Ball & Chain

I loved this place! Great music and ambiance. Was mostly people over 30 years old. Loved the ambiance! Would recommend to anyone who likes Latin music.

The venue is excellent. Live music plays towards the back open space of the club.
Great ambiance and the people who attend this place are great. Mixed groups of hipsters, young professionals and locals.
The 3 start rating is mainly because of the prices. Even though there is no cover, you will pay an average of 14 dollars per drink.
I was surprised to see how expensive the drinks were and I asked for a receipt, the itemized receipt showed a 9 dollar charge for a run and Coke and 11 dollars for a mojito. I asked the bar tender why she charged me 28 dollars and she said that it was the tip.
8 dollar mandatory tip? That is outrageous. I asked my friend to get a drink at the inside bar and they charge him the same 28 dollars with tip included.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have a great night because of the alcohol. Come and enjoy this place.

I don’t get what all the hype is about. Came to Ball and Chain with a group of 9 girls to celebrate a bday. It was a Thursday night around 9:30 and the place was indeed packed. The parking situation is horrible, so I highly recommend you Über.
I’ll start with the music. Loved it. As soon as you walk in the Latin music touches your soul. Makes you want to hit the dance floor immediately to show of your salsa lovers dance moves. I love that everyone is so Into the music, it’s not about picking up its just people wanting to get loose and dance. I can appreciate that. The drinks were affordable and the bathrooms were pretty clean.
That said. As soon as we arrived we found a nice little table right by the bar and central to the dancing area. The bday girl had several gifts in gift bags that we placed on the table. We all joined the dance floor (right next to the table) and within minutes the gifts were gone. I mean really?! Wth. It says a lot about the crowd.
They had been eying us since we walked in. My friend had all her gifts stolen! We reported it to the bouncer and the bartender both of which did absolutely nothing.
We were so upset we decided to leave. I realize this place is popular. In my opinion it’s just the music that makes it appealing. I have no interest in ever returning. It would of been nice for the staff to show some compassion for the stolen gifts.

I’m giving this place 5 stars because of the ambiance, the music, and the amazing bartenders on the patio. For those of you that have never been to Ball & Chain in Little Havana, picture this: dim lighting, wonderful Latin beats coming from either the live band or the DJ, delicious mojitos, and beautiful mix of Latin people younger and older. What I love about the place is that it’s not too touristy and not too local. The age of the guests range from 25 – 60. I also think it depends on which bands is playing and what the audience they bring is like.
I went on a Saturday with my girlfriends and it was PACKED. I went around 11:30 (peak hour I guess) so I did have to wait in line. (If you want to avoid the line, reserve bottle service at least a week in advance, for 275 $ a bottle that’s not bad). Good thing is, there was no cover and the door guys were pretty cool. Mike? Bald, tall, Russian dude.
We went straight to the patio because the girls and I had purchased cigars down the street and were anxious to get to smoking. We were floored when we saw the VOLUME of people on the patio, and a little worried when we saw only 3 bartenders. We thought about going back inside where it looked like there were a lot of people behind the bar, but it was too loud and we decided to give these guys a shot. They looked like they were working their asses off! There were a ton of pushy customers cutting in line, talking over people like they were going to die of thirst or something. But the bartenders looked focused but friendly, like this is normal for them.
I waited a while, but it’s totally understandable when everyone is ordering Mojitos in BULK on a Saturday night at peak hour. It was finally our turn and we ordered from the little curly haired bartender. She was friendly and helpful. I felt bad because even though we waited for a bit none of us decided what we wanted BEFORE we got to the front! Rookie mistake.
She was friendly and took the time to ask us questions about our preferences in spirits (yes, she used the word Spirit, fancy) and understand what we liked so she could basically decide for us. I told her I liked Tequila. She then asked if I liked sweet, spicy, or boozy. I said all 3. She then made me the Passion Fontaine of their Soecialty Cocktail list. It had Jalapeño, silver tequila, and passion fruit purée. It was DELICIOUS and the presentation was perfect. She then made a Pastelito Daiquiri and a Mojito for the girls.
She made those drinks so fast considering all the steps and the pressure from the angry mob behind us, annoyed because we didn’t know what we wanted. Everything was well-​balanced to perfection, and so tasty! I think they could use a little more than a 1.5 ounce pour (I used to sell bar tools for a living and I notice the measurements) for 15 $ a drink. But I didn’t say anything because I know she just makes the drinks not the prices (C’mon owners! Let them at least pour 1.75oz)
Anyway, we had a blast. The band was awesome! We went back to the bar quite a few times and ordered from the guy bartender that looks Puerto Rican, but doesn’t speak Spanish (Sorry guys I forgot your names!!) and the pretty brunette. They both were super fast as well and smiled the whole time! I don’t have any complaints. Thanks guys! I will be coming back next time I’m in Miami!!!

