When you need a break from the typical Miami Beach bar, the VFW is the perfect spot to get away. You would not even know it exists unless you know exactly what to look for. To start you need to get buzzed into the building and take a shaky elevator ride up to the bar. If you are not comfortable in a smokey environment this is not the place for you. However, if you are the VFW has the absolute cheapest drinks in Miami. It is an all cash bar that is full of some of the friendliest people in all of Miami. Some are veterans, but on my last trip most were just locals looking for a chill place to relax and watch a game. There is only one TV so expect to watch the Miami game, whichever game that may be, but the bartenders were friendly and willing to pass around the remote so we could change the channel during breaks and check other scores. Tip well and the drinks will continue to be generous. May seem a bit shady for first timers, but its very easy to get hooked on the laid back nature of the bar. And to top it all off one of the most beautiful views of the sunset over the city of Miami. Highly recommend you give it a try and one of if not the best dive bar in Miami.
Victoria L.
Classificação do local: 2 Miami, FL
A true hideaway. For smokers. Great view of miami sunset. Full bar. Cheap drinks. Looks like bartender hasn’t made a mixed drink in years. Better off if you order beer. First one was weak and small but impressed by alcohol selections. Very smokey. Air not breathable. Tough to find. Has its own parking lot for free
Lara B.
Classificação do local: 3 Dallas, TX
Hidden gem. Don’t really want to review because I don’t want it to be known Super cheap drinks Cash only Pool tables and video poker Large screen tv will play the popular American sports(first come-first served) Great misplaced hole in the wall Beautiful downtown/bay view Sad there is no patio And it gets SMOKY in there Dusty is super sweet
Rusty S.
Classificação do local: 5 Springfield, VA
The VFW is always a great place to meet other vets, have a drink or two, share some war stories, and toast our fallen comrades.
Anita G.
Classificação do local: 4 Miami Beach, FL
This place is a hidden gem. Whole in the wall making the Floridian residents very mad since they sell super cheap alcohol and they are open every night til at least 2 am. No food there but you can order from any delivery joint and the view to the bay is amazing. Service is not fancy but honest…
Edward W.
Classificação do local: 3 San Francisco, CA
This place seemed kind of cool when I was viewing it on Unilocal,but making our way out to the west side of Miami Beach was one long trek. The coolest part was when we were buzzed in so that we could enter. On a Friday night, there were surprisingly very few people here, just a couple people playing pool. They had a 5 beers $ 10 special, which was definitely a good deal and each pool game was only 50 cents. The ventilation isn’t very good since we tried to go into the corner to hide from the cigarette smoke, but no luck. Also we came around 9pm so the sun had already gone down and there was no view in sight. They have a juke box here, but be warned that it costs $ 1 per song. We chose some songs before we realized that we had used someone else’s credits. The people here were friendly enough to just let us choose more songs so I felt the crowd was super chill to come hang out here.
Keith C.
Classificação do local: 2 San Mateo, CA
We took a long walk over here after reading some glowing reviews on Unilocal,so maybe our expectations were just too high, but I was a bit disappointed after finally arriving. First off, actually getting in here was a bit tough(we had to ask the valet outside) and we had to get buzzed in. I actually kinda liked this part, it made finding the bar feel like some sort of adventure. Once we got inside, we realized that the place was pretty empty, especially for a Friday night(only about 2 or 3 people). Also, the bartender seemed sort of angry at us as we were deciding what to drink, and the place has a(relatively) strong cigarette smell from smoking being allowed indoors. On the bright side, everything was really cheap. The drinks we ordered were only about 3 or 4 $ each, and the pool table only costs 50 cents a game. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t count the cheap drinks as worth it. If you’ve got a group of friends and just wanted to make your own party at a bar, this would probably be a good place to do it, just don’t expect the rest of the bar to be any sort of party to join in with. Also, since it’s all the way over on the west side of the island, there’s not a whole lot to do nearby(but there are some nice views out the windows at the bar). A great place for cheap drinks, but probably not worth it unless you’re staying nearby.
Doctor R.
