Art Basel Miami Beach, the favorite annual meeting place for the international art world, is held on the first week of December and draws A-List celebrities, cultural icons as well as art lovers from all over the world. The debut of the Swiss-based Art Basel’s North American outpost on Miami Beach, in December of 2002, led to the Magic City’s re-invention from to an international playground to international cultural destination –and playground.
On December 5th through 8th, the 18th edition of Art Basel Miami Beach takes over the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center, and will host specially curated programs, late-night parties, and cutting-edge art from artists and galleries from around the global. In addition, major satellite shows and exclusive special events are spread all across the Magic City.
We’ve put together a few of the best satellite art shows and special events, plus the perfect cocktail destinations for thirsty art-lovers needing a break from “Basel-ing” during Art Basel Miami Beach.
ART
Scope Miami Beach 2019
The 19th edition of SCOPE Miami Beach returns to the sands of Ocean Drive and 8th Street to feature 134 International Exhibitors from around the world. New to the pavilion this year is OASIS, an experiential multidisciplinary program located in our expanded Atrium. This multi-day destination will transform after-hours into a premium nightlife experience featuring world-class DJs and musical talent as well as the venue for the Official Scope Party.
Scope Miami Beach 2019 Details
801 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
VIP Preview: Tuesday, December 3rd from 4 – 8 pm. Private event by invitation only.
Public Hours: Wednesday, December 4 – Sunday, December 8 from 11 am – 8 pm.
Happy Hours @ OASIS from 6 – 8 pm.
Tickets: scope-art.com
TIP: SCOPE VIP Cardholders receive complimentary VIP Car Service, courtesy of Porsche, where they can ride in one of their luxury sedans, which run on a constant route from SCOPE and to Art Basel Miami Beach during fair hours; available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
RED DOT Miami 2019
Red Dot Miami is a modern and contemporary art show featuring 75+ international galleries showcasing primary and secondary works from $1,000 to $100,000, including paintings, sculpture, and photography in a beautiful gallery-style venue in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood District. Along with its sister satellite show, Spectrum is entering its 14th year and continues to inspire attendees from all over the world with its Art Labs, Art Talks, specially selected Spotlight Galleries, special events, and more.
RED DOT + Spectrum Opening Night Preview
Preview and purchase the artwork on display, enjoy a 3D crafted cocktail from Bulleit Bourbon and tasty hors d’oeuvres, listen to the cool grooves of San Francisco’s DJ Jazzy T.
Wednesday, December 4th from 6 pm to 10 pm. $85 at door or by invitation.
Mixology At The Bulleit Frontier Bar
Miami is the fifth stop on the Bulleit 3D Printed Frontier Experience tour, which reimagines the classic bar experience in 3D printed designs, under the Bulleit Frontier Works program. At the center of the experience is the Bulleit 3D printed bar, created in partnership with architecture and design practice FAR frohn&rojas and the 3D fabrication team at Machine Histories. The bar experience has 3D printed more than 7,800 cocktails with Prink A Drink robotics engineer Benjamin Greimel, who developed the world’s first 3D printed cocktails. The Bulleit 3D Printed Frontier Experience has traveled nearly 16,000 miles between cities, including Oakland, CA; Austin, TX; New York City; and Dallas, TX prior to Miami.
Thursday, December 5 from 12 pm to 8 pm. Free to Public with fair admission.
SPECTRUM Miami 2019
Spectrum Miami and its sister show, Red Dot Miami, returns the heart of Miami’s artsiest ’hood, the Wynwood Art District, to take over the iconic Mana Wynwood. The curated contemporary art show brings an international slate of artists and galleries for a five-day fine art experience, featuring Art Labs, Meet the Artist sessions and live demonstrations, music, entertainment, and other special events.
Live Art! Anna Thurber
Grow beautiful flowers, pick and freeze them in a block of ice, then take your chainsaw and carve them so you can take a photo in their frozen state. Come watch as Anna Thurber carves her next masterpiece and takes the photos just in time before it all melts away.
Artblend, Booth 720, Wednesday, December 4 at 7 pm, during Opening Night Preview; $85 at door or by invitation.
