With Art Basel finally here, traffic is going to be a nightmare. We’ve created this roundup for those brave souls who dare venture out to Wynwood, Miami Beach and other artsy neighborhoods this week. We salute you and wish you the best of luck finding a parking spot or avoiding surge pricing.
Below, you’ll find a list of cool restaurant events we thought would be worth your while. And underneath that, we’ve slapped together a short calendar of events consisting of parties and other highlights. Needless to say, you’re going to be very busy.
Without further ado …
Artsy Food Things
Atton Brickell Miami
On Thursday, Dec. 7th, Atton Brickell Miami will launch a weekly event calling all wine and art connoisseurs. Each week, a new artist from Artium Miami, an eclectic art gallery in Wynwood, will be featured throughout the hotel. Guests are welcomed to explore the stunning works of art while sipping Chilean and South American wines and listening to live jazz music.
Cantina La Veinte
This year, Cantina La Veinte will celebrate Art Basel in true Cantina style – by honoring the diversity of Mexican artistry through gastronomy, entertainment and art exhibits.
Kicking off the week’s festivities is Spanish actor and artist Jordi Molla, who will display his artwork during an Art Basel themed afternoon from 2PM-6PM on Sunday, December 3, 2017. From Friday, December 8 to Sunday, December 10, recognized Mexican artists will exhibit their artwork in Cantina’s gorgeous outdoor waterfront patio beginning at 8PM each night.
The covered al fresco dining area makes for the perfect spot to sip cocktails and enjoy the ocean breeze while taking in the spectacular views and unique artwork. Tickets are free with Eventbrite registration.
Habitat
Chef Jose Mendin of Food Comma Hospitality Group, who just opened Habitat, his latest concept inside Miami Beach’s 1 Hotel South Beach, is gearing up to showcase the restaurant during Art Basel Miami Beach/Miami Art Week.
For the star-studded week, Chef Mendin along with Michelin-starred chef de cuisine, Angel Palacios and mixologist Pedro Sanchez will be creating a tantalizing tapas and cocktail menu which will be offered in Habitat’s mezzanine lounge throughout Miami Art Week from 6 PM to midnight.
Live music will be available nightly beginning at 9 PM. Also on tap will be Chef Jose Mendin’s beloved Late-Night Ramen series which will be offered from midnight to 2 AM.
Hendrick’s Gin
Hendrick’s Gin Grand Garnisher comes to Miami this week starting today (Tuesday, December 5. The 38-foot cocktail garnishing device is powered by hybrid diesel motor with a penny farthing rider cycling on top of the truck feeding the cucumbers through a trombone-like instrument. At the garnisher, guests can sip on Hendrick’s Gin cocktails, have an opportunity to garnish their own cocktail in the truck and speak with brand ambassador Fred Parent.
You can find the vehicle at the following locations and times:
Tuesday, Dec. 5
7-9pm – The Anderson
Wednesday, Dec. 6
5-7pm – Sweet Liberty
Thursday, Dec. 7
6-8pm – Beaker and Gray
Saturday, Dec. 9
5:30 – 7:30pm – Death or Glory
HIVE
HIVE is a must-attend experiential cocktail and culinary village, where guests can touch and feel its activations while tasting the best Art Basel and Miami has to offer. The event will feature live music, a larger-than-life circular mixology bar by Bitter Truth, a spirits drinking experience by Deep Eddy Vodka, Jack Daniels, Red Bull, Red Stripe, Chivas, Coppers’s Craft, Revolucion Tequila, Jagermeister to name a few.
Hungry? enter the grand tasting food hall open till late by PINCH, Casa Blanca, China Box, Tacos and Tattoos, and Latin House. The complimentary four-day village begins on December 7th -10th, doors open Thursday 4PM – 3AM, Friday 3PM – 3AM, Saturday 12PM – 3AM and Sunday 12PM – 9PM.
Gain some cocktail knowledge as you root on your favorite local bartender from KYU, Beaker and Gray, Bitter Truth, Sakura 736, El Grito, The Local and new comer Racket as they go head to head in the “Behind the Bar” competition hosted by SWARM and USBG Sunday at 7PM.
Visit the official website for more information.
Lilt Lounge
On Wednesday, December 6th at 6PM, Spanish actor and artist Jordi Mollá will be showcasing pieces from his stunning collection at LILT Lounge in Downtown Miami. The Spanish actor, director and writer turned self-taught painter, has enjoyed acclaimed success in the international art circuits with successful exhibitions in Madrid’s Carmen De la Guerra and Picasso Mio Galleries, and currently exhibiting at Scenario Art Gallery in Wynwood.
