Club 50 At The Viceroy
For a century, men have sought the ultimate life-affirming experience by climbing Everest, only to find that, once at the top, it was very difficult to order even a freaking vodka soda, or whatever. Scale a more nightlife-friendly summit, at Club 50.
Perched atop Icon Brickell/Viceroy's 50th floor, C-50 is a low-slung, "semi-private" lounge decked out in marbled floors and turquoise leather sofas, and sporting an outdoor pool (highest in city) and bar area with Blade Runner-esqe views of Phillipe Stark's Icon towers overlooking Biscayne Bay to the east, Brickell to the south, and either sunsets or twinkling suburbia stretching west to the Everglades. "Semi-private" means the club's technically for residents and hotel guests, but you can most likely slide in by eating at the 15th-floor resto, then getting the maitre d' to put you on the special elevator; or, apply for (free) membership by emailing the address below, which will enter you into a review process so shadowy, they'll make a movie out of it, and you'll be Paul Walker, and your friend will be Pacey. Once inside, libations include the "Viceroy" (passion fruit, agave nectar, and Stoli Vanilla), the "Bourbon Smash" (fresh lemon/strawberries/basil, sake, and Maker's Mark), and the "Red Grass", with muddled raspberries, lemongrass, agave nectar, fresh sour mix, sake, and Stoli Ras -- a drink that boldly spans the planet while still remaining pinkly girlish.
Grub's currently hauled up from the 15th floor (Prime chuck sliders, steak frites w/ smoked onion chimichurri, red snapper ceviche w/ grapefruit and avocado...), but C-50'll soon serve its own Greek/Mediterranean-inflected small plates and sushi. Lock down that membership now, and anyone you bring'll be forced to pretend you're Sir Edmund Hilarious.
