Save the date: Wynwood

From legit art to tramp stamps, Wynwood's got a little bit of everything for you and your sweetie.

Second Saturdays in Wynwood is a free gallery walk that draws many young people out to the various art venues. Photo: Al Diaz.

By CB Mills

Just south of the Design District, you'll find the hottest arts zone in South Florida. Now home to about fifty galleries, the transformation of Little San Juan (or El Barrio) has picked up steam over the past few years. As the Midtown Miami complex fills its vacancies, the Miami city commissioners approved a Wynwood Cafe District, the heels of gentrification. Dig in.

Before picking up your date, make sure your ride is looking hot with a stop at Windwood Car Wash. The profit margins in the car wash game are slim, so a discount for a screwed up sign has to be taken advantage of. Or perhaps the owner grew up thinking his neighborhood was named after the breeze blowing off the Biscayne Bay.

When deciding what to do in Wynwood, don't overcomplicate things. The most obvious choice is your best date option. On the second Saturday night of each month is the district-wide Art Walk. The majority of galleries open their doors, welcoming the public with free booze and sweating cheese.

They don't call it Art Walk for nothing. You'll be covering some ground (heels may be a problem), so feed your legs with an early dinner. Meat and potatoes? Head to Five Guys Burgers. A twist on southwestern fare? Lost & Found Saloon. Looking for adventure? Ceviche at Las Delicias Peruanas. Grub so healthy Jack Lalanne will blush? Art of Food. Tacos in the parking lot of a business infringing on a national brand's logo? Look for the cart in front of The Beer Depot.

After dinner drive to the corner of Northwest 2nd Avenue and 22nd Street and park in the most brightly lit spot you can find. Once you park, enter the first gallery you see. You won't have time to hit every gallery, so research ahead of time. Visit Arts Circuits for a list of galleries and their websites. Otherwise, just follow the crowds northwest toward Target. Given the sheer number of exhibits, there's sure to be something for everyone.

The Art Walk may end at 11p.m., but your party doesn't have to. You totally bonded with your date, so get serious and get inked at Hellbound City Tattoos. As rowdy as the name implies, HBC hosts punk shows and even boasts a skateboard ramp in the backyard.

Since your skin is forever linked to your new love, and you're not one to back out of this sort of thing a la Angelina and Billy Bob, start planning your new life together. Furniture shopping is a sure test to see if this is going to last. Wynwood offers a variety of budget choices: on the low end is Grubstake Thrift, and on the low, low end, choose between the Miami Rescue Mission Bargain Barn and the Salvation Army, conveniently located next door. If you like your goods a little less "loved" and don't have the time or gas money to head to Wilton Manors in Broward, Las Tias is the place for you. Like many of Wynwood's businesses, it's located across from the Midtown Miami condominiums.

Wynwood: El Barrio es su barrio!

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Published: 8/08