Ted’s At YoungArts

Awesome romantic spot tucked away off of bustling Biscayne Blvd. We came for the Melodies of the Macabre concert. Elegant & creative cocktails. We sampled tasty small plates.

NPS = 9
What a fantastic happy hour spot!
$ 1 oysters! $ 2 craft beers! Live music from the students at YoungArts! What more do you want for an amazing happy hour spot?!
The Bacardi building has been repurposed to provide (pardon my Spanish) tremendo upgrade.
The view is fantastic as you sit in a quaint area listening to live music and looking off into Biscayne Blvd. I love how all other reviews talk about not wanting to review the place because they want to keep it a secret… I feel the same way! But never the less, I have to share the info about this place with my friends!
It was great! Did I mention the free parking? Simply park downstairs and take the elevator up. It’s that simple. No parking meters or parking fee. How refreshing.
I did see other people ordering different things that were not on the happy hour menu, but I strictly stuck to the happy hour menu. The other menu items did seem to go into the higher $ 10’s and $ 20…but I was extremely happy with my $ 2 Cigar City brews.
Like Arnold said, «I will be back.» See you there for happy hour!

So I only made it to Ted’s at YoungArts for the tail-​end of happy hour. The dollar oysters were a great deal, but I was a little disappointed at the selection of wines offered for discounted pricing. But when you consider the view and plain-​and-​simple coolness factor, Ted’s is at the upper echelon.
Lucky for me, dinner is what we came for, and a delicious dinner with good service, great live music, and an awesome vibe is what Ted’s delivered.
Consider the location — the old Bacardi building on Biscayne. Yes, the one with the beautiful mosaic murals on the outside. The one you’ve driven by on countless occasions and thought, «Whoa, cool building. I wonder what goes on in there!» And now you can be in the know — pop in through the gallery on the main floor, take the elevator all the way up, and step out into a restaurant/​bar/​lounge that is on the cutting-​edge of cool. Awesome images courtesy of YoungArts’ patrons are projected on the walls and ceilings. Live music helps keep the place lively during the post-​happy hour evening hours. And prices are on-​point.
We managed to score some oysters at happy hour pricing ($ 1/​each), but our wine of choice (Sauvignon Blanc) was not a discounted option (oh well). The bivalves were great, especially for the price.
While the menu isn’t technically divided up into appetizers/​entrees, it’s pretty clear upon review that most plates are small and priced in the $ 8 – 15 range. We opted to share, and proceeded to indulge our appetites with tuna tartare, potato skins, hummus fritters, pork belly buns, and beef sliders.
Everything was quite tasty, but the potato skins and pork belly buns were the winners for me. The potato skins were not the boats slathered in melted cheese and bacon bits from your childhood, so put that out of your mind. These were super-​crispy triangles, with dollops of chipotle-​laced sour cream, bits of crispy pancetta, and a sprinkling of chives. Crunchy, creamy and salty, with a hint of spice — these were the bomb. I will order them on every visit, I know. The pork belly buns were surprisingly large, with nicely crisped pork belly tucked into a fluffy bao bun, and topped with a slightly-​sweet guava BBQ sauce (rather than your typical hoisin). They were yummy, and actually come 3 to an order, so they’re perfect for sharing!
The tuna tartare was good, but not my favorite iteration. The tuna and avocado were fresh and the rice pops and crystallized grapefruit on top gave it points for inventiveness. The hummus fritters were tasty — creamy chickpeas served with tzaziki and warm pita bread, with a little salad of white beans and grape tomatoes nestled underneath. Finally, the beef sliders were also quite yummy. A nice beefy flavor mixed well with the Gruyère cheese and the caramelized onions. I’d definitely order these again.
Service was attentive and friendly, and the prices were fair. If your drinking non-​happy hour cocktails or wine, expect to spent about $ 50 – 60 per person for a filling dinner. But when considering the unique setting and chill vibe, it’s quite a steal. There’s also free parking in the underground garage, and plenty of metered street parking nearby.
Whether you make it for happy hour with sweeping views of Biscayne Bay, enjoy a tasty dinner, or just check out some great live music with cocktails and a view, Ted’s at YoungArts has something for everyone. I’m looking forward to my next visit already.

Its biscayne’s best kept secret! Fun lounge with greatly priced food and drinks! Super romantic and fun, with an amazing view! This one is on repeat!

