h.wood Group to Debut Hidden Cocktail Bar at RIVANI Miami Beach
A New Tokyo-Inspired Speakeasy Joins South Beach’s Luxe Hospitality Scene
A new layer of intrigue and luxury is coming to Miami Beach. The h.wood Group—the celebrity-favorite hospitality brand behind culturally influential dining and nightlife concepts across Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and global markets—has announced plans to open a hidden cocktail lounge inside RIVANI Miami Beach. The Tokyo-inspired speakeasy will launch as part of Robert Rivani’s $100 million flagship office redevelopment, further elevating the building’s already world-class amenity collection.
A Secret, Design-Forward Escape in the Heart of RIVANI
Situated on the third-floor amenity level, the intimate lounge will be tucked behind a concealed access door, creating an immersive, transportive experience for guests. The design draws inspiration from the under-the-radar cocktail lounges of mid-century Japan, complete with warm ambient lighting, vintage textures, and curated vinyl that evokes the charm of the Shōwa era.
The h.wood Group Co-Founders Brian Toll and John Terzian describe the venue as intentionally intimate and atmospheric: “Hidden within RIVANI Miami Beach, the concept is crafted to feel like a discovery—intimate, effortless, and made for long nights that turn into mornings. For us, great spaces are driven by atmosphere and connection, and this one captures both through a distinctly Miami lens.”
Elevated Hospitality for RIVANI Tenants
Expected to open in Summer 2026, the speakeasy will serve handcrafted cocktails and elevated small plates in a design-forward space available exclusively to tenants of RIVANI Miami Beach. The lounge will offer private access for tenant events and gatherings, as well as dedicated keyed lockers for storing personal spirits collections—introducing a new level of hospitality, privacy, and convenience to the modern workplace.
Robert Rivani’s Vision for Transforming Office Culture
The hidden cocktail bar reflects Robert Rivani’s continued push to redefine how people work, socialize, and entertain within office environments. As Rivani explains, “We are giving our tenants the ability to entertain like they’re at a private members club in Tokyo, right here in Miami Beach. The h.wood Group has mastered the art of creating spaces that people remember, and bringing their energy and hospitality experience to RIVANI Miami Beach perfectly complements our vision to create environments that redefine how people work, play, and live.”
This collaboration marks the latest milestone for RIVANI Miami Beach, building on recent headlines such as Playboy Enterprises signing on as anchor tenant for its new global headquarters. Designed by the award-winning Rockwell Group, the redevelopment introduces a new Class X standard to South Beach, with amenities including a full-service concierge, valet, Monarch Athletic Club fitness and wellness center, private event venues, and now the h.wood-operated speakeasy.
A New Benchmark in Miami Beach Office Hospitality
With its blend of high design, curated experiences, and members-only exclusivity, the hidden cocktail lounge adds yet another world-class feature to one of Miami Beach’s most ambitious commercial transformations. As RIVANI Miami Beach continues to reshape expectations for luxury workspace environments, the h.wood Group’s upcoming speakeasy brings a sophisticated, culturally rich layer to the building’s evolving identity.
Miami Beach Breaks Ground on $29.4M Pedestrianization of Drexel Avenue
The City of Miami Beach has officially broken ground on the highly anticipated Pedestrianization of Drexel Avenue, a $29.4 million capital improvement project that will transform the corridor into a vibrant public space. Designed to enhance walkability and connectivity, the project will feature a small amphitheater, expanded seating, lush landscaping, and improved pedestrian access that better links Lincoln Road to some of Miami Beach’s most important cultural and civic destinations, including the New World Center, Miami Beach Convention Center, Pride Park, and Soundscape Park.
Stretching from Lincoln Lane South to Lincoln Lane North, Drexel Avenue will be converted into a pedestrian-only zone, eliminating vehicular traffic in favor of wide sidewalks, new hardscape areas, modern lighting, and lush green spaces. Construction will also include critical infrastructure upgrades such as storm drainage, paving, irrigation, and improved traffic signals. Once complete, the corridor will not only create a seamless pedestrian experience but also strengthen the connection between Lincoln Road and key landmarks such as The Fillmore Miami Beach and the future Grand Hyatt Convention Center Hotel.