Guests will have the opportunity to meet and greet Mollá from 6PM-10PM, alongside exhibiting International artists Joan Bofill and Giuseppe Ferlito, who will be showcasing their works throughout the evening. Acclaimed Dj Romi Lux will set the mood with an original set, inspired by the event’s artistic vibe. Entrance is free to the public; to RSVP, log on to Eventbrite.
NaiYaRa
In celebration of Miami Art Week/Art Basel Miami Beach, NaiYaRa will host widely known South American street artist Herbert Galarza. Infamous for his “Graffiti-pop” style, Galarza fuses historic pop imagery and contemporary cultural iconography to create highly individualized messages about society and culture.
During dinner service on Friday, December 8, the restaurant will double as a gallery, exhibiting a number of Galarza’s work. From 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM, the artist will be onsite painting live. In full view of the dining room and NaiYaRa’s bustling bar, what better way to take in just a fraction of the amazing art that takes over the 305 every December.
Co-sponsored by Macallan scotch, the event will also feature a pop-up shop featuring not just works by the artist, for sale, but also custom-painted bottles of Macallan; timeless, one-of-a-kind remembrances from Basel 2018. Diners and imbibers will also be able to order exclusive, one-night-only Macallan pours.
Pinch Kitchen
Pinch Kitchen has teamed up with some local and international artists to bring art to life at the Upper Eastside eatery during the week of December 4th with the Art of Pairing series. As part of the Art Basel and Miami Art week celebrations two local artists and one international artist from Brazil will be popping up at Pinch for live art throughout the week.
The live art will take place at the restaurant during dinner service beginning at 7pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday. The artists will use the music, food, and ambiance of the restaurant for inspiration. At the end of each evening, the art will be available for purchase.
To go with the live art, the Art of Pairing series will offer a painter’s palette of three cheeses paired with three wine samples available as a special starter. Pinch’s regular dinner menu will be available during Art of Pairing series.
Schedule of live art:
December 5th – Brazilian artist, Dudu Rodrigues, recognized for his paintings “Las Gorditas,” expresses emotion and happiness in his paintings through the body posture and not the face. His paintings usually include characters that have no face and are outlined in vibrant colors to portray happiness.
December 6th – Miami local, Gabriel Bocanegra, takes a different approach on art. By combining the influences of street art with a blend of traditional artistry, he creates works of art that are visually appealing. Working mostly with acrylic and water colors, he blends different mediums to help create mixed media pieces.
December 10th – Marco Caridad, a Miami local, is a mixed medium artist that expresses original ideas using an array of crafty elements to give his visuals and art pieces a unique look.
As part of the week-long celebration of Art Basel and Miami Art Week, local artist Gabriel Bocanegra will also be taking over the Pinch Kitchen exterior of the building and painting a mural throughout the week that combines his style of painting with influences from Miami and of course Pinch!
Parties + Fashion + More Food
Thursday, December 7
1 Hotel South Beach
Funk Shui Art Basel Edition w/Jazzy Jeff – open and free to public
Thursday, Dec. 7 | 10 p.m. – Late
Guests can get down with hip-hop legend Jazzy Jeff during this special installment of 1 Hotel’s Thursday night funkathon.
RSVP: funkshui@1hotels.com
Blackbird Ordinary
Art Basel Concert: G. Love (Public)
10:00 pm – Close
G. Love along with Juke and an opening set from The Goodnites
No cover. Must be 21+
Eden Roc Miami Beach
The Global Gift Gala will take place this year on Thursday, December 7th from 7-11 p.m. at the Eden Roc Miami Beach Hotel. Eva Longoria Baston and Ricky Martin, along with distinguished guests in Miami, will come together in an effort to raise funds and show their dedication to Puerto Rico and Florida after they were left devastated by recent hurricanes.
A star-studded affair, the event will include a red carpet and champagne reception, a five-course dinner, a thrilling live auction, as well as remarkable performances from talented entertainers. Spanish musician and actor, Miguel Bosé, will be honored and given an award at the gala. This unique event is set to be an unforgettable star-studded experience. Ticket prices start at $250. For tickets, click here.
