Want to spend less money and party more during Winter Music Conference 2010? Follow our nine rules to maximize your hard earned dollar and limited time in Miami.

Rule #1 – Plan way ahead. This goes for buying party tickets, booking your hotel and flights, and arriving to parties. The longer you wait, the more you can expect to spend. Planning ahead is the key to saving money.

Rule #2 – Stay close to the parties. If at all possible avoid staying in North Beach, or anywhere beyond walking distance of the strip (1st Street to 40th Street is “The Strip”). The best location to stay is between 15th Street and 43rd Street on Collins or Washington Ave.

Rule #3 – Share your hotel room. Split a hotel room with up to four people, but don’t let the concierge know this. Most hotels have a  limit to the number of people who can stay in a room and charge for extra guests, whereas other places don’t take too much stock either way, as long as you’re not making noise and check out on time. Most of the larger hotels will actually fine you for having more than the indicated number of guests in the room, but thanks to their large size, as long as you stagger your entrances and exits, no one will really notice.

Rule #4 – Use public transportation. If you do end up farther than walking distance from the main strip, modes of transportation can be hard to find if you don’t have the cash to shell out on a rental car. There are other options though including: bus, cab, bike rental and bumming a ride with new friends.

Rule #5 – Drink cheap. One of the largest expenses during Winter Music Conference week is booze. There are a lot of ways to get your drink on without going broke. To avoid spending $7 for a Budlight and $12 for cocktails drink before leaving your room, drink en route, and try to sneak in alcohol wherever you go. When you do find yourself at a party, go with the $10 well vodka or seek out the super hooked up sponsored parties that offer free booze.

Rules #6 – Eat cheap. You can avoid pay for breakfast and buying $20 lunches and $50 dinners with a few eating options. Eat a free breakfast at your hotel. For a filling $5 lunch hit up the many corner Cuban stands and while you are there order their espresso which kicks Redbull’s booty. For an inexpensive dinner, avoid anything directly on Ocean Drive, as they hike up their prices for the tourists.

Rule #7 – Pack carefully. Think of Winter Music Conference as a rigorous test of endurance and prepare accordingly. Sunscreen is vital for survival. So are comfortable shoes, Band-Aids, Tylenol and water. Make sure to raid your medicine cabinet before leaving your house for your travels. You probably already own the necessities you need to survive with, there is no point in wasting the money buying everything again. Also, don’t pack a lot of valuables, you’re going to be drinking and partying and let’s face it, drunk you is a lot less reliable than sober you. Check out our checklist on what to bring to Winter Music Confernce.

Rule #8 – Avoid party hopping. A guaranteed way to rack up expenses and waste valuable time during Winter Music Conference week is by party chasing. Don’t leave a good party in search of a better one, you will regret it. Try to map-out your itinerary and avoid only hitting up the big venues. This will ensure you don’t spend most of your night in line. And remember, the best place in the world is wherever your friends are!

The last thing you are going to want to do while in Miami during Winter Music Conference is sleep; and since Miami parties till dawn and sleeps in the morning all year-round anyway, the place for most locals to sleep and shower is typically the beach. But before you arrive to Miami read our “Sleeping with Miami” guide to find the perfect place to sleep, store your stuff and get some off-the-dance-floor action during one of the wildest weeks of your life.

Where to stay.

If you want to be in the heart of all the action, and noise, be sure to stay in South Beach between Collins & Washington Ave from 3^rd through 23^rd St., this is where most of the parties will be. You could even go as far us as 43rd St. but the farther you get away from 23rd, the farther you will have to walk.

To get away from the noise and to have a more peaceful time during Winter Music Conference, consider staying in these parts of the city.

• North Miami Beach Area – Anything south of Bal Harbor, but North of 64th Street, including Surfside and North Shores
• Downtown – Can be accessed by bus, and is just over one of two bridges from the beach. If you’re going to WMC to attend Ultra and nothing else, consider the Intercontinental Hotel, which faces Bayfront Park, where the event is held, or the Holiday Inn off Biscayne Blvd across from the Bayside Shopping Center.
• Wynwood – A blossoming art district just west of the design district. While hotels are scarce in the area, it is conveniently located.
• Design District – Located north of Downtown proper, the Design District runs from 36th street until around 59th and houses some of the best restaurants in Miami.
• Upper East Side – This area has been developing like mad lately. New houses, condos, restaurants, and art galleries are popping up every day. The area runs from 69th street to around 85th and is new as well as hip. (If you end up here, be sure to eat at Dogma for some amazing hot dogs)
• Brickell – If you somehow find a Brickell condo at a decent price, don’t look anywhere else. While you’re not directly on the strip, you’ll never be more than 20 minutes away. Brickell has some of Miami’s most beautiful city views.
• Airport Area – It’s just off the 112, which takes you to downtown, or connects you directly to the 195 towards the beach.
• The Roads – The area just south of Brickell, located near Viscaya and the Science Museum has limited hotel choices, but it provides not only easy access to the beach and downtown, but is also centrally located to Coral Gables and Coconut Groves, which are huge shopping and dining districts.

Keep in mind that while Miami is a relatively safe city to vacation in, there are certain parts that have a worse reputation than others, especially in terms of tourists. Here are a few places you do not want to stay in.

• Overtown – Located just northwest of Downtown Miami, Overtown is bound by NW 5th Street to the south, I-95 and the Dolphin Expressway to the northwest, NW 1st Avenue to the east, and the Miami River to the southwest. It is one of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods, and as such has a higher crime rate than a lot of the city, as well as a reputation as a rough spot.
• Hialeah – While Hialeah isn’t exactly unsafe anymore, it definitely has not become any easier to get around. It’s easy to get lost in a city where W 49th St is also NW 103rd St, and even locals have a tough time finding their way. If you do make it out to Hialeah, make sure you have access to a mobile app such as Google Maps, have a GPS system like a Tom-Tom, or are an avid map reader.
• Little Haiti – While northern Biscayne is home to some of Miami’s newer trendy places to hang out (an area referred to as the Upper East Side) it’s also home to one of the most diverse cluster of communities. Little Haiti is the center of Haitian culture in Miami, and as such, offers visitors a unique Caribbean experience. However, care should be taken if walking around on foot, especially at night, as the area is high in burglary.

