Quote: (11-06-2012 12:03 PM)Merenguero Wrote:
Quote: (11-06-2012 04:02 AM)bigxxx Wrote:
At the Miami pros , I usually stick to sobe only due to familiarity. Will check out the spots mentioned here next time.
Can the safety of bongos apply to the other joints or do you have to watch your back? Maybe I watch too much 'the first 48' which is often set n downtown Miami, but This would be the reason I'm hesitant to venture out of the comfort of usual sobe spots.
Safety is never a primary concern of mine and I never have any safety issues, but the question which you raise is a fair one, so I will attempt to answer it. I believe in Miami the key to assessing whether a particular venue is safe is to first identify the neighborhood in which the venue is located. Higher-end Miami neighborhoods are Coral Gables, Coconut Grove (I am well aware that there are some less than posh areas located near Coconut Grove and maybe even in Coconut Grove, but go with me on this), Brickell, and Pinecrest. If you go out in any of the areas I mentioned, I do not see any safety issues. Coral Gables has a shopping and restaurant area called the Miracle Mile which has the Yardhouse and some other restaurants. One of the downsides of Coral Gables is that it is an independent city and therefore has its own liquor laws. Last time I checked, the bars closed at 2:00 A.M. there. Coconut Grove is located within the City of Miami. Many University of Miami college students go out on Main Highway in Coconut Grove. rationalize_this posted a Coconut Grove Data Sheet not too long ago. Brickell is also upscale and safe. There has already been a wealth of information posted on Brickell. I have never been out in Pinecrest, so I cannot comment on nightlife options there.
Most other parts of Miami-Dade which I haven't mentioned will be somewhat more low-end. Club Tipico Dominicano is definitely not in one of the better areas of Miami. I believe a person who is fully fluent in Spanish, is at least somewhat confident, and is at least somewhat sociable would be safe in most venues in Miami-Dade. If the language abilities are not there, I would stick to Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and Brickell. Even in those places, a lack of fluency in Spanish could hurt your chances, although I do not believe it will create any safety issues. I believe a guy who does speak Spanish well would be selling himself short by spending all his time in South Beach. I also believe any guy would be selling himself short by avoiding South Beach.
I haven't been to any venues in downtown Miami other than Bongos, so I can't speak for them.
Good post.
I don't want to speak for bigxxx, but there is a difference in my mind between "safety issues" and "fight issues".
Let me give you an example:
In Southern California at the beaches, you are relatively "safe". IE you are not going to get shot or stabbed. Of course there are exceptions to the rule as there are black and latino gangs and white hoods in certain beach towns.
However, some of the richest beach towns, there is a very high chance of getting in a "fight", even if the chances of you getting shanked are low.
For example, anyone who knows La Jolla, California, knows it is one of the richest beach towns in California. More or less the richest in San Diego.
Male Cheerleader Romney recently bought a beach front property there, and everyone hates him. Coincidentally, I used to live a few blocks from where his crib is.
The point I am trying to make is although La Jolla is extremely rich, it has a reputation of being a place that is easy to get into a fight. It had this reputation since at least the 1950's and was documented in
Tom Wolfe's The Pumphouse Gang.
So when I ask about Miami hoods or bars, I wonder how easy it is to get into a fight. IE someone stepping to you when you are solo, or punching you from behind when you aren't looking.
In California, it is relatively easy in certain hoods as everyone is
"loc-ing up" all the time.
There are a number of beach towns that fit this description. Surfing plays a big role in this as well.
That being said, I have noticed Florida and Miami being way more mellow on that front.