‘Summers are for locals’: New beach club opens on Miami Beach — but not for long

If hanging out at the beach is on your agenda, there’s a new private venue turning public for the summer that offers a lot more than just dozing on the sand.

The Center for Subtropical Affairs, an ecological center in Little River, and Palm House, a private event venue on Miami Beach, have created Siesta Club, a 21-and-up beach club that offers food, drinks, music and art to keep locals entertained through the hottest days of the year.

“Siesta Club was born from the notion that Miami summers are for locals,” said Casey Zap, founder of the Center for Subtropical Affairs, which is also a plant nursery that turns into a bar at night. “We are a creative community for those who want to celebrate the subtropical sun from our beachside tiki home.”

Like any good beach club, Siesta Club is laid back (“No shirt, no shoes, no problem,” Zap says). There are, of course, cocktails. The beachside bar will feature natural wines by Grape Crush and a craft cocktail program created by Bar Lab (you know Bar Lab from Broken Shaker, which was one of three Miami bars named as one of North America’s 50 Best bars).

Expect signature drinks such as Saturn Beach (cold-pressed lime, organic agave infused with fresh citrus shaken with Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur, Velvet Falernum and vodka); Cool as a Cucumber (cold pressed cucumber, Thai basil reduction, elder flower liqueur, citrus shaken with gin and topped with Perrier soda water) or The Rejuvenator (cold-pressed ginger and lime, organic agave infused with turmeric shaken with mezcal). You can also order cold press juices from Le Green.

Palm House’s Chef Carlo will serve grilled mahi sliders with avocado and mango salsa, churrasco picanha pinchos with jalapeño vinaigrette, and grilled shrimp tostones. If tacos are your thing, head to Siesta Club on Thursday for The Traditional Taqueria Experience by Wolf of Tacos, with special tacos and tacos made to order.

But food and drink isn’t all: The arts play a part at Siesta Club, too. The space will host a series of installations, starting with “Dichroic Dreamscapes” from Natasha Tomchin. A Dale Zine book cart will provide beach reads, while Little River Flea will set up a flea market on Saturdays. On Sundays, you can indulge in a power vinyasa yoga flow session in the tiki hut.

You’ll also hear DJ sets from a variety of genres (jazz, disco, electronic) and see live performances as well. And if you suddenly decide you want to head out to the beach itself, no problem: Chairs, towels and umbrellas are available to rent.

“Our location has been Mid Beach’s best kept secret spot, as it is tucked away between palm trees and sea grapes and has always been reserved for private events,” says Melissa Meruelo, founder of Palm House, in a statement. The “thoughtfully curated programming in our venue makes a great way for locals to enjoy late afternoons on the beach.”

Siesta Club

Where: Palm House, 5101 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

Open: 5 p.m.-midnight Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m.-midnight Saturday and Sunday through late September

Tickets: $10; must be prebooked at siestaclubmiamibeach.com

Parking: $15 on property; attendees get a code to use when entering through the boardwalk or Seacoast Suites underground garage

Beach rentals: $15 for chairs; $20 for towel and chair; $20 for umbrella; $40 for umbrella, two chairs and two towels

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