New World Symphony Music at The Betsy HotelPhoto Credit: Gessi Schilling

Syncopated Soirées: Where to Celebrate International Jazz Month in Miami

From Legendary Lineups to Soulful Bites, Here’s How Miami’s Finest Venues Are Turning Up the Tempo for International Jazz Month

April in Miami doesn’t just signal balmy breezes and beachside revelry—it cues up a city-wide celebration of jazz. In honor of International Jazz Month, a trio of beloved venues—The Betsy Hotel in South Beach, Red Rooster Overtown, and MiMo’s newest cultural cocktail bar, Conventillo—are delivering rhythm-rich experiences that go far beyond background music. Each destination pays homage to jazz’s rich legacy in its own distinct voice, offering performances and programs that cater to the culturally curious and sonically inclined.

The Betsy Hotel: A South Beach Stronghold for Jazz Excellence

The Betsy Hotel Facade Photo Courtesy of The Betsy Hotel

On Ocean Drive, amid the glitz of South Beach, The Betsy Hotel has earned its reputation not just as a boutique luxury resort, but as a cultural powerhouse. It hosts the region’s longest-running live jazz series, offering more than 500 performances annually. With nine shows a week—yes, nine—and no cover charge, The Betsy’s jazz programming is equal parts accessible and exceptional.

At the heart of the experience is The Betsy Piano Bar, where a Steinway grand anchors the space and Old Havana vibes set the scene. Guests can drop in for complimentary performances spanning Sunday through Thursday evenings (6–11 p.m.), Fridays and Saturdays until midnight, and even weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Betsy Hotel The Piano Bar JazzPhoto Credit: Carl Juste

But this isn’t just lounge music—this is artistry. The stage has been graced by Grammy-winning pianists like Brian Murphy and Tal Cohen, Cuban jazz innovator Edgar Pantoja, and velvet-voiced vocalist Lenard Rutledge, among others. Special events like Intergenerational Jazz Nights and International Jazz Day (April 30), featuring genre-blending acts like the Diaspora Vibe Afrobeat All-Stars, amplify the hotel’s mission: to cultivate jazz not just as music, but as a conversation across generations and cultures.

Duo Luminosa at Dusk @ The Betsy Ocean Front Deck

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Red Rooster Overtown: Soulful Sundays Steeped in Legacy

Just north of Downtown Miami, Red Rooster Overtown reintroduces jazz to a neighborhood that helped shape its sound. Started on April 6, “Sunday Evenings in Historic Overtown” takes center stage every week from 5–9 p.m. Curated by none other than Chef Marcus Samuelsson, this weekly celebration reawakens the spirit of Miami’s jazz heritage with live performances and a culinary lineup to match.

Red Rooster Overtown InteriorPhoto Credit: Grove Bay Group

The experience is built around a generous Grand Buffet priced at $65 per adult and $32.50 for kids ages 6–13 (free for little ones under five). On any given Sunday, diners might dig into M’s Fried Chicken, Lamb Kofte, Chicken Kusiyaki, or help themselves to an abundant Raw Bar, Salad and Mezze stations, Grill-Fired Meats, and enough decadent desserts to warrant a second set.

YES CHEF! From Red Rooster OvertownPhoto Credit: Grove Bay Group

But the true magic happens when the music begins—each week features a different jazz ensemble, keeping the atmosphere fresh while maintaining a deep connection to Overtown’s musical roots. Whether you're sipping a cocktail at the bar or seated for dinner, there’s no better place to soak up history and harmony in one go.

Conventillo: A Cultural Cocktail Bar with Jazz in Its DNA

In the MiMo District, behind the much-loved Battubelin Italian restaurant, Conventillo is rewriting the rules of what a neighborhood bar can be. Inspired by the communal ‘conventillo’ houses of early 20th-century Buenos Aires, this patio-style hideaway merges immigrant history with contemporary cool—and a healthy dose of live jazz.

Conventillo Brings Jazz, Culture, and Craft Cocktails to the MiMo DistrictPhoto Credit: @danielaremondinoph

Founders Leandro Cabanillas and Marcos Caillet-Bois, along with Unfiltered Hospitality, have created more than just a bar—it’s a cultural hub. Thursday nights are reserved for live bands, with jazz, funk, and blues woven into the lineup curated by the founders themselves. Vinyl-only DJ sets continue the musical journey Friday and Saturday nights, offering a soundscape as thoughtfully composed as the cocktails.

Speaking of drinks, the menu is a masterclass in cultural fusion. Signature offerings like the Mate Highball (featuring Argentine gin and yerba mate) and an alfajor-inspired old-fashioned showcase both flavor and flair. Pair that with late-night handmade pasta or pizza from the Battubelin kitchen, and you’ve got the recipe for an evening that’s as stylish as it is soulful.

Matecito HighballPhoto Credit: @danielaremondinoph

The venue itself, designed by architect Facundo Carenzo Campbell, evokes a bohemian dream: rustic textures, warm lighting, and mismatched furniture that invite conversation. With programming that spans tango Tuesdays to jazz-infused Sundays, Conventillo proves that Miami’s musical renaissance isn’t just happening in concert halls—it’s thriving under the stars, one improvised solo at a time.

Conventillo Interior DesignPhoto Credit: @danielaremondinoph

In Miami this April, jazz isn’t just being played—it’s being lived. Whether you’re sinking into the piano melodies at The Betsy, swaying to Sunday rhythms in Overtown, or sipping Fernet under the MiMo moonlight, one thing is clear: the city’s soundtrack this month is jazzy, jubilant, and absolutely worth a listen.