The Bar at The Shelborne

The Shelborne by Proper has quietly pulled off something South Beach hasn’t seen in years: it made the hotel lobby bar the main event again. Set inside the restored Art Deco landmark on Collins, the bar is positioned squarely at the focal point of the room, forcing the space to function the way grand hotel bars once did—as a gathering place, not a pass-through, and not something tucked away to find.

The vibe: Polished without being stiff. Early evening brings a design-minded crowd—fashion types, gallery-adjacent locals, hotel guests who dress for dinner in a casual chicness even if they don’t have one. It never feels chaotic; it feels curated. By day, the sunlight filters through the floor-to-ceiling windows. At night, the lighting is warm and flattering, the plush custom seating arranged in clusters that encourage lingering and conversation.

The drink: Let’s not dance around it: this is the best martini in Miami right now. I’ve had enough of them across this island to say that with a straight face. What sets it apart is the texture. They blend gin with avocado oil–washed vodka, which gives the drink a faintly silky weight without dulling the edge. There’s fennel in the mix—subtle, herbal, not licorice-loud—and just the lightest touch of citrus oil across the top.

Beyond that, the menu favors sophistication over sugar. A plum Manhattan riff is a little sweeter and softer. A pandan Negroni is made with coconut-washed tequila, making it feel more in line with its tropical surroundings. A South Beach Spritz, with some guava and rosemary, is the one to order when you want not a nightcap, but an opener.

Time Out tip: After warming up with a few tipples in the lobby, meander over to Little Torch, the Shelborne’s tiny but sonically-empowered lounge. Their weekend lineup consists of the kind of DJs that would play The Pickle in its heyday, except without any elbow bumping or the stench of cigarettes taking home in your hair.