Events

Char, Cheers and Championship Bites: Burger Bash Was Well Done in Every Sense

Published

2 weeks ago

February 23, 2026

Coach

License to Grill: Burger Bash Turned South Beach Into a Full Blown Beef Battle Where Buns Were Toasted, Egos Were Smashed and Nobody Left Without a Little Sauce on Their Shirt.

February 19th, 2026

There are food festivals that are easy to digest, and then there is Burger Bash, the beefed-up beachside brawl that anchors the annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival®. One of those high-priced tickets that initially makes your wallet sweat a little, yet somehow no one leaves feeling grilled.

From the jump, it’s a full sensory sear — ocean breeze rolling in, massive white tents glowing against the night sky, the scent of char hitting the air before you even see the patties. Judges weaving through the crowd with serious faces while attendees are on a roll, balancing sliders in one hand and cocktails in the other. It is controlled chaos with a side of ketchup. The official Mike’s Amazing® Burger Bash page makes it clear this is more than a walk-around event; it’s a carnivorous rite of passage.

And then there are the burgers. An endless parade of buns and brilliance. Garlic aioli and bacon jam showed up early and often, spreading rich, savory swirls. But that was just the condiment conversation starter. There were smashed patties with crispy, lacy edges that snapped ever so slightly before giving way to juicy centers. Thick stacks layered with sharp cheese, house-made sauces, caramelized onions, specialty pickles, and buns that somehow held it all together under pressure. Some burgers brought the heat. Others leaned into sweetness or crunch. All of them came to compete.

Trying to taste every single vendor would require Olympic-level pacing. Even nibbling felt ambitious. The problem was not portion size. The problem was self-control. More than a few entries were so good that walking away after one bite felt like betrayal. You came to sample, but certain burgers demanded commitment.

That’s where the awards come in, because Burger Bash isn’t just a party — it’s a title fight.

Bert Kresicher and Matthew “Kish” Kuscher during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

Judges’ Pick: “The Very Best Burger Award” — NFA Burger (Dunwoody, Georgia)

NFA Burger (gas station-born from Dunwoody and Alpharetta, Georgia) earned the Judges’ Pick and the Schweid & Sons® “The Very Best Burger Award” with their creation “Billy’s Classic.” This smashed cheeseburger kept it straightforward and executed it flawlessly: mustard, pickles, house-made seasoning, and their signature “sassy sauce” all tucked inside a Martin’s potato roll. No gimmicks. No smoke and mirrors. Just a burger that knew exactly what it wanted to be and delivered bite after balanced bite.

People’s Choice: Mike’s Amazing® People’s Choice Award — La Birra Bar (Miami)

On the fan-fueled side of the grill, La Birra Bar once again proved they have the secret sauce, taking home the Mike’s Amazing® People’s Choice Award. According to reporting in the Miami New Times, this marks their third People’s Choice title after wins in 2022 and 2025, solidifying their Burger Bash dominance. With multiple Florida locations (North Miami Beach, Wynwood, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, and Doral), La Birra Bar continues to stack victories like double patties.

La Birra Bar’s Crispy Dubai Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

And then there was the line that would not quit. Cowy Burger, which took home top billing two years earlier, remained a major draw with long lines snaking around their station all night. Whether they reclaimed the crown this year or not, their burger was still a smash hit — that unique combination of crunch and juiciness kept people coming back for more. It’s proof that even without a trophy in hand, you can still be well seasoned in the spotlight.

Cowy Burger’s The Cabrito during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

Of course, no burger bash would be complete without something to wash it all down. Drinks flowed freely and generously, keeping spirits high and napkins busy. Beer, wine, cocktails, and more ensured that no bite went unsupported. As the night wound down, a few dessert options offered a sweet finish, giving guests a chance to end on a sugar high after a savory marathon.

my mochi’s cookie dough and strawberry’s sweet rice dough during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

Burger Bash works because it leans fully into indulgence. It doesn’t try to be light. It doesn’t pretend to be restrained. It is bold, competitive, and deliciously over the top. Yes, the ticket price might make you pause. But once you are standing on the sand with burger juices running down your wrist and a grin on your face, the value is clear.

Some events are hard to swallow. This one goes down easy.

Shake Shack's K-Shack BBQ Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Taco Bamba's Bamba Double Smashburger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Kiddo Burgers Steakhose Supreme during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Moonlight Diner during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Pincho's The Smokestack Smash Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Cuento Sandwiches Jerk Double Smashburger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Celia's Cheeseburger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Tito's during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
True Food Kitchen's Grass-Fed Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Night Owl Cookie's OG Sticky Bun during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
La Davina Burger Andrew Carne De Res Miami during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
La Davina Burger Andrew Carne De Res Miami during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Arcano Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Bert Kresicher and Matthew "Kish" Kuscher during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Cowy Burger's The Cabrito during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Lala's Mclala during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Skinny Louie's The Naughty Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Dick Mondell's Burgers & Fries's Mushroom & Swiss Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Cordelia's Burger Box 1921 Style during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Sergio's Cuban American Kitchen's Iberico Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
BMC Smash Burgers' BMC Smash Double during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
my mochi's cookie dough and strawberry's sweet rice dough during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
La Birra Bar's Crispy Dubai Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Cony Burger's Wagyu Champ Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider
Estrella Galicia during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

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Coach

Coach is South Florida Insider's Owner, President, Webmaster, as well as a Reporter and Photographer covering events all over the world. Born in West Palm Beach, Coach continues to call the sunny Florida area home. He received his Associate degree from the University of South Florida, then transferred to the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism & Communications. During his journalistic career, which has been featured in local newspapers and magazines as well as national publications, Coach has also continued his love of being an educator. It’s through both endeavors that he’s actively got students interested in following in the field of journalism. Coach loves sharing the world of entertainment with others and giving people the opportunity to step out of the everyday life.

