Welcome to Miami, where the average temperature in December is around 70°. Instead of spiked eggnog by the fire in a dimly lit bar that time of year, it’s more about margaritas and palm trees. Just because the weather is hot, hot, hot, doesn't mean you can't have a festive wintery holiday party. If you're venue searching in Miami for the perfect holiday party space, you've come to the right place. Herewith, our holiday party venue Miami edition for those lucky enough to wear flip flops in winter.
If you’re googling venues in Miami to host holiday party, here are 15 of The Vendry’s favorites to get the ideas flowing.
Neighborhood: Lummus Park
Capacity: 1,000
When you’re looking for a holiday party venue that is elegant and well-appointed but has that light and airy waterfront vibe, Seaspice is an excellent option to consider. This seafood brasserie-lounge is right on the Miami River and centrally located. Aside from being a pescatarian utopia on the culinary side, the events spaces within are fabulous. There’s six to choose from—Seaspice is quite large—that will accommodate a range of sizes for your party, but the largest, The Gallery (a former industrial warehouse), will fit up to 1,000.
Neighborhood: Mid-Beach
Capacity: 1,000
The Faena Hotel Miami Beach is not just a super chic hotel, but a venue compound of sorts. There’s restaurants, a theater, bar, and more to consider for your corporate holiday party of any size. That said, if you need room for 1,000 people, check out the relatively new Rem Koolhaas/OMA-designed Faena Forum which is a mere 43,000-square feet. You don’t need to worry about natural lighting here either, because the 1,300 windows address that factor.
Neighborhood: City Center
Capacity: 450
Miami has a rich tradition of 1930s Art Deco architecture by boldface names of yesteryear. The Bass Museum of Art in one such example. It’s housed in what used to be the Miami Beach Public Library and Art Center which at the time was the first public exhibition space for art in South Florida. Back to holiday party spaces: there’s 12. The largest is aptly named Creativity Center which includes about 5,000-square feet with an indoor/outdoor combo for 220 seated/450 standing.
Neighborhood: Brickell Village
Capacity: 80
The views are indeed sweet at Sugar. 40 floors up the EAST Miami hotel, this award-winning bar/lounge is quite literally a next level venue for a holiday party of 50 seated/80 standing. The vibe is smart-casual by day, and by night… what you would hope for in a Miami lounge. That means DJ, decadent cocktails, city views, and much more.
Neighborhood: South Beach
Capacity: 1,000
1 Hotel South Beach is a unique eco-friendly venue for those wanting a planet-friendly holiday space. The entire place is powered by state-of-the-art, energy efficient heating and cooling systems. The food is farm to table, and designs are c/o reclaimed materials. As it usually goes with hotels there are myriad venues to choose from, but the 6,000-square foot Terra Ballroom (the word terra is Latin for land/earth, so on theme) can hold up to 1,000. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the hotel’s 600-feet of beachfront on the ocean terrace.
How to get your guests talking? Good food! Browse the top caterers in Miami!
Neighborhood: Lummus Park
Capacity: 450
The Penthouse at Riverside Wharf not only has a wow factor from a contemporary and sophisticated aesthetic point of view, but there’s a lot of functional perks here. The big one is that it’s the only enclosed rooftop event space in South Florida, which is huge. The 11,000-square foot multi-functional space also includes a huge wrap-around terrace with retractable floor-to-ceiling windows. Then there’s the dedicated private entry and the ground level on-premise parking, not to mention the top notch A/V system and projection screens. Your holiday party 360° views will include the Miami River, downtown skyline, lush tropical greenery, and beyond.
Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Capacity: 200
Barton G. The Restaurant is a solid epicurean experience at any of its locations, but they’re also great for a party. The Miami Beach locale is particularly impressive as a venue, where you can have a holiday soirée for up to 200. If your holiday party is a more intimate size however, their Up Top private space aims to “shock and awe” with their unique “dinnertainment.”
Neighborhood: Mid-Beach
Capacity: 1,000
You drink your tea pinky up at The Bath Club. This is Miami’s oldest membership club, situated on a 1920s estate and surrounded by over 3 acres of pristine secluded white sand beaches. It’s beachside elegance and then some. The umbrellas and chaises on the beach are straight out of a Slim Aarons photograph, for one. There’s 26,000-square feet of private event space to work with here, from an opulent Grand Ballroom to the intimate Parlor. However, their private beachfront encompasses 60,000-square feet so if it’s an outdoor party, invite 1,000 of your closest friends.
