Night Out on the Town

The final "Night Out on the Town" from our trip to Miami for the 2010 Fed Ex Orange Bowl is the Bleau Bar loacted in the heart of the Fontainebleau Hotel.

The Fontainebleau Hotel has many different dining and drinking options, but we found the Bleau Bar to be the most comfortable and enjoyable of them all. On the first two nights of the team's stay at the hotel, famous musician Max Wineberg performed with his orchestra in a makeshift stage situated in the corner of this circular bar. Concerts seem to be a rarity, and this free presentation offset the price of drinks during our stay.

The Bleau Bar is the ideal place to people watch in the entire hotel. It is located across the lobby from the hottest night club on South Beach, LIV. From the blue tinted bar it was perfect to not only see the hottest stars staying at the posh resort, but see club-goers of all ages sporting the latest styles and fashions.

Drinks were higher priced than what many are accustomed to. However bottled beer was the one beverage to stick to at the average price of $6.50 (incl. tip). Any mixed or well drinks totaled up to $18. No matter the prices, during the holiday season the Bleau Bar was packed nightly.

The Fontainebleau

This week the names Ferentz, Stanzi and Angerer are on the guest list of the Fontainebleau hotel, but this famous hotel has also hosted the likes of Sinatra, Kardashian and Lee. While in Miami for the 2010 Fed Ex Orange Bowl, this beach side residence is the home of the Iowa Hawkeye football team.


Just a year after a multi-million dollar renovation the Fontainebleau is one of Miami Beach's "chic" spots for the rich and famous. It is home to the best in entertainment, food and health and fitness.


The finest of dining opportunities abound at the Fontainebleau. Gotham Steak, Hakkasan, and Scarpetta are among the many choices. Steaks, Cantoneese and Italian are the specialties, but it is not limited to those establishments either. There are a number of smaller delis and snack shops that are available as well.


There isn't a lack of places to unwind and relax. Lapis is the spa to the South Beach royalties and the number of swimming pools and hot tubs give people of all ages to lounge around. A gym and workout room overlook the ocean, or one can run for miles steps from the hotel on the boardwalk that lines the Atlantic Ocean.


There is plenty to do at night. LIV is the hottest night club on South Beach. New Year's Eve is expected to bring over 8,000 people to the club. Just outside of LIV is the Bleau Bar which was home to the Max Weinberg Orchestra's tour opening nights. Also on New Year's Eve, the Fountainebleau pool area will host what Perez Hilton has called the "hottest ticket", Lady GaGa. Pricing for the concert starts out at $425 for a general admission ticket with reserved tables as high as $20,000.


While the Hawkeyes have called the Fontainebleau home, the team's stay may be secondary to many at the hotel. On the day the Hawkeyes arrived an Indian wedding was in progress. Hotel officials worked with the City of Miami Beach to stop traffic for 15 minutes on the busy Collins Ave outside the hotel to allow the wedding party to walk down the street following the groom atop a horse. Over 800 people were in attendance for the million dollar affair.


With many rooms going for $1500 a night...and filled, the Fontainebleau is definitely the place to be this New Years.