It seems fitting that the restoration of a former classic hotspot, Our Place Lounge and Liquors at 6844 N.W. 169 Street just north of Miami Lakes, would fall into the laps of former patrons and current architects to be transformed into The Bend Lounge.
The renovation of this laid back classic was the brainchild of Mauricio Lacayo and Orlando Lamas, affectionately known by their staff and regulars as Mo and Landy, who frequented the original “Our Place Lounge” in their youth.
Lacayo and Lamas, both architects and partners for their architecture and design firm, Fortis Lamas Architects, and construction company, Three County Construction, reinvigorated the formerly derelict bar with their talents in design and love for modernized bars with roots in tradition.
The Bend Lounge opened in February and was named after the big bend on the Palmetto that sits right behind the lounge. Since its opening, the lounge has already been named as Best Bar, West by the Miami New Times as part of a reader-voted award.
The Bend’s appeal for those young and young at heart seems to be a running motif throughout the lounge’s design and menu. The renovations, aimed to breathe new life into a neighborhood classic, give no impression of kitschy throwbacks and instead artfully cultivates nostalgia through impeccable design.
The wood paneling and vinyl armrests on the bar combined with local craft beer and youthful crowd together create a harmony of old and new. Even the music playing overhead runs the gamut between the 70’s American rock band, Kansas, to the 2000’s English rock band, Arctic Monkeys.
This is not the first experience Lacayo and Lamas have with running a lounge, both having owned or co-owned lounges such as The Local in Coral Gables and The Side Bar in Ft. Lauderdale. Gathering from their experiences, The Bend opened with an interesting take on craft beer. Currently, The Bend has 10 craft beers, eight of which are from local breweries such as MIA Brewery, Biscayne Brewery, Wynwood Brewery and Gravity Brewery.
Lacayo and Lamas hoped to expose people to new and interesting menu items at an affordable price knowing that it may be harder to take a risk on a pricey beverage as often seen in Downtown Miami. Many of the beverages on the menu are between $4 to $8. Lower prices doesn’t equate lower quality as all the drinks are created in the same template they were historically made to be enjoyed with real ingredients, such as the Gosling’s Dark ’n’ Stormy.
“I’m happy people are trying different styles,” said Lacayo. “We wanted to introduce cocktails in an approachable way and bring some of the interesting change that’s going on down south with darker beer styles and coffee or 'cafecito' infused beverages which we offer here. We are going with the classics the way they were supposed to be made and at the same time introducing new local styles.”
To accompany those classics and modern styles are snacks including the famous gourmet popcorn that comes in Sea Salt Vinegar, Sriracha Lime Cheddar and, the favorite, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Sea Salt Caramel Popcorn.
The Bend Lounge hosts ladies’ nights on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. with French champagne, and will be adding more beverage options in the future. Karaoke nights are Thursdays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Additionally, a rear outdoor area with warm lighting, and an indoor arcade game all complement the menu with equally relaxing taste.
The Bend Lounge is open on weekdays from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m., Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 3 a.m. and Happy Hour from open to 8 p.m. every day of the week.
For more information visit www.thebendmiami.com.