Take a ride in the Langford Hotel’s vintage-style elevator and find yourself at Downtown Miami’s newest rooftop bar, Pawn Broker.

This latest concept by the Pubbelly Boys, is the perfect spot for intimate summer imbibing. Bar Chef and American history enthusiast, Derek Stilmann, shares his favorite signature cocktails to cool down with during Miami’s hottest months. Inspired by American Prohibition and Central and South American culture, Derek and his team developed the entirety of this “funky and creative” cocktail menu.

This indoor and outdoor space uniquely resembles a Golden Age speakeasy. Look closely and you’ll notice hidden sliding doors that reveal a DJ Booth and conceal other secrets. Red leather stools line the massive central bar while antique trinkets embellish every corner.

The ratification of the 18th Amendment is transformed by Pawn Broker to capture the nightlife of Miami and the temperance movement all at the same time. Just as all timeless cocktails have a story behind the name, so do the drinks at Pawn Broker. With many more cocktail options influenced by the Americas and awaiting to be relished this summer, come celebrate the 21st Amendment and commemorate American-inspirations at Pawn Broker for Happy Hour, Monday through Friday 5PM – 7PM.

Creating the menu was not an easy feat according to Derek. Developing the presentation of each drink was just as important as the drink itself.

During the 1920s, large jugs were used to home-brew gin and were often too big to fit under a kitchen sink spout. Instead, a bathtub spout was used to add water to the jug and thus the term “Bathtub Gin” was introduced.

A nod to this historical production of spirits, Derek searched for the perfect drinking vessel for Pawn Broker’s most-over-the-top cocktail. Served in a miniature white bathtub, Giggle Water, is quite literally a bubble bath of Martin Miller W.S. gin, champagne syrup, and fever tree Indian tonic. The eye-catching cocktail is topped off with a fragrant lavender foam to evoke a sense of an actual salt bath.

Derek introduced The Furiosa, inspired by Mad Max, as a “bright and bold feminine cocktail.” Its deep red auburn color mimics that of the desert.

Derek starts by using a fresh sliced orange to rim the glass before dipping the glass into a complex salt mix made up of smoked paprika, lime, and dehydrated chorizo salt. A blend of paprika, cumin, annatto and more are combined to create their housemade ‘desert’ syrup. The syrup is shaken with Del Maguey Vida Mezcal and fresh muddled aloe. Aloe “is one of the main ingredients found in the desert” and works best as a binder to fluidly bring the flavors together making for a savory summer indulgence.

Derek’s favorite cocktail on the menu is infused with his own heritage. The Scarlett Ibis incorporates a new Argentinian spirit. Unlike the wintery juniper of most dry gins, Apostles Gin focuses on botanical notes of yerba mate, pink grapefruit, peppermint and eucalyptus. The inspiration behind the drink Derek says, “originates from the local Ibis found in Argentina and the mascot for the Miami Hurricanes,” making this just as much of a melting pot cocktail as the city of Miami.

Garnished with port-soaked cranberries and a ripe Florida grapefruit zest, it is no doubt that this is Miami’s top cocktail of the season.

Hours & Location

Pawn Broker 121 SE 1st Street Miami, FL 33131 Sunday to Thursday 5 pm – 12 am Friday & Saturday 5 pm – 2 am