The Vagabond

Very sad when an institution like this closes down. I even went here when I was preggers! R.I.P. Vagabond… I will most miss your fire pit and hanging bubble chair.

R.I.P. (d. 04/​24/​2014)

This club is located in a up and coming neighborhood of Downtown Miami. Street parking can be a bit a Bitch to find depending on the time you get there and the event you are attending. This place has two indoor rooms with full service bars and a patio with a bar and a person grilling up some Munchies to tame the Alcohol or other substances in your system.
Been here several times to see and experience my favorite House Music DJ’s. This place has very kewl and trendy décor. Staff is nice and bartenders keep the drinks coming. I love the outdoor patio. Great place to have some drinks and unwind.

Always a great place to enjoy a low key, funk atmosphere. Live bands are always keeping the people moving, pretty good pours, and the ambience is pretty spot on. It’s a Miami staple:)

My first time there was last night and it’s was a complete breath of fresh air !!! The atmosphere is very chill, the people there are all laid back fun seekers, great bartenders … I will def be coming back on different nights…

Awesome venue… a breath of fresh air amongst the Bro’d out clubs of Miami and South Beach. Any venue who plays the likes of Gina Turner and LVIS1990 is awesome in my books. Great vibes, unpretentious, lots of space. 3 rooms: 1 outdoors, 2 inside. As with all cool music venues all over the world, it is located in a somewhat shady area… but don’t let that detract you… just take a cab… easy in, easy out. If I ever make it back to Miami, I would definitely hit this place up again!

What a cool freakin’ spot!!! Initially, I was a bit taken back because of the location. Beware of the homeless dude riding on his bike, trying to charge for public parking. But you can always take advantage of the valet service that is offered for a minimal fee. Once inside you will find a fully stocked bar with a decent lounge size dance floor and a comfortable cozy seating sofa area parallel to the bat. First thought, nice little bar and then I walked into the courtyard!!! And I recognized, the specialness of this bar. Best way to describe it– An oasis in the heart of the city!!! It has a fire pit with several different seating areas. A full outside bar, along with two outside bed to lounge on.
I can’t wait to go back and experience it on a regular night. If the drinks and DJ are on point, I’ll be sure to let you know!!!

Great live music! Every time I’ll go to Miami downtown I’d like to go.
I think the best Dj I’ve ever heard it’s somebody called Rodney it’s was last Friday night.
Have fun!

Nothing like Miami’s crack addicts flagging you to park your car. This place has no valet so heads up girls. Good thing I went with my girlfriend and I was still sketched out. Hard to get a drink at the bar. The girl waitress don’t seem to be a fan of women. The pace is cool I guess little to smokey, and hot for me. Glad I finally checked out this place, but doubt I will go back.

I’m not really a dance club kind of guy these days but this place really worked for me.
My wife and I were in Miami for vacation and she wanted to do some dancing so that’s how we ended up here.
Before I even got inside I noticed and photographed a Shepard Fairey mural around the corner, so I was in a good mood right away.
Once we got inside, the were selling Pabst tall boys for cheap. I usually enjoy a craft beer but Pabst holds a special place in my heart so this was a plus.
The female Dj, on this Friday night, was playing a great mix of hipster rock, electro and hip hop. There was no cover charge and no dress code. The crowd was eclectic and not intimidating, not that I would be anyway.
My only major complaint is the indoor smoking. I wanted to fight people but that’s just my hostile Philly attitude, a city that has outlawed indoor smoking.
Around 1230 am, I guess when the bar filled up, they opened this outdoor area/​courtyard. Fresh air, more space, different music. It was a really cool extra to a place I was already enjoying.
Also in the outside area, they had a guy cooking burgers, dogs and other treats on a grill. It was pretty awesome. If you didn’t think you wanted it at first, after a few drinks and a few smells of the grilled foods, you needed it. I got some steak sandwich variety which, since I’m from Philly, did not make the cut. It was a tasty 1am snack but I should’ve just had the burger.
All in all, the Vagabond is a cool spot and I would suggest it to anyone looking for a laid back/​fun environment.

