Yazmine Rosario's Favorite Spots in Miami

The iconic streetwear shop, founded by Nick Katz, is a cultural staple for skaters and artistic communities. For the culture and of the culture, Andrew’s flagship store sits in the heart of the Miami Design District, a stomping ground for the city’s creative types. The brand is known for graphic-heavy apparel with ‘90s and early ’00 influences. Andrew also has an in-house skate team credited with cementing Miami’s skate scene. “When Virgil [Abloh] was alive he really helped promote Andrew, and still, aside from that, the brand is very unapologetically Miami. I love their T-Shirt designs. I used to skate from 8-10, sprained my ankle and gave up. Miami skate culture has diverse influences due to its majority-Caribbean population, and the design aesthetic relates to the population.”

UmaLu Vintage uniquely captures the essence of Miami fashion culture. It’s sexy, fun, sultry and reflective of the city’s glossy aesthetics. The sister-owned boutique specializes in a meticulously curated collection of designer pieces and one-of-a-kind gems, including the likes of Roberto Cavalli, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and Jean Paul Gaultier. Star-studded clientele such as Kali Uchis, Ice Spice and Cardi B are known to frequent the store. “I got some really cute boots on their site in the past. I love how a simple boot can elevate your look with almost anything you wear.”

Founded by Louis Joachim, the artist manager of Miami rapper Denzel Curry, Lower East Coast sits at the intersection of music and fashion. The boutique is known for its mix of luxury and streetwear designers. The concept was first introduced as a music management company but evolved into a niche space selling independent bookmakers and rising fashion brands. “When I was living in Miami it was mainly a clothing store. My friend used to have DJ Classes, and movie nights there. It’s nice to stop by a place where the workers are around your age and you can relate to items in the store that can spark a conversation where we both put one another onto things like music, art exhibitions nearby, and even great food spots.”

Whether you’re shopping for decor, vintage furniture, or rare jewelry, Fly Boutique is a visual candy store and retail heaven for those on a treasure hunt. The store’s archive showcases items selected by era, designer, condition and quality, carrying high and low brands. The Biscayne Blvd location is also known for housing ultra-rare furniture pieces. “I love when a space has one-of-one pieces, and this is definitely one of them. Make sure to look through everything on the rack. Don’t walk in with a plan to always find a specific thing. Have an open mind, and if you feel something when you look at it, take it."

By day, Little Haiti’s Panther Coffee is a typical on-trend coffee shop keeping locales caffeinated. By night, the space transforms into one of the city’s most recognized cultural hubs for live music, poetry readings and community gatherings. Etcetera is the buzzy open-deck event that posts up once a month, allowing crate diggers and audiophiles alike to play their favorite vinyl. Guests sign up for 30-minute time slots and share their version of a good time. “I’ll play a Fania record to set the tone. It’s dance-able but still chill. What makes Etcetera special to me is that it brings back the enjoyment of music without the party-hype, and brings room for conversation.”

Miami Sound Bar offers a similar music experience inspired by Tokyo’s vinyl scene, designed by co-owner Edo Kobayashi in collaboration with Baja Restaurant Group. For audiophiles, a custom Tannoy Westminster sound system distinguishes the space, which is also known for a curated cocktail menu drawing inspiration from some of Tokyo’s most prominent listening rooms. A social haven for rising DJs, the bar hosts regular “Selected Showcases” led by DJs Ferny and Tian., the respective music directors and creators of the record label and party series Sarah Tonin. “As a Puerto Rican it's important for me to learn more about sounds that come from my island, even the artists that go unnoticed. Miami Sound Bar does that for me. What I love about the bar is the DJ Setup. They use the Isonoe ISO420 Rotary DJ Mixer, which is usually used in European Bars, so it adds a nice touch to the space.”

The legend goes that Jolene Sound Room, located in the basement of the iconic art deco Julia & Henry building, once operated as an illegal speakeasy during Al Capone’s reign. This sense of mystique and allure keeps the intimate bar a favorite among locals, along with a name inspired by the vivacious and ultra-feminine energy of Dolly Parton. DJ Ray handles event programming, including weekly series and ongoing DJ lineups spotlighting the best of Miami’s downtown music scene. “The Art Basel nights there are always packed and full of true house music lovers so those would be my most memorable. The ambience is a vital touch to understand the type of music I should play for the night. A lot of these spaces create a calm and non-high maintenance environment that attracts real people all wanting the same thing — a good time!”

Miami’s first vinyl listening bar in Wynwood brings an intimate lounge experience to music lovers, offering specialty cocktails and an eclectic, unconventional bar atmosphere. Founded by partners Alan Drummond, Sven Vogtland, Arturo Nuñez, Rich Medina and Jourdan Binder, the sophisticated concept space takes inspiration from Japanese jazz kissas — jazz cafes in the heart of Tokyo, known for providing state-of-the-art sound systems, moody ambiance and robust music collections. “I love that the DJ table is connected to the bar, so no matter what, people have no choice but to walk up to the DJ Booth and show it some love. It’s great for a weekday on a summer night with some girlfriends. Just busy enough to have an intimate night together to catch up and still dance when wanted. I love the Skinny Love mezcal drink on the menu.”