You might have already heard this, but Miami has both the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl this year. Which means there are going to be a boatload of celeb-filled parties vying for your attention over the next two weeks. We've sorted through the madness to bring you this definitive guide.
The Clevelander will be rolling out a slew of events starting this week and running through the big game, featuring everything from champagne toasts to beer pong bikini contests. It all kicks off poolside tomorrow with the Pro Bowl Players Party. On the guest list: Pro Bowlers like Aaron Rodgers and Adrian Peterson, 2010 Hall of Fame inductees and NFL cheerleaders. And not just NFL cheerleaders—Pro Bowl NFL cheerleaders.
Alonzo Mourning might have played basketball, but he has plenty of NFL connections. For his annual King Pin Classic in South Beach (to benefit wife Tracy's mentoring program for girls), he's bringing in former U stars Edgerrin James and Willis McGahee. DJ Irie will be spinning, and there'll be billiards, cocktails, food and virtual bowling on Nintendo Wii stations, in case the real thing is too...real for you.
Obviously, you're going to want a comfortable place to watch the Super Bowl, and the posh poolside lounge at the Ritz is making their environs more comfy with the introduction of a Beerwich Menu, where you can pair entrées like pulled-pork sandwiches and shrimp po'boys with ice-cold beers (11am-5pm). They'll also have two-for-one Bud and Bud Light from 7-9pm, Thursday through Saturday, and 7-11pm on Super Sunday.
Here's a little-known fact: the polished SoFi steakhouse Red has a rooftop bar with million-dollar views of South Beach. And in honor of Colts-Saints, they're converting the outdoor space into a three-day pop-up cigar lounge stocked with rare stogies like the Ghurkha Gran Reserve Cognac Cigar (infused with cognac) and the Signature Red, a mild cigar with a buttery, smooth taste. You might also be able to find a scotch or two...
If the NFL Hall of Fame moved to South Beach, took off its yellow blazer and loosened up with a cocktail, you would get the Eats Beats and Cleats Gridiron Festival. Starting next Thursday, Lincoln Road will be packed with dozens of former NFL greats (Ditka, Sanders, Irvin, Testaverde) signing autographs, yukking it up and even rocking out (Doug Flutie has a band). $85 gets you access for one day; $350 gets you a VIP pass for all four.
