The Blacksmith

The Blacksmith,
«Psst… Yes, you. Come here to my dark corner…», the walls whisper as I entered. Slowly I walked in, following the whispers of patrons past, making my way to the bar. Dimly lit and sultry, you make me feel naughty in a good way. The bartender was a hot chick who poured a mean Kettle One and Tonic (with lime!) in a huge mason jar. Now, this is MY type of drink and my type of bar! Your décor reminded me of being in an old saloon with a sexier twist. There are a couple of different rooms/​areas, giving a very spacious feel, with couches and tables to ensure comfort.
I came here right before Christmas with a few fellow Unilocalers. There was a band that was playing that was really jamming. I don’t know if it was the drink, myself or the band, but I had a great time and sang out loud in front of strangers! Definite W1N! A cool atmosphere all around makes you a perfect choice for having a stiff drink in a dim place. Definitely wish I lived closer to you, but then you might just have to make me a bed.
Looking forward to our next rendez-​vous.
Lovingly,
SabrinaAnna*

Had a wonderful time. The band was great and enjoyed meeting
new people, not to mention the passion punch! If you were not there you totally missed out!

The Blacksmith is an interesting place. IT looks like it could/​should be a bumping night club however it seemed a little too laid back when I visited. This may have been due to the band that was playing. I see some potential with this funky wooden bar/lounge…They just need some good tunes and a little promoting.

came to blacksmith with a group the other evening. we sat by the bar and there was a band performing rock n roll classic covers. this place is nice. the décor is dark but it has an mature elegant look. the bartender — a natural redhead — was sweet and engaging, plus she has lovely dimples when she smiles.
i had four ketel one vodkas at about $ 15 each. might not be the most affordable bar in miami beach but im sure you noticed this from the moment you walked in. if you didnt, youre slow. i like it because it feels intimate, a good place to hide from the overstimulated south beach crowd.
will be back.

The atmosphere is the best part about this place. Dark woods and ample seating for the size of the joint, it reminded me of a cold Pacific northwest cabin.
The problem for me was the smoke, and it got pretty bad.

Came here for a Unilocal gathering, and it’s definitely a place I’d head back to.
The design/​décor inside is probably my favorite part of The Blacksmith. It’s dimly lit with textured ceilings and an open floor plan.
There was a band playing, the punch was sweet and delicious, and the bartender was friendly.
My only issue was the smoke. I guess someone from the band started smoking and it quickly filled the air. I couldn’t stay as long as I wanted to because I ended up feeling so sick from the way the smoke permeated the room. I guess that’s the only downside of such an open space (and possibly limited ventilation). If this place was smoke free (I know, it’s a bar and that’s asking a lot!), I’d be back a lot.
Seems like an awesome place for private events, but not sure if they do them.

The Blacksmith, formerly known as the «Well» has managed to maintain its upscale, casual atmosphere. There are ropes outside but everyone gets in. The interior is decorated as a ski lodge with 3 different rooms that have comfy sofas, high beamed ceilings and great lighting and music. On this night I was here to attend the Unilocal OHYE Holiday Party. The yummy drinks were served in mason jar type glasses. A live band played some rock & roll that set the vibe as a comfortable, casual, cozy atmosphere. There is plenty of space for everyone and the music is just right so you can dance to it if you like, or sit on the sofa and have a convo with your friends.

«Let’s get hammered at the Blacksmith.» I told my co-​worker Javier B. almost an hour before the official end of the workday. He answered –
JB: OK but what is it? A place where you smash giant stone crabs with a sledgehammer before devouring them as a group?
RM: No, but sign me up for that.
JB: A place where a leather-​aproned chef cooks with two daggers on a heated anvil like Mongolian BBQ?
RM: I wish. It’s a bar that lets you make your own drinks.
We left immediately. Unfortunately we forgot to make an offering to the traffic gods and hit unnaturally thick resistance on Arthur Godfrey Road. When I get frustrated I change the lyrics to whatever song is playing to put my mind at ease, so Javi-​Malavi witnessed the following remix of The Doors’ Alabama Song —
«Oh show me the way to Blacksmith Whiskey Bar, oh don’t ask why, oh don’t ask why… For if we don’t find that pop-​up bar, I tell you we must cry.»
Once inside I thought we’d died and gone to Winston Churchill’s heaven. Opulently decorated like the world’s largest luxury liner that I once partied on, the Chart Room on the Queen Mary II. But I can’t eat/​drink wood floors or suede couches so let’s get down to business.
Cocktails
Mule Skinner: I’ve never flayed a half horse-​donkey but it sounds like you’d need a strong drink afterwards. This redneckified version of a Moscow mule is blended with bourbon, blackberry, lime and ginger ale in copper mug.
Rum Old Fashioned: dark rum, Luxardo maraschino cherry liqueur, angostura bitters, and then bartender put a flame to the orange peel before rubbing it on the rim. He scored and crushed it with that drink, kinda like this guy –
Just like that $ 30 went up in smoke (including tip). Like Monopoly’s Uncle Pennybags, I wish the bank would make an error in my favor so I could really wild out. My friend was in worse shape; somehow he’d worked out his own language with the staff. So when he slammed his fist on the bar and yelled «HAMMER-​TIME!» They served him a chilled Patrón XO Café tequila shot which later turned into something wicked like Mezcal or 1800. It must’ve had a stressful week because it seemed like he was belting out his catch phrase in shorter and shorter intervals when a passerby said —
«Somebody get that guy a straight-​jacket, he’s going crazy.»
Tapas
Pan con Bistec Anticucho: I was disappointed that it wasn’t made out of beef hearts like the Peruvian version, until I tried it. Just under medium tenderloin, topped with a paper thin croûton, and served with cherry pepper chimichurri on a stick. For safety reason you shouldn’t order this for drunkies, sometimes they chew through the skewer.
The food seemed to have no effect and this became the first and last time I button up a man’s shirt but we had to go, we were meeting friends for happy hour after-​all.
If being treated like a regular even on your first visit appeals to you, then this might be your place.
If you want to escape SoBe’s middle-​aged men wearing muscle shirts and women with legal tender full of white powder hanging out their noses, then this could be your place.
If jovial and efficient service, strong hand-​crafted cocktails, and fine-​dining quality bar food sound interesting then The Blacksmith is definitely your place.