Lodging choices.

Your options for lodging during Winter Music Conference are condos, hotels, hostels and for the adventurous type – the beach.

Condos (Villas & Mansions)

+ Average Cost: $3,000-$10,000/week – get one for the entire month for just as much.
+ Hook Up Probability: Good. The closer you are to the strip and nicer the condo, the better chance you have.
+ Pros: Piece of mind, no mini bar prices, fit as many people as possible to split costs.
+ Cons: No room service, it’s hard/expensive to find a rental in South Beach, and potential for scams.

The longer you plan on staying in Miami the more money you can save by renting a condo. However, a lot of owners are scared shitless of Winter Music Conference and will make you sign all these crazy “no partying” agreements (usually).  It’s a bit of a headache and you might get scammed too (countless people are scammed every year).

Going directly through the homeowner does work for some people, but it is best to go through an agency, to avoid the risk not having a place to sleep when you get in town on the beach, and losing your money. However, if you prefer to deal directly with owners, use of many websites which also provide services where the actual owner (not working through an agency) rents out the condo to those looking to use it for vacation (rates available for both weeks and months at a time.)  Check out these sites Home Away , VRBO and  Vacation Rentals.

When searching on these sites, email every single one that looks like it might fit your criteria. Next, try and deposit a down payment (usually around 50%) through paypal.com and pay the rest when you get there.  Never pay the entire price up front.

Hotels

+ Average Cost: $100-500/night
+ Hook Up Probability: High. Close by neighbors who love to part as much as you do. Penthouse = guarantee.
+ Pros: Room service (most have included breakfast), 24hour maintenance, pool access, hotel parties.
+ Cons: Limit on number of people allowed, most expensive and rules.

Hotels dominate the landscape on SoBe and downtown Miami; there is no shortage of them.  However, as we approach the conference dates the prices skyrocket, so NOW is the time to search for the best deals.  Most Hotels and resorts provide very luxurious amenities for their guest in order to offer an exquisite stay for those who need to be pampered.  Here are some of the more high-profile stays:

• Eden Roc Beach Resort & Spa: This hotel is the official host hotel of WMC 2010 with room specials starting as low as $219 per night.
• Fountainebleu: This extravagant resort not only host an over the top array of luxury and style, it is also home to the high-profile nightclub Liv,  a sushi bar named Blade lounge, and the pool side bar Glow.  Currently promotions are running for rooms starting at $299 per night.
• The Shelborne Resort: Many official WMC parties are held at this resorts pool every year, with the DJ Mag opening party featuring David Guetta among others being quite the spectacle to witness.  Check the website for promotions.
• The Gansevoort- One of the most impressive hotels on the beach, the newly renovated Gansevoort welcomes visitors with a jaw dropping shark tank in the lobby, true Miami style. Modern design throughout, access to some of the best pool-side parties and conveniently located, the Gansevoort will make you feel like royalty, with a matching price tag.
• The Delano – The pool at the Delano is famous. The hotel, and its restaurant, The Blue Door, are celebrated as Iconic for the city. While the Delano doesn’t typically host many WMC events, it is centrally located to pretty much all the action.

The hotels above are undoubtedly your higher end stays, trying to find lower priced rooms to be a little tricky, however doable.  Start by scouring your standard sites like Hotels.com and Travelocity.  Here are some mid priced hotels:

• The Kent Hotel: A funky choice for young travelers, the Kent has playful appeal. Psychedelic colors and geometric shapes define the lobby, while rooms are decked out in lilac and steel.
• The Hotel Chelsea: This is an outstanding choice for jet-setters on a budget, this Art Deco gem has a Feng Shui feel. Bamboo floors and Japanese-style futon beds make rooms stylish and relaxing.
• The Chesterfield: An African jungle safari theme reigns at this renovated Art Deco designer hotel. Extras include a free breakfast, nightly cocktail hour with a DJ spinning hip hop music, and VIP access to several hot nightclubs located nearby.

For the lowest prices, some Miami specific search engines are worth a shot, such as Miami.Bookit or Miami-Bookings.  As a disclaimer, the cheapest hotels can be found near the airport which is on the opposite of downtown Miami from SoBe, and may call for expensive cab rides.  Here are a couple of the lowest priced stays:

• Hyatt Place Miami Airport: From the outstanding guest services, activities and on-site amenities, The Hyatt Place is sure to please travelers of all kinds. Take advantage of the amazing location, and close proximity to MIA International Airport.
• Sofitel Miami: This hotel is ideally situated just 5 minutes from Miami International Airport, 15 minutes from beautiful beaches and 10 minutes from the Port of Miami.
• Red Roof Inn Miami Airport: located off I-95 at SR 836, four miles west of downtown Miami, and approximately one mile from Miami International Airport. The hotel provides affordable and comfortable accommodations for both business and leisure travelers.

For more wallet friendly hotels, see our post on the 10 best places to lay your head (or your date) for less

Hostels

+ Average Cost: $30-$75/night
+ Hook Up Probability: No chance. Stick with the beach…or bathrooms.
+ Pros: Cheap as hell.
+ Cons: Little to no privacy, share common space and bathrooms.

