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Mama Tried

#3 of 4 Bars & Nightlife in Miami

7.1Friend Score / 10

A '70s-styled cocktail den in the heart of Downtown Miami where the Porn Star Martini (vodka, passion fruit, vanilla with a bubbly sidecar) is the signature pour. Warm wood, a pool table, and a little library make it a mellow happy-hour hang that flips to a rowdy late-night party. Caveat: it's 21-and-over only, cash-and-card, and gets loud and packed after midnight on weekends.

“An automatic hit with exactly the kind of stylish but seedy vibes you want out of a bar and happy hour prices that keep the night long and sloppy.”
— Miami New Times (Best of Miami 2025, Best Bar)

Key facts

Hours
Monday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 AM
Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 AM
Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 AM
Thursday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 AM
Friday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 AM
Saturday: 5:00 PM – 5:00 AM
Sunday: 5:00 PM – 5:00 AM
Price$$
Nearest transitMiami Metromover College/Bayside station, about a 3-minute walk; Government Center Metrorail/Metromover hub roughly 6 minutes on foot
Time needed1.5 to 2.5 hours for a round or two of cocktails
Best time to goWeekday happy hour from open until 8 PM for a quiet drink and easy seats; Friday and Saturday after 11 PM for the lively late-night crowd
Last verifiedJuly 13, 2026

Friend Score

7.1/10
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Frequently asked questions

What is Mama Tried's most famous cocktail?
The Porn Star Martini is the house signature: vodka, passion fruit puree, and vanilla, served with a sidecar shot of sparkling wine and a dehydrated pineapple garnish. It's cheeky, tropical, and consistently the drink regulars point newcomers toward. If that's not your speed, ask about the Pero Liiiike (dragonberry-infused tequila, guava, lime, apricot liqueur, ginger beer) or the Tiramisu Espresso Martini.
Is there a cover charge or age restriction?
Mama Tried is strictly 21-and-over, all day, every day, so bring a valid ID. There's generally no cover for regular nights, though special events or DJ programming can change that. It's a bar rather than a nightclub, so you won't hit the velvet-rope treatment on a typical evening.
Does Mama Tried have a happy hour?
Yes, and it's one of the better-value windows in Downtown. Happy hour runs daily from opening until 8 PM, making the early evening the sweet spot for discounted pours before the crowd arrives. Arrive right at open on a weekday and you'll have your pick of seats at the bar or a booth.
Does Mama Tried serve food?
Mama Tried is primarily a cocktail and drinks bar rather than a kitchen-forward spot, so don't come expecting a full dinner. The focus is handcrafted cocktails, wine, and beer. Plan to eat beforehand at one of the nearby Downtown restaurants and treat this as a drinks destination.
Is it easy to get to and park?
It sits at 207 NE 1st St right in Downtown's Central Business District, a short walk from the free Metromover (College/Bayside station) and the Government Center transit hub. Street parking is tight and Downtown garages are your best bet; many locals just take the Metromover or a rideshare given the late hours and 21-plus crowd.
How long has Mama Tried been open?
The bar opened in June 2018 and has since become a fixture of the Downtown Miami nightlife scene, regularly cited by local outlets like Miami New Times and Time Out among the neighborhood's go-to cocktail spots. It refreshes its cocktail menu periodically, leaning into bright colors, fresh fruit, and floral notes that track current Miami drink trends.
What's the vibe and decor like?
Think 1970s throwback: warm wood paneling, eclectic vintage furnishings, a pool table, and even a little library nook tucked into the roughly 2,250-square-foot space. Early evening it's mellow and conversational; as the night deepens the music program ramps up and it becomes a genuine late-night party spot open until 5 AM.
When does Mama Tried get busy?
Weeknights stay relatively relaxed, especially during the early happy-hour stretch. Friday and Saturday nights fill up after 11 PM and can get loud and shoulder-to-shoulder toward the small hours. If you want conversation, go early; if you want the party, go late.

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