Neighborhood: Central Business District
Capacity: 550
Speaking of grandiose 1930s era Art Deco Miami architecture, enter the Alfred I. DuPont Building. It’s named for the eponymous industrialist whose bank was the principal tenant when this historic building was built. The exterior itself is made from limestone and black granite while the floors and walls are polished marble. Intricate hand-painted ceilings, ornate iron gates… If you’re envisioning a white-glove/black-tie holiday party, this is the place to do it. Within this venue you can choose between two ballrooms: the 2,000-square foot North Ballroom or the larger 6,500-square foot South Ballroom that can hold up to 550. Both are spectacular but our personal favorite is the North Ballroom because it’s inside the former bank vault where the bartender stands behind an original iron-wrought bank teller window.
Neighborhood: South Beach
Capacity: Contact for more info
You don’t have to have your holiday party in a bank vault ballroom to celebrate the year’s end. Bodega Taqueria y Tequila South Beach has locations throughout the greater area, but their South Beach location has a particularly colorful lounge to consider. This brand was only started in 2015 but it’s already become an iconic staple for Miamians where Mexican street food and the nightlife experience collide in the best way possible.
Neighborhood: South Beach
Capacity: Contact for more info
If you’re planning a party for a real foodie crowd, STK Steakhouse is a national classic but also very contemporary and of-the-moment. Stylish lounge spaces, signature menus, exceptional in-house service and more round out the appeal. We can confirm that surf-and-turf goes well with celebratory champagne.
Neighborhood: Old San Juan
Capacity: 250
The Sylvester perfectly mixes nostalgia and modernity. The décor is meant to evoke a #TBT Florida ambiance, while the drinks and menu are cutting edge. It’s an eclectic mix that really works for a holiday party of 125 seated/250 standing. It’s spacious but feels cozy which is always a winning combo.
Neighborhood: Parkwest
Capacity: 25
Bella's Bar at The Gabriel Miami is a real hidden gem 14 floors up. Intimate holiday parties are truly underrated, and if you’re looking for something that’s perfect for a group of 25 seated/25 standing, this is an ace choice. Views are always a good idea when it comes to events, and here you get scenic vistas of Biscayne Bay and the downtown area.
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Capacity: 700
The Sacred Space Miami is the holy grail of venues, providing a tropical oasis for up to 500 seated/700 standing. The interior 36,000-square feet was designed by the acclaimed architect Rene Gonzalez; a look that represented the holistic nature of this venue. It’s open, dynamic, and versatile enough to treat as a blank canvas. Head outside and you’ll find yourself in a guava grove sanctuary, an excellent replacement for the office Christmas tree.
Neighborhood: Lemon City / Little Haiti
Capacity: 150
Wicker chairs, a rooftop indoor/outdoor patio-style, and plenty of hanging greenery make Vista a quintessential South Florida aerie for your holiday party of up to 150 attendees. The tapas style bites are delicious, and they can create bespoke menus for the occasion. For those who have been to The Palm Court at The Plaza (in New York) you might get a similar vibe from an aesthetic point of view, but it’s warmer at this one so point to Florida.
Venues are always a conversation starter, but most importantly it sets the tone for everything else. When searching for a venue that offer something different, remember that just because a venue looks fabulous it may not be the right fit for what you have in mind. Do your research and visit it first if you can.
It's simple: finding the right venue is key. No matter the event there are always certain things to keep in mind, like location, budget, parking, etc. For a holiday party venue let yourself get creative and take the time to find a space that yes, suits the crowd at hand, but also evokes a sense of fun. It’s not the same as looking for a meeting room.
The Vendry has been lucky enough to help bring all sorts of virtual, hybrid, and in-person events to fruition. We’re here whether you’re venue window-shopping for the holiday party venues Miami has on offer, or ready to start a proposal, we're here to make your venue sourcing process easier (and more fun).
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The 17 Best Large Event Venues in Miami
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