Went on a Saturday night (yesterday) and showed up around 11 pm. The line was insane, so I highly suggest you arrive earlier unless you want to pull some strings and flash some cash to skip the line. Music inside was good, but it was way too crowded to dance. The live band outside worked the crowd well and (though it was still crowded) got people dancing and enjoying themselves.
I had a huge issue with the outside bar’s operation though. It’s really the sole reason I came to write this review. Apart from waiting a good 30 minutes for 3 drinks (a mojito, RedBull vodka, and rum and coke — which ran just over $ 40, by the way). My party and I witnessed employees rinsing used cups in the sink and racking them up for re-​use with our very eyes. That very same round at the bar, we witnessed a mixologist accidentally shatter a glass right into the ice cooler and continue business as usual. I don’t consider myself a prick when it comes to service or protocol, but I found both practices to be unacceptable. Needless to say, I don’t go to an establishment and purchase drinks with the intention of being served shards of glass in a gross container. We stuck to bottled beer for the rest of the night.

Went to Ball and Chain this past weekend to celebrate my birthday. The valet is cheap, I highly recommend it as the parking nearby is much more expensive. The drinks are really creative but I wouldn’t say they were that great. I had the Pastelito Daiquiri and the Cañita as drinks. The music was really good, all Spanish with some house thrown in from time to time when the dancers perform on the bar. The DJ did replay the songs a little too much though, heard them all about 3 times. Downside is the place is pretty small so doesn’t really leave room for Spanish dancing (Salsa, Merengue, bachata, etc). The outside area has live music but you practically could walk five feet away from the door from how full it was. Overall, had a good time, would love to return on a night that is not so full.

This place is JUMPIN’ in Little Havanna. If you get there too late, the line to get in becomes like a South Beach line. Then you go inside and pay South Beach prices for drinks ($ 15 for a small mojito!)
But this place is packed for a reason… or for several reasons. Good live music in the back, where the pineapple stage is located. Good dj inside playing a mix of Cuban/​Latin music + Pitbull’s greatest hits.
The crowd is a bit older but I guess that’s what you would expect from a location in Little Havanna (and when I say a bit older I’m being generous). But everyone has a lot of energy and this place has a great vibe.
However, check your expectations at the door.
If you are expecting it to be inexpensive because of the location, then forget that idea.
If you are expecting it to be boring because I said it was older, then that is definitely not the case. The crowd can MOVE!
If you are expecting it to be Brickell then remember that this place is located right on Calle Ocho. If you want Brickell keep driving east.
If you can do all of that, then you’ll have a great time!

Where do I begin… My friends a I went last night, Tuesday, and the place was mostly empty. You would think that with just a few people at this place you’d get better service. But no, we had to practically beg to order and also had to ask for plates. The waitress never asked us if we wanted drinks. Only drinks we got were at the bar when we got there. We had a friend meet us later and the waitress never came to the table to attend to her. No drinks or food for the new guest.
Service was absolutely terrible. The only reason they get two stars is for the bartender, Jorge, who was nice and a food runner.
I don’t think this place would be any better with a full house.
I feel like I just went there for a place to sit.
I do not plan on returning.

