BODEGA TAQUERIA Y TEQUILA TO OPEN 5TH SOUTH FLORIDA LOCATION

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, South Florida's iconic taco joint by day and speakeasy concept by night, is gearing up for its highly anticipated Coconut Grove opening on Thursday, August 25th. Marking the brand’s fifth location to date, Bodega is set to open by introducing a robust lineup of daily and nightly programming curated for locals and visitors alike to enjoy, housed in a 3,276-square-foot space built in 1922.

The historic space has been reimagined to reflect the brand’s trademark design, pumped with neon signs and bright colors thoughtfully juxtaposed by traditional, old-world Mexican design elements. The Grove outpost will offer a three-part experience including a fast-casual taco shack; a speakeasy-style lounge; as well as a high-end mezcaleria designed for exclusive tasting experiences - each with its own high-energy curated programming. 

“We are excited to continue growing the Bodega footprint with the opening of our first South Miami location,” said Jared Galbut, Co-Founder and President of Bodega Taqueria y Tequila. “The beautiful and historic Coconut Grove neighborhood is undoubtedly experiencing a moment of tremendous resurgence, and we are thrilled to be among the restaurant groups and businesses contributing to its revival.”  

Guests enter at the ground level of the Taco Shack, where they are immediately taken in by the aromas of Mexican street food-inspired cuisine wafting from the quintessential airstream trailer-turned-taco-truck. True to the brand’s commitment to deliver fresh menu items in a warm and lively setting, the menu is stacked with classic and innovative dishes locals and visitors alike have come to expect from the revered brand. All the popular items like Nachos and Quesadillas; legendary Burritos and Tacos, like the Barbacoa made with guajillo braised short rib, cotija cheese, red onion, potato sticks, cilantro, and salsa rosada; health- and vegetarian-friendly Build Your Own Bowls; and, of course Frozen Margaritas, are available to order for dine-in, pickup and delivery. 

Bodega’s second floor design showcases an array of beautiful details for the eye to enjoy, including an ornate wood entrance door, distressed aromatic leathers, aged brass metal finishes, and velvet drapery in agave-green accents. Hand-painted tin ceiling tiles by muralist Juan Rosas add color to the already whimsical décor featuring an eclectic mix of “found” seating and artwork. Together, these thoughtful details are meant to evoke the primitive feel of haciendas and create an ambiance with an undeniable energy that harks one back, nostalgically, to a bygone era of Mexican opulence.

In addition to the brand’s iconic menu, guests can look forward to “Margarita Monday”, featuring $5 Frozen Margaritas, available all day on Mondays. On Tuesdays, patrons can indulge in Bodega Taqueria y Tequila’s “Taco Tuesday” special, showcasing three for $11 Classic Tacos available in-stores, as well as on the Bodega app until 5 p.m. Also taking place is the brand’s iconic “Live Music Wednesdays” presented by 818 Tequila showcasing local musical performances by rotating bands from 7 to 9 p.m. On Thursdays, patrons can come in for “Thursdays on Tap” and enjoy $1 select rotating Draft Beer until the keg is tapped. Lastly, taking place Saturdays and Sundays, guests can indulge in “Liquid Weekend Brunch”, featuring large format cocktails, beer buckets and Mexican-inspired mimosas starting at 12 p.m. Following brunch, watch all of your favorite College Football and NFL teams, with continuing beer specials and half off well drinks for ladies during the games.

The Coconut Grove opening is part of an expansion for both the Bodega brand and the Miami neighborhood, the latter of which is currently experiencing a renaissance that has brought in a slew of new businesses to the area. Bodega’s flagship location opened in South Beach in 2015, followed by Fort Lauderdale in 2020. In August 2021, the first taqueria-only Bodega opened in Aventura, followed by a West Palm Beach spot in February 2022.  In early 2023, a second South Miami location will open in Coral Gables, followed by the opening of Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in Chicago, the first of several out-of-state locations. Additional Florida expansion includes a taqueria-only location at the Natiivo Miami Hotel & Residences in downtown Miami, as well as a hybrid concept in Wynwood. 

Bodega Coconut Grove is located at 3419 Main Highway and hours of operation are Sunday through Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m.

The h.wood Group's Celebrity Hotspot Delilah Coming To Black Lion Investment Group's Brickell Bay Boardwalk

The LA-based h.wood Group will be bringing their swanky upscale celebrity hotspot concept Delilah to Miami after signing a long term lease with Black Lion Investment Group for their Brickell Bay Boardwalk restaurant space. The h.wood Group restaurant will occupy 10,716 SF of space on the mezzanine level at 801 Brickell Bay Drive and will offer guests a lavishly decorated dining room, a speakeasy-inspired lounge, private elevators and dedicated valet parking to enhance their modern-day supper club experience. The restaurant being designed by Kobi Karp as the architect is scheduled to open in April 2022.