Pretty great place tucked away in plain sight it seems. Service was pretty good but something always annoys me about sitting at a table and not having access to happy hour which was just 3 feet away. Never understood that rule.
Really think the ambiance, live performance, view, and the intrigue behind this place are its best assets. The cocktails left a lot to be desired — definitely need a new mixologist and a stronger liquor selection in general. Way overpriced on the drink side.
Service was average at best… spent a couple minutes looking for our server despite it being a small restaurant.
Beef tartare was pretty good and definitely the highlight of our meal. The calamari was above average, had a nice crunch, but again priced a little high for a smaller portion here. Hummus fritters were disappointing, had an oily taste and ate like 2 and left the rest there — wannabe falafels. The beef sliders looked really promising too but were alright and I know they were average because the server didn’t ask how we wanted them prepared. The gruyère was a little overpowering and for some reason the bbq sauce was below the sandwich (yes, on the outside of the bottom bun.).
I’d definitely go again to sit in the lounge and have a drink for happy hour but that’s about it! Worth going to once.

I almost don’t want to review this place and keep this little secret to myself.
this is becoming my «neibhrhood bar» who happens to be at top of a building with a water view, full service bar with live music. but yeah, just my normal spot in miami.
The service was spotty, there was a girl in the bar with a really bad attitude, but the prices are great, the view is amazing and the music was just perfect.

Ted’s is just about the coolest spot in town right now. It’s got everything I want in life:
Live music. Ted’s has entertainment — and it’s good — every night it’s open (Wednesday –Saturday). I’ve seen vocalists, pianists, and guitarists in just two visits. They have seriously all been REALLY good, and really passionate, focused, and talented. Hello, I could stop right here, amIrite!!!
Happy hour. Don’t hate, it’s true. I need HH in my life and Ted’s brings it with selections of all types of booze and food every night they’re open, until 8pm
A Cause. This is perhaps the most exciting part about Ted’s. Young Arts is a fantastic, inspirational organization doing good all over the country. Those performers I mentioned earlier are recipients of the coveted YA scholarships, which expose young artists to mentorships, training, and opportunities they never thought possible. It’s exciting to see community-​based organizations making smart business decisions and representing themselves so well. Bravo!
Great food. It may not entirely blow your mind but it’s thoughtful, delicious, well priced, and refined yet accessible. Total win!
Free parking. This is Miami, okay? Free parking is VERY exciting.
Attentive service. We all know how difficult that is to find in Miami!
After our first visit and before last night’s, I would have left it at that and this would’ve been a five star review. Unfortunately, last night’s visit hit a sour note for a totally avoidable reason: one server. I hate to judge an entire establishment on one individual, but these two actions are inexcusable in my book.
Issue #1: ordered: vodka/​soda. Delivered: very flat bubble-​less beverage that later revealed itself to be a $ 12 premium Grey Goose cocktail. Raising a customer’s check without their permission –indeed without even asking– is a deplorable practice. Just stop.
Issue #2: still clearly eating with bite of food in mouth, our dish was swept right out from under us and rushed away before we had the chance to object. I get it — Monika was ready to go home and we were one of only three tables left at 10pm, so she was trying to rush us along. There is a better way though dear and your tips will improve if you practice it (hint: begins with an R ends in an e-​s-​p-​e-​c-​t)
Despite the obvious SNAFUs, we have had a truly lovely time during both visits to Ted’s. I will be back and I hope the issue of supercilious behavior will have dissipated.

Another extremely hyped Miami place that just did not live up to my expectations.
I arrived with a group of friends for dinner on a Friday night right before happy hour ended. I was able to get one drink in and the place seemed pretty busy, but much smaller than I had imagined. Once happy hour ended the place cleared out. My party sat down for dinner and we immediately ordered food. First thing that happened was that we were told that they were out of the hummus fritters. It was quite a let down since several of us wanted to try them and we had some vegetarians with us. We essentially ordered most of the menu, and it was pretty good. My favorites were the bao buns, chicken skewers, and potato skins.
The bad part of dinner was that it took forever for us to get our food and they didn’t have one of the main dishes most of us wanted to try. Most importantly, the music was so loud at times you couldn’t have a conversation. It was actually pretty horrible. I know that’s the whole point of the place, but maybe they could work on their sound system?
At the end of the night I concluded that Ted’s was not a place for a group of people. It’s better to stick with a group of no more than 4. Maybe even just go with one other person. It seemed more like a place to go with a date. Either way, I don’t particularly like places that cater to only a specific type of group. Anyways, I doubt I’d visit Ted’s again any time soon.

