New Year’s Eve in South Beach is a serious party scene, not for the faint of heart. The set boils down to three little words …Can You Hang?

And your answer dictates your destiny on this, the most important party night of the year. Nothing is more important to your South Beach New Year’s Eve outcomes than your preparation and larger than life attitude. Because, here, in the most discriminating world of Very Important People, there’s room for all of us. In South Beach, the VIP credentials are yours to create. Consider this your insider primer to an all access good time. These notes will make your South Beach New Year’s Eve your most memorable experience ever.

New Year’s Eve in South Beach is a serious party scene, not for the faint of heart. The set boils down to three little words …Can You Hang?

Whether your goal is to party like a rock star in a sea of a thousand others, or your ideal itinerary is a quiet night of intimate elegance, the best way to prepare for a fantastic New Year’s Eve on South Beach is to remember the most important elements for which the S in South Beach stand: your style and your spot.


Let’s Start with Your Style

The first rule of being treated like a VIP on South Beach is to look like a VIP. Pay close attention to the dress code and then step it up a little. Head down a few days early and take advantage of the super sales you’re sure to find shopping on Lincoln Road, Collins Avenue and Bal Harbour. The industry’s edgiest fashion can be found in South Beach’s many designer shops. Lincoln Road is luxury shopping defined. Here you’ll find beautiful boutiques filled with all the pieces of your fashionista fantasies.

Eighteen stores line the outdoor shopping experience on Collins Avenue, from Arden B to United Colors of Benetton. You’ll find an expression of your personal style. Known for its friendly accessibility and reasonable costs, Collins is a good shopping stop if you want to look great without breaking the bank.

Head to Bal Harbour Shops for all the best the fashion industry has to offer. A virtual who’s-who of designer labels, at Bal Harbour you’ll find Prada on parade and great escapes encouraged by wonderful wardrobes from Escada. 

All of these shopping areas are close and offer outfits for everybody in your party so on New Year’s Eve you’re all looking good.


Many Great South Beach Spots Promise Hot Nightlife…

…A couple stick out as absolutely phenomenal. These parties, set in tony nightclubs, are everything you picture happening on South Beach on New Year’s Eve - on hyper-drive. The locations and entrance costs are outlined below.

The Mansion, $200: Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with celebrities and party to the sounds of the scene’s hottest DJs in this dress-to-impress to-do. A hip hop, house and rock soundtrack keeps the party going until next year with a 5 a.m. curtain call.  

The Set, $250-$10,000*: An evening designed to exceed the highest high-roller’s expectations includes once-in-a-lifetime exclusive VIP treatment in South Beach’s most decadent club, celebrities, an endless supply of top-shelf champagne and sounds spun by one of the industry’s hottest DJs. The Opium Group, the production company behind The Set’s New Year’s Eve soiree has been heralded by every publication from Harper’s Bazaar to Time for its ability to throw a great shindig. New Year’s Eve ’09 is sure to set the bar even higher.

*Prices reflect different levels of reservation and service.


Cozy Spots to Celebrate the New Year

While in South Beach you must check out the News Café. This 24-hour spot offers classic sidewalk seating on Ocean Drive – SoBe’s main drag. A tasty menu of salads, sandwiches, desserts and coffees comes in a European setting. This can’t-miss experience is as rich in people-watching opportunities as it is in good eats.

Even with all the world-class clubbing and people-watching opportunities dominating Ocean Drive on New Year’s Eve, the most romantic night of your life can be found on this very same strip.

Get away to the newly renovated Chesterfield Hotel Suites & Spa. In self-described splendor, Chesterfield touts the merger of three fabulous historic Miami Beach Landmarks: the Chesterfield, Lily and Leon Hotels. The result: one unforgettable vacation experience. A revival of art deco at its finest, the Chesterfield celebrates the signature style for which South Beach is famous with flair and formidable charm. After ringing in the New Year, fall asleep on 300-count sheets, in a creatively cozy setting that includes mahogany furniture and hardwood floors.

And, if you’re looking for celebrity-style sophistication on New Year’s Eve that feels a world away from the nightclub scene, make reservations at DeVito. Named after Emmy-award winning actor and owner Danny DeVito, this restaurant integrates the expertise of legendary South Florida restaurateur David Manero with the unparalleled exclusivity of a celebrity world. New Year’s Eve is always a memorable time at DeVito, where every night feels like the most special night of the year. Celebrate the end of ’09 on the veranda with champagne or a bottle of wine from the restaurant’s extensive wine list and indulge in the way the staff sweeps you off your feet with superior service of the highest rating.


Wrap It Up with an Appreciation of the Weather

Just about the time you’re slipping on that mini dress or pair of sandals, you’ll realize why South Beach is the absolute best spot for a January vacay. The best part about a SoBe New Year’s Eve is the weather. Whether relaxing by the pool at a chic art-deco hotel or celebrating the finale of the millennium’s first decade in a club surrounded by celebrities, the evening’s ocean breeze and jacket-optional temperature makes every