ver since Florida’s prized coral reefs gained classification as an endangered species, businesses are doing their part to spread the awareness by promoting all things coral. The Tides’ new signature lobby bar, Coral bar, elevates coral reefs from an interest to an obsession. The sleek interior designed by Kelly Wearstler (LA's Viceroy hotel) prominently displays a back-lit coral medallion and a reverse-glass mural of sea creatures not named Ariel.

This sounds more than a little kitschy, but strangely its not. Despite the Disney-esque underwater theme, with its sleek reds, leathers, and golds, the Coral Bar somehow manages to be as elegant as its surroundings. Of course, it helps that it's located at The Tides South Beach, one of the swankiest Art Deco boutique hotels in Miami, and there are a lot of Art Deco boutique hotels in Miami. If there's any place that can pull it off, it's The Tides.

Yes, it's a themed bar, but it's also a quintessential Miami bar: exclusive, fancy, and full of well-dressed attractive people. This place is intimate as intimate gets, small but not a hole-in-the-wall. It's the kind of bar that offers few options for seating (only six barstools), but that only furthers the feeling of VIP. It's a place to escape the hustle and bustle of The Tides and relax, Sinatra style.

Take a seat at the Peruvian Stone Bar where an attentive bartender will address your every need. Stylishly outfitted in a red tie/black vest combo, the 'tender can whip up anything your heart desires. The focus, though, is on rum. The selection is unparalleled, featuring more than thirty rums from twelve different countries. And they'll put them to use in everything from Daiquiris to Mojitos to Mai Tais, or just straight up. Ask for a screwdriver and they'll begrudgingly mix it, but to pass up the rum selection would be a big mistake.

They're so serious about their cane-juice at the Coral Bar that the signature menu is all rum-inspired. Like the space, the menu is brief but impressive. On offer here are Rabbit Confit, Rum Glazed Halibut Seared on Sugar Cane, Grilled Veal Chop, and for dessert, a Mount Gay Extra Old Rum flavored Crème Brulee with Rum Raisin Ice Cream. If you feel like something more substantial, La Marea restaurant is just down the hall and they'll let you nibble on some appetizers at the bar.