LOVE JADOT at Jadot Bistro Lounge
Join French winemaker Louis Jadot for a complimentary wine tasting of scrumptious Chardonnay and luscious Beaujolais.
Thursday, December 5 from 12 pm to 8 pm. Free to Public with fair admission.
RED DOT + Spectrum Miami 2019 Details
Mana Wynwood, 2217 NW 5th Avenue (Wynwood Art District), Miami
Public Hours: Thursday, December 5 to Saturday, December 7 from 12 pm to 8 pm; and Sunday December 8 from 12 pm to 6 pm.
RED DOT + Spectrum Miami 2019 Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/red-dot-miami-spectrum-miami-2019-contemporary-art-shows-tickets
Contemporary and Digital Art Fair
The Contemporary and Digital Art Fair (CADAF), the international art fair dedicated entirely to digital and new media art, makes its Miami debut with works on view will include the diversity of digital mediums ranging from the traditional, such as Video and Stop Motion art, all the way through to creative uses of Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and so much more. Visitors can expect to enjoy masters of generative artworks from Kate Vass Galerie and artxcode, experience Virtual Reality from Khora Contemporary’s top artists, see leading creative projects in art and blockchain by a blockchain development company as well as collectives such as snark.art, and many more from international galleries and independent creators.
CADAF Opening Party + Exhibition Preview
Be the first to explore immersive digital installations on view, gain access to the VIP Presale, and enjoy a live DJ set and drinks.
Thursday, December 5, from 6 pm to 11 pm; $25.00, includes Weekend Pass.
Contemporary and Digital Art Fair Details
Mana Wynwood C&L Building, 2400 NW 5TH Avenue (Wynwood Art District), Miami; https://cadaf.art/
Public Hours: Friday, December 6 to Saturday, December 7 from 12 pm to 9 pm; and Sunday, December 8 from 12 pm to 5 pm.
Tickets: https://cadaf.art/cadaf-miami-tickets
BaseCamp at Magic City Innovation District – Little Haiti
Magic City Innovation District ® – Little Haiti (MCID) has just opened BaseCamp, an immersive arts and culture park located in the heart of Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood. The venue is designed as a gathering place where nature, art, food, music and culture intersect in one innovative, cutting-edge complex.
From Wednesday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 8, visitors to BaseCamp can experience several immersive art installations including Illumina — an exhibit previously featured at the music and culture festival, Burning Man — as well as Frequency, which launched at South by Southwest, and The Cloud, which was created for, and first debuted at Burning Man 2019. Illumina, a more long-term fixture in the park, focuses on the development and visualization of collective consciousness, powered by heartbeats. Sensors measure participants’ heartbeats and turn that energy into a visual, aural and mystical experience.
Food and beverage offerings showcasing local and national culinary talent will also be presented throughout BaseCamp. The Commissary food truck will showcase a rotating menu of locally inspired cuisine, and internationally renowned celebrity chef Todd English, as the first chef-partner to develop its menu. Additionally, La Santa Taqueria will offer a selection of hand-crafted tacos, street corn and other casual, authentic Mexican recipes for guests to enjoy at one of the communal tables in the shaded dining pavilion. Devia Juice Bar will offer fresh, cold-pressed juices made from organic fruits and vegetables, as well as acai bowls and coffees.
Craft cocktails, wine and beer will also be available for purchase at BaseCamp’s two bars, The Flamingo Bar and Agave Worm – a retro spin on a tequila and mezcal bar. Both bars will serve up a beachy vibe and complement the multitude of evening and daytime activities, including Happy Hour programming, late-night specials and locals’ discounts.
Social Butterfly
Vodka, Pineapple, Lemon, Seltzer and Butterfly Blossom Tincture.
BaseCamp Interactive Art Park Details
Entrance located at 298 NE 61st Street, Miami; https://www.basecamp-miami.com ; @BaseCampMIA
Public Hours:
Thursday, December 5 from 12 pm to 12 am.
Friday, December 6 from 12 pm to 3 am.
Saturday, December 7 from 10 am to 3 am.
Sunday, December 8 from 10 am to 10 pm.