Events

Palace Bar Is Turning Up the Volume for Women’s Month and Miami Music Week

Published

4 days ago

March 5, 2026

McKaela Lulic

Ocean Drive landmark Palace Bar celebrates Women’s Month, Miami Music Week, and its 38th year with international DJs, rooftop parties, and a full month of nightlife programming.

March 4, 2026

If there’s one place on Ocean Drive that consistently knows how to throw a party, it’s Palace Bar Miami Beach.

The iconic LGBTQ+ venue at 1052 Ocean Drive is stepping into March with a packed calendar of nightlife events, international DJs, rooftop takeovers, and new programming celebrating Women’s Month and Miami Music Week 2026.

For nearly four decades, Palace has been one of the most recognizable venues in Miami Beach nightlife. Known for its legendary drag brunches, high-energy performances, and rooftop events overlooking Ocean Drive, the venue continues to evolve while staying rooted in the community that helped make it a South Beach institution.

This month, the programming stretches beyond the building itself.

A rooftop launch and beachside hospitality

March begins with Palace stepping directly onto the sand.

On Sunday, March 1, the venue hosted VIP cabanas at the Winter Party Beach Party on 10th Street Beach, bringing premium cocktail and bottle service hospitality directly to the shoreline.

Later that same day, Palace launched AURÉA: Where Day Turns Legendary, a new weekly luxury rooftop Sunday series designed around golden-hour energy and sunset views over Ocean Drive.

The opening event featured DJ Juka from Mexico alongside opening DJ JRNY, setting the tone for what Palace hopes will become a signature weekly rooftop experience.

A new seasonal cocktail collection

A few days later, on Wednesday, March 4, the venue unveiled its Spring and Summer Cocktail Collection.

The seasonal menu introduces fresh flavor profiles, vibrant presentation, and a signature drink designed to define the months ahead. The launch arrives just as Miami’s event season begins heating up ahead of Miami Music Week and the busy spring calendar across South Beach.

Sunset Sapphire launches March 21

The celebrations continue on Saturday, March 21 with the debut of Sunset Sapphire, a new monthly nightlife experience launching during Women’s Month.

Hosted by queer influencer couple Zashia Santiago and Tay Tate, the event blends music, cocktails, movement, and immersive visual moments into a vibrant night celebrating women and their communities.

Set in the heart of the Ocean Drive nightlife district, Sunset Sapphire aims to become one of Miami Beach’s newest signature nightlife gatherings.

Palace becomes a Miami Music Week hub

Later in the month, Miami Music Week arrives and Palace Bar transforms into a multi-day destination for DJs, producers, and music lovers visiting the city from around the world.

From March 26 through March 29, the venue will host four nights of programming across both its rooftop and main space.

The weekend begins Thursday, March 26 with a label-driven showcase presented in partnership with HOTL Records. The event will feature more than fifteen DJs performing across an extended lineup.

On Friday, March 27, the energy moves to the rooftop with “We’re Never Going Home,” a takeover presented alongside Groove Cruise. More than twenty-five DJs will perform across a marathon rooftop and venue experience that runs from afternoon into the early morning hours.

One of the biggest highlights arrives Saturday, March 28 when Younan Music hosts its Miami Music Week showcase at Palace. Running from 12 PM to 4 AM, the event will feature more than fifteen DJs and a lineup of internationally recognized house and electronic artists including Carlo Lio, Juanito, Saeed Younan, Sirus Hood, Vito (UK), Eddie Lopez, Adriano Longi, and Diezel.

The weekend wraps up Sunday, March 29 with a community-focused finale presented by Palace Productions. The closing event will spotlight more than ten local LGBTQ+ DJs and highlight Palace’s continued commitment to uplifting queer artists in Miami’s nightlife scene.

A busy month for a South Beach institution

Alongside the music programming, Palace continues celebrating its 38th year as one of Miami Beach’s most iconic nightlife venues.

Whether guests arrive for rooftop DJs, seasonal cocktails, or simply to soak in the energy of Ocean Drive, the venue remains one of the city’s most recognizable destinations for nightlife and entertainment.

South Florida Insider will also be covering select Palace Bar events throughout the month, including the Sunset Sapphire launch on March 21 and the Younan Music Miami Music Week showcase on March 28.

Additional coverage and highlights from both nights will follow after the events.

March event highlights

Winter Party Beach Party VIP cabanas — March 1
AURÉA rooftop series launch — March 1
Spring and Summer Cocktail Collection debut — March 4
Sunset Sapphire launch — March 21
HOTL Records showcase — March 26
We’re Never Going Home rooftop takeover — March 27
Younan Music Miami Music Week showcase — March 28
Palace Productions community finale — March 29