After nearly a decade of service to Miami's gastronomes and night owls, iconic Wynwood restaurant and cocktail bar Beaker & Gray has announced it will be pouring its last drink and serving its last plate on June 30. The establishment, which opened in December 2015, was among the vanguard of venues that ushered in a new era for the Wynwood neighborhood, transforming it from an industrial stretch into a buzzing cultural hotspot.
The decision to close the doors of Beaker & Gray comes from a recognition of the natural life cycle of such establishments, as co-owner Ben Potts put it in a statement obtained by Miami Eater, "We see things as having cycles, and Beaker is ending its cycle." Potts, known for his work at Broken Shaker and Blackbird Ordinary, helped to firmly establish the venue's reputation for its cocktail program. The intent was simple— to seamlessly merge fine dining with a thoughtfully curated cocktail menu, a move that clearly resonated with patrons.
As reported by Miami Herald, Beaker & Gray has been a touchpoint for social gatherings in the district, and its closure marks the end of an era for the rapidly changing neighborhood. Evidencing the transformation of Wynwood over nearly a decade, the restaurant's co-owner Brian Nasajon commented, "We’ve had an incredible run at Beaker & Gray and are extremely proud of the part we have played in Wynwood’s development into a world famous neighborhood."
Despite the upcoming closure, the restaurant does not plan to go quietly. In a show of gratitude to their supporters and the community, Potts and Nasajon are reviving their popular five-dollar happy hour—a move sure to attract a crowd eager to say their farewells to a beloved institution. As Brian Nasajon told Miami Herald, "We wanted to find the right way to thank and say farewell — but not goodbye — to our many friends and loyal clientele."
The final weeks of Beaker & Gray promise to be a celebratory affair, with happy hour specials announced on their social media @beakerandgray. Details are still forthcoming from the business partners, who remain "tight-lipped" about their next venture, leaving Miami's diners in eager anticipation of what might emerge from the culinary minds that brought Beaker & Gray to life.