COCKTAILS
KAIDO, and its secret bar, AMA, is a Japanese-inspired cocktail lounge and restaurant located in Miami ‘s Design District. The cozy Tokyo-style drinking den serves Miami’s most innovative cocktails, created by acclaimed mixologist Nico de Soto (Paris’ Danico, Mace in NYC), along with outstanding Asian dishes from renowned restaurateur and chef Brad Kilgore.
Nikkei Sour
Macchu Pisco infused with Epazote (an aromatic herb native to Central America), Chicha Morada,(Peruvian drink made from purple corn), Lemon Juice, Clarified Egg Whites, Yuzu Bitters and Nori.
151 NE 41st Street (2nd level of Design District Shops), Miami; @kaidomiami; https://www.kaidomiami.com/
Happy Hour: Daily from 5:30 pm -7 pm
Villa Azur – South Beach
This glamorous French-Mediterranean restaurant and lounge incorporate the vibe of La Côte d’Azur into everything it creates, including its special Art Basel libation, the Vintage Blanc. This unique drink is delivered to the table in a hanging frame so you can have your art and drink it too.
Vintage Blanc
Perrier Jouet Blanc de Blancs garnished with a fresh strawberry and framed within a French Country-style portrait frame.
309 23rd Street, Miami Beach ; @villaazurmiamibeach ; http://villaazurmiami.com/
Happy Hour: Friday – Wednesday from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Toscano Divino
Miami’s authentic Italian eatery known for presenting a modern take on Italian traditions, found inspiration in their own backyard through Miami’s unique art scene to create their one-of-a-kind Suspension cocktail. Inspired by Damien Hirst’s masterpiece San Sebastian from his infamous Natural History series.
Suspension
Tanqueray No.10 Gin, Italicus, Cointreau, Maraschino, Blue Curacao and Lemon Essence.
900 S. Miami Avenue (in Mary Brickell Village), Downtown Miami; https://www.toscanadivino.com/
Happy Hour: Daily from 3 pm to 6 pm
Boulud Sud Miami
Chef Daniel Boulud’s vibrant French Mediterranean restaurant and bar lounge is diving head-first into Art Basel with Rocket Fuel, a refreshing, yet exotic, frozen cocktail.
Rocket Fuel
Amaro Montenegro, Dark Cacao Liqueur and Cold Brew Coffee; served frozen for a perfectly Instagrammable.
255 Biscayne Boulevard Way ( in the JW Marriott Marquis Miami), Downtown Miami; @bouludsudmiami; bouludsud.com/miami
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday from 5 pm – 8 pm; and Late-Night Saturday from 10 pm – 12 am
‘Shared Roots’ Champagne Fête with Chef Daniel Boulud Special Event:
The House of Ruinart celebrates famed Brazilian artist Vik Muniz’ ‘Shared Roots’ art series with a special artistic and culinary experience at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden on Wednesday, December 4. Private event by invitation only.
Malibu Farm Miami Beach
Located at the Nobu Eden Roc Hotel, is collaborating with PULSE Art Fair as their official restaurant partner for the fair’s 15th-anniversary celebration. Malibu Farm will handle all food and beverage for PULSE, transforming the fair’s oceanfront table service restaurant into a Malibu Farm pop up for the week (December 5-8), which will include a signature PULSE Frose cocktail.
PULSE Frose
Vodka, Rosé, Peach, Pear and Citrus.
Malibu Farm Pop Up at the PULSE Art Fair is located at Indian Beach Park 4601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; pulseartfair.com
TIP: Malibu Farm Miami Beach’s Frose is available all day long at its ocean-facing location at Nobu Eden Roc Hotel.
GITANO at Casa Faena
GITANO is located on the ground floor of Casa Faena, a 40-room boutique hotel in Miami Beach’s Faena District. The Mayan-inspired Mexican restaurant and bar have cocktail terraces and a 3 story tall glass atrium. Exclusively for Art Basel, the Manscapers NY have designed a live installation of flowing rings of greenery and tropical foliage – plus thousands of white florals paying homage to the one thousand elderflowers used to craft every bottle of St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur (sponsor), which will spill at various heights from the Casa Faena Gitano atrium.
