In a coastal collision of cocktail artistry and East Coast cool, Mezcalista, the seductive speakeasy tucked inside The South Beach Moxy, brought the spirit of New York to Miami with a two-night-only pop-up that had mixology lovers buzzing. On April 3rd and 4th, 2025, the intimate lounge joined forces with one of NYC’s most iconic cocktail institutions, Temple Bar, for an unforgettable celebration of flavor, flair, and elevated spirits.
Miami’s culinary scene is savoring a taste of la dolce vita (The Good Life). Mondrian South Beach, the chic waterfront escape on Biscayne Bay, has teamed up with the famed Amalfi Coast beach club restaurant Conca del Sogno for a limited-time pop-up, bringing the flavors of Italy’s most coveted coastline straight to the Magic City.
American Express took the checkered flag last week hosting a women empowerment event with F1 ACADEMY.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of pink and orange across the sandy shores of Miami Beach, my stay at The National Hotel became an unforgettable chapter in my travel diary. Nestled at 1677 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, this art déco gem is not just a hotel; it’s a journey through time, a tranquil oasis that seamlessly blends history with modern luxury.
A Walk Through History
Built in 1939 by the visionary architect Roy France, The National Hotel stands as a testament to the golden age of travel. Recently renovated, the hotel preserves its historic integrity while embracing contemporary comforts. The moment you step through the doors, you’re greeted by a nostalgic charm that transcends eras.
With 137 rooms and suites, The National Hotel offers a range of accommodations, each meticulously designed to cater to diverse preferences. The Historic Tower provides breathtaking city and ocean views, while the Cabana Building boasts 36 luxurious cabanas and suites, including the Penthouse and Artist Cabana Suite.
Poolside and Ocean Bliss
The pièce de résistance is undeniably the longest infinity pool in South Beach, stretching to an impressive 205 feet. It’s not just a pool; it’s a serene escape where time seems to stand still. The Cabana Rooms offer private balconies overlooking this aquatic marvel, providing a perfect spot to unwind and soak in the beauty that surrounds you.
The National Hotel’s poolside experience extends beyond its stunning infinity pool to a second oasis featuring the Aqua Bar & Grill. This charming spot not only offers refreshing cocktails but also a delectable menu featuring ceviche, tacos, salads, burgers, and more.
On weekends, a lively DJ transforms the atmosphere, turning the poolside setting into a vibrant hotspot. As the sun sets, the Aqua Bar & Grill becomes the perfect place to unwind, making weekends at The National Hotel an unforgettable blend of relaxation and entertainment. Dive into a world where every moment is a celebration of Miami’s lively spirit.
The National Hotel’s adults-only haven extends beyond the poolside bliss to a private beach area, offering tranquility and peace by the waves. With exclusive beachside chairs and umbrella service, it’s the ideal retreat for those seeking a calm escape amidst the vibrant spirit of Miami’s South Beach.
Dining Delights
Indulgence takes center stage at The National Hotel’s dining establishments. Mareva 1939, helmed by Chef Sergio Chamizo, serves up dynamic Spanish cuisine that’s a culinary journey through tradition with a modern twist. The recently opened Martini Bar, adorned with original 1939 decor, invites you to savor specialty cocktails and the full menu from Mareva 1939. Aqua Bar & Grill, nestled by a second pool, offers a poolside haven for lunch and cocktails, featuring a menu that delights the taste buds.
Wellness and Recreation
For those inclined towards fitness, the recently renovated 400 sq ft gym provides state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring a fulfilling workout. From Assault Elite Runner to Peloton Spin Cycle, the gym caters to every fitness enthusiast. They even have complementary yoga classes.
Tranquil Atmosphere
One of the standout features of The National Hotel is its status as an adult-only property. This creates an atmosphere of tranquility and peace, making it an ideal retreat for those seeking a calm and quiet escape.
Exploring Beyond the Hotel
Centrally in Miami’s South Beach, The National Hotel is a gateway to iconic attractions. Whether it’s the sandy beaches of South Beach, the vibrant Lincoln Road Mall, or the upscale shops along Collins Avenue, the hotel’s strategic location ensures you’re never far from the heartbeat of Miami.
My stay at The National Hotel was nothing short of magical. From the moment I entered the historic lobby to the leisurely hours spent by the infinity pool, every detail exuded warmth and hospitality. The National Hotel Miami Beach is more than a place to stay; it’s an immersive experience, a harmonious blend of history, luxury, and relaxation.
