Upon entering this establishment, patrons of the bar are instantly greeted with wall images of pop divas like Madonna, Cher and Lady Gaga and pop culture stations or living room areas dedicated to popular American television serials, including “Friends,” “Stranger Things” and Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise. The uniqueness and one-of-a-kind concept behind the small business landed Nathan’s Bar smack in the middle of a recent “Miami New Times” readers' poll that named the establishment South Florida’s Best New Gay Bar.
Nathan’s regular Brian Charria, 28, started visiting the new bar about a year ago during the pandemic. A Miami Beach native for 11 years, Charria said Nathan’s has become his new favorite place to hang out with friends or have a Happy Hour drink after a long, stressful day at work. “I love the lounge-like vibe at Nathan’s Bar. I love that they have music playing lower at the beginning of the night so you can hear yourself talk with friends and then the music gets louder when you want to kick up your heels and dance,” Charria said. Staff is super friendly, drinks are great.” “It’s always a good crowd, no matter which day of the week you come. Smith said a living room area devoted to “The Brady Bunch” will soon be replaced by one dedicated to “The Golden Girls.” The pop culture experience at Nathan’s currently includes a “Stranger Things” VIP area and areas dedicated to “Will & Grace,” “Friends,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” among others.
When asked why his bar is so heavily influenced by pop divas and pop culture in general, Smith said, “Because pop culture is me.