Believe it or not, Miami’s nightlife extends beyond the walls of Liv and Space. As a UM student looking to explore a casual side of socializing, I investigated the local bar scene. Dive bars, earning its name from drinking dens originally housed in cellars, are more than just eclectic decor and beer-soaked floors — their quirky traditions and close-knit circles make for a familial experience.
In the heart of Coconut Grove, dive bars are the unsung heroes of the nightlife scene — those humble, often unassuming joints that thrive on character rather than polish.
A dive bar typically boasts a no-frills attitude, with eclectic decor, a modest menu and an atmosphere that radiates a casual sense of belonging. They’re where the neon lights might flicker, the jukebox spins familiar favorites and the bartender knows your order.
I visited Titanic Brewery and Restaurant, Sandbar Sports Grill and Barracudas Taphouse and Grill to understand the essence of our local dive bar culture.
Titanic Brewery and Restaurant
Upon entering the night’s first stop, Titanic Brewery and Restaurant, the first thing I noticed was the people: a friend group of three, two sitting and one standing, all crowded around the bar. And with each clink of their beers and a proud ‘cheers,’ came a sudden contagious laughter. Past them were two men in work attire simply enjoying being anywhere but the office.
But what drew me in wasn’t the group of friends or crowds that ensued; it was the older gentleman sitting by his lonesome in the corner of the bar. When talking to Jim Finn, I felt like I was talking to someone I knew for a long time. It felt comfortable, but more importantly, it felt natural.
“I was driving down U.S. 1 daily during the week, dealing with that traffic. One day, I looked over, saw [Titanic], and went in. It attracted me right away,” said Finn.
Finn’s initial attraction to Titanic got him through the door, but that’s not what kept him coming back as a regular Wednesday-night patron. “It’s more the camaraderie and the people I’ve met over the years. That’s what brings me back,” said Finn. “We have a group of friends here that are not here tonight, but normally, on a Wednesday night, there’d be, you know, five, six, even seven of us. We sit here, drink, and exchange a lot of laughs. And let me tell ya, there’s nothing like it.”
Sandbar Sports Grill
Walking into Sandbar, a famous bar scene for the University of Miami students, ensued a feeling of nostalgia. It was a welcomed deviation to not be shoulder-to-shoulder with sweaty college students drinking lukewarm vodka cranberries.
Seeing this bar in a different light was a great experience. Instead of a jam-packed scene, I got to see them serving up their regulars with typical American bar food and staple drinks on tap.
I talked with a Sandbar employee, Katy McCartney, who gave me some insight into true dive bar culture and the proper etiquette that comes with it.
“The most difficult part of working at a bar like this is that people don’t understand tipping culture,” said McCartney
McCartney described how tipping is crucial to the overall flow and success in the workplace.”With the college kids spending so much time here, specifically on Thursday nights, it is important to tip. They forget that we’re doing all these special things for you,” said McCartney. “We are the ones refilling your free drinks, you know? And they don’t realize how far $2 or even $3 can go.”
Many people don’t realize that employees and bartenders often get paid less than minimum wage. Tips make up a significant portion of a server’s income, and servers often survive on it. Not to mention, the more you tip, the better your service and overall experience will be.
If you ever find yourself going to Sandbar and asking yourself what you should wear, know that the dive bar uniform is not a riddle.
“We have people come in bikini tops and a towel. So, it’s very chill. The only thing that we ask for is shoes, shirts and pants. But, okay, if it’s a bikini, we will still classify it as a top,” said McCartney.
Through observations and interactions, I recognized a common theme: Your local dive bar isn’t just any bar; its culture develops a sense of community and family.
Barracuda Taphouse and Grill
Barracuda Taphouse and Grill has sparked connections running so deep that it keeps people like UM alumnus Rickey Vela, coming back.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a student, especially now more than ever with Wednesdays having live music,” said Vela. “They usually have great musicians here, a rotation of three or four.”
When talking with Rickey, I wanted to get a sense of why the atmosphere at Barracuda’s attracts him.. “Almost every night, it’s mostly locals, and that’s what I like about it. You make friends once, and you’ll see them next week at the same time,” said Rickey.
He explained how there is a certain comfortability regarding consistency at Barracuda’s and other bars like it.
“There’s something so special about the bartender’s seeing you here often and memorizing what type of drink you like or food you order,” he said. “You go from looking down at a menu to getting asked if you want your usual.”
One thing that struck Rickey the hardest was the close-knit family environment and the love this bar has for their regulars. “There’s a paralyzed gentleman; his name is Woody. He’s pretty well known around here, you see him and have the opportunity to donate money to his cause,” said Rickey. “It’s a great time to get together and celebrate being from here and supporting something like a great cause.”
McCartney couldn’t agree more.
“One of our regulars for the last 10 years passed away walking on Eighth Street. Because of how much he meant to us, we’re having a memorial service here on September 12,” said McCartney. “That is exactly what makes the bar community so different from other communities as well, is that it becomes this sort of cultural sort of family. It’s very comfortable. And I think that’s the most appealing part.”
Across all three bars, one theme emerged clearly: respect and community are paramount. Dive bar patrons thrive on mutual understanding and shared love for the unpolished charm of these local gems.
More than mere stopovers for a cheap drink, these spots serve as retreats from the hustle of daily life, offering unfiltered conversations, quirky charm and an unbreakable sense of community. So next time you dive, grab a drink, make a friend, play a game and most importantly, have fun.
More Local Dive Bars
- Se7aS Bar
- The Taurus Coconut Grove
- Oasis Lounge
- Bougainville’s Old Florida Tavern
- Fox’s Lounge
- Pub 52
- Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill
- Copper 29
words_emily melissinos. photo_valeria barbaglio. design_sal puma.
This article was published in Distraction’s Fall 2024 print issue.
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