Few pleasures rival the satisfaction of a perfectly poured drink. While the craft-cocktail renaissance continues to thrive, true connoisseurs know that the finest indulgence lies not merely in the mix but in the mastery behind the glass. In South Florida—a region synonymous with celebration and sun-drenched sophistication—three destinations stand above the rest, each offering a world-class drinking experience worthy of any collector’s palate.
Council Oak’s One Ounce Club – Hollywood, Florida
Nestled within the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood houses one of Florida’s most extraordinary spirits programs—the One Ounce Club. Here, guests savor the rarest bottles on Earth, measured one precious ounce at a time.
There’s no membership, no exclusivity beyond curiosity and confidence. The collection reads like a connoisseur’s fantasy list: Hennessy Paradis Imperial, Pappy Van Winkle 25, and Johnnie Walker & Sons Odyssey, to name a few. Prices range from approachable to audacious—up to hundreds of dollars per ounce—making each pour an experience, not an expense.
For those who prefer their indulgence mixed, the club’s signature cocktails transform spirits into liquid art. The Treize, starring Louis XIII and Grand Marnier, arrives crowned with a 24-karat gold flake, while the Smoked Rare Manhattan—crafted tableside with Macallan Rare Cask and smoked cinnamon—reminds you that luxury is as much about presentation as taste.
Lona Cocina & Tequileria – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Overlooking the turquoise sweep of Fort Lauderdale Beach, Lona Cocina & Tequileria by acclaimed chef Pablo Salas offers a soulful escape to modern Mexico. The restaurant’s name—“Lona,” meaning canvas—is a perfect metaphor: a place where color, flavor, and spirit combine in creative harmony.
Home to one of South Florida’s most extensive tequila and mezcal collections, Lona delights both casual drinkers and serious aficionados. With nearly 350 bottles and a series of tasting flights, guests are invited to explore the nuances of agave—from crisp blancos to complex extra-añejos. Private tequila lockers are available for those who prefer to keep their personal treasures on hand.
Behind the bar, cocktail visionary Dushan Zaric (of New York’s Employees Only) curates a menu that’s as daring as it is elegant. Try the Breathing Lightning, a mezcal-pineapple creation with a fiery kick, or the Mexico City Swizzle, a layered blend of mezcal, sherry, and ginger. Each drink feels like an adventure—rooted in heritage, elevated by innovation.
Prime 54 – Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Within the legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Prime 54 has earned its place as the resort’s crown jewel for elevated dining and drink. Known for its wood-fired steaks and seductive design, it’s also a destination for exceptional cocktails and an impressive collection of fine spirits.
The bar’s hallmark is its Japanese Whisky Experience, a sophisticated ritual that transforms sipping into a ceremony. Rare labels such as Nikka Pure Malt and Yamazaki 12 Year are complemented by smoke infusions, Tahitian vanilla syrup, and hand-carved block ice—crafted tableside for an unforgettable sensory experience. It’s not merely a pour; it’s performance art.
Beyond whisky, Prime 54’s mixologists curate a cocktail list that balances precision and glamour—classic techniques reimagined through a modern lens, where every detail from glassware to garnish is a study in understated luxury.
The Last Word
From the oak-lined intimacy of Hollywood’s One Ounce Club to the sunlit vibrance of Fort Lauderdale’s tequila haven and the refined grandeur of Prime 54 in Miami Beach, South Florida’s drinking scene proves that sophistication is a matter of taste—and timing.
Whether your indulgence is cognac, tequila, or Japanese whisky, these experiences offer something money alone can’t buy: the feeling that, for one exquisite moment, you’re tasting the world at its most rarefied.
