July, 2007
Best Of

Best Nightlife Anchor
The Opium Group
The Opium Group, owned and operated by Eric Milon, Roman Jones and Francis Milon, is the brain-trust behind the top three nightclubs on South Beach:
Privé, Mansion and Opium Garden. The locales are frequented by celebrity A-listers, including Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, P. Diddy, Lindsay Lohan and Nick Lachey (sans Jessica, who has also made appearances). The 7,000-square-foot Privé can hold 500 guests in its ultra-chic design with Zen glass fixtures, a water wall and multiple projection surfaces.
Mansion’s six bars are spread over two floors and 40,000square feet, which is plenty of room for 2,500 guests who are willing to shell out anywhere from $180 to $5,000 for a single bottle of champagne. Its Venetian glass mirrors and crystal chandeliers can make almost anyone feel like they’re living the high-life, even if just for a few hours. The Asian-inspired Opium Garden transports its 2,000 guests to the Far East as they’re surrounded by Buddha statues, Chinese lanterns and other exotic décor.
Wherever you choose to dance (and drink) the night away, the Opium Group’s nationally-recognized success is sure to yield a wildly entertaining time.
Location: 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-531-5535. Website:
www.theopiumgroup.com

Best Restaurant/Lounge
The Forge
This one-of-a-kind resto-lounge is a Miami institution, possessing an old-world grandeur created by stained-glass walls and ceilings and a chandelier that once hung in James Madison’s White House. The Forge is known for serving one of America’s best steaks and housing a wine cellar containing over 380,000 bottles, including more than 500 dating from 1822.
After dinner, The Forge turns into one of Miami’s best night scenes with Glass, a chic nightclub within the restaurant, where an exceptionally well-fed, well-heeled, beautiful party crowd, including celebrities, athletes and Fortune 500 types enjoy cocktails and dance the night away.
Glass’ chic glass walls and intimate rooms are illuminated by a dizzying light show, and outrageous weekly theme parties include Michael Capponi’s fantastic Wednesday night soirees (formerly at B.E.D.) and Saturday’s Aquabooty. Location: 432 41st St., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-604-9798. Web
site: www.theforge.com

Best Over-the-Top Party Michael Capponi’s Birthday Bash An elaborate affair, full of opulence and flash, Capponi’s 35th birthday party held at the Sunset Isles mansion of plastic surgeon Dr. Lenny Hochstein was, without a doubt, the grandest shindig in recent memory. The theme of the anachronistic affair was that of a Venetian Masquerade and featured performances from the New World Symphony Orchestra as well as models flinging rose pedals at the feet of all who entered. Guests included nightlife impresarios like Shareef Malnik and Tommy Pooch. The afterparty, held at Mansion, was equally grandiose and saw Cirque du Soleil-style acrobats hanging from the rafters.

Best Metrosexual
Michael Capponi
With his chiseled good looks and towering frame, this Godfather of South Beach nightlife is a package deal — good-looking and rich. The Capponi companies range from nightlife promotions and construction to development of luxury properties. The guy even has his own furniture line. Being so dapper and debonair must run in the bloodline, as his Web page boasts a picture of his father dancing cheek-to-cheek with Jayne Mansfield back in 1959. Whatever it is exactly that makes him so dashing is a mystery, but suffice it to say he’s scrumptious!