Classificação do local: 4 Miami Beach, FL
Service to our country and to the community must be recognized. After finding our way in through the labaryntian concourse(whomsoever named the«speakeasy» doth jest) we joined the late Sunday afternoon set at the bar and ordered a Martini(classic, natch) and a Manhattan(likewise). Sturdy drinks. Honest. Like our bartender who asked for advice, followed it, and delivered excellent pours for short green. Like the good folks at the legion hall in Morningside, support your former troops and be well-rewarded. Yo.
Franky A.
Classificação do local: 5 Miami, FL
South Beach’s true hole in the wall bar. The Deuce is great but it’s kind of a main stream spot at this point. This place is a true drinker’s bar. The cheapest drinks in all of Miami. Amazing cast of characters hang out here knocking back drinks sharing the wildest stories around. I highly recommend visiting this find establishment.
Andrew J.
Classificação do local: 2 Miami Beach, FL
Stopped by this place with an ex-military buddy yesterday for some daytime drinking. For a VFW post, the space is impressive; in a luxury waterfront condo in South Beach with a bar and a pool table. Crowd was predictable; chipped tooth, chain-smoking alcoholics. Best things about it are the $ 3.50 rum and cokes and the view of the girls tanning themselves on the pool deck below.
Teresa K.
Classificação do local: 4 Miami Beach, FL
My friend lives in the building so we met a group of people to get some super cheap incredibly strong drinks and chat. People there are super laid back and friendly, and again you can’t beat the drinks. This is a great dive bar overall. That being said, if you are one of those people who HATE cigarette smoke don’t come here. The place has little to no ventilation and everything from the furniture to your hair will stink of cigarette smoke. I swear it’s soaked into the walls in there it is so potent.
Stephanie L.
Classificação do local: 2 Miami, FL
I know everyone loves this place, and I’m aware that I’m in the minority here, but I just don’t get the appeal. Yes the view is nice, or at least what you can see through the window, but it’s really not too much different from what you’ll get at Monty’s or down by the Mondrian(and at least these places have outdoor options where you can really enjoy the skyline in all its glory). It has got a jukebox and a pool table, but entertainment aside, it’s smoky and the selection is limited. The night we went, the main door was closed so we had to go up through a smelly, cigarette burned staircase. I enjoy the whole cloak and dagger aspect of trying to find the secret entrance and being buzzed in, but it’s not something I’d seek out. Plus, with the eclectic crowd, the night we went we ended up being harassed by one of the fellow patrons about some silly geography nonsense. I just feel like I’d rather pay a few bucks more and actually get to appreciate the atmosphere rather than being suffocated with strong odors in a dark and dingy hole. Plus, I’m sorry but I do want more choices than lame fizzy yellow beers. Toss in a couple of unique or craft options plus perhaps a decently made cocktail and I’d be far happier(I.E. RSMAS Wetlab). Cheap is all well and good, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a slightly better selection. With the right group of friends I’m sure you can manage to have fun, but I certainly wouldn’t seek this place out as a cool Miami find.
Patrick L.
Classificação do local: 3 Miami, FL
If you thought it couldn’t get any more dive-y, head over to the VFW. Cheap beers abound here! And not only is this place a dive, it’s an in-the-know dive — you have to know what you’re doing to even find the place. First of all, it’s in a luxury condo building, not typically the place one would think to look for a dive bar. Second, the door is around the side, and you have to get buzzed in. It’s a pretty cool little dark, dingy bar. Nice jukebox, enough seating. However, the pictures on Unilocal of that glorious sunset are a little misleading, as they give the impression that there’s this sprawling outside patio. There is no such thing. Hey, you can see exactly that sunset, but it’s through a window. For my part, I’d like the place a lot, lot better if the smoking wasn’t so intensive. Or if it actually had an outside deck.
Bill L.
Classificação do local: 5 North Miami, FL
Don’t go here. It is a drunken degenerate haven of drunken degenerates. Enough said. I don’t want my review to fuck the vibe here.
Jorge M.