I love you, Vagabond. I love you so, so much.
You have such positive attitude. When some really hot girl gives you grief because she doesn’t have an ID, you kindly offer to give her exes on her hand. She rants about how embarrassing the situation is, and lambastes you for lack of empathy. You don’t budge. We can both see she thought she was way too cool for you to begin with. You don’t live in South Beach. You don’t go for that BS. You keep it real.
Everyone becomes a better (or drunker) person just being in your presence. Your musical tastes make you the coolest on the block. I wish I could have your whole iTunes library. I love that I can dance under the stars with you to Eric B & Rakim, or let my indie spirit soar.
I can truly be myself around you. You understand me and you always cut me a fair deal. You don’t play games with me. I have had some others really do me wrong in the past. Not you, Vagabond, you are honest, exciting and reliable. I can count on you. You have never let me down. I know what I am getting with you.
Your friends, you know, the DJs and bartenders, are always so kind to me. You can tell a lot about someone by the company they keep, Vagabond, and you are top notch.
I am sorry I can’t come to see you more often. Just know, even when I am in other cities, I am often dreaming of you. Wishing others could be more like you. We will both live our separate lives, but on those joyous occasions, I am always reminded you are the one, baby.
Oh, and regarding the «other» vagabonds on that block: Valet parking: just do it.

Vagabond seems to be the epitome of the younger trendy «in» set with a rather nice décor and «with it» feeling about the place. For reasons I have yet to figure out, the bartendress told me that as long as I drank Absolute, drinks for me were on the house. Why I don’t know because others were paying for theirs. Strange, maybe a mistake in identity, but not wanting to knock a good thing, I didn’t ask.
When I arrived, about 11:30 on a Saturday night there seemed to be more bouncers and door guards out front than patrons. Upon entry there was a $ 10 cover charge which didn’t seem to cover anything unless you consider it a cover cost to listen to a DJ spinning some of the latest vibes. There also seemed to be a wrist band requirement along with one of those secretive, visible only under ultra violet light, hand stamps.
Inside there were more bouncers and staff with three of them guarding a back door leading to a nice open patio area, which though they permitted me to wander into and take a look around, they kept closed off to everyone else. Again strange, but again I didn’t ask.
What I really didn’t like about it wasn’t so much with the Vagabond but with the parking and the neighborhood in which it is located. To state it politely; unsavory. When I parked on the street I was immediately approached by a rather menacing looking individual who told me «For five dollars I’ll watch your good looking car for you,» which is to imply that if I didn’t fess up with a five spot my car might not be so good looking when I returned.
Overall I found Vagabond, at least for me, to be too much of a wannabe trendy place and an «in crowd» price gouger considering what they actually have to offer. Nice, but I’ve seen better.

I suppose it’s true for any club that the clientele make the club, and that is why Vagabond is fun, this is a very diverse cross section of Miami. Everyone says it’s a «hipster» bar, presupposing judgment of some kind. But I found hipsterism here in Miami is actually pretty enjoyable. Sure, plenty of Fedoras, skinny jeans and advanced degrees, but none of the associated pretentiousness, rolled eyes, or snobby behavior. Just a lot of people dancing, drinking and having fun. The bartenders were also great. They were quick, friendly, and they didn’t stop dancing all night.
So, why only four stars? There are a few things I think they could do better.
1. The music is great, but please, turn the music down. I’ve never understood the music-​so-​loud-​your-​ears-​bleed philosophy so many bars and clubs ascribe to. Unless there’s a live band, I need my ears for other things. Like conversation. I like conversation. It’s fun. I don’t like leaving a club with my ears ringing for the next several hours. It’s just not necessary.
2. I get that a packed bar is a good thing. It forces us to be close when we’d otherwise be standing at a comfortable distance from each other. Strangers are pressed together. Even if a sad, lonely panda doesn’t go home with someone, at least he gets touched. There is a limit to where it becomes uncomfortable, however, and by the time the patio opened up, there was about two square feet per person in the main room, no exaggeration. It’s like they wanted to make sure there were enough people to completely fill the patio and the bar before the patio opened up. Not necessary.
3. Minor complaint here. The grill looks great, smells great, provides great atmosphere, but grills aren’t just for ambiance, they also provide the noble and time honored function of making food. The grill master was using about a quarter of the grill and taking his sweet time. I waited about an hour for a burger.
Overall, Vagabond was a pretty fun experience. Definitely worth going once, if only for the sake of novelty.

Moombahton, babyyyyy!!!
Always a great time.

I came here once before and LOVED the Vagabond. It was an indie crowd with live music in one room and a dj in the other. The first room is rather small and there is no room to really dance.
I came here last Friday (or Saturday, can’t even remember) and at midnight it was completely empty with the exception of like 4 people. What used to be indie hipster music was somehow changed to like 80/​90s super techno pop music. I was like am I at Vagabond? It was weird. I definitely want to try this place out again but my advice for anyone going, is to only go when they have live music! When we went there last week, there was no live music which is probably why it was empty! When there is live music playing, it’s a great spot to be!