The Garden Rose
Codigo 1530 Rose Tequila, St Germain, Rosé, Lemon, Strawberry and Rosé Prosecco.
Total Tropicalism
Cenote Reposado Tequila, Ginger, Lemon, Honey and Banhez Mezcal.
3500 Collins Avenue (at Casa Faena), Miami Beach; https://grupogitano.com/gitano-at-casa-faena-miami-beach
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Miami
This modern French restaurant is the newest incarnation of the late Chef Joël Robuchon’s groundbreaking concept, which first opened in Paris’ Saint-Germain neighborhood in 2003, and features à la carte and tasting menus, served around an interactive dining counter.
Gin Tonico
L’Atelier Miami’s signature G&T is offered basque-style; made with Fords Gin, Three Cents tonic, fresh Lemongrass, Grapefruit Peel, Juniper Berries, Pink Peppercorn and fresh Mint.
El Chile Vasco
Espelette Pepper-infused Tequila-Mezcal Blend, Mamey, Lime and Agave.
151 NE 41st Street, Suite 235, (in The Workshops), Miami; @latelier_robuchon_miami; atelier-miami.com
Sling Bar at Traymore by Michael Schwartz
Miami Beach’s newest hideaway, Sling Bar, a night market cocktail bar inspired by the many flavors of Singapore. Conceptualized by The Genuine Hospitality Group led by Chef Michael Schwartz, Sling Bar provides cocktails and bar snacks that highlight bold and diverse Southeast Asian flavors within the restaurant’s lush and tropical setting.
Secret Remedy
Aberfedly 12-Year-Old Whiskey, Bacardi 8-Year-Old Rum, Calamansi (Philippine lime), Pei Pa Kao (Chinese Herbal Syrup), Angostura Bitters and Orange Bitters.
Singapore Sour
Chrysanthemum-infused Bombay Sapphire, Lemongrass-Ginger, Egg White and Lemongrass Bitters.
2445 Collins Avenue (at COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach), Miami Beach; @SlingBarMiami @TraymoreMiamiBeach ; traymoremiamibeach.com/sling-bar
Happy Hour: Daily from 4 pm to 8 pm
Living Room at W South Beach
While Art Basel comes to Miami once a year, the W Hotel’s lobby lounge, the Living Room, presents a world-class gallery of pop art valued at upwards of $50 million, all year round. On view are Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, George Condo, Kenny Scharf, Tom Sachs, and many others in a hip setup with comfy sofas. The bartenders at Living Room are artists in their own right as well, with bespoke specialty cocktails on par with the art.
Raz Refresher
Hendricks Gin, Lemon, Agave, Plum Bitters, Mint, Cucumber and Raspberries are shaken and strained into high ball glass pack with Crushed Ice; then, garnished with dehydrated Lemon and Raspberry.
Bee Keeper Fashion
Havana Club Anejo Rum, Honey Infused with Lemon and Cherry Bitters; then topped off with a splash of Soda over an oversized Ice Cube and garnished with dehydrated Lemon and Bee Pollen.
Back To New Orleans
High West Double Rye, Hennessy VS Cognac, Sweet Vermouth, Dry Curacao, Orange Bitters and Angostura in a Martini Glass smoked with Sage and garnished with Orange Peel and Cherry.
2201 Collins Avenue (in lobby of W Hotel South Beach), Miami Beach; marriott.com/hotels/restaurant/details/w-south-beach
Hours: Daily from 2 pm to 2 am.
South Florida locals and visitors can avoid the infamous traffic of Art Week by traveling stress-free and car-free on Brightline, soon to be Virgin Trains, to get steps away from Downtown Miami’s museums and satellite art fairs. Brightline, an express inter-city rail system, has stations in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale that connects to the Virgin MiamiCentral station in downtown Miami.
This year for Art Basel Miami /Art Week, Brightline has a special partnership with Miami’s Rubell Museum, and will debut a train wrapped with images drawn from Haring’s iconic work in the Museum’s collection, with additional Haring imagery on display in its West Palm Beach station. To celebrate the museum’s opening on Wednesday, December 4, Brightline will offer special Haring-illustrated tickets and free admission to the museum with proof of ridership. For more info, visit: gobrightline.com
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