Those traveling on a dime mainly want somewhere to stash luggage, shower, and sleep (although you won’t get much of that!)  This is why in recent years hostels and budget hotels have gotten really popular amongst WMC goers.  By ridding themselves of extra amenities and sticking to the basics, hostels offer a much lower price than both condo’s and hotels.  Sites such as HostelWorld and Hostels.com provide a search engine where one can find and book rooms in virtually any major world city including Miami.  These sites also provide a calculated average customer rating so one can make an informed decision when making the final booking.  Here are a few popular locations:

• Jazz City Hostel: The Jazz on SoBe is meant for the international party kid.  They provide breakfast, and an open bar.  And its house music all day and night as the guests mingle in the lobby before heading to the clubs!
• The Tropics Hotel & Hostel: As with most hostels Europeans are prominent, however this place comes with a swimming pool, and a bar to chat up the hot foreign girl you’ve had your eye on all day.
• The Shelley Hotel: for a low price one can book a very swank dorm, and last WMC the hostel hosted various DJ’s that turned the front lobby into a dance floor.
• The Clay: this is by far one of the most well decorated hostels I have ever visited.

Beaches

+ Average Cost: Free, unless you get arrested, or get your stuff stolen mid-sleep
+ Hook Up Probability: Low. If he/she is an exhibitionist and doesn’t mind Miami sand in their ass you may have a shot. Be sure to prepare a good excuse before anything gets started. “David Guetta is in my penthouse at the Standard right now partying. Let’s do it on the beach.” usually works for me.
+ Pros: It’s a beach. Come on.
+ Cons: See above + it is illegal.

For those of you who are a little adventurous sleeping on the beach is an option – but I don’t advise it. Sleeping next to the calm Miami ocean may seem romantic but it is illegal. It is, after all, considered by the city to be a public park, and as with any public park, sleeping overnight is prohibited. As a general rule, sleeping is only legally allowed on the beach during daylight hours, so if you’re one of those “I-don’t-go-to-bed-till-the-sun-comes-up” types, this may just work for you.

If you’re dead set on being adventurous, here are a few beaches that make for decent sleep…and romantic love-making.

• South Beach, between 1st and 3rd (Penrod’s) – You get a lovely view of the Miami skyline if you go closer to the pier, but run a higher risk of getting caught.
• South Beach, between 5th and 15th – The buildings here arent directly on the ocean, and the walkway buffer provides some privacy from on lookers. But beware, this is a busy area, so if you’re gonna do it, you’re gonna have to be creative.
• Key Biscayne Causeway – While its out-of-the-way, this beach offers you the best view of the Miami Beach Skyline. If you’re not driving, your chances of getting caught are surprisingly low.
• The Golden Beach area north of Sunny Isles – If you’re not driving, don’t even think about. If you are, then this may be your best bet. You’re far enough away from the strip that cops aren’t out looking, and you can hide in the sea grape if necessary.

Under any and all circumstances, do not attempt to sleep anywhere near the Julia Tuttle Causeway. This is the bridge portion of the 195 that connects downtown Miami to South Beach. While its prime location may be appealing, and the bridge provides cover from the rain, you’ll be sharing your zz’s with a colony of sex offenders, which says little in the way of safety.

Whether you decide to book a condo, hotel, or hostel do your homework! Due diligence is a sure way to avoid any unpleasant surprises upon arrival.

No one wants to wait in line when they have so many places to go and DJ’s to see. If you are looking to get inside the party faster during Winter Music Conference we have laid out six options and their cost for you.

#1 All Access Pass or F*ck You Wristband – Nothing will get you into a Winter Music Conference party faster then having either of these passes. Offered by Opium Group and Vice Ventures, the two biggest nightclub owners in Miami,  hold up one of these bad boys at the door of the respective venue and be escorted inside, leaving everyone else in line. For more info visit All Access Pass and F*ck You Wristband.

Cost: $150-$900

#2 Bottle & Table Service – The second best way to get into almost any party is to pay for table and bottle service. Table service at any venue includes party admission for each person in your group and allows you to jump the line. Their are three ways to buy a table depending on the venue. Some venues make table service packages available as an option at the time of ticket purchase through Wanttickets.com. Another way to guarantee you a table is to book your table ahead of time directly from the venue. You can also book your table at the venue the time of the party, however, we strongly advise against this since most good parties will sell all of their tables. Check out our Miami table service directory.

Cost: $800 – $5,000 depending on number of people in your group

#3 Buy Tickets Early – Another sure way, and most commonly used, is to buy tickets before you get to Winter Music Conference for the parties you know you are going to attend. Having a ticket in hand when you arrive to the party means no waiting in the much longer General Admission line and guarantees you get into the party. You can start purchasing party tickets as early as January from Wanttickets.com or whichever method the promoters are using, and pick up tickets . Tickets will be available for sale at the doors of most venues but it is always safer to have tickets to avoid long general admission lines and increased prices the day of the event.

Cost: Pre-sale ticket prices range from $10-$40. Expect to pay twice as much the day of the party.

#4 Winter Music Conference Badge – All delegates, fancy word for Winter Music Conference badge holders, have access to free or discounted “Official Events”. There are typically a 100 or so parties each year that will accept the WMC badge. To find out which parties are free or discounted check out The List and look for “Official Event”.

Cost: $235-$475 depending on time of purchase.

#5 RSVP – If you are invited to a party or know a promoter or performer be sure to RSVP for their guest list. This will get you inside faster and for free. There are dozens of free RSVP only parties during Winter Music Conference, but you need to be in the know to get word of it.

#6 Tip the Doorman - When all else fails tipping the doorman works. Figure $100 per person, anything less is insulting during Winter Music Conference week.
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Arrive Early - The most important of them all! Regardless if it is a daytime, afternoon or night party, try to be on time if you know it’s going to be a popular party to avoid the venue hitting capacity or getting greedy. There is nothing worse then standing in line for an hour for a party that you bought a ticket for a month ago or arriving at 3pm party that started at noon and having to wait and pay even though you have the WMC badge. If the venue is at capacity, no one is getting in.

Have Your ID Ready -  A valid (not expired) passport, drivers license or government issued ID is required to get into all parties. Most Miami nightclubs have a strict door policy when it comes to checking for identification, however, during Winter Music Conference it is known that minors have infiltrated many parties. All Miami nightclubs are 21+ years up unless otherwise specified. If you are under 21 years of age stick to Ultra Music Festival and pool parties at your hotel.

