Miami Beach: Art Deco Walking Tour & Cocktails in South Beach

Summary

Art deco history meets cocktails in miami beach’s iconic hotels

You’ll wander Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District with a local guide who knows every wild story behind these pastel hotels. Sip three signature cocktails inside glamorous bars, see the Versace Villa up close, and catch those little sensory details — terrazzo floors underfoot, salty air, laughter echoing off neon-lit walls. It’s more than architecture; it’s Miami’s flavor in every sense.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely made it past Ocean Drive when our guide, Carlos, waved us into this lobby with a ceiling that looked like a pastel sunrise. The air was heavy with that mix of sunscreen and old-school cologne — you know, the way Miami smells when you’re not on the sand. I tried to take a picture but my lens fogged up from the humidity. Carlos just grinned and handed me our first cocktail (something called a Speakeasy — tasted like grapefruit and gin with a weirdly perfect salty rim). It was only 2pm but nobody seemed to mind.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much on an art deco tour. Carlos had these wild stories about mobsters hiding out in hotel basements, hurricanes blowing neon signs halfway down Collins Ave, and how some of these buildings survived it all. We ducked into three different bars for cocktails — each one had its own vibe, from velvet stools to terrazzo floors cool under your sandals. At one point we passed the Versace Villa and everyone got quiet for a second. Carlos told us what really happened there (not what you read online) and I swear I could feel the whole group lean in closer.

There was this moment near the end where we sat by a window and watched thunderclouds roll over South Beach — the light went all silver and blue on the art deco facades outside. Someone spilled their lemonade cocktail laughing at a story about Miami Vice extras getting kicked out of a bar here in the ‘80s. I still think about that view, honestly. The tour finished before I wanted it to; I kept wandering after, trying to remember which building had those shell-shaped lights or which bartender gave us extra lime wedges just because we asked.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Art Deco tour with cocktails and history

• Enter fabulous hotel lobbies and bars
• Enjoy signature cocktails inside bars
• Listen to guide's Art Deco stories
• Take photos indoors and outdoors
• Stop outside the Versace Villa
• Learn villa history and myths

Top questions

How long does the Miami Beach Art Deco cocktail tour last?

The tour lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours.

Are drinks included on this South Beach Art Deco tour?

Yes, three curated alcoholic cocktails are included during the tour.

Is there hotel pickup for this Miami Beach walking tour?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet at the starting point in South Beach.

Can you go inside the Versace Villa on this tour?

No, entry isn’t allowed unless you’re a guest; your guide shares stories outside instead.

Is this Art Deco District cocktail tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

What happens if it rains during the Miami cocktail tour?

The tour continues rain or shine; most time is spent indoors if it rains.

Are children allowed on this South Beach cocktail tour?

The tour isn’t recommended for children aged 5 or under.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes entry into several iconic hotel lobbies and bars within Miami’s Art Deco Historic District, guided by an expert storyteller who brings each building’s past alive. You’ll enjoy three small signature cocktails (bartender tips covered), plus all taxes and fees taken care of—just show up ready to walk, sip, and listen.