“Delilah is exactly the kind of tenant we had in mind when we imagined the potential of the Brickell Bay Boardwalk development. The h.wood Group has been remarkably successful in attracting the most stylish and tasteful people, including world-famous celebrities, to its lively, social Roaring 20s atmosphere at its restaurants in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. It takes the right concept to stand out in Miami’s thriving culinary and nightlife scene, and I’m thrilled to welcome what will be a sure favorite among Miami’s discerning residents and visitors to Brickell’s newest waterfront dining and entertainment hub,” said Robert Rivani, President of Black Lion.

Fabio Faerman and Sebastian Faerman of FA Commercial, arranged the leasing of the 10,716 SF mezzanine space. They represented the landlord, Black Lion and Newmark along with Reid Heidenry of ONE Sotheby's International Realty represented the tenant, h.wood Group, in the transaction. FA Commercial also represented Black Lion in leasing the corner space of the Brickell Bay Boardwalk and are currently leasing the final space in the newly redeveloped boardwalk.

Brickell Bay Boardwalk is one of several of Black Lion’s recent developments in the Miami market. In recent months, the company has invested a total of roughly $40 million dollars in projects located in Miami’s most coveted neighborhoods. The company’s South Florida portfolio includes the newly redeveloped Wynwood Jungle, the Amara at Paraiso waterfront restaurant in Edgewater and the restaurant space on the ground level of the SLS LUX Brickell, the last two of three were arranged by FA Commercial.

“With the right investments, Miami is poised to evolve into the Manhattan of the South over the coming years. I’m betting big on the Miami market not just because I see the value in its limitless potential, but because it’s the kind of place I enjoy doing business and visiting. Brickell’s dining and nightlife scene is on a particularly exciting trajectory, so I’m stoked to be part of introducing another sensational concept to the market,” added Rivani.

Delilah’s Miami venue will be the third Delilah location and The h.wood Group’s first restaurant on the east coast. The restaurant group also operates Delilah Las Vegas, in the Wynn Las Vegas, which opened in early July 2021, in addition to the original restaurant in Los Angeles.

The h.wood Group is a Los Angeles based hospitality and lifestyle company with a diversified portfolio of upscale nightlife & restaurant venues. The h.wood Group was established in 2008 and today their portfolio includes 13 venues in Los Angeles including Delilah, The Nice Guy, Harriet’s and Bootsy Bellows; as well as Delilah Las Vegas. In addition to Miami the h.wood Group is expanding to Aspen, Nashville, Toronto and Brooklyn.

Images via Black Lion Investment Group and FA Commercial | Renderings by The h.wood Group

'Le Rouge Lounge' Cabaret-Themed Nightclub Opens At Moishe Mana's Mana Wynwood Campus

Le Rouge Lounge, a new luxury, cabaret-themed nightclub, opened June 11 at a new event venue in Moishe Mana’s six acre Mana Wynwood campus. Mana Wynwood’s new event venue , which is located across from the Mana Wynwood Convention Center, is a French-inspired live entertainment venue which is the only Miami nightclub with a 360-degree, DJ "in the round" experience.

Led by MANA Common, the Convention Center is also undergoing a series of renovation include increasing the fiber optic capability, enlarging the entryways, adding more public restrooms, and improving service corridors and loading docks. The updates will also improve the flow of attendees and allow the Convention Center to better accommodate events. The renovations are expected to be completed by November.

“We see Wynwood as a prime destination for arts, culture and entertainment,” says Moishe Mana, CEO of Mana Common. “Events are key to breathe life into a neighborhood and sustain its vibrancy. We’re looking forward to unveiling these new improvements that facilitate social and cultural exchanges.”

“Mana Wynwood is a symbol of Miami’s arts and entertainment culture,” says Bruce Fischman, Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) Board Member, Senior Advisor to Moishe Mana and Mana Common General Counsel. “We’re excited to present renovations that contribute to the neighborhood’s evolution and offer an improved cutting-edge experience to residents and visitors.”

Owner of Bâoli, Massa Investment Group, Acquires Miami Beach's Paris Theater For $13 Million

Massa Investment Group has acquired Miami Beach’s Paris Theater, located at 550 Washington Ave., for $13 million; $508 per square foot. The Art Deco building, which was first built in 1935, spans 25,589 SF. The building was designed by architect Henry Hohauser and has operated over time as a cinema, adult movie house, nightclub and film studio. U2, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Ricky Martin have all shot music videos at the theater. Big Time Productions was the seller after acquiring the Paris Theater for $975,000 in 1992 and first listing the property for $23 million in 2015. The transaction was financed with a $15.2 million loan provided by IberiaBank. Massa Investment Group is led by Mathieu Massa who is also the owner of Mr. Hospitality, the firm behind some of Miami’s most exclusive venues including Bâoli, Marion and El Tucan.

Image via Paris Theater