Miami loves to party. For decades, there have been nightlife venues all over South Florida, with entertainment, dancing, music and drinks.
In Miami Beach, bands took to the stage at the Latin Quarter nightclub. At Place Pigalle, salty comedians told jokes while exotic dancers strutted their stuff.
In the 1960s and 1970s, it seemed like every hotel had a show in its lobby cocktail bar.
In Miami, luxurious supper clubs with elaborate shows attracted large crowds.
And in the 1990s, South Beach was a series of hotspots.
Let’s take a look into the Miami Herald archives and look at some of the places that have entertained us over the years:
MIAMI BEACH
In 1970, Hans Reiss, maître d’ at the Carillon Hotel in Miami Beach, fondly recalled the revues and stars that performed at the hotel’s Le Cafe supper club. The Carillon nightclub was known as Club Siam when it opened in February 1958, featuring weekly changing entertainers such as the Ames Brothers and the Andrews Sisters. The name was changed to Cafe Le Can Can in 1959, and for several years, the Carillon’s executive director, Herb Robins, staged top-notch revues produced by Lou Walters, father of Barbara Walters. As audiences craved something more modern, the Carillon launched another new trend in Miami Beach entertainment with “Shazzam,” which offered the entire family comedy and spectacular illusions mixed with colorful production numbers.
At Miami Beach’s 5th Street nightclub in 1991, Waggy Tee, also known as “Chinese Selecta,” spins the music.
Kia Samuel struts down the runway at Opium Garden nightclub in Miami Beach in 2003.
In 2001, opening night at South Beach’s newest nightspot, Kiss, on Lincoln Road.
Little Club at 323 23rd St. in Miami Beach.
A musician takes a break at Place Pigalle in Miami Beach in 1974.
Riptide Bar, Miami Beach.
A clubgoer is carried through the crowd after jumping headfirst off the stage during a show at Washington Square on South Beach in 1993.
Dancer Samia Gamal at her opening night at Lou Walter’s Latin Quarter in Miami Beach. About 400 people showed up for the performance in 1952.
Life Bar on Miami Beach in 1964.
A view of the Cotton Club in Miami Beach.
The remains of Club 23 at 23rd Street and Collins Avenue in Miami Beach in 1962.
In 1952, Tony Pastor’s Club opened on the corner of Sixth and Collins in South Beach, featuring female impersonators.