I love this place. The happy hour is wonderful but don’t expect speedy service to get as many drinks and snacks in as you can within the time limit. Live jazz inside starts your evening off before 8 and the place is lively but not packed. After 8 maybe there is a live band, like Elastic Bond, to groove to on the outdoor patio. With nice weather and the outdoor bar, this is a great option. Inside, it’s getting livelier with great throwback hits and people dancing to «their jam» but still, not crazy packed and you can expect to get a perfectly poured beer in no time. You can also sit in a booth and enjoy some food if you don’t feel like dancing or standing. It’s Calle Ocho so the parking is there to be had but a line starts to form on this place after 11 (the doorman said) so if you are a night owl (which sadly I am no longer) then be prepared. Also, plenty of places on the Calle to slip out to and grab a pan con bistec or tacos to soak up some of the Cuban old fashions so your wallet doesn’t have to brace itself for the night.

Great place that I definitely recommend checking out. It’s a nice getaway from the usual trip to Brickell or wynwood. It has a authentic Miami feel with a contemporary twist.
We saw a live band and had reasonably priced drinks. Cool place to dance and hangout. If you’re tired of going to American social then you should definitely check it out.

Good atmosphere. We got there during the afternoon and had some delicious drinks. $ 12 each, but they have happy hour 2 for 1 basically the whole afternoon.
Try out their mojito and cañitas.
Live latino music and very friendly staff.
We loved it.

Ball and Chain is a reimagine of a former Jazz club that existed in this exact spot during the depression with Billy Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington on record playing here.
It was one of the only clubs that allowed black performers at that time, run by bootleggers, gamblers and outlawed felons. They snuck them in the back.
The old wood roof remains, everything else is updated with that theme in mind, a sort of more grass roots House of Blues.
I came for happy hour, which with the history and ambiance alone, across from the old Tower Theatre, sufficed.
No Jazz on my visit, you have to go Thursday through Sunday. Drinks were half off, making them $ 6, but no deals on the food.
Rum old fashioned with tobacco infused bitters and Demerara was sweet and lovely, with hints of anise. The fish tacos were one note for $ 8. The service was slow and in typical Miami fashion, not very proactive.
Grab a big booth for happy hour or catch a show in the back. It’s worth the trek over to Little Havana, and it’s across the street from Domino Park.
Rating out of 10
Drinks — 9
Atmosphere — 10+
Food — 6

We stopped in here for a drink on a warm day in Little Havana. They were having a party! I suspect that goes on every day. People just hanging out, dancing, having fun, enjoying life. The vibe is really cool and I would have liked to spend more time there. The inside is really interesting and there is an outside patio if inside gets too full. The drink I had (mojito) was pretty good but not too strong. I think Little Havana is well-​served by having this place open again after being closed for six decades. It is a cool landmark and a real asset to the area.

Love Love Love this place!
Hubby and I were looking for some daytime fun and figured what better way than to potentially explore Little Havana. I Unilocaled up some places for Tapas and drinks and came across ball & chain. It had great reviews but I was skeptical because it was daytime and thought maybe it was only meant as an evening venue.
Boy I was wrong! we walked in and they were playing live spanish music. It transported me to another country, and I felt like I was no longer in florida. which was an amazing feeling. It was a cool, wooden based, open airy bar with an outdoor space too which has a stage for entertainment.
I ordered the Passionfruit beverage– it had tequila and jalapeño and I loved it!
They have happy hour that starts at 4, which is 2 for 1 that you should definitely take advantage of.
I also got one of those smokey tobacco old-​fashioned– It was a stiff strong drink with a good tobacco flavor, but aired a bit to musky for me, but that’s only preferences.
Conch ceviche– fresh and served with plantain chips. Loved this! very citrusy and had a great kick from jalapeño flavor.
Cuban cigar roll– This was like crack. It was basically a deep-​fried cuban sandwich and was great. You must get this if you come here. honestly I turned to hubby and said, I’d eat this EVERYDAY for lunch if I could.
All & All, looks like a fun place, great service, good drinks, and tapas and I wish we had stayed here and ordered more instead of going to the next venue! Next time we’ll stick around at ball & chain and finish the night here!

