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    Balan's

    3.6 (101 reviews)
    Open • 8:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Balan's Photos

    BALAN'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Balan's

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    Pesto
    Amanda M.

    Food was fairly good. Nice patio. Fine place for drinks and hookah. Service was friendly. I got the pesto pasta and it was good. Bit pricey

    Bianchi R.

    Food is always good, the drinks and outstanding service !! Very romantic for a nice date!

    Cigars and La Rubia beer
    Oswaldo H.

    Maria at the host stand was phenomenal in assisting us during a late night business dinner. Her calm and warm welcome assured us we were at the right place, at the right time. The restaurant's beautifully decorated and dimmed lights make it a perfect romantic ambiance. Cold beer, great cocktails and just an overall 20/10 experience.

    Lea L.

    We came for breakfast didn't even know it was a hookah spot. Great service. Mostly outdoor space.

    Inside seating & bar
    Korrina R.

    The food, service, location is amazing for brunch! It was so elegant and felt like dining in a Paris cafe. It is also dog friendly too so you can bring your pup. The music was lovely and fun! We had steak and eggs, the pancakes were amazzzzing! Also lattes, fresh pressed juices and don't miss out on some of the best tasting smoothies! This place has a partnership with model agencies so the place has models around and nice ambiance. Thank you for having me Balans! 10/10 Will return !! Xoxo

    We were told we couldn't have this table because it's for 4 ppl... and five minutes later they literally sat a party of 2.
    Jasmine S.

    Horrible experience. I hate giving bad reviews... but this was just unsettling. I had a reservation yesterday night on Open Table. When we got there the hostesses were very rude; there was plenty of empty tables and when I asked to be seated at one, the hostess told me NO and that specific table was for parties of 4 only. She sat us at a horrible high top bar table and I expressed my concern that I would like something lower because the seats were extremely uncomfortable against my skin, she still told me NO. After we finally took the high top bar table.... 5 minutes later she walked 2 Caucasian ladies directly in front of us and sat them EXACTLY were I was told I couldn't sit because it was for a party of 4. Unbelievable. (See attached picture) We ordered the truffle bread and the server completely forget about it until I had to remind him 35min later. We sat 45min with NO water until I had to ask the server for some. We waited over an hour for our food and only ordered the Oysters and Salmon. Very small portions and was not fresh at all. I got so sick of waiting at that point I ate it, and it was disgusting. Honestly the list goes on about this horrible dining experience... but I just don't have the time to continue writing.

    The Best Cocktail I've had Porn star martini
    Petar D.

    Great place and atmosphere. I was there for dinner with some friends. The Porn Star Martini is my all time favorite drink, so fresh and light, it's perfect. I ordered the burger, wasn't very excited about it, kinda tasteless, it could be done better for sure. The truffle fries with it were soaked in oil. Service is good and the program they have with different dancers is really cool. My friend ordered the duck tacos, they forgot about them so they came to apologize and the tacos were on them which was nice. I would visit again probably not eating or grabbing some small bites. The food is not worth it.

    Erica A.

    Restaurant striving to be a club: $75 hookah (Hookah starts at 11PM) MINIMUM $195 bottle service to be in the front of the restaurant. If you do not get bottle service then you will be seated by the back (at night.) Temp checked and mask required prior to seating. Hosts were welcoming. Our waiter was ok, nothing spectacular. We found that we had to call him for our service versus more than him checking up on us routinely. Seemed annoyed. I ordered the scallops and all I'm saying is you guys need SALT & PEPPER or ADOBO. $17 for 3 scallops, pumpkin purée, 2 onion rings. I have been going to Balans in Lincoln road for the past 6 years. The service was 5 stars and the food was delicious. I would get steak and eggs and The Hangover smoothie. I think the food and service quality has diminished due to the hype party scene nature of the restaurant business.

    Orange and mint hookah
    Anna W.

    The atmosphere was amazing here! We loved the outdoor seating that had a fun night life vibe. The hookah was $50 and was definitively not worth the price. It was never attended to which left us with an overly burnt tasting hookah. We were not provided with tongs or coals.

    Felix D.

    Balan's is OPEN! ok- I am a big fan of Balan's Bar and its staff. We live in Brickell (steps away) from them and I was so happy being able to come down and see Jessica wave at us as we approached so welcoming. Her hospitality is a huge reason we always return. The menu has changed :-( and I am still trying to let it grow on me as I was not too thrilled with the options. Maybe I was just upset they 86 the Chicken Curry from the menu. The hookah (Oleg) the BEST YOU CAN FIND ANYWHERE! Victor! Keep the good work! Thank you for all you do! This is by far my fav place!