Network - Believe it or not, knowing the doorman, DJ or promoter actually does work during Winter Music Conference. While you in Miami be sure to meet as many people you can.  From the people on the plane to the person at the hotel bar, you never know who you are going to meet. Just be sure to ask them to put your name on their guestlist and take their name and phone number just to be sure.

Dress Code – During Winter Music Conference dress codes are pretty much the same from venue to venue in Miami. You can wear anything or nothing at all to daytime parties. At night, guys must wear pants (no shorts) and girls just look your best without over doing it.  Be ready to dance, party and sweat so you can leave your suits and gowns at home.

Bring Girls – Miami is no different then your hometown. Attractive girls are like currency. The higher the quantity and quality of females in your group, the better the chance you have of getting inside faster. Just have one of them walk to the front of the line, make eye contact with the person in charge and politely ask, “can my hot group of friends get inside?”.

Know When to Leave - If there is a large line ask the doorman how long the wait is. They are pretty good at judging how long you will have to wait if you are at the back of the line.This is also a good time to flirt your way in.  If it is more then an hour, you should consider leaving and checking out another party.

Be Polite – Above all else, treat the people at the door with respect. In most cases they are not trying to ruin your fun and are doing everything in their power to get you in the door. Being rude will not get you in faster, in fact it may just have you not getting in at all. Take a deep breath and remember you are in Miami bitch! Enjoy it.

When it comes to producing and promoting a successful party during Winter Music Conference week in Miami it takes planning, knowing the right people and a lot of promotion…and a little experience doesn’t hurt either. So, we asked our friends Matt Ladner who has promoted for Mad Decent and Tony Garcia of Phuel Marketing for some advice. Matt has thrown a number of very successful Winter Music Conference parties over the years and Tony is an industry veteran who is producing his first WMC parties this year. Here is what they had to say.

Matt says…….…….

1) Location, location, location. Throwing parties in offbeat places can easily go wrong. Even with the best intentions planning a party from thousands of miles away and months out can create a dangerous/bad situation. You always want to scout your location and never take someones word on a location. For example, last year one of my favorite labels in the world threw a daytime party that is notorious for being one of the best day shows. It was held at a marina on the bay. A massive Void audio sound system was brought in from Europe, and Jesse Rose and many many other big names were booked. The party was scheduled form 12pm – 10pm. We arrived a little after 2pm to discover that the marina was connected to a large hotel and shortly after the party started the people in the hotel had begun to complain about the sound. On top of that the wind blowing off the bay was literally 30 mph. It was miserable. In theory the location sounded great but had it been properly scouted by any experienced promoter before hand I am sure something better would have been worked out.

2) Work with someone local. There are probably a hundred or more promoters in the Miami area that throw thousands of parties a year. Finding someone that has connections with sound guys, light guys, venues, etc will make you party planning a million times easier. They also have a good sense of what kind of parities will work in what spaces, as well as knowledge of permits and city laws regarding alcohol sales. You will find that you cant pay enough for that kind of insider knowledge. (2010 most connected Miami promoter is Overthrow)

3) Hire a marketing company. I always find it best to work with a marketing company to help offset expenses and help with logistics. I work with Revolt Marketing, they do everything from getting flyers designed to finding sponsors and booking talent. They are heavily involved with several venues in the Miami area and are one of my biggest allies when planning a show.

4) Expect to be very “flexible”. With all the shows happening in the span of a week crazy things will happen, artists will cancel for a bigger booking, people will jump in the dj booth for a picture, time slots will get shuffled, a smoke machine will get stuck in the on position, someone will puke behind the decks. The way you handle those kinds of obstacles will ultimately determine the vibe of your party and the success of your WMC show.

Tony says…………..

1) Planning and budgeting. In my experience roundtables are very important for ideas to be generated. It should include people with the backgrounds of marketing coordinators, event planners, public relations specialists, and music directors. We gather costs and put together a budget and make decisions based on expenses which include marketing, travel, entertainment and staff.

2) Book a location, then book talent. Finding the right venue can be difficult. You are shopping for something that has to be the size, location based on demographics, a layout that can be easy to work with, the right price, and a owner of the venue who is open to ideas. Once you find a location, book your talent for the party. Some promoters decide on the talent before deciding the space. I like to decide on talent after and that is because the venue can sometimes create an aura. The lights and sound should be in a fashion according to the space. The talent will then create the night.

3) Promote months in advance and week of. The party needs to be promoted months ahead of time since many WMC attendees will purchase their tickets before they arrive in Miami, and as early as January. To promote your party you will need two things – a place to sell your tickets and marketing/press to drive traffic to that place. Most promoters use Want Tickets to sell tickets. Once you set up your ticket system, be sure to send out press to Winter Music Conference organization, and highly visible EDM and WMC related websites, like this one. The week of Winter Music Conference be sure to spend some time networking so you can pass out handbills/flyers. For Winter Music Conference, I do not like to be the first to throw an event because I like to promote during the first events and network at the location of where the actual conference takes place.

4) Rehersal and event day. All events should have a rehearsal before they go live just to make sure that we are ready and all staff is in place. The day of the event is always the hardest. You have to be calm and presentable. It is also important to be sober. Like everything in life, such as a date or a new job, come early to your party and make sure everything is good to go. Make sure you stay on top of everything and keep in touch with your contacts there. This is your responsibility so make sure your talent gets there okay and plays a good professional set. You never know who will be listening.

General tips.………….

1) Pitching your idea. You want to establish contact with the venue’s events or sales department via phone, although emails won’t hurt either. Finding the right person to speak with isn’t hard to do; it’s what you say that will determine everything. You have to let them know you have a serious interest in throwing a well-run party. Remember that one phone call is your only chance with that person to make a good impression. After all, they are trusting you with their venue during the busiest week of the year!

