Still cool

Medium Cool (South Beach)

BARS • First Round

Situated in the subterranean space at the Gale hotel, Medium Cool retains the effortless cool of its predecessor Rec Room — albeit with a 1970s glam interior update, a solid cocktail program that can handle high volume, and high-energy late nights. Since opening last year, it’s restored the Gale as a go-to for South Beach locals in search of a scene to call their own.

The bar is the creation of local hospitality vets (Dan Binkiewicz, David Martinez, Josh Wagner, and Naren Young). Their formula: no pretension, no cover, and no attitude — just good drinks and good times.

The new owners retained Rec Room’s cozy quarters and spinning disco ball, but swapped out wood-paneled kitsch for new deco pendant lighting and velvety tufted banquettes. Before 10p, the setting feels more akin to the former Regent Cocktail Club, which occupied the bar upstairs during Rec Room’s heyday with live jazz and a mellow mood. Order caviar service at your table alongside goat cheese croquetas with fig jam from the limited bar menu. But as the night wears on, the familiar crush of revelers fill the space as DJs take over, often spinning ’70s and ’80s pop with house music, resulting in nothing less than a great party.

Naren Young’s touch is all over a cocktail menu that features drinks with creative, smartly-crafted twists, like a Strawberry Negroni (with rhubarb liqueur and strawberry shrub) or the Super Fancy Champagne Cocktail (a mix of cognac, Grand Marnier, Amaro, orange bitters, and champagne). But it’s also a place where a simple vodka-soda served in a high ball with a single ice baton isn’t just an acceptable order, it’s also perfect for sloshing around on the dance floor. It’s (medium) cool like that. –Katelin Stecz

→ Medium Cool (South Beach) • 1690 Collins Ave • Wed-Sun, 6p-late • reservations: info@mediumcool.miami.