🦩 Sweet Liberty: Pursue Happiness

Back then, I didn’t know much about cocktails, but I ended up visiting Sweet Liberty two nights in a row—something I rarely do while traveling. Normally, I never revisit the same spot, especially since I actually preferred Café La Trova at the time. But since La Trova closed early, and I craved both great drinks and late-night comfort food, Sweet Liberty became my only option. And oh, what a glorious choice it was! 🍽️ A Hybrid Gem: By day (well, evening), it’s a full-fledged restaurant-bar—brightly lit, serving incredible food and even better drinks. The cocktail menu is a tropical wonderland, packed with rare spirits and stunning presentations. The food? A perfect mix of Latin American and Southern U.S. flavors—think smoky grilled meats and shareable bites made for late-night feasting. 🎧 Then, the Transformation: After 11 PM, the central dining area clears out and turns into a huge dance floor. The DJ spins flawless, ultra-local beats with impeccable taste. For someone like me—who loves craft cocktails AND raving—this place felt like it was made just for me. 💖 The Neon That Stole My Heart: Hanging on the wall, a pink neon sign glows: "PURSUE HAPPINESS." The light spills onto glasses and faces, bathing everything in a dreamy vaporwave / Miami Art Deco glow. I took a photo of it that day—and it’s been my WeChat Moments cover ever since. At the time, I had no idea how legendary this bar really was. Its founder, John Lermayer, is a true icon in the industry. Later, I learned Sweet Liberty once ranked #21 on World’s 50 Best Bars, and Miami even has an official holiday named after John. Fast forward to this year, at TOTC (Tales of the Cocktail) in New Orleans, I met the current owner. I told her, "That ‘Pursue Happiness’ neon in your bar? It’s been my profile cover for years." She lit up, handed me a matching pin, and on the packaging—John’s photo, still watching over the place. ✨ A Lasting Influence: Many of Sweet Liberty’s cocktails inspired me deeply. I even shared a few recipes with bartender friends back home, and for a while, you could find them in bars across the country. This was where I first tasted drinks that weren’t overly technical—just pure, delicious, and joyful. Since then, making cocktails like that has become my own mission. That neon sign, still glowing in my memories (and on my feed), reminds me daily: Success and Happiness aren’t always the same thing. And when you can’t have both? —Pursue Happiness. What about you? Have you ever had a place—a bar, a café, a hidden corner of the world—that just felt like it was speaking to your soul? 🍸💖 Share your story below! #Best50Bars #Miami #PersonalGrowth #CocktailCulture #NightlifeMagic #LegendaryBars #MiamiVibes #BarInspo #PursueHappiness #LifeLessons