Frankly, Miami is the perfect setting for Grand Theft Auto 6. When GTA first wreaked blood-soaked havoc on PlayStation in 1997, its lawless anarchy sprawled across three distinct cities: Liberty City (New York), San Andreas (San Francisco), and Vice City (Miami). If 2002’s neon-hued follow-up proved one thing – beyond its ability to generate mouth-frothing tabloid outrage – it’s that the latter always felt the most fun, and realistic, to explore. There’s nowhere quite like Florida’s most opulent concrete sprawl to emulate the high-low hustle of a mobster rising to power.
The sun-drenched metropolis has everything a would-be kingpin could ask for; glamour, sex, sun and an undeniably gritty underbelly. At least, that’s what Scarface, Carlito’s Way, Miami Vice, and my own debauched time in the city have proven to be true. All of which begs the question in light of GTA 6’s trailer; what are the real-life spots that Rockstar Games may have cribbed for its latest epic? To find out, we’ve enlisted the help of Nicole Haboush, superyacht broker at TJB Super Yachts in Miami, who has spent much of her own life rising to the highest echelons of the city’s elite. Up first, the dive bars…
Introducing the “king of trash”
If there was one great tragedy that befell the PS2’s Vice City – beyond “99 Luftballons” featuring on its soundtrack – it was your inability to indulge in one too many late-night Daquiris at both Crocs and Clintz Bar. Come GTA 6’s eventual release and the technical advances last showcased by Rockstar in Red Dead Redemption 2, we expect the unassuming, dimly lit dive bars that hold Miami’s true character to be properly represented. Dewey's F’ing Bar and Ted’s Hideaway are two of the best for cheap fun on Miami Beach itself, but Seven Seas (AKA Se7aS) is West Miami’s go-to for impropriety, karaoke and the like.
As for Haboush’s favourite? It’s Monty’s, which has one location in Coconut Grove and another on South Bay shore. “They’re both fantastic, but my favourite has always been Coconut Grove, as although it’s a dive bar– it’s located on the water making it an unrivalled place to watch the sunset.”
When that sun does, indeed, set, Miami truly comes to life. Particularly in the kinds of strip clubs which have been part of GTA’s sordid repertoire for decades. For Vice City’s latest reincarnation, King of Diamonds is sure to be an inspiration. The infamous club has received reviews spanning from ‘great party spot’ to ‘KING OF TRASH' over the years, making it something of a local legend. North Beach’s neon-lit Bikini Bar (a name whose implication of thinly veiled proprietary is fairly misleading) also straddles the fine line between strip club and dive bar in a way you can only really get away with when you’re a stone’s throw away from The Bahamas.
Five-star pool parties
Of course, it’s not all dive bars and depravity. Miami’s nightlife scene is one of the best in the world, and ultra-luxe celebrity hangouts like Seaspice (locally referred to as “Spice”) tend to draw in affluent crowds before they head off to the clubs. “Spice can only be accessed by boat as it’s off the New River in Miami – it’s somewhere people go to be seen!” says Haboush. “An elite venue in a stunning setting with sensational cuisine, attracting the jet set.”
If you’re looking for the super-famous and super-rich (or, perhaps, just their supercars), a few hotels have been long-held as celebrity hunting grounds. Take the iconic Fontainebleau Hotel, renowned for its five-star accommodation and super-flashy LIV club, which has been frequented by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, and more. Similarly, The Setai in South Beach feels a bit more secluded yet attracts a huge number of music industry high-flyers (thanks, in large part, to an in-hotel recording studio designed by Lenny Kravitz). Madonna, U2, Paris Hilton, and more have all indulged.
To truly take inspiration from GTA 6, you'll want to head to the SLS Brickell. It's hard to miss, with a hotel-tall colour drip mural trickling from the open-air pool deck, and its rooftop pool parties are so legendary they may well have inspired the game's trailer itself. “Queen is also fairly new–a very opulent restaurant-lounge on Miami Beach, which turns into an entertainment and theatrical show as the night progresses,” says Haboush. All of which, if GTA has taught us anything, could be brilliant safe havens from the VCPD.
At home on Millionaire’s Row
From bowling with your cousin Roman to reuniting with your favourite psychopath/bank robber, no GTA game is complete without its wholesome moments… and the accumulation of a vast and sprawling property empire. If you're aiming to explore the residences of Miami's wealthiest, the helpfully titled “Millionaire's Row” is the place to be. Formed by the completely man-made Palm and Star Islands, Millionaire’s Row is home to Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs, Floyd Mayweather, Gloria Estefan, Miami Vice’s very own Don Johnson, and more. If you're lucky enough to snag an invite to one of the legendary mansion parties on the island, you’re good as gold.
And when you do, inevitably, smash-and-grab your way to near-kingpindom, where does one end up staying? Miami Beach might have been the answer in the ‘80s, famed for incredible art deco hotels and homes (the Versace mansion, in particular), but neighbourhoods like Coconut Grove have been drawing more attention in recent years.
“The who’s-who are moving here. It’s very quaint, situated on the cusp of Coral Gables, with an old-world vibe and small-town feeling. It doesn’t feel like Florida!” says Haboush. “There’s so much natural foliage and it almost feels old world, attracting a lot of people from California or those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach.” If a decade-plus of GTA 6 leaks have given us any indication of what to expect from its debut next year, it’s that Vice City’s borders are going to be expanded.
Broadening Vice City’s horizons
As is befitting of a game that’s already been a decade in the making, Rockstar had kept almost every detail surrounding GTA 6 under fearsome lock and key until a recent spate of leaks saw in-game testing footage, supposed map details and the trailer itself sprawled across TikTok. For now, the veracity of much of this information is still distinctly sketchy, but rumoured map locations are said to include Lake Leonida (likely inspired by Lake Osceola, the lake at the center of the University of Miami in Coral Gables) and Little Haiti (a genuine Miami location). No sign yet of Rockstar’s take on Mar-a-Lago, but we live in hope.
No matter what kind of Miami you’re looking to experience, a visit to Little Havana and Little Haiti is essential; a vibrant tapestry of the cultural diversity that has long-defined the city. In Little Havana, street art tells the story of Cuban-American heritage, restaurants and cafes ring with salsa music, and many-a-bar floods with the aromatic smoke of Cuban cigars. Just a few miles away, Little Haiti offers an alternative celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture; particularly, Haitian art, music, and–most excitingly–cuisine. Cecibon and Chef Creole are local favourites and institutions, serving authentic plates griot, oxtail, fried fish, and more.
Finally, we have the leaked location of ‘Rockridge’, which is almost definitely inspired by Miami’s Wynwood district. The famously gritty, urban area has morphed into a global destination for street art and contemporary culture. Originally an industrial zone, Wynwood underwent a radical transformation driven by the Wynwood Walls project, which turned the neighbourhood into an outdoor art museum. These days, it’s a bit more boujee artiste than broke artist, and has attracted a tonne of entrepreneurs, gallerists, studios, and tech startups should GTA 5's Life Invader and Bleeter apps still be kicking around in its sequel.
It's the kind of place a hustler might just be able to hide in broad daylight and, as such, has GTA 6 written all over it. All of Miami’s districts do – each a unique chapter in a narrative which, if the gator-filled trailer meets expectations, could well be Rockstar's greatest yet. Can't wait ‘til 2025 to dive into the chaotic scenes of Vice City? Now you know where to go to get ahead of the game.
