and garden utopia. More than 14,000 square feet of versatile indoor-outdoor space can be purposed for live music and entertainment events, weddings and celebrations, fashion shows, photo shoots, wellness gatherings, and more. Sanctuary East is home to the 3,380-square-foot MainEvent, the original grand hall with 38-foot ceilings, neutral interiors, and glazed concrete floors with space for 230 for seated receptions or 300 cocktail-style. There are also two VIP suites (250 square feet and 176 square feet), a mezzanine overlook (1,148 square feet), StudioEast (460 square feet), and the alfresco Zen East (585 square feet). Sanctuary West offers LevelUp, a 2,169-square-foot second-level room for 30 seated or 50 cocktail-style, the state-of-the-art Chef’s Bar commercial kitchen, the 1,180-square-foot DoLab for 50 seated or 80 cocktail-style, and the 1,765-square-foot outdoor ZenWest for ceremonies up to 150. Pricing is determined by individual space or full buyout.

In April, the 30,000-square-foot Reserve Miami Design District brought its luxury paddle club to the Magic City. Featuring three glass-enclosed courts, a pro shop stocked with gear and Reserve apparel, two cold plunges, private restrooms, and a workout space equipped with a high-end weight rack, guests can also book private padel coaches for group clinics or private one-on-one sessions. The club is ideal for team-building activities, company outings, and corporate day retreats, as well as brand showcases, fitness workshops, charity tournaments, and social club gatherings. Party sizes can range from 20 to 200 guests, and pricing starts at $1,500.

In April, The West End Lounge brought its polished 2,300-square-foot cocktail concept that pays homage to the past to lively Wilton Manors. Elegant furniture in chartreuse and emerald green and checkered flooring summon the days of Frank Sinatra’s intimate lounge serenades in Palm Springs, Calif.—others may find the speakeasy reminiscent of 1940s New York. A stage houses a baby grand acoustic piano, and the room is outfitted with high-tech AV capabilities ideal for corporate events, happy hours, birthday parties, fundraisers, and VIP events. Seating capacity is 66 inside (or 100 with standing room only), with space for another 25 guests outside. Pricing ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 and hosts are welcome to bring their own caterer or use a preferred partner of the lounge.

As of April, Miami is home to The Canvas Bar, a playful 2,750-square-foot, 120-seat restaurant and bar from Graspa Group. Tropical and nautical decor with pops of vibrant yellow pair with a relaxed ambiance to complement the casual vibe. The dining area comprises 21 tables, and there are three sofas, plus an extensive 12-seat bar where guests can watch all the latest games on eight large flat-screen TVs. Vintage arcade games like Pac-Man and Space Invaders offer a bout of nostalgia, while billiards and foosball tables round out the pastimes. Menu items include juicy burgers and sammies, crisp salads, flatbreads, pastas, and more, as well as specialty and traditional cocktails and plenty of beer and wine options. Event pricing starts $6,000 Sunday through Thursday and jumps to $8,000 on Fridays and Saturdays. Group food and beverage menus are available for private corporate events, team-building events and meetings, and birthday parties of 16 or more guests.

Fort Lauderdale introduced 3,700-square-foot, 120-seat The Federal to locals who love casual dining paired with entertaining views in April. Nestled between two ice rinks within the Baptist Health IcePlex—the official practice facility for the 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers—the restaurant invites all to unwind and indulge in a laid-back setting that’s social and sports-forward. Inside, the brick walls are clad in vintage sports moments and memorabilia, along with American heritage photos and celebratory quotes. Or, dine outside on the second-story patio complete with its own bar and panoramic pickleball views. Expect American fare like wings, dips, salads, handhelds, burgers, and bowls. Bevvies range from craft cocktails to extensive beer and wine options (there’s also bottomless weekend brunch and great deals on bottles of bubbly). Situated next to spacious Holiday Park, the restaurant pairs well with an outdoor family day—or, of course, ice-skating or pickleball—but on its own, is suitable for corporate events, game-day celebrations, kid-friendly birthday parties, team-building days, and more. Pricing varies per event, so inquire within.

May brought the posh, two-story, 5,330-square-foot Lafayette Steakhouse from Mathieu Massa, owner of Mr. Hospitality Miami, to bustling Brickell. Massa tapped Carlos Rodriguez of Escala Forma as the maximalist design mastermind to breathe new life into the former El Tucán Miami space. The enclave blends the allure of speakeasy culture with the refinement of European elegance with curated artwork and a deep-toned color palette complementing rich mahogany and oak paired with chic leather upholstery. Hints of mystery lace with desire through the use of lavish fabrics and opulent chandeliers. A grand piano takes center stage near the bar in the 100-seat dining room adding old-world charm, while a raised DJ booth is a nod to the modern day. Semiprivate spaces include a 10-seat Chandelier Table and the upstairs mezzanine with seating for 50 (or 100 standing). Menus range from $35 per person for passed bites by the hour to $165 per person for family-style prime dinners, with bar packages starting at $60 per person. Holiday parties, rehearsal dinners, press events, and business and corporate gatherings are welcome.

Fort Lauderdale Beach opened the doors to high-end, indoor-outdoor beachfront lounge Nubé Rooftop in April. The Restaurant People brought their sky-high vibes to the 26th floor of Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort with a 4,500-square-foot space encouraging all to kick back among the clouds with unparalleled views of the deep blue. Sip inventive cocktails like the ocean-hued Deuces, served in a peace-sign carafe for two to four, or the wafting, tequila-infused Smoke Cloud—there are free-spirited, zero-proof drinks too. “Cool” bites range from caviar with fluffy manchego and potato chips to a raw bar tray with oysters, shrimp cocktail, and ceviche, while “Warm” items include shredded beef tostones cups, wagyu dumplings, and truffle frites. Magical sunsets with salty breezes enhance social hours, holiday parties, receptions, and corporate events as semiprivate or full buyouts for 80 to 200 guests; private Lunar Bar indoor receptions for 40; or semiprivate Firepit parties for 40 with customizable menus to include passed hors d’oeuvres and shareable plates. Rates depend on the date, time, season, and space needed.

A cornerstone of Miami’s music and culture scene for the past 25 years, 4,000-square-foot Hoy Como Ayer revealed its refreshed expansion in June. It now encompasses both indoor and outdoor spaces to offer more venue versatility, enhanced hospitality, and an improved ambiance. Preserving its timeless charm, the 65-seat venue now boasts a wooden stage complete with state-of-the-art lighting, top-of-the-line sound systems, and upgraded special effects. Additionally, a 65-seat bar invites all to unwind, a 140-seat living room-like wine bar offers a refuge for cozy vino pours, and a 25-seat patio plays host to nice outdoor nights. The venue is great for private corporate events, weddings, galas, conferences, client meetings, and more of up to 150 guests, and pricing starts at $500. The full bar menu includes bottle service and cocktails like the Mamey Mojito, Mezcal White Negroni, and Colada Service (an espresso martini served in a colada cup). Paired bites include sweet corn croquetas, sweet and sour crispy chicken, and fried yucca. Local food trucks are scheduled to park by late summer.