2) Signing contracts. Many venues will want you to sign a contract for liability and services rendered (the party). Depending on the venue, the terms and conditions to throw a party can vary. Some places want a deposit of up to $15,000 so that if the party doesn’t work out, they will still make money. Some places want a fee, and they supply their own bartenders and the security, leaving you to make money from the door.

Next you need to establish the equipment situation (i.e. sound system, cd-j’s, mixers, etc).  The venue may not be able to supply any and you will have to bring your own. That can be a big inconvenience, especially if you’re coming from out of town. Other places will simply let you have your party without any money to drop, but you won’t make money either. That can be negative especially if you want to book a headliner out of pocket.

3) Ask for favors. If you are well connected or partner with someone that is. Ask around to see if a headliner(s) will perform at your party for free or minimal cost for the exposure. Usually the agent for the talent will try to not let that happen, this is where having a good relationship with them will come in handy.  During Winter Music Conference week, there’s a good chance you can make your connections work for you and save a ton of money on talent…and ultimately make your party.

One of the must important things to remember when promoting a party during Winter Music Conference is inviting me. Send details to wmc@nightlyfe.com to get listed on our site and we will see you there.

Partying for a week straight is a conquest best left to the party professionals – and if you are attending Winter Music Conference, that would be you. While no one partakes in Winter Music Conference week for a good night’s sleep, a little shut eye is inevitable. Following our guide to refueling will help keep your energy up while minimizing your time down.

If you start feeling sick, sad or tired during the week, chances are the solution is very simple and you just need one of three things: food, water, or sleep. By keeping tabs on your energy level, you can ward off waves of lagging lethargy by making sure you keep your body stocked up on these three variables.

Eat.

Protein is the key to sustained energy during Winter Music Confernce or anywhere else. Sugar and fat-laden snacks will give you a quick burst of mojo, but to dance all night you need protein. If you have a high metabolism and tend to get hungry (and grouchy) fairly often, carry a few granola bars or some trail mix with you so that you don’t have to shell out cash or drag your friends to a restaurant every time you need food.

Dining out in Miami can run you $6-$50+ per meal, and if you let yourself become exceedingly hungry, you are more than likely to end up overpaying for a meal just to get something in your belly. Plan ahead with your meals and you will save money. Whatever you do, don’t head out for a night of heavy drinking on an empty stomach. After three or four drinks you will be on Cloud Nine; after a few more you will be on the floor under a table.

What you eat in Miami is often determined by the time of day:

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfasts can be great because there is nothing better than treating yourself to a big, greasy breakfast of eggs, toast, bacon, hash browns, coffee and orange juice after waking up with a head full of fuzz. However, you will probably be waking up around 4PM, so be sure to check your hotel’s breakfast hours before you count on a big breakfast.
• Lunch: If you want to go out for a nice meal, it is usually less expensive to do so for lunch rather than dinner. Hit up one of the many street vendors selling Cuban sandwiches – it might just be the best meal you eat while in Miami.
• Dinner: There are no shortage of excellent restaurants in Miami to choose from; ask locals for advice and have at least one nice meal while in Miami even if you eat PB&J the rest of the week.

Sleep.

While sleep is no doubt the last thing on your mind as you prepare for Winter Music Conference, the sad truth is that you will probably have to get a few winks in during the week. Do so smartly, and you can limit the time you spend recharging in favor of more moving endeavors.

• Timing is of the essence when refueling. If you stay up for three nights in a row before your favorite DJ is scheduled to play on Saturday night, chances are you will crash and miss the highlight of your week. This might mean going back to the hotel to sleep on Saturday morning so that you can make it out Saturday night; only you can judge whether you need rest and fuel, so pay attention to your body’s needs or you will suffer the consequences.
• Bring an eye mask and ear plugs. While a few of you may have a private hotel room or roommates who won’t make a peep when you decide to sleep, the other 99% of us will have to deal with less than ideal sleeping arrangements and must bring these items to shut out some of the light and sound. When ear plugs aren’t cutting it, headphones and an MP3 player can better block out the noise.
• All hail the power nap. Getting your Z’s in where they fit in may have your friends laugh at you as you nod off for thirty minutes in the back booth of a club or on the beach, but you’ll be the one smiling hours later when they head back to the hotel and sleep through the next party.

Drink…water.

No secret here, the number one cause of sickness and pain while partying is dehydration. Don’t wait until you get thirsty to drink water; rather have consistently throughout the day. To avoid paying for $5-$10 waters, bring your own water bottle and sip on it all day long.

• Along with your water you might want to take a multivitamin every day and especially a big dose of, such as the one provided by packets of Emergen-C. Certain “party favors” require vitamin C to work their magic and will thus deplete your body of its natural resources. You must fill those stocks of vitamin C back up, or you will be tired and sleepy – and your drugs won’t work as well. No vitamins? Try to drink orange juice as often as possible; this can be as easy as choosing a Screwdriver over a Jack and Coke.
• Other beverages can hydrate you, so consume the following whenever possible: juices, soft drinks, punch, smoothies, tea and coffee all contain water and will up your fluid intake.
• Alcoholic drinks have the opposite effect of these fluids and actually dehydrate you while you drink them; your body needs an extra glass of water just to offset the dehydrating qualities of the shot of tequila you just downed. You know the horrible headache you get when you’re really hungover? It’s your brain hitting your skull, because the cushy pad of fluid around it has been sucked dry.
• The more water you drink, the less hungover you will be. To minimize hangovers, before you crash for the night drink a giant glass of H20 and pop two Tylenol, but never Advil- unless you like it when your stomach bleeds. Click here for more tips on beating your hangover.
• Caffeine as we all know can provide the spark your brain needs to switch from zombie-mode to party mode. Many hotels will have a small coffee maker, and true addicts can travel with a French press to make pristine cups of caffeine wherever they go. Be wary of Vivarin because it is easy to take too much, and if you don’t like coffee, a chemical-rich Red Bull can do the trick as well.

