Legacy of Miami Beach’s Five O’Clock Club.

Nestled on Miami Beach’s buzzing Collins Avenue corridor between 20th and 22nd Streets, the Five O’Clock Club earned its place as a standout nightlife destination during the golden era of mid-century entertainment. Originally opened in 1936 by brothers Samuel and Joseph Barken, the club was completely air-conditioned—a rare luxury at the time—and positioned itself as a luxurious gathering spot where locals and tourists mingled under a tropical glow. Its name derived from a signature gimmick: if you were still at the bar at 5am, you got a free drink—an invitation to stay late and live a little beyond the usual hours. Even the glassware reflected Miami Beach’s glamour, with a Coupe, Martini glass, and Double Rocks glass designed to echo the curves and geometry of the city’s Art Deco architecture.

By the 1950s, the Five O’Clock Club had become more than just a watering hole—it was a full-blown show venue, featuring two nightly performances (and three on weekends), offering dinner shows with comedians and singers, and catering to a blend of after-hours workers, hospitality staff, and occasional celebrities. One of the club’s more famous incarnations included entertainer Martha Raye as star and partner, adding Hollywood sparkle to its Miami Beach backdrop. Though it never reached the massive scale of the resort nightclubs nearby, the Five O’Clock Club carved out a unique niche in Miami Beach nightlife history—where free-flowing drinks at dawn, served in beautifully designed glassware, symbolized a party that simply wouldn’t quit.

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