One of the highlights of the redevelopment is an amphitheater-style performance space inspired by the Miami Modern (MiMo) aesthetic, paying tribute to the legacy of architect Morris Lapidus. This new venue will provide flexible space for public gatherings, performances, and cultural programming, adding a fresh dimension to Lincoln Road’s role as Miami Beach’s iconic pedestrian mall. Additional upgrades include new café-style seating areas designed to support local businesses and encourage outdoor dining, further enhancing the area’s appeal to residents and visitors alike.
The Drexel Avenue pedestrianization is part of the broader Lincoln Road Redevelopment Project, a multi-phase initiative designed to reimagine Miami Beach’s most famous retail and entertainment district. With construction expected to take roughly ten months, the project is slated for completion by May 2026, setting the stage for a new era of pedestrian-friendly urban design. City officials emphasize that these improvements will boost the neighborhood’s economic vitality while preserving Lincoln Road’s historic character and enhancing its position as a world-class destination for shopping, dining, and cultural experiences.
For Miami Beach residents, businesses, and tourists, the redevelopment represents more than an infrastructure upgrade—it signals a renewed commitment to creating people-first spaces that prioritize walkability, sustainability, and community engagement. As work progresses, the pedestrianization of Drexel Avenue is poised to become a defining feature of Miami Beach’s urban landscape, offering a dynamic new gateway to the cultural heart of the city.
On Friday, Another New Britto Gallery Opened on Lincoln Road
Photos by Sean McCaughan
Artist Romero Britto has just plopped down another one of his eponymous art galleries near the east end of Lincoln Road, longitudinally opposite his ever-so-so-slightly older (but still brand new) gallery at Lincoln Road’s west end. The new Britto Store occupies the former Ricky’s Costumes space, and as of Saturday was still missing its ‘Britto’ signage. Not that anyone would confuse it for any other artist’s gallery. There are now more Britto Galleries on On Lincoln Road than any other retail brand except Swatch, 4D, or Starbucks.
On Friday, Mr. Britto officially opened the new Romero Britto Gallery, to sell all the commercially produced and consumer products that the slathers his signature graphic pop-art designs on, including everything from limited edition prints, to giant teddy bears, T-shirts, and table-lamps. Meanwhile, over by Lenox Avenue, the Romero Britto Fine Arts Gallery, which opened about a week ago, may look like a cloned twin, but this one sells one-off sculptures, paintings, and other creative stuff.
New Britto Gallery Opens on Lincoln Road, in the Heart of the Zika Zone
Sean McCaughan
Graphic artist Romero Britto has opened his new Lincoln Road gallery at the former Serendipity 3 space on Lincoln Road, Miami Condo Investments has just noticed while walking by. The very bright-white space is hard to miss. Alongside more moodily lit restaurants, it’s like on of those bright floodlights that you see mosquitos flying around… right in the middle of Miami Beach’s new Zika Zone.
1212 Lincoln Mixed-Use Project Gets Approved at Galbut’s Prized Lincoln-Alton Property
Developer Russell Galbut, the developer and ‘big man in charge’ at his development firm Crescent Heights, probably controls more Alton Road frontage than any single other individual, and he’s working on a series of infill developments that eventually may change the face of the street entirely. And that’s probably a good thing, because Alton from the Dade Canal south is really quite blah. You can already see construction bringing changes closer to 5th Street, Galbut also has a new Whole Foods Market in the works up on 19th and Alton, and now a redesigned and enlarged complex absorbing an entire block SW of the intersection with Lincoln (the previous design had been more angular). The project, which is being designed by two firms doing separate sections, Perkins+Will and Avroko, was just approved by the Miami Beach Design Review Board. This is primo, primo property, so Galbut is going all the way. The five story project includes a 447-space parking garage, a large food court functioning as a “common space” overlooking Alton Road, a 100 guest room luxury hotel, and retail.
And yes, 1212 Lincoln is obviously a riff on 1111 Lincoln, the famous parking garage catercorner to it across the intersection.
Real Deal goes more in depth.