This place is a great example of a modern take on a classic, managing to cater to all types of crowds (not just Latinos) while keeping that traditional and comforting Cuban vibe in a piece of Miami history. Conveniently located across from Tower Theater and next to Azucar Ice Cream Co., it makes for a great night out and is at the center of the Calle 8 action! It’s a great place to relax and have a drink, or to sing and dance the night away. Finding parking on the street isn’t too difficult either.
The live music is always enjoyable, from the band playing outdoors to the DJ spinning inside… and gotta love the giant pineapple band shell out back! I haven’t tried any of the specialty drinks but bar service is always good and the staff is accommodating. For food, don’t expect a full menu or entrees, but rather appetizers/​tapas-​style good for picking and sharing, which is just my style. I love the unique mariquitas and congri fritters as well as the classic quesadilla, and I’m dying to try the chicharrones so I’ll be back.

I’m going to keep this review short and sweet. I had very high expectations for this place but the reality is, it’s just your typical Miami joint looking to squeeze the last penny outta you and then kick you out to make your table into a VIP bottle service money vacuum machine.
The food was alright, the cocktails were pretty gross (except the bananita, that was amazing) and our server was cool but the overall experience was sub par.
I have to stress that we got there incredibly early around six thirty and already by seven fifteen they were letting us know that all tables were reserved for bottle service. I found this incredibly rude especially since we were dining and not just sitting there twiddling our thumbs. At any rate, their jazz band was lovely but boy do I not miss living in Miami and all the nonsense that comes with its terrible hospitality.

Good place to hang out during happy hour. Pretty expensive if you go for drinks at any other time. Their menu is tapas style only as they do not have any sort of entrees and its limited to about 8 or 10 dishes. My friend and I tried the fish tacos which were my favorite, the chicharrones and the mariquitas. I would def recommend the fish tacos as they were very flavorful and juicy. Everything else was ok.
The best part really had to be the mojitos. They are made to perfection as most restaurants never make mojitos the way they should be. Like I said, I went for happy hour and it will probably be the only time I will go again. We stayed a little longer and our bill ranked up pretty quickly with the drinks. Shots are nearly the price of one drink alone. But, go for the mojitos. Try it out, I’m sure you will love them.

La comida esta muy rica. Hecho de mano cada mañana. Ordené mariquitas d maduro y congri fritters. Si vas con alguien, ordena 3 o 4 opciones porque los platos son pequeños para compartir!