    Mazen A.

    Terrible service, The manager there has nothing to do with customer service art. He and most of his staff are 0 experience. Too bad the place is kinda pretty and well located but with the most terrible management. We stopped by for dinner and some drinks and sure hookah while visiting Miami and wanted to have a table for two. The place was empty! Still the manager refused to seat us right away . Then he claimed that he can't let my girl come in because she doesn't have a mask. We politely Asked if we could take a mask from them if possible. ( for only the few steps between the opened air entrance to the patio !!! No brain I swear ) . He finally gave us one ! So why he didn't offered her one from the beginning instead of giving her his rude face and saying : No I can't let she come in ? He was rude like turning us back! They seated at one of the bar chairs tables in the back while all other tables were empty. We didn't like the table but still we didn't complained when they said they can't give us another table. Service took forever , we've got two drinks and 2 Ballan's burgers. And a Hookah. My Hookah was TERRIBLE, simply doesn't work! I love smoking hookah a d I know what's hookah should be . I asked politely for the hookah guy could come to see why the head is not working . . The server came back after a while saying the hookah server is busy and he asks you to add more charcoals !! I told him the head is not working can you please send him to me so I can show him what I'm talking about? Once again , The server came after a while saying : the hookah server tells you to buy a new head ! I told him I didn't even smoke this one yet !! And why Mr. Hookah man wouldn't come to see himself and he keeps sending me messages??? I don't mind paying more for a better service but I deserve to be served first! I asked for the useless manager , he came and said I will see and disappeared ! Finally , His excellency Mr.hookah came and checked my hookah and after a long "check" he decided it was the hookah is not working :/ and he replaced the head. When bill came . A hookah refill was changed. I surely got embarrassed of urging in front of my guest .paid it and left to avoid any more arguments . Terrible !

    Hookah - $75 - 2 flavors - mint and watermelon
    Blake Z.

    Had my college friends in town, and wanted to hang out somewhere casual for the night! Being in Brickell, and my friends never trying hookah, I thought this would be the perfect spot! Going in, I almost didn't get admission because I was wearing shorts and didn't have sandals lol (make sure you dress appropriate - men I'm referring to you - pants and closed toe shoes!). Moving on with my review, tonight we just ordered a bottle of chardonnay and 1 hookah for the table. The bottle of wine for starters was a Louis Jadot Chardonnay ($55) which was paired well with our hookah. I think the star of the show was the hookah though ($75) as it came with 2 flavors and honestly wasn't too bad of a price. We went with the mint and watermelon flavor which was good. Only thing that bothered me that night was that Balan's, as well as other clubs, have a strict dress code which can be annoying if you just trying to have good vibes and relax. Despite this criticism, our server was very friendly. Also, I learned that Balan has a food menu, so I'm certainly gonna check that out next time I'm here! Overall, we all had a good time

    Hookah
    Mané A.

    So disappointed in this place because of the server (probably Middle Eastern). Everything was going fine and I asked to change the coals in hookah because it wasn't enough smoke and can you imagine what he said? - "Do you think you know hookah better than me? I've been making it since I was 6, I know how to do it better". Never in my life have I encountered such rudeness as a customer. Shame for your reputation Balans for having such rude and impolite staff. Never coming again or recommending this place.

    Blue Mist Mint Hookah ($35) with changing lights.

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    10 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Christine was great. oysters were amazing, Bloody Mary was delicious. vibes. great weather. will be back when I visit Miami

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    1 year ago

    Great Service and Ambience and the food and hookah were really good. The place was lit and we had a great time. Recommended for date nights!

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Yohana was an amazing waitress and the crab pasta was to die for must go to if your in the brickel area of Miami

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    Business owner information

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    Oleg S.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Balan's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Balan's

    How much are the hookahs for two people on a Tuesday?

    $50

    What cost one hookah?

    Starting 36$

    Is this place 18 and up or 21 and up?

    My group was not carded and we had people under 21, just did not order alcohol.

    Do they allow minors (17 years)?

    Yes, you can, they are not asking passport when you are going in. Maybe they will ask when you order the Hookah

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - Balan's

    “Due to COVID, I was nervous about going out- However, temperatures were taken at the door after being sat- our waitor JUSTIN!!!!”

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    4.8(87 reviews)
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    I love a cool speakeasy thats suktry and sexy. Place definitely has grown vibes…read more You can go through the black door or do the coolest thing and go thru the actual red Phone booth (choose this option and have your phone ready) The place is flowing with cocktail ambiance. The bartenders here are artist. The menu appears like a vintage book with history about each drink. But listen honey when I tell you these cocktails are Amaze! Just try anything or ask.to be surprised. Remy was our server and he is freaking awesome and has skills. He helped us choose our cocktails cause everything was sounding like a vibe. The food options sound delish and the sliders and pizza seemed to be a hit as we saw that mostly. We were here for drinks though and we stuck to it. Only down fall for us is that we aren't cigar smokers, so the room was filled with it as we didn't know its a cigar lounge as well, but to each his own. Come drink eat and ber merry!

