The Cleat is tucked inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne, which means you have to pay to get into the park before you can get to the bar, and it is absolutely worth every cent. Voted Best-Kept Secret in Miami by New Times in 2024, The Cleat serves up some of the best fish dip in the city, cold drinks at prices that won’t make you wince, and sunset views over Biscayne Bay that routinely stop conversations mid-sentence. Locals know it. Tourists mostly don’t. Live music adds to the vibe on weekends, and the whole setup feels like someone built a bar specifically for the people who already knew this stretch of Florida was special. Come by water if you can. Come by car if you must. Just come.
Thirsty for more? Dive into the Bum’s full guide to the best beach bars in Florida.