Classificação do local: 5 Miami, FL
First Spot on the Pub Crawl! Its inside a high rise building? Whats this? Its soooooo misleading! You would think theres no way theres a VFW in there! But no my friends there is. The view is spectacular here especially during sunsets! Its located on the second floor in the rear of the building. You ring a button usually to get in. A place where you have to get buzzed to get in!!! Soooo Kewl! Once inside its a farely nice size room with a few tables and chairs and stools to sit at the bar. The Beers are Sooooo Cheap here. It was $ 2.75 for Import bottles and they have a special 5 bottles of Domestic Beers for $ 10. You Can’t Beat That!!! Didn’t have or see any food here. The bartender was Friendly and Fast. The Cheapest place to Drink out all the bars we hit during the pub crawl.
Sergio F.
Classificação do local: 5 Miami, FL
On the 1MC, set condition 1SQ for Drinking Systems Readiness Test Reminiscent of the scene in «Crimson Tide» between Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman, getting to the first stop fittingly required a military authentication procedure to access a VFW post in a south beach luxury condo with an awesome sunset view. After going thru a service entrance of the condo, up a stair, buzzing an intercom and waiting to be let in, I was finally in the missile control room of the USS Alabama. In actuality, I was meeting fellow Unilocalers in a hidden away dive bar with an awesome sunset view. Running into a bunch of fellow Unilocalers there, I enjoyed a Rolling Rock and Miller Lite. Most of the«crew» was decked out in green, and our very own St Patricks Lady Gaga augured a fun start to the night! Great prices too, and a decent digital jukebox — it even had Pitbull! Yes, who ever stayed there after we left got to boogie to «Hotel Room Service» While I didn’t see if there were mojitos, and had left before my song played had an awesome sunset views and patriotic murals. It actually didn’t matter they didn’t have mojitos and that I didn’t get to hear my song play. «The release of alcohol has been authorized. This is not a drill.»
Louis N.
Classificação do local: 5 San Francisco, CA
Super cheap drinks here, Avoid if you can’t stand smoke, Cool spot to just chill.
Eve C.
Classificação do local: 5 Miami Beach, FL
Sweet, sweet VFW. I don’t know how it took me so long to find this place, but all it took was one visit and I fell in love. I’ve lost count as to my number of visits at this point, but the initial love I felt has never waned. The VFW doesn’t mess around. It knows it’s a dive and embraces it. So you better check whatever pretension you may have at the door. The door with the buzzer. Oh yeah, you have to be buzzed in by the bartender to gain entry to the sanctum of the VFW.(Don’t worry, I’ve never seen anyone get turned away.). While the VFW has a fully-stocked bar with very reasonably priced drinks(cocktails is too fancy a word for this place), the name of the game is beer. Domestics will run you $ 2.25, and imports about $ 2.75. But get the bucket o’ domestics — 5 beers for $ 10(and you’re not obligated to get 5 of the same brew) — you’ll be happy that you did. The beer selection has all the classics, but does not qualify for that elusive«beer bar» status. Any choice you make will be cold and refreshing, though you can’t go wrong with a Yuengling. Aside from the ridiculously priced drinks, the killer view is what makes the VFW5-star worthy. Kicking back with a bucket of cold ones accompanied by good friends(or the lively VFW patrons), while watching the never-disappointing Miami sunset is just magical. You do not want to miss this!
Michelle W.
Classificação do local: 4 New Haven, CT
Reasons you MUST go to the VFW: — awesome view of sunsets over MIA(panoramic view of course) — its a dive in a swanky place to live(so counter — intuitive that you have to go) — $ 2.25 beers(Yes, it’s really on SoBe) — it reminds me of bars in MI(Yes, I am a dive bar connoisseur because of this) — there is a secret entrance & you have to push the button to be «allowed» in By the way, it’s super smokey in here… don’t say you haven’t been warned!
Marcos R.
Classificação do local: 4 Miami, FL
No jacket required here. Leave the gemstone tops and matching bedazzled trucker hat at home before setting foot in this salty joint or they’ll be liable to let a wandering bug or two to fall into your pint glass. Personally, I think this place is a gem. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? But I love that it’s tucked away in an unsuspecting S. Beach condo, and I love that the regulars aren’t trying to impress anyone. It’s just their quiet little place to drink and shoot the breeze. You can count the number of unpretentious dives in S. Beach on my left hand. Having, said that(or written rather); that’s all the more reason to appreciate the VFW.