# The Best of South Beach According to Miami’s ‘Nightlife Gatekeeper’

- Link: https://exclusiveaccess.net/the-best-of-south-beach-according-to-miamis-nightlife-gatekeeper/
- Published: 2013-11-07T13:39:32-05:00
- Author: EAN

Five nights out of the week, finding Marcus Pelle is easy. On Wednesday nights, 
he’s welcoming the beautiful people who come to [Bâoli Miami](http://www.baolimiami.com/).
On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, he’s greeting socialites and celebrities
like Robert De Niro, Robert Downey Jr., and Jamie Foxx at the door of [SET Nightclub](http://www.setmiami.com/).
Essentially, Pelle is the gatekeeper to Miami Beach nightlife, deciding who’s allowed
behind the velvet ropes of the city’s finest clubs. We chatted with the VIP host
and doorman—who has called Miami home for over a decade—and got the inside scoop
on where to eat, drink, and play in South Beach.

 

**Best place for dinner: “**Miami now has so many good restaurants, and I love the
creative edge many are taking. Despite that, I still believe in doing the simple
things well. That’s why I like [Meat Market](http://www.meatmarketmiami.com/enter.html);
their steaks are cooked to perfection.”

 

**Best brunch spot: “**I really enjoy [La Gloutonnerie](http://www.lagloutonnerie.com/).
It has an amazing spread and great venue. When the cooler weather comes through,
eating outdoors there will be my weekend ritual.”

 

**Best place for a cocktail with a view: “**In Miami, a place with a view means 
people-watching! [The W Hotel Living Room Bar](http://www.wsouthbeach.com/living-room-bar)
is a great hotel space for that.

 

**Best locals-only spot: “**I love [Haven](http://havenlounge.com/). It’s a great
place to relax. It’s a well-designed space; they make great drinks there and have
an amazing staff. If I had more time off, I would spend more time there.”

 

**Best club for a true VIP experience (and how to get in): “**Few places can say
they cater for a VIP crowd in today’s Miami, but we do at [Bâoli** **](http://www.baolimiami.com/)
and [SET Nightclub](http://www.setmiami.com/). Access to these places is limited,
but being well dressed and coming with a mixed group and a good dose of patience
is a start.”** **

 

**Best Miami weekend activity (before the sun goes down): “**See the beaches, of
course! But for a twist, go to [Stiltsville](http://www.nps.gov/bisc/historyculture/stiltsville.htm).
Just beyond Key Biscayne, accessible only by boat, you get to play in knee-deep 
water and see a whole host of sea life between your legs.”

 

**Tips for visitors:** “Miami is a party town, but many people forget [about] its
natural ecology. We are home to some of the best waters in the world and that includes
the freshwater of The Everglades. Between the two, there is just so much you can
do and see.”

[_ CnTraveler_](http://www.cntraveler.com/daily-traveler/miami/11/miami-nightlife-bars-restaurants-hotels-brunch-south-beach)