Miami’s culinary world needs no introduction, especially with the likes of the buzzy boîte that is Boia De (which also happens to be David Grutman’s go-to casual spot) and Mignonette’s high-grade, must visit seafood. But with the (literal) spotlight on spots like Stubborn Seed and Cote Miami, where A-listers like David Beckham and Rihanna can be often found, it can be almost impossible to make a name for yourself in the Magic City.
And yet, in this densely packed spot, Will Thompson and Carey Hynes created a place known for raw seafood, pasta, and, perhaps most importantly, deliciously fun cocktails. “We’re trying to throw a cocktail or dinner party every night,” explains Will Thompson, co-partner & bartender of 2023 Bib Gourmand Jaguar Sun. “If you come to us expecting a restaurant, hopefully you’re surprised by the bar,” adds Carey Hynes, Co-Partner & Chef of Jaguar Sun. “If you come to us looking for a bar, hopefully you’re really surprised by the food.”
So, how does Jaguar Sun stand out amongst the fray in an already haute food scene? “How do we make something unappealing actually feel really exciting?” Thompson tells me. “Big visual drinks that have a real kick to them and beautiful foods that sort of demand people to come back for it as quickly as possible.”
The food includes a variety of pastas from Spicy Rigatoni with pork sugo to Mushroom Tagliatelle and a raw bar consisting of oysters and Wagyu beef tartare, and came about due to the location. “We don’t have things that a restaurant’s supposed to have, we’re in a small part of a very, very weird lobby,” Thompson explains. “I don’t think most people would describe this as an A+ location.” Without a hood or ventilation and gas, everything had to be electric. This forced the team to think differently focusing on pasta and a raw bar. However, that’s just part of the equation.
The other is the beverage offerings. “Because of the constraints, we wanted to create drinks that were really going to help attract people in,” Thompson adds. While the menu certainly has classic cocktails including martinis and Manhattans, the original cocktails are where the brilliance shines.
From Jailbreak and Madam Butterly to Very Strong Baby, the names might be even more fun than the drinks themselves. Quirky names aside, the alcohol here is deadly serious. The Young Astronaut, which has rum, rum, and then even more rum is complemented by a splash of mango, dry vermouth, lime, aji Amarillo. Another, the Living Dead treats guests to a combination of clairin and absinthe (be forewarned by the name, this one packs a real punch).
The winning hand is the consistency of offerings to diners. “The menu doesn’t change frequently,” Thompson explains. “We have six or seven drinks that I think we would get run out of town if we changed them at this point.”
To keep things exciting, Thompson introduced the concept of “Freak of the week”. “It's a chance for us to experiment, try new stuff, and introduce people to things that are perhaps a little bit outside of what they would expect,” Thompson adds. “Also because I thought the name was funny.”
With the food and drink assembled, what is the secret sauce behind Thompson and Hynes's success? “Somebody in the room giving a sh*t that I’m up here,” explains Hynes. “It stems from the individuals bartending and how they handle problems, how they handle guests, how they’re able to kind of lead and do the things that great bartenders do,” Thompson adds. “I’ve always said that you could do this stuff out of a lemonade stand. If you’re doing it the right way, it almost ceases to matter what you’re serving.”
If that sounds like a winning formula, it’s because it is. Like every person on this planet, nothing is perfect. But it's because of these idiosyncratic qualities that make the modern tropical cocktail bar and restaurant a local favorite. At Jaguar Sun it’s all about making sure people have a good time. And with the hit drinks on the menu, it’s hard to not have fun here. Cheers!
Hero image: Courtesy of Jaguar Sun
All photos courtesy of Jaguar Sun