Located in the pulsing heart of Little Havana, Ball & Chain is a fantastic club that distills much of what’s great about Miami: upscale yet crackling with energy, redolent of decadent Havana nightlife of eras past yet very modern, sensual but not sleazy. It’s the kind of place you could meet a girl, do a night out with someone you just met, enjoy with your wife — or even show to your parents who love great latin, jazz and popular music.
And they do indeed have a variety of music for various tastes (depending on the night). The first night we dropped by, they were featuring a jazz quartet. The second time, it was a mix of latin pop and top 40. The variety of experiences isn’t just limited by the night you attend. There are actually two venues within this club: the front of the house and an open courtyard stage in back. When we were there, it was more straight-​up rock in the back stage. The space is designed excellently to separate the two acoustic spaces, I guess, because in the front you didn’t hear the back and vice versa.
The front portion of the club is extremely attractive in an «old school glamour» kind of way: rich wood floors, huge plush banquette seating and tables, a brass trimmed central bar, and chandeliers suspended from the high vault-​style ceilings. Although my wife and I are the more reserved type, even we couldn’t help getting in on the dancing (which occupies any floor space available). Of course, it helped that our irrepressible companion for the evening threw himself into it with his usual flair — providing a great example. But honestly, Ball & Chain is a great environment that encourages this. I liked the vibe of the patrons, who (at least the times we attended) were happy, non-​elitist and just seemed glad to see people enjoying themselves on the dance floor.
Speaking of the crowd: although I’m no longer on the market I guess this is an important «consumer data point» for those of you who go out to mingle. It’s a very attractive crowd, and although they welcome everyone, I will say that it tended to be upscale and people dressed to impress.
Another Miami bit of flavor is the showgirl who is in the front, and occasionally takes part in the dancing (sometimes even on the bar). She’s always accompanied by a big bodyguard in a dark suit and shades. It’s a great addition to the atmosphere. She’s obviously part of the «Ball & Chain» experience, since she was there both times we dropped by and often is taking photos with patrons. And while her outfit is a bit skimpy, it’s done with a sense of lighthearted theater complete with huge feathers and burlesque flair that keeps it in tune with the sense of good fun.
As a note, we’re reviewing the music, atmosphere, service etc, but not the food — which they do have, as they also sport a restaurant aspect to their venue. Another positive is that they don’t have a cover charge, so you are free to come in and check it out. If you do, come early as the front of the house get’s packed as the night wears on and you’ll find yourself with less and less space to dance.

Who gave this place less than 5 stars? They are so wrong.
We stumbled into this place while spending our day exploring Calle Ocho and Little Havana. We had some time to kill before our flight out of MIA back to DCA so we indulged in their Happy Hour on Memorial Day.
The Space: WOW — Such a cool setting at a great location. If you venture towards the back of the restaurant there is an outdoor patio area with a pineapple stage where they have live bands come in and play music. We went during the day but I’m sure that place is ridiculously fun at night. You appreciate this place more when you realize the history behind it (circa 1935). Definitely an exciting cultural moment.
The Food: Tapas were half priced for the happy hour (still a little expensive but I don’t blame them — they know that tourists come here and are wiling to spend while on vacation). Absolutely make sure you get the Cuban Spring Rolls. So amazing I ordered it twice.
The Drinks: Drinks were also half priced for the happy hour. They make their old fashioned very strong (my boyfriend ordered it) so beware — you’ve been warned. I tried the Passion Fontaine and enjoyed it. It has passion fruit purée and jalapeño in it for an added kick. However, the most enjoyable drink aka the best aka I’m still thinking about it is the Bananita Daiquiri: White rum, crème de banana, fresh lime juice, syrup, coffee beans, bananita. If you don’t get this there… just get it. My boyfriend and I LOVED them!
Long review but basically what I’m saying is you should go and you’ll love it.

Finally made it to Ball & Chain around the New Year and have been back every time I have visitors. This place is amazing… combining history, great music, stiff drinks, awesome appetizers and a charming design. Originally opened in the 1930s as a world-​renowned Jazz club, when Little Havana was mostly Jewish and Miami was still the wilderness, catering mostly to tourists and snowbirds. The history of this place is still in tact, with a breath-​taking rustic design, so different than your typical Miami Über-​Chic spot that now borders on basic. Speaking of, there is a GIANT PINEAPPLE STAGE out back… so Miami and so cool.
I recommend the Congri Fritters, take something awesome like congri and deep fry it into croquettes, doesn’t get much better than that. The queso frito and roasted corn are also standouts. Drinkwise, skip dessert before you head here and get the Bananita Dacquiri, a delicious concoction of rum, sweet banana, and ground coffee beans… I am not a sweet drink fan, but this is amazing. For a sippin’ drink (which I generally prefer), definitely try the Calle Ocho Old Fashioned, made with dark rum instead of bourbon and flavored with tobacco to add some earthiness.
A Jazz quarter or trio usually plays in the bar earlier, which can be nice for a happy hour or pre-​dinner cocktail. In the later part of the night, the back opens up with live Salsa music, lots of dancing and a wonderful energy.