Michael Beltran is the Executive Chef and Owner of a burgeoning culinary empire, now with eight restaurants. He counts some of Miami’s most popular spots, including MICHELIN One Star Ariete, Brasserie Laurel, Navé, and MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Chug’s Diner, among his collection. But ask him about The Gibson Room and he immediately lights up. It’s not a case of picking a favorite child—it’s simply that this bar/restaurant with live music is a passion project for him, and it’s been years in the making.
“I grew up five blocks away, and my grandparents, who are 90 and 92, still live there,” says Beltran. The neighborhood, Shenandoah, is a small area often overlooked by the bright lights of Brickell or Coconut Grove. “It’s a place where the residents have lived forever,” he explains. It’s also a place that has a lot of meaning for him.
“Fifteen years ago, two good friends and I came up with a whole plan for this spot. Thankfully, it didn’t materialize. I wasn’t ready.”
By 2022, the time was right. “I was having a drink with a friend at the bar and the owners asked me if I’d be interested in the space.” Beltran moved on it and quickly secured a deal to take over the place he describes as a “divey, college bar.” Two months of renovation, followed by a five-day closure which was a whirlwind of replacing and redoing everything and they reopened as The Gibson Room, named for the house cocktail, a little over a year ago.
“We wanted to bring out the soul of the space. You walk in here and you don’t feel like you’re in 2023 Miami; it’s more like walking into a private club in the 1960s.” The cocktails are classic and the food features bold, yet familiar flavors. “We wanted to put out interesting, fun food. We are known for high quality food without any fuss, and no smoke and mirrors.” Instead, it’s humble meets haute. Case in point? Tamal en Cazuela with pan-roasted foie and his grandmother’s recipe.
And, then of course, there’s the music, which is an integral part of The Gibson Room experience. “Miami has a lot of bad music,” he laughs. “There is a history of music here that doesn’t get represented.” In keeping with the dark and sexy ambience, it’s all about jazz and blues here, where live piano music starts earlier during the week and bigger bands kick things up a notch on the weekends.
Beltran wanted to give this neighborhood something to be proud of, but he admits he was worried at first. “I wasn’t sure the neighborhood would respond (spoiler alert: they did), but this area needed somebody to believe in them. They wanted it too.”
For Beltran, who ends his long days at The Gibson Room, it’s about creating a neighborhood anchor with lasting power. “It brings me a lot of joy to create something for the city that they wanted and needed. I want The Gibson Room to be a really great place for a very long time.”