Follow this refueling trio and who knows…you may even be able to keep up with me.

Photo by www.nefariousgirl.com

During the six days of Winter Music Conference there will be more than 400 parties held at dozens of venues and outdoor spaces throughout Miami. This is enough to drive any party person crazy. One of the best ways to maximize your party time and minimize your expense is knowing the simple science of buying your party tickets.

The Science.

(Plan your party schedule.) + (Budget x Buy/RSVP early.) =

Best Possible Outcome for Ticket Purchase

1st - Plan your party schedule.

Before you buy any party tickets, make a tentative list of events you want to attend. This should be a live working document that you start in January and add to it as you learn about more parties. Many party professionals prefer the school schedule method, using a grid with the days of the week separated into columns, allowing for several options each day in the beginning. Keep in mind that prices for Winter Music Conference events can range from completely free to a couple hundred dollars, so figuring out what you absolutely cannot miss is key. Formulate the rest of your schedule around your “don’t miss” events.

New information about parties comes out daily from January 1st right up until the start of Winter Music Conference. Three great sources to find all the parties is 1) nightlyfe.com/wmc/party 2) wmcon.com and 3)  WantTickets.

2nd – Budget.

Once you have your party schedule started you will need to decide whether to buy individual tickets (free – $200+ each), a ticket package ($200-$1,500) or a WMC Badge ($235-$400 depending on time of purchase). Let’s say that you want to attend ten different events over the course of the week, and of these events, seven are listed as being free with a WMC Badge. Depending on the price of entry to each of the seven events, it may be cheaper to just buy a badge. Ticket packages are also available for some of the chain clubs and may be a good alternative for the person looking to attend a few events at specific venues. The Opium Group, for example, that manages Mansion, Louis, Cameo and other clubs, offers an All Access, All Events package, which gets you into all Opium group WMC events and is available for $600 in addition to other packages for specific clubs.

To save money, find out if artists you really want to see are playing free events. The best way to do this is to go directly to the artist’s page and check out their tour schedule. Then, it’s just a matter of either following links or using Google to get you to a party information site where you can RSVP for events. Scion is notorious for having some of the big name performers headlining much smaller parties that are free with RSVP (and sometimes also have free alcohol). Here is an example of an RSVP page from a Scion event from last year’s WMC; they may update the site for this year’s events as we get closer to Conference, so make sure you look at the date.

Know what sells out. Bigger events like ULTRA are unlikely to sell out, and if you don’t mind parting with the extra cash to buy your tickets at the gate, this is often quicker than lining up for online ticket collection. Other events like Juicy Beach and various pool parties like those at The Shelbourne – especially the big ones like Pete Tong’s Friday pool party – usually have tickets available on the door, but are very popular so get there early to avoid disappointment and a massive line.

3rd – Buy or RSVP early.

As soon as tickets become available for party in your party schedule, buy them. Once you’ve finally got it all down and you know exactly what you’re going to be purchasing tickets for, it’s time to spend that hard-earned money. There are basically two ways to go about purchasing tickets to events: at the door and online. Most of the parties at WMC have online ticket sales available; not only will this ensure that you don’t miss out, but it will also greatly reduce the amount of time you spend in line. This is also by far the cheapest way to attend most parties at WMC.

Buying online. Because most people will make their purchases online, it’s important to remember certain key points when doing so:

• Read the fine print. There is always some kind of fine print. The most important things to look for are the refund policy for cancellation and prohibited items. You don’t want to miss the party because you had to walk back to the car to put your camera away – and risk getting your camera stolen at the same time.
• Make sure you’re old enough to attend. Buying tickets online is not a way around the bouncer at the front door or the law, so if you’re under 21 (but hopefully either over 18 or with your parents), make sure you check the age requirement prior to check-out. There is usually no refund for tickets purchased to an event you are too young to attend, but you would know that already if you read the fine print.
• If you’re picking up your tickets via will-call, make sure you take the credit card with you that you made your purchase with and your ID (which you should always have with you anyway).

• Get there early. With WMC, when something sells out, then you have to play the waiting game, and you have absolutely no guarantee of getting in. Although buying your tickets in advance doesn’t always guarantee immediate entry, most venues will give preference to ticket holders once they implement their ‘one out, one in’ policy.
• Check the prices. Some events are more expensive at the door, some are not. Do your homework.
• Get there early. Yes, it is that important.

Photo by www.nefariousgirl.com

]]> http://nightlyfe.com/wmc/how-to-buy-wmc-tickets/feed/ 2 http://nightlyfe.com/wmc/miami-nightclub-dress-codes/ http://nightlyfe.com/wmc/miami-nightclub-dress-codes/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:47:41 +0000 WMC GUIDE http://nightlyfe.com/wmc/?p=2813

The only real fashion rule in Miami is: you can wear anything as long as you rock it. It’s not unusual to see bikinis in nightclubs or heels on the beach, and throughout Winter Music Conference week you can expect much more of the same. With parties going all day and night, dressing comfortable for the day and dressing to impress at night is essential. Follow our “Day to Night” guide to Miami dress codes and who will have no problem getting in where you want to be.

Day – Outside in the Sunshine.

Miami invented the term “party beach wear,” and whether you are living it up on the beach or dancing at a fancy nightclub, you can wear whatever you want as long as you remember: the hotter the better. For themed parties like the Tikki Boat Cruise or a Cheap Sunglasses show, you will have more fun if you play along and wear your hula skirt or shutter shades. Here are a few more tips:

Girls.

Bikini. Your bikini will be worn while simply tanning and lounging about as well as for daytime parties that might get a little rowdy in the pool. Bring at least two swimsuits or more to Miami, as the bikini is the “little black dress” of Winter Music Conference week.
Cute cover-up. You will be on the move a lot at WMC, so bring something to throw over yourself while you party hop.

Boys.

Clean undershirt. Bring more than you think you will need.
Be comfortable. Wear shorts or a light fabric pant, and save the Speedo for your trip to Europe. Please.
Sneakers or sandals. Hop from party to party in style.