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    Rosa Sky - View from Rosa Sky

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    4.2(478 reviews)
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    Rosa Sky is a beautiful rooftop venue. After our group got turned down from another place a few…read moreblocks down, we went here, which was the original plan. The bouncers outside were nice to us, and the line to get in was not too bad. There is only one elevator going up, but it's just a short ride up. Once we got up, the music is loud, the lights are going, it's dark, and it's packed. All great signs of a solid and popular spot. I don't drink alcohol anymore, but my friends were able to get attention pretty quickly from the bartenders. There was a section there where I felt like I was being packed like sardines, but once we moved we were in comfortable spot. My feet started killing me since I wore heels the whole night, so to my delight, I found out there was an area to sit, and that pretty much saved my feet from falling off. The rooftop is such a vibe. We were able to get a section with a table by the balcony railing and see the downtown area in all it's glory with the lights and the Brickell sign in the background. It was thee perfect spot for photos, and we took advantage of it and had our mini photoshoot there on the spot. I was rather surprised that this place started to shut down by 2 am, I had the impression that FL goes until 5 in the morning, but it was no big deal since we were starting to wind our evening down anyways. I am thankful we got to experience going here, it truly made our night special for our bride to be.

    Rosa Sky is a great downtown rooftop. It's a popular spot, so you can either grab a space at the…read morebar or book a table with a $50 per person minimum requirement. ​The drink menu has solid options. The Mule is a standout, and the White Cloud (gin, sake, lime, and yuzu foam) was lovely. For food, the buffalo chicken empanadas were tasty. I'd skip the pork bao buns, as the meat was overcooked, but our server easily swapped them for the hamachi crudo, which was fantastic. ​Service was very pleasant, and the music set a great vibe at the perfect volume. Overall, it is a great rooftop spot that I would recommend.

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    Rosa Sky - Best drink I had that night but it's like 90% ice  just like any other Miami bar

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    Kaona, The Hidden Tiki Room - The Aged Mai Tai and mystery fog

    Kaona, The Hidden Tiki Room

    4.6(77 reviews)
    1.8 mi•Omni

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    Can't recall ever reviewing staff and patrons, but ya kinda have to in the case of Kaona. That's…read morebecause the guests here are almost as engaged in the operation as the staff. Guess the insight here is Kaona draws folks who so totally want to be there and participate in the nightly celebrations that it becomes contagious, spreading from table to table with smiles, laughter, and cameras. Oh yeah, and did I mention the cocktails? I feel the term 'artisan' is so overused nowadays that I avoid using it, so can we just go with the Bill & Ted description that Kaona's tiki drinks are "Most Excellent!" Will non Gen-Xers get that last reference???

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    Salty Flame - tomahawk our best seller

    Salty Flame

    4.2(282 reviews)
    0.3 mi•Brickell
    Happy hour specials
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    Salty Flame is my go to for Lunch on Brickell. Their burger and fries is amazing. I get the spicy…read moremayo on the side to dip my crunchy fries. My all time favorite is the Glazed Salmon bowl. The Jasmin rice on the bowl just sets it off. I'm not a rice lover but I go in on this. Don't forget to sprinkle the smoked sea salt on the bowl. I also dump the chili oil too. I like it spicy. Now their happy hour...great drink and food prices. Try the spicy margarita. Yum! They also have private rooms for your entire party...just call ahead. I have hosted happy hour events here and it is always wonderful.

    I came for the Miami spice lunch. I was disappointed to find that the items offered were actually…read moreon their normal menu. I find this disappointing as I always like to go to try different dishes from the standard menu. To me it shows that the restaurants that do a special menu are normally more innovative. Had I known this beforehand I would not have come. Having said that the food I sampled was decent enough. My appetizer was the Korean chicken which was plentiful. My main was the ribs. I was surprised to see that it was just that only meat. I expected there to have been a bit of a garnish or greens. Between the ribs and chicken my whole diet was meat. The dessert was two choices. I went with the chocolate cake. The hocolate cake slice was the smallest slice I've ever been served in a restaurant. I really liked the decor. I also really liked the music that was being played. Service was efficient. The ladies toilets had a damp smell. Overall I was disappointed and would not visit again.

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    Balan's - hookah_bars - Updated September 2026

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