During the 1990s, Miami developed new businesses and cultural amenities that developed as parts of the New South. After Haitian refugees began arriving in the city in the 1990s, Little Haiti developed as a predominantly Haitian neighborhood. Although Miami had been a refugee haven, its status as a poor city by the 1990s resulted from tremendous financial burdens. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew caused more than $20 billion in damage just south of Miami-Dade.
Miami was the first Florida city to have a state-appointed oversight board appointed after experiencing a budget shortfall of $68 million and being given a junk bond rating by Wall Street. Voters in the city rejected a resolution trying to dissolve it and make it one with Dade County. Miami’s financial problems continued until political outsider Manny Diaz was elected mayor in 2001.
Below are some fascinating photos that will take you back to the 1990s in Miami.
It was a fun time in the 90s. At the time, South Beach was transitioning from an old folks home to a fashionable district. The elderly were mingling (more like gawking!) at the young people on the beach, though. Nightlife was awesome. Start at a restaurant and end at a club (Club Nu, 1235, the Cameo, or the Warsaw Ballroom). The hotspot of Sunday night at the Cameo was Disco Inferno despite the popularity of grunge in the 90s… Though disco never really died in Miami…
90’s Miami was a beautiful thing. People talk about the 80’s, and I’m sure it was awesome. But 90’s was just a vibe and life was good.
The 90’s were great for three main reasons:
1) People had not yet started fucking each other via the housing market.
2) We didn’t yet carry around devices that stole our presence and simultaneously subjected us to the opinions of irredeemable assholes on a daily basis.
3) There were 56 million fewer people in the U.S. in 1999 vs today.
1980s Miami was awesome? Interesting yes but not awesome lol. Drug dealers everywhere, police corruption, shootings etc.
Talk to people that lived in Miami during the 80’s and they’ll tell you how awesome it was. That would be boomers and Gen x’ers. As a millennial, I remember back fondly on growing up in Miami in the 90’s.
Exactly, it’s safer now than it was in the 80’s and 90’s. Most people aren’t on crack now as well.
I had a nice dinner at the Clevelander back in 1989. Lovely meal. When I went to the bathroom I was followed in by the host and was offered cocaine for free. Since I was in 8 th grade and there with my dad I passed.
But Jesus people today have no idea what south beach was back then. Clevelander was owned by the mob. Now it’s owned by a Disney family company.
Disney is bigger and more ruthless than the mob
And more expensive
News Café
I saw this old YouTube video of South Beach in the 90’s. They filmed it on Washington Avenue and it was definitely a vibe. Would love to have a Time Machine after watching it.
I remember those nights going from club to club. It’s hard to imagine if we had smartphones
At this point even looking at pictures of Miami from the 2000s looks like it was a simpler time that I would wanna revisit.