Vagabond has been a local favorite for years. It remains genuine and cover/​drink prices have stayed low despite becoming increasing popular.
This place has a phenomenal combo of people, atmosphere, and music. One of the best places in Miami to experience three different vibes within one venue.
Pros:
* 3 different vibes:
–One a dance floor/​club music room for dancing– This room has a bar
–Another is a lounge room with a wide open bar and plenty of seating for conversation (couches and bar stools) — The noise level is lower here
–Next area is an outside courtyard with a fire pit, cabanas for conversation and to get some fresh air. Here there are palm trees with colorful LED lights on them
* Food is grilled on site in the outside courtyard
* Decent food at reasonable prices
* Great music in each area
* Nearby parking is free (street) or cheap $ 5 (lots)
* ATM inside ($ 2.50 fee I believe)
* The 21 and up crowd is very mixed-​hipsters, clubbers, and casual locals
* Drink specials are incredible ($ 1 PBRs before midnight, $ 5 for a PBR + Jäger shot)
Cons:
* Surrounding area is dangerous– DO NOT walk back alone to your car at your own risk (seriously I have had friends mugged blocks away)
* Bathrooms are small and crowded
* Hard to find cabs nearby (may have to call ahead)
Check this place out its a local favorite!

I love the Vagabond.
The music is always eclectic, varying from room to room to garden area. With everything from house to old school hip hop, there’s something for even the most persnickety of auditory connoisseurs.
Night to night, Vagabond always offers some sort of drink special that’s sure to tickle someone’s fancy. My last visit — just this past Thursday — was met with dollar Colt 45 tallboys from 10:00 to 11:00 and five dollar Cuba Libres (hard-​hitting Cuba Libres) all night. Now, I know what you’re thinking: who wants to drink Colt 45? Well, for a dollar a can, you do. So suck it up. And even if you refuse to, on Fridays, they offer dollar Amstel Light drafts, so really, there’s something for everyone.
A really cool Vagabond feature is the patio area, which features a bar and a grill where burgers and hot dogs and arepas and other such snacks are offered to anyone looking to nosh between drinks. There are benches and swings and a number of other little ledges strewn about, each intended to provide an often much needed rest between dances.
Lastly, what I really, really love about Vagabond is its fixation with all things eighties and nineties. For example, on Halloween, they hosted an eighties prom party, and though I didn’t dress up, it was fun to see everyone dust off his Eddie Murphy vinyl suit. Another example: this last Thursday, they had a Nintendo (first generation) hooked up to a projector, and anyone who so chose could test his or her mettle against Glass Joe, Don Flamenco, King Hippo, and Mike Tyson in the original «Punch Out!!»
Totally awesome.

Definitely a breeding ground for people of the «unusual» variety. Like others said, yes there were hipsters, but I am going to go a step further and say weirdos. But I loved it. A great place to people watch.
Parking outside was 6 bucks and there was a 10 cover which is cash only, so come prepared for that; other than that they accept cards for your beverage purchases, which I would say were reasonably priced. The bar staff was accommodating, not to mention fast! Walked right up to the bar, ordered my drink and had it in front of me in minutes flat!
Come to the Vagabond prepared to dance and let loose. The smaller room did get pretty packed. the «I just got wet, is that someone else’s sweat?» kind of crowded. but the other room (with the poles :)) was just right. Busy yet plenty of moving room. The DJs were excellent and the music was the best I’ve heard in a while. There are 2 rooms and the patio, and although they all have their own feel, if you are looking for some booty popin’ and down and dirty grinding, you are not going to find it here. Thank goodness.
The Vagabond is not a place to sit and be prissy. Not a south beach kind of club! Dress code is bit more casual, so girls this is not the venue to sport your little black dress. Great place, loads of fun.

This place totally rocks! it has character alright… and when I mean character… u are bound to run into some interesting people which makes it so much more fun!
The outside patio is totally cool, they had some pretty hot Indians last night, it was quite a show.
The music is great, the drinks are good, the atmosphere def allows for a good time!
This venue will def be seeing more of me !

The Vagabond isn’t really a dance club, in my mind. Instead, it’s more like that super cool house party spot where you never know what you’ll find in each room as well as in the backyard.
I met up with a good crowd of fellow Unilocalers (Tom W., Tatyana C., Corina B. ad infiinitum) of the same fun crowd I enjoyed Summer Night Dream with to continue the magic a little longer. While we did have to wait in line for a quick second, we all reunited once inside.
My drink for the night was a glass of chardonnay — cold, crisp and delicious.
Music was a mix of 90’s Hip-​Hop in the patio by the super cool (or shall I say hot) fire pit, Electro /​dancey in the main room, and the Elvis /​burlesque show in the other room. I didn’t do much dancing but rather a lot of laughing, talking and chilling with a great crowd (and yes I half-​danced some).
Join some fun people and head over to Vagabond. I know I will!