LIV
Diplo at LIV
Doors open at 11
Thomas Wesley Pentz better known by his stage name Diplo, is an American DJ, record producer, rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive based in Los Angeles, California. He is the co-creator and lead member of the dancehall music group Major Lazer, and along with producer and DJ Skrillex, formed the electronic duo Jack Ü. RSVP here: https://www.tixr.com/groups/liv/events/diplo-basel-edition-6969.
Loews Miami Beach
On Thursday, December 7 at Bar Collins inside Loews Miami Beach Hotel, raise a glass to Basel and beer as Duvel debuts its limited edition art glass, in partnership with Miami’s own legendary graffiti artist Atomik.
One of the first US artists selected to create a design for the highly sought after Duvel glass collection, the Duvel + Atomik art glass will be exclusively available at this launch party. Secure your glass* and watch Atomik paint his signature orange, while DJ Rage Johnson provides the evening’s soundtrack. The event takes place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
National Hotel
Elisabetta Fantone will kick off Art Basel festivities at the National Hotel by hosting a public cocktail party from 8 p.m. to midnight. In addition to revealing her latest pop art collection and meet-and-greeting attendees, Fantone will speak about the new release of her second watch made in collaboration with Swiss high-end luxury watch manufacturer CORUM.
Additionally, attendees will enjoy one-of-a-kind art displays, a pop-up retail shop with limited edition items in the hotel’s Martini Room, live entertainment, signature Art Basel cocktails, and bites from Tamara’s Bistro. A preview to her upcoming collection, Fantone will be wearing a dress made in collaboration with renowned French designer Marie Saint Pierre. Fantone’s designs will be taking over the hotel and can be visited by the public until December 10th, 2017.
Friday, December 8
Blackbird Ordinary
Art Basel Show: Patrick and the Swayzees (Public)
9 pm – Close
Patrick and the Swayzees will start up the night followed by Damion Yancy, Contra, and Jeni Foxx doing DJ sets afterward.
No cover. Must be 21+
Komodo Lounge
DJ to be announced
Doors open at 10
Find all of your favorite A-list celebs and athletes partying at David Grutman’s intimate nightlife venue on the third floor of Brickell hotspot Komodo. Maybe you’ll even see celebs like LeBron James taking over the DJ booth.
Open to the public
Story
ZEDD at Story
Doors open at 11
The famous DJ will be performing live for fans during Art Basel. Get more information: https://www.tixr.com/groups/story/events/zedd-basel-edition-7034
The Wynwood Yard
Spanish leather shoe company Pikolinos is hosting a Pop-Up Shop at The Wynwood Yard on Friday, December 8th from 4-8 p.m. Founded in Spain in 1984, Pikolinos shoes are designed with traditional artisan craftsmanship and the latest in comfort footwear technology.
While the first two hours of the event will be open to influencers only, the public will be welcome to join beginning at 6 p.m. Guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind look at the making of art by Miami-based artist DaveL (David Lavernia). DaveL, who is part of the portfolio of unconventional artists to join the Pikolinos campaign, will create a mobile art piece that will then be exhibited at the brand’s new store in Sawgrass Mills; attendees will be able to paint with DaveL using the paint-by-numbers technique.
The store, which will be Pikolinos first in the United States, is set to open in February 2018.
Saturday, December 9
Veza Sur
Offering Miami locals and art aficionado’s a welcoming hangout spot where they can enjoy quality craft beers during Art Basel, VEZA SUR Brewing Co. will be hosting a live painting installation with well known local artist, Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez of Rodri Designs on Saturday, December 9th.
Known for his unique style and varying art mediums – such as street, pop and abstract art – Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez will be hand painting 50 limited edition VEZA SUR Brewing Co. beer bottles, and selling them to locals, art aficionados and visitors passing by Wynwood.
So for those who are looking to avoid the crowded galleries and long lines that come with Art Basel, drop by the cool Miami craft beer pub on Saturday for a tasty beer, good food, great music and a live art installation by Rodri Designs. Entry is free and beers start at $4.
Sunday, December 10
Tamara’s Bistro
To complete Art Basel week, Elisabetta Fantone will host a closing party brunch at Tamara’s Bistro on Sunday, December 10th from 12-3 p.m. at the National Hotel. The brunch is priced at $39 per person and $20 for bottomless mimosas. The hotel’s Art Deco interior and exterior spaces will be decorated with Fantone’s signature artwork, including the pool and restaurant, and one of the hotel’s Luxury Cabana Suites.
To RSVP for brunch, click here.