Miami Beach Bruthaz

Miami Beach Bruthaz is billed as a “culturally diverse, annual summer lifestyle event for same gender loving men” who travel from all across Florida and the country to party for five days and four nights in Miami Beach. Miami Beach Bruthaz was first conceptualized in 2006, and now the organizers of one of the largest gay party events geared toward African-American and Hispanic men in the United States will present its ninth annual weekend.

The theme of Miami Beach Bruthaz is “knowledge, culture and fashion,” and through a variety of events, thousands of men will get the chance to expand their minds, make new friends, and have lots of fun. This year’s Miami Beach Bruthaz weekend of events begins on Thursday, July 16, and will run through Sunday, July 20.

The weekend of events begins on Thursday, July 16 with a special happy hour mixer at the rooftop bar of the weekend’s host hotel, the Congress Hotel (1052 Ocean Drive). This event begins at 5 p.m. and is open to anyone with a premium or day pass. Afterwards, there is an official welcome party, hosted by The Cabaret South Beach (233 12th St.), which begins at 10 p.m. There will be an hour-long open bar sponsored by Ciroc Vodka, as well as free hors d’oeuvres and music by DJ Gavin. Don’t forget that attendees are welcome to “indulge” at the Men’s Self Spa at the Hotel Gaythering (1409 Lincoln Road) anytime between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. today.

On Friday, July 17, the day begins at 11 a.m. with an excursion to Pace Picnic Island (1700 Purdy Avenue), where people can swim, paddleboard, and enjoy the sun and fun with friends. Afterwards, there will be another rooftop happy hour at the Congress Hotel, beginning at 5 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the signature “Bruthaz SpeakUP” event will be held at the World Erotic Art Museum (1205 Washington Avenue). A red carpet event featuring cocktails and conversation, this event allows attendees to talk about events that specifically impact the African-American and Hispanic communities. This is an open forum and organizers pledge that no topic is off-limits to conversation. Darryl Stephens, star of the dearly departed Logo TV series Noah’s Arc and the film Jumping the Broom, will be the special guest speaker.

The party will be turned up on Friday night at Score (1437 Washington Avenue), which will host the White Masquerade Party beginning at 11 p.m. The special musical guest is the triple threat herself: singer, dancer and actress Demetria McKinney. You may know her from Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta, Lifetime’s Devious Maids and Drop Dead Diva, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, and many more TV shows. Her current single, “100,” peaked at #4 on the iTunes R&B Charts this year. DJ Suspence will be providing the music before and after Demetria McKinney’s performance. If you want to get a white mask for the party, go to Beatnix (1149 Washington Avenue); mention that you’re with Miami Beach Bruthaz and you’ll receive a 20% discount!

On Saturday, July 18, there will be a pool party on the roof of the Congress Hotel, beginning at noon. Attendees can listen to the house beats of DJ Suspence, and there will also be a swimwear and underwear fashion show by the pool. There will be a Best Swimwear contest too, with a special prize going to the winner. At 5 p.m., stay on the rooftop for happy hour. You have more than enough time to make the MBB Heat party at 11 p.m. at Trade (1439 Washington Avenue). DJ Aron will be spinning and his tribal house remixes including vocals are quite popular.

The last day of scheduled events, Sunday, July 19, begins with a party at the clothing-optional Haulover Beach (10800 Collins Avenue). The party begins at noon and Castro Supreme will be there to mingle with the guests. If you’re a ticketholder, it entitles you to private bus transportation from the host hotel, a packed lunch and a drink. The last event is at the Congress Hotel and it begins at midnight. Called the “Dream Supreme Pajama Party.” Castro Supreme returns in his pajamas, and everyone else should wear pajamas too. The best pajama outfit will win a prize!

Tickets are available for these events right now and can be purchased online or in person. The online options available are day passes; they start at $40 per day and give you access to all events without having to wait in line to purchase a ticket at the door. The third floor C-Lounge at the Congress Hotel will be the area where tickets and day passes can be picked up. On Saturday, July 18, however, the ticket table will be at the rooftop pool area.

For more information, visit mbb2015.com. “Like” us on Facebook by going to facebook.com/MIABeachBruthaz, and follow them on Twitter @miabchbruthaz.

Mike Halterman

Mike Halterman has been the editor of Hotspots Central since its launch in July 2016. He joined the Hotspots Media Group family as editor of Hotspots' South Florida magazine in June 2013. A former "40 Under 40" honoree in The Advocate magazine, Mike lives in the Tampa Bay area.

See Full Bio