Night – Inside on the Dance Floor.

Most Miami nightclubs will not let you in with anything less then pants (for the boy) and a nice top. The general rule for guys is no sandals, no shorts and no hats.

Girls.

Super hot club dress. Secure at least one tight, slinky, sexy dress to wear to the posh clubs of South Beach (like Mansion or Karu & Y) with a pair of sexy heels. Be sure to test the ‘danceability’ of your outfit before you head out for the night; the middle of the dance floor is no place to find out that your ass is playing peek-a-boo out the bottom of your skirt.

Boys.

A killer pair of jeans. Find that pair of jeans that are both sexy, chic, and playful. Consider different “washes” of jeans, or go for a dark denim look. Paired with our next item, you’ll be good to go for an evening of clubbing.
A classy, crisp, button down top. Perfect match with your designer jeans, and the ladies love it. Bring two or three of these, because don’t kid yourself- you’re NOT doing laundry.
A linen or cotton blazer with a casual, graphic tee-shirt underneath. If you want to make a bold statement, go for this look. Choose Ed Hardy apparel only if you have the tan and the fist-pump to go with it.

Typical Miami nightclub dress codes include:

• No shorts for guys.
• No striped polos.
• No baggy jeans.
• No jerseys.
• No white sneakers.
• No flip flops or sandals.
• No baseball caps or headgear of any kind.
• No wife-beaters or tank tops.
• No oversized or baggy clothing at all.
• Anything else that looks sloppy or out of place.

What not to wear. Anywhere.

Suits. Miami is not big on formal wear. Leave the suits and church dresses at home.
Socks with sandals. A major fashion mistake, at WMC and everywhere else in the world.
Hawaian shirts. This is not Hawaii, this is Miami. Leave the floral print shirts alone.
Pantyhose. In Miami the ladies like to show leg and lots of it.
Baggy or too-tight clothing. Wear clothes that compliment your figure. A bikini that is two sizes too small does nothing for your figure; the staring boys aren’t admiring you, they are wondering when the twins are going to pop out.
Anything too preppy: It’s Miami! Be wild. Leave your conservative gear at home.
Space toes. Space Toes occur when women cram their feet into heels all night, only to finally say “fuck it” hours later and kick them off to dance barefooted on the disgusting, bacteria-laded club floors, leaving the soles of their feet completely black, sticky, and adorned with cigarette butts and bottle caps. Avoid at all costs.

If you find time to actually shop between the beach and the beats, check out our Collins Avenue Shopping Guide.

Night

Day

Day

Why not.

Day

Please Don't

The best way to stand out from the other 70,000 people attending Winter Music Conference is table service. Known for their velvet ropes and reserved areas Miami nightclubs really know how to separate general admission and their “very important people”. If you are looking to to be considered VIP there are a few Very Important Procedures and People you should know to ensure you get serviced properly.

Very Important Procedures

Booking your table. When reserving your table, it’s best to do it as early as possible. Quite simply put, there are only so many tables available at each nightclub and with the influx of people in town partying most popular nightclubs will sell out of their tables each night. The best way to go about securing a table at a party you want to attend is buying a “pre-sale table package” which about half the nightclubs offer – see our Pre-Sale Table Packages Directory. The other option is to book it in person at the time of the party.

Most, if not all, pre-sale tables need to be paid in full to secure table. If you purchase a pre-sale table over the phone be sure to ask for a reservation form and print it to take with you to the club. This will ensure that you are taken care of immediately at any of the venues and do not lose your table.

When booking your table be cautious of “specified seating” which some nightclubs will have. Typically the 1st seating is 10pm to 4:30am and 2nd seating is 5am to close. However, this may not apply to some clubs and varies in time. Also note that for prime tables such as stage and dance floor tables there is a higher bottle minimum.

Bottle service cost & minimums. The average cost of bottles begin at $250 (Absolute, Jim Beam, Tangeruy etc.) and you must add 30% to the base price for the tax and gratuity. So a $250 bottle will cost you $325 with tax and tip included. Most clubs have a “bottle minimum” which requires one bottle per 4 or 5 people, which means if you have a table of 8 to 10 people you must buy a minimum of two bottles ($650+ w/ tax and tip), and for 10 to 14 people you will be required to buy at least three bottles ($975+ w/ tax and tip).

The sooner you book your table packages or bottles, the cheaper it will be and the easier it will be for you to get away with a smaller bottle minimum. You can expect to pay $100-$200 more the day of an event and up to $400 more at the door of a popular party.

There are no substitutions for champagnes or bottles included in table packages. If you wish to buy a nicer bottle of champagne or liquor the difference will be added on top of the package.

The Other Very Important People

Having direct access, no middle man messing things up or overcharging you, is extremely important when booking your table. Here are our favorite Miami hosts to make sure you get serviced properly.

ULTRA Music Festival is massive rave that takes place in downtown Miami and collects dozens of thousands of partyers under the blue skies and sunshine to dance for hours to a wild variety of music. For some people, it isn’t Winter Music Conference without Ultra, while others prefer smaller parties to the crazy crowds. Educate yourself about Ultra so you can decide if the insanely huge party will be a good fit for you- either way, Ultra Music Festival is without doubt one of the biggest and best electronic music festivals anywhere in the world.

Experience two days full of your favorite DJs, both homegrown and international, playing everything from the dirty house beats of Robbie Rivera to the to the airy trance melodies of the Dutch legend Armin Van Buuren. An almost palpable passion and connection between electronic music lovers can be felt. This is what makes Ultra so special; you can’t quite get the feeling of being such a part of the international electronic music community anywhere else. You can mingle at the funky drum and bass stage, grab a Red Bull and vodka, check out who is playing at the Amnesia Ibiza tent, then be mesmerized by the tantalizing tunes and laser beams in the Carl Cox tent… Ultra is your musical playground to explore.

