Miami South Beach Ocean Drive by night
Image by Gemini

🌈Gay Miami 2025

Miami South Beach gay guide

Miami South Beach Florida is loved for it great sunny weather almost all year long and the beauty of the famous Art Deco district.

South Beach has changed a lot over the years and Ocean Drive doesn't look anything near it was presented in the iconic gay movie The Birdcage. But it is still popular with the travelling LGBTQ+ community.

In this guide we will tell you about the gay nightlife, the beaches and parties. Where to stay and ideas for travel combinations. And about those large 5000+ guys gay cruises departing from PortMiami.

Gay parties and events

Visiting Miami South Beach

When going to Miami, people usually mean South Beach (SoBe), as Miami Downtown is not really a place for tourists to go.

SoBe is a beautiful place in Art Deco style. It has a real Latino vibe, Spanish is next to English the key language. Weather is good almost all year round. If you're lucky you can sit on the beach already end of January. In summer hurricane season is best to avoid. 

SoBe nightlife

Miami SoBe is not really a gay hot spot for nightlife anymore. But there are still several fun places left. 

Large gay bars and clubs can be found at neighbour city Ft Lauderdale (about a 40 minute drive from Miami). 

Gay beach

The main gay beach is on Ocean Drive at the end of 12th Street. You can't miss the rainbow flag high above the white sand and all the cruising muscle guys how are showing of their taint and their latest Prada swimming trunks. Across the street there's a cocktail bar where the boys end after a day at the beach. Nude sunbathing is only permitted at Haulover Nude beach, north of Miami Beach. It will take you half an hour by car, but it is worth it.

Where to stay in South Beach

South Beach is a very long, narrow island along the coast. When visiting Miami you really should stay in South Beach. It's not cheap, but driving to and from the island can take a long time in heavy traffic.

In general in the US transportation is by car, but in Miami South Beach you can walk to most places. But keep the size of the island in mind, the total length is about 15km.

Ideally stay somewhere near the beach between 12th and 17th Street (map) . Then you are near Lincoln Road Mall, the shopping street / outdoor mall. It has many shops, terraces and restaurants. The gay clubs are nearby, the gay beach is at 12th Street.

Hotel recommendations and map

Hotel recommendations

Hotel Gaythering - Gay Hotel - All Adults Welcome, Miami
Hotel Gaythering - Gay Hotel - All Adults Welcomegradegradegradegrade

20+ rooms

add_circle
adults only
add_circle
airconditioning
add_circle
parking
information
Penguin Hotel, Miami
Penguin Hotelgradegradegrade

40+ rooms

add_circle
outdoor pool
add_circle
airconditioning
add_circle
parking
information
hotel Viajero Miami
Viajero Miamigradegradegradegrade

170+ rooms

add_circle
outdoor pool
add_circle
airconditioning
add_circle
free wifi
information
hotel Island House South Beach, Miami
Island House South Beachgradegradegrade

20+ rooms

add_circle
airconditioning
add_circle
free wifi
add_circle
wifi
information
Hotel Ocean, Miami
Hotel Oceangradegradegrade

30+ rooms

add_circle
airconditioning
add_circle
parking
add_circle
free wifi
information
hotel Dream South Beach, Miami
Dream South Beachgradegradegradegrade

90+ rooms

add_circle
outdoor pool
add_circle
airconditioning
add_circle
parking
information
Hotel Breakwater South Beach, Miami
Hotel Breakwater South Beachgradegradegradegrade

90+ rooms

add_circle
outdoor pool
add_circle
fitness
add_circle
airconditioning
information
Hotel Greystone - Adults Only, Miami
Hotel Greystone - Adults Onlygradegradegradegrade

90+ rooms

add_circle
adults only
add_circle
outdoor pool
add_circle
fitness
information
hotel Hilton Bentley Miami South Beach
Hilton Bentley Miami South Beachgradegradegradegrade

90+ rooms

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

add_circle
outdoor pool
add_circle
fitness
add_circle
airconditioning
information

more hotels: booking.com

Miami gay bars and clubs

Palace gay bar Ocean Drive Miami SoBe
photo by Palace

Palace

We really like the motto of this place: Every Queen needs a Palace.