For those seeking a retreat that transcends the ordinary, The National Hotel at 1677 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, is a destination worth exploring. To plan your escape, visit their website at nationalhotel.com and follow their Instagram @nationalhotelmiamibeach for a visual preview of the timeless charm that awaits.
In the heart of South Beach, Miami, there is a culinary heaven that not only captivates the taste buds but also embraces an era of elegance and style. Mareva 1939, within The National Hotel, has become a gastronomic sensation, earning the prestigious title of Best Spanish Restaurant in Miami according to the Miami New Times in 2022.
Helmed by the talented Chef Sergio Chamizo, Mareva 1939 offers a culinary journey that transcends the ordinary, presenting dynamic Spanish cuisine with a contemporary twist. The restaurant’s concept revolves around a sharing menu, inviting guests to experience the communal joy of dining together. Picture a table adorned with an array of traditional Spanish dishes, each with a unique and modern flair, inviting patrons to indulge in the art of shared culinary delight.
One of the standout features of Mareva 1939 is its commitment to providing an unforgettable dining experience. The venue exudes an old-world charm blended seamlessly with modern sophistication. The ambiance is warm and inviting, creating an atmosphere that fosters not only the enjoyment of exquisite food but also the creation of lasting memories.
For those seeking a unique gastronomic adventure, the menu boasts signature tapas that showcase the rich tapestry of Spanish flavors. From the traditional patatas bravas to the inventive twists on classic dishes, every bite at Mareva 1939 is a journey through the diverse and vibrant landscape of Spanish cuisine.
A must-try highlight of the menu is the “Arroces and Principales,” curated by Chef Sergio Chamizo himself. This selection promises a culinary exploration of Spanish rice dishes and other main courses, each crafted with precision and passion.
Dinner at Mareva 1939 is not merely a meal; it’s an event. The family-style service encourages a sense of togetherness, making it an ideal choice for gatherings and celebrations. Speaking of celebrations, the venue also offers catering services, ensuring that the culinary magic of Mareva 1939 can be brought to your special events.
On my recent visit to Mareva 1939, the delectable cuisine enchanted me not only but also by the enchanting surroundings. The National Hotel’s patio served as the backdrop for a stunning wedding, a testament to Mareva 1939’s versatility in hosting memorable occasions.
Adding to the allure of Mareva 1939 is the Martini Bar at Mareva 1939, an intimate space within the restaurant that elevates the dining experience. This stylish bar and lounge present a selection of specialty martini cocktails that perfectly complement the full dinner menu. Imagine sipping on a Truffle Vespour, surrounded by an ambiance that transports you to an era of sophistication, accompanied by live music that adds a melodic touch to your evening.
Mareva 1939 is not just a restaurant; it’s an immersion into the artistry of Spanish cuisine and the elegance of a bygone era. Whether you’re a connoisseur of fine dining or someone seeking a memorable experience, Mareva 1939 at The National Hotel is a culinary destination that promises to enchant and delight.
Off Grid racing hospitality group by notable event producer Peter Klein partnered with SLS South Beach in Miami on exclusive programming that took place all weekend long at Hyde Beach celebrating Formula One weekend in Miami, May 5th – 7th, 2023.
On Saturday morning, Whispering Angel Rosé and South Beach Wine & Food Festival hosted their first-ever Celebrity Chef Pickleball Tournament at the Miami Beach Golf Club in Miami, FL.
Club LIV, located at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, FL was the place to be last week for the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. The spectacular and extremely exclusive event was hosted by Mike O’Neill, BMI president and CEO, and Catherine Brewton, BMI vice president, creative.
The evening started with the artist, producers, family members, and other VIP guests walking the red carpet and showcasing their outfits, as well as being interviewed, and photographed before they get into the awards show. We got the pleasure to speak with a variety of artists such as; Christopher ‘YC’ Pearson, India Shawn, Lil Scrappy, Adiz “Bambi” Benson, Travis Porter, Morray, 808 Mafia, ATL Jacob, DJ Khaled, and the 2022 BMI Icon, Busta Rhymes. The interviews can be found on our Instagram.
After the Red Carpet guest made their way inside the event where they could listen to jams played by DJ Nasty and guests were welcomed by DJ Khaled. Guests also were invited to indulge in an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. On the menu were; chicken and waffles, many types of empanadas, and a variety of flatbreads. My personal favorite was the carne asada empanadas they were filled with some much flavor and the meat was cooked to perfection.
The crowd got to enjoy performances from singer-songwriter Pheelz and Morray. Towards the end of the night Busta Rhymes preformed “Break Ya Neck,” “Scenario” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” with Spliff Star and DJ Scratchator. Closing the evening Busta Rhymes and Pharrell Williams preformed “Pass the Courvoisier.”
“As one of the pioneers of hip-hop, we are excited to honor Busta Rhymes as a BMI Icon,” said Brewton. “Through his award-winning solo work, countless collaborations and acting, Busta is a true innovator in every sense of the word and has made a dynamic impact on legions of fans and music creators worldwide.
Rhymes launched his musical career in the early 90s with the hip-hop crew Leaders of the New School. He moved on to become an in-demand collaborator, appearing on numerous tracks for other artists before he officially went solo in 1996 with his massive hit, “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check.” The single was quickly certified platinum, earning him his first GRAMMY nomination. Throughout the ’90s and 2000s, he was a creative force, topping the charts, including debuting at number one in 2006 with his seventh studio album, The Big Bang. Several of his hit songs, such as “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See,” “Break Ya Neck,” “Dangerous,” “Gimme Some More” and “What’s It’s Gonna Be?,” featuring Janet Jackson, became hip-hop anthems, solidifying his place as one of the most in-demand rappers in the industry. In 2020, he independently released the critically acclaimed ELE 2: The Wrath of God, with NME saying it was “arguably one of the best-produced hip-hop albums of the last five years.”
Beyond his work in music, Rhymes has appeared in several films and television series, including in Shaft, Finding Forrester, Master of None, The Rugrats Movie and he competed in The Masked Singer on FOX.
As the 2022 BMI Icon, Busta Rhymes joins an elite group of music creators who have received BMI’s highest honor. Past BMI Icons include: Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, LA Reid, Babyface, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, James Brown and more.
Song of the year: Justin Bieber hit “Peaches,” featuring GIVĒON and Daniel Caesar.
Songwriter of the year: Megan Thee Stallion and Christopher “YC” Pearson tied. YC and Megan Thee Stallion co-wrote three of the most performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs.
Megan Thee Stallion: “Body,” “Cry Baby” and “Thot Shit.”
Christopher “YC” Pearson: “Time Today” and “Wockesha” and Pooh Shiesty’s “Back in Blood”
R&B/Hip-Hop publisher of the year: Sony Music Publishing
Producer of the year: D’Mile. His work included: Silk Sonic’s “Smokin Out the Window,” “Skate” and “Leave the Door Open,” and “Fair Trade” by Drake and Travis Scott.
Top producer citations: Isaac “Zac” De Boni, ATL Jacob, Michael “Finatik” Mulé, Kanye West, Charlie Handsome, and Rogét Chahayed.
Lastly, but definitely not least, Busta Rhymes was named a BMI Icon at the 2022 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.
To learn more about the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, visit here and use the hashtag #BMIRnBHHAwards on social media.
On July 14th, 2022, Foster Grant hosted the Paraiso Miami Beach influencer and media welcome dinner at Tropezon, located in the Esme Miami Beach Hotel. Foster Grant Sun Luv collection is the Official Sponsor of Miami Swim week’s “Paraiso Miami Beach.” The leading global eyewear brand was featured at the shows all weekend and at the fashion tent daily with display, gifting, and photo booth activations.
The Foster Grant® SUN LUV collection was created to celebrate uniqueness while at the same time embracing important connections to others. Every pair of SUN LUV sunglasses comes with a coordinating A4114A® pouch (“All for One, One for All”) and bracelet to complete the look. And all of that comes in a reusable and recyclable paper tube.
The fun-filled Miami evening started with mingling, music, photos, a deliciously unique Rosé spritzer welcome cocktail, and charcuterie. The Rosé spritzer cocktail was light and refreshing but still had bold flavors of mint which gave this cocktail its unique twist. Once everyone was seated Natalija Dedic Stojanovic and John James Muller welcomed all the guests with a brief welcome introduction before the family-style dinner plates started coming out.
Tropezon, an Andalusian-style gin and tapas bar hidden in the corridors of historic Española Way was responsible for providing all the delicious eats, wines, and cocktails that were severed throughout the night. For our 1st course we indulged in: Para Picar, jamón ibérico de bellota, lomo de bellota, chorizo, mojama, manchego, hummus, gigante bean, finca la torre, sullivan street bread, pan con tomate, plum tomato, heirloom tomato, and garlic. The 2nd course featured carrots, chimichurri, yogurt, idiazabal, Patatas Bravas, aioli, pimentón, Tuna, ajo blanco, and salted cucumber. In our 3rd course, we enjoyed: local fish, clams, tio pepe, salsa verde, chicken, mojo picón, papas canaria, and swiss chard. Finally, it was dessert time. Our sweet tooths were satisfied with: churros, gianduja, salt peaches, oloroso, almond, and vanilla ice cream.
Everyone in attendance received a goodie bag filled with Foster Grant Sun Luv glasses, beauty products from Elaluz by Camila Coelho, and jewelry from Simplicité.
Talent and Influencers including: Jessie James Decker, Sydney Rae Bass, Jessica Payne, Cindy Prado, Alexa Collins, Madi Webb, and more were in attendance at the welcome dinner.
The evening continued at the Official Swim Week Kick-Off Party at the W Hotel on South Beach hosted by Paraiso Miami Beach and Select Model Management.
Special thanks to the Getty Images, A-list Communications, and everyone who made this epic night possible. Photo Credit: Aaron Davidson.
Playing For Change Foundation Impact Awards Gala & after-party had the Faena Forum in South Beach full of excitement this past Saturday to honor Luis Fonsi & Paula Abdul by celebrating their charitable achievements. Playing For Change Foundation (PFCF) is a non-profit music & arts organization with programs in over 15 countries with 50+ locations.
On Saturday, the Playing For Change Foundation hosted their 2nd annual gala, raising over 1 million in ticket sales and auction items, setting a record to date for the foundation! The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour before moving into an elaborate dinner featuring entertainment by Luis Fonsi, Cimafunk, and other prominent artists, all powered by CEEK VR, with support from Tequila Herradura. Some notable auction items included: an NFL Rams game package, a Miami Heat floor seats package, a luxury Napa trip with a Screaming Eagle experience, and many more.
The after-party at the Faena Theater was truly magical. The theme of the theater, located on Collins Avenue Miami, is inspired by Europe’s historic opera houses and had stunning gold-leaf and red velvet decor. As soon as guests walked into the after-party we were indulged with talented live musicians playing various genres of music, an open bar, hors-d’oeuvres, and a full dessert station. The hors-d’oeuvres enjoyed by guests included: chicken and waffles, hotdogs, mini sliders, and many more delicious bites. The dessert bar had a variety of cookies and donuts to satisfy any sweet tooth. My favorite hors-d’oeuvre of the night was the chicken and waffles which had a perfect blend of sweet, savory, crunchy, and light taste with a slight kick of spice. After grabbing some delicious bites and cocktails the guests danced the night away to the lively music by a variety of talented musicians, I even learned a few salsa dance moves!
PFCF Impact Award recipient Luis Fonsi comments, “Thank you, Playing for Change Foundation, I’m truly honored. One of the most valuable things I have learned throughout my career is how much we can help bring awareness and use our voices for the greater good, not just for entertainment. I’ve truly found profound meaning while helping others, be it through my work with St Jude Hospital or my Foundation, and I’m fortunate that thanks to events like this one, I’m able to speak more about causes so dear to my heart.”
Whitney Kroenke Silverstein, Co-Founder & Board President, comments, “It feels great to be back in Miami, in person, for our 2022 Playing for Change Foundation Impact Awards Gala. We can’t think of two better recipients than Paula and Luis, for their contributions not only to the world of music, but also for their commitment to using their platform to make a positive impact on the world.”
CEEK VR has teamed with Impact Awards/Playing for Change to bring this year’s event exclusively to the CEEK Metaverse. The award-winning performances will be on www.ceek.com and on the CEEK VR App. The CEEK Metaverse will also feature an exclusive NFT collection with Impact Awards in celebration of the music superstars and their fans. Founder and CEO, Mary Spio says, “The exclusive Impact Awards/ Playing for Change NFT collection enables us to engage music fans in an exciting and impactful way, while raising funds for a truly important cause.”
According to the Playing For Change Foundation website: “Playing For Change Foundation grew out of a common belief that music has the power to connect people regardless of their differences. Founded in 2007, PFCF was established to create positive change through music and arts education. Our work engages marginalized youth in diverse communities around the world, primarily located in low and lower-middle-income countries. These communities are home to great cultural wealth, which we use to create educational and social opportunities. We currently operate 17 music programs in 13 countries and have positively impacted more than 40,000 lives since 2007, including more than 3,000 youth through regular programming in 2019. We employ more than 200 staff, teachers, and community leaders locally across program locations, including Mali, Morocco, Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. Each program serves anywhere from 50 – 900 children. PFCF was honored to be named a Polar Music Prize winner in 2019”.
The three values Playing For Change Foundation lives by are local leadership, social empowerment, and transparency.
Notable attendees included: Karolina Kurkova, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson, Felix Semper, Jack McClinton, and more showing their support for this wonderful organization.
To learn more about the organization and ways to help them achieve its goals please check out its website.