With crowds regularly surpassing 50,000 at the festival’s longtime home, Bicentennial Park, Ultra Music Festival has been THE go-to event of Winter Music Conference for the last twelve years. However, the question still lingers: “is it worth attending?”

When it comes to attending Ultra Music Festival, half of the people say it “can not be missed” and “is a must” while the other half say skip it and go to the parties at nightclubs which more often then not host to the same artists performing at Ultra – minus their headlining acts.

Should You Go to Ultra?

Go to UMF if:

• you love electronic dance music
• like being outside at night in Miami in March – great weather
• enjoy big concerts and festivals
• don’t mind thousands of kids and “ravers” – it is an 18+ event and you will see plenty of pacifiers and fuzzy pants
• happy to spend $100 for two days of one of the very best, if not the best, dance music festival production in the United States
• you don’t feel like jumping from party to party
• you like hugs

Skip the festival if the DJs you want to see are playing elsewhere during WMC, if you don’t like festivals and being surrounded by thousands of fucked up youngsters.

Ultra Basics.

Ultra is a two day event, Friday and Saturday at the end of Winter Music Conference, taking place in 2010 on March 26 and 27. There will be 16 stages set over two days, featuring more than 200 DJs, bands and producers. The first day is from 4PM to midnight, and the second day is from noon to midnight. Ultra takes place half during the day when you can see people and enjoy the sun, and half is in the dark with the laser shows and wild visuals, so you get the best of both worlds and a double party experience.

Taking place at Bicentennial Park, located in downtown Miami, Ultra is just cab or bus ride away from the Collins strip or South Beach. If you are with friends, have predetermined places that you can get to in order to meet up if you get separate- because you probably will.

Leaving Ultra is much more difficult, as traffic is madness and cabs are next-to impossible to get. Prepare yourself for the clusterfuck, and know where you are headed before you get into the cab. Sometimes you can persuade a someone with a car that isn’t full to give you a ride in exchange for a smoke, alcohol, or other party favors.

Getting In.

Ultra will have a line that stretches forever, with hundreds of people looked stressed, anxious, or bored- and then there are the smart partiers who don’t bother with the line. There are lines and booths for will-call, for press, for performers, for VIP’s and for WMC badges. Head straight for whatever applies to you- don’t just find a line and wait in it. If you are confused, find a staff member near the entrance and ask them where you should go.

What to Bring to Ultra.

This is a rave; you will be searched at the door. Officially the list of banned items includes alcohol, bottles, cans, glass, animals, sound systems, backpacks, and audio and visual recording devices.

That said, a large number of people at Ultra will have backpacks, candy, glowsticks, drugs, flasks, cameras, and even video cameras. Some people report being charged by the bouncers to take in these items, while no doubt others find creative ways to sneak their possessions inside. Whatever you decide, remember that the bouncers have the legal right to take your contraband and keep it- so if you don’t want to risk having to trash your new camera, you might want to leave it at the hotel.

What you definitely should bring: sunscreen, sunglasses, blankets and cash. Food and beverages including alcohol will be available, but you are better off getting a good meal in you and a good buzz on you before you arrive on site.

What to Wear to Ultra.

Ultra is a massive rave and you will encounter more candy, mini Care Bears backpacks and neon hair than you thought existed- so feel free to wear your own. Some people swear by flip-flops at raves, while others prefer to keep their feet protected from the dance floor sludge. Whatever outfit you choose, make sure it will go from day to night and stand up to hours and hours of dancing, eight million hugs and possibly a cuddle puddle.

Tips for Ultra Virgins.

• Be prepared to get not only down and dirty with the music, but just plain old dirty! If you wear a new white skirt, plan on it becoming an old brown skirt by the end of the day.
• If you need a break from all of the action, take a walk through the Eco Village, where 20 + charity groups and non-profit organizations set up post, including Dance 4 Life (supported by loved DJ Tiesto), which supports finding a cure for AIDS.
• Glowsticks and rave gear are not, in fact, out of style or “too 90′s” at Ultra. In fact if you wear khakis and a polo shirt, you are going to look like a freak. Even if you don’t participate in the pageantry, you can people-watch, for many of the Ultra-inspired outfits you will never see at your local mall.
• Be sure to make new friends! You will meet some of the most unique people from all over the world right here in Miami. Ravers may be many things- but one thing they do well is inclusion, and almost all of the people you meet will have a smile on their face for you- if not a hug in their arms as well.

UMF: The Music.

During UMF, there are basically two types of shows, DJ or live.

A DJ set is exactly that – DJ/club tracks played by a DJ. A live performance can be one of two things – either a performer playing a set from pieces (ie from hardware or from Ableton multitrack segments) or a band (ie with a drummer, live guitarist, vocalist, etc).

For the purposes of Ultra, the DJ sets will always sound the better of the two, for one simple reason – audio control. DJ tracks are produced and mastered to be played through a mixer directly into a speaker system. Live music with vocals, drums, or guitars has to go through separate processing chain. There is no way for a live show to have the same audio quality as a DJ set. Even with an excellent audio engineer, something happening right now is never going to sound as good as something recorded and processed in a studio. Be aware of that during UMF. If you like the raw, emotional quality of live, go to the live shows. If you like the audio quality and depth of studio engineering, then go watch the DJ sets.

All in all, ULTRA Music Festival is about the experience, so enjoy.

ULTRA Music Festival

Friday March 26th 4PM-12AM & Saturday March 27th 12PM-12AM @ Bicentennial Park

>> $140/2-Day pass buy tickets here (all ages)<<

When you are visiting Miami for only a week, you are not going to want to waste any time. Since Miami’s nightlife landscape constantly changes, knowing which nightclubs, hotels and parties are the best is just as important as knowing how to best get to and from there. Use our “Nightlife Hot Spots” guide to navigate the city of Miami and it’s fickle nightlife.

Hot Miami Nightclubs

• Karu & Y Ultralounge