Palace is the only gay bar on Ocean Drive and located very close to the gay beach. It opens in the morning for late breakfast or lunch, and later serving after beach cocktails. This place is usually very popular all days of the week.

place
1052 Ocean Drive, Miami
schedule
Hoursarrow_drop_down
  • mon - thu
    11:00 - 01:00
  • fri - sun
    11:00 - 02:00
Hours may vary.
mouse
Twist gay bars and club complex
photo by Twist

Twist

Twist is actually seven bars in one with each bar having its own unique atmosphere and styling. You can literally "bar hop" without ever leaving this two story club.

Not all rooms are open every day of the week.

place
1057 Washington Avenue, Miami
schedule
Hoursarrow_drop_down
  • mon - sun
    15:00 - 05:00
Hours may vary.
mouse
Miami SoBe gay beach 12th st rainbow flags

Miami Gay beach

The Miami gay beach is located at 12th St opposite Lummus Park along Ocean Drive. This beach is the most popular with the LGBTQ+ crowd. It's not much different from the other beaches, beside a rainbow flag and a rainbow sign on the kiosk.

The other unofficial gay beach is Haulover Nude beach, located much more outside the centre of South Beach.

place
Gay beach
12th St Beach, Miami
schedule
Hoursarrow_drop_down
  • mon - sun
    24h
Hours may vary.
Hotels
location_city
City
Miami
calendar_month
Check-in
calendar_month
Check-out
show hotels

Map of hotels in Miami

Combine Miami with:

The classic combination for a holiday to Miami is to combine it with Ft Lauderdale for gay nightlife. And combine it with the theme parks in Orlando. Make this travel triangle complete with a few days in the Florida Keys and Key West.

Besides other destinations in the USA, you could also easily  combine Florida with a trip to Panama, or even .

Fort Lauderdale oceanfront at dusk with palm-lined promenade, curving beach, and modern high-rise ho

Ft Lauderdale

USA

Ft Lauderdale combines beaches, sunshine, and a lively LGBTQ+ scene. Sebastian Street Beach is the city’s gay hotspot, while Wilton Manors is packed with bars, clubs, and cafés. Pride brings extra sparkle in summer. Perfect for international travelers looking for sun, culture, and nights out in a friendly setting.

40 km from Miami

Ft Lauderdale guide
Key West waterfront at dusk with pastel conch houses, palm-lined promenade, marina boats, and lighth

Key West

USA

Key West is a beautiful island in the south of Florida, and popular as a gay destination. It makes a nice combination with Miami SoBe.

220 km from Miami

Key West guide
Orlando skyline at dusk over Lake Eola with fountain, palm trees, and reflections

Orlando

USA

Orlando blends theme parks with a lively LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. Spend days at Disney or Universal, then head out to Southern Nights or other bars. Its location makes it easy to combine with Miami, Ft Lauderdale, and Key West, creating a Florida trip with culture, fun, and sun.

330 km from Miami

Orlando guide
NYC in evening light

New York

USA

New York is one of the most exciting LGBTQ+ destinations in the world. From Stonewall history to rooftop parties in Manhattan and late nights in Brooklyn, the city combines culture and nightlife like no other. Expect diversity, energy, and plenty of stylish options across the boroughs.

1760 km from Miami

New York guide
Panama City at dusk with Casco Viejo, Cinta Costera, F&F Tower and skyline reflected in the Bay of Panama

Panama

Panama

Panama City is growing fast as a tourist destination. It has many large hotels, big clubs, trendy restaurants, and a very relaxing upcoming area in the Old Town. 

Panama City has about 4 large gay clubs and a gay sauna. The gay night life is focussed on the weekend. Many guys from Panama are not openly gay and discrete, and you will find them at several gay friendly places.

1870 km from Miami

Panama guide

About Nighttours Miami

South Beach Florida was one of the first destinations we added to our Nighttours travel guides. We visited Miami many times, mostly to join the Atlantis Cruises. If you have any additions to this guide, please let us know.