So this place is cool but like grown and sexy cool. We went on a Friday no problem getting a table last minute, we came late, around 9, live jazz band was playing and place cleared out by 11. Fine by us. It’s really not an architectural masterpiece as billed, just a floor at the Young Arts building but nicely designed. It’s rather small with a lounge area up front by the stage, another in the back and tables in between.
The jazz Is a nice touch but at times it’s so loud that there’s no way you could have a conversation. I wouldn’t come here on a first date. But it does mellow out and you can sit back and enjoy the cook projection wall art all around you. There is art projected on the ceiling as well.
The food is ok. Tuna tartare and chicken skewers are standouts but it’s all small plates and there are some serious menu omissions, like a normal salad. The wine list is very limited and overpriced. We paid a ridiculous markup for a particular wine that we love, but it was good
Service is solid and all in all its a kind of unique miami experience. There is a dj but he plays 80s tunes, which Is really just fine by me. You can take your parents here when they come visit from out of town. It’s chic enough to fit that miami vibe but grown enough to start shutting down at midnight.

Ted’s is perfect and very pretty!
I know this is supposed to be a review for their food and service but I can’t write this one and not mentions how perfect they place is.
Location, view from the 7^th floor, and those photos projected on the walls. Not only a great idea, but the photos are gorgeous.
We didn’t make a reservation, but luckily they had a cancelation and we scored a table.
Our server was amazing. He recommended to start the night with The Morango Fizz, a cocktail with Pisco, Strawberry and Lemon. It was amazing.
The menu is small and simple. we orderer a few things to start. ½ Dozen oysters, Tuna Tartare, and Crispy Calamari. Each one of them was beautifully plated, carefully made and just an amazing experience. They also went well with our Morango Fizz cocktail! (wink, wink)
We decided to also have the Spicy Shrimp Bao Buns and the Pork Belly Bao Buns. We are big fans of buns –specially the bun bread– out of the two options my favorite was the Pork Belly Buns. The Pork Belly was crispy, tender and just right. I was not into Pork Belly until I visited Ted’s… I must come back for more soon.
Also, as I mentioned earlier, the photographs displayed on the wall were just stunning.
That night we had the pleasure of listening to an amazing Jazz band. It made our experience at Ted’s just one for the books.
Im happy

Came here with friends for a fun night out … It was okay … The food was pretty good and the drinks were too, but we waited so long for our food. We had reservations for 9:45 … We got our food an hour later … I had the smoked duck breast, I really liked it… The live music was pretty good too … Overall it’s a cute little place to come … But if you’re looking for a big hearty meal then this is Not the place for you… The portions are very small but you still get full enough

Beautiful ambience, performance and food!
Concept is grate!
Ashely was the first person who make shore our experience is lovely, thank you for everything!
We had several dishes but smoked duck and shrimp ceviche are to come back for at least 10 times more. Good job Chef!
Young musicians shoved a lot passion and played beautiful.
Service is the only one taking star minus, we felt our server unhappiness on manny levels on here service. We hope that she will find real answers how to improve here professional approach.
Thank you for unique and preaches experience, we will see you soon!

So I went for a much needed date nite with my boyfriend expecting to be completely wow’d, based on the reviews … not so much! We got there around 7:20pm so as to partake in the happy hour specials & watch the sunset. The backdrop & décor when you come in from the elevators is spectacular. The music? Crappy top 40 (think ‘all about that bass’ on a loop. yea… no). Also, the station sounded a bit static-​y. A place of this caliber should be playing some buddha bar lounge /​deep house, funky stuff. It was quite painful, in all honesty. Their $ 2 beers are IPA’s, which I’m not into. I’m not a total beer snob, but I’m the kind of girl who thinks beer should be beer. I don’t drink it for the fruitiness, I drink it for the ale or lager taste. I chose wine instead. The staff was very attentive, but I have to totally give it up to the hostess. She was on point like period every step of the way. Although I wish her, the manager or the bartender had intervened on the couple who were practically having sex at the bar. Clearly the girl was beyond inebriated & the major make out sesh & groping that was going on, less than a foot from my dinner table, was quite uncomfortable. They were right in my peripheral as I was trying to enjoy the beautiful performance that was taking place on the pseudo stage. We ordered the potato skins, calamari & pork belly bao buns. All were great (albeit everything was on the small portion side, but still tasty nonetheless).
Overall, I had a nice time but hope they tweak the happy hour music situation. It would behoove them to maybe think of getting a DJ in there for at least the Thursday & Friday happy hour & for in between artist sets. Would make a BIG difference. You’d be surprised at how many more people would stay after dinner for drinks if the music is up the par. Just a suggestion :)

Let’s keep this little gem between you and me, ok?
Ted’s is a bright light in the downtown scene. Thanks to the Yibbies (and a visit from former CM, Maria A), I recently had the perfect excuse to try out happy hour here.
First of all, there is easy and free parking in a garage housed in the basement of the building. From there, you take an elevator up to the 7^th floor which is where the magic happens. From 6 – 8 pm they have a 1−2−7 happy hour: one dollar oysters, two dollar beers and seven dollar wines.
I love oysters so took advantage of that special and was impressed by the size of them! I also decided to give one of the cocktails a try and ordered a Desert Rose, rose infused Plymouth Gin, lemon juice and prickly pear pureé. It wasn’t too sweet and paired nicely with the oysters. I’d also recommend the beef sliders with crispy shoestring fries if you’re looking for something a little more substantial.
Now, what’s most impressive about this spot is the ambiance. The large windows provide unrivaled views of both the bay and downtown scene. At sunset, you can catch a fantastic view of the bright orange sun lowering down and after that, the overall feel of the place is very romantic and intimate. There are some tables to sit at, along with the bar area and a cool lounge setting with comfy couches for groups. It’s really perfect for a night out with friends or a date.
On certain nights, they bring in YoungArts performers and I certainly will be back to check them out!

It was so great to see the old Bacardi building being put to good use after being dormant for so long.
The Young Arts Foundation came in about a year or two ago now and with it they built a great little lounge on the 7^th floor.
They have a few entrees, and tons of appetizers, along with a decent beer selection and a full bar.
Their happy hour is solid with $ 1 oysters, $ 2 craft beers. The wine is still $ 7.
Each night they have entertainment by visual and performing artists either of the the foundation or curated by the foundation. Usually it’s a band of some sort, but they mix it up a bit.
So come for the local artistic patronage and stay for the cheap, but delicious oysters and beer.

Yes and yes! Visited this new venue last week during happy hour and was totally delighted. First off. I loved the view… you can see the beautiful sunset if u get there early enough and the décor inside is chic yet inviting.
happy hour runs til 8pm I believe and the food is delish… $ 1 oysters? Yeap! And I tried their falafel with hummus .and it was soo good!
They usually have live bands weekly and for a Wednesday night, the place had a good amount of patrons.
Service is on point and there is free parking!
Nice to have this new addition in edgewater.

Great tapas and a selection of main course meals in a funky modern lounge setting with live music on weekends brought to you by Miami Young Art’s alumni.

A very unique concept at the beautiful Bacardi building. There was an amazing performer the night we were there. The location and how we made our way up through the elevator gave us a very exclusive feel we felt like we were famous superstars!
We tasted almost everything on the menu including drinks, the smoked duck dish is one of the best dishes I have ever had anywhere also I know a lot of places have beef tartare but this is my favorite beef tartare. Drinks were very unique everyone in my party enjoyed them a lot!!!
I could go on and on about the food, drinks and service :) This is a great place for everyone and special for every occasion but especially when you really want to impress someone or just hang out at a really cool spot in Miami. I can’t wait to come back!

Hidden gem! The rest is located on the 7^th floor of the building.5 star atmosphere with live music and good ‘tapas’ style menu. The menu/​wine list is not that extensive – quality not quantity. Very refreshing to find a place like this in MIA.

Miami was missing this unique atmosphere; what a gem. Once the elevator doors open, your transported into an upscale lounge with video projections, completely transforming the space into a culinary hot spot, with the added bonus of live performances. The whole experience makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another era! The night I went it was an amazing vocalist and pianist that could rival any «auto tuned» pop-​star out there-​it was spectacular! The cherry on top? THE FOOD WAS AWESOME! My group shared a couple of dishes that were all amazing but, my FAVORITE was the duck. It was cooked to perfection with a hint of sweetness in the rice… yum. We also shared the buns, oysters and noodle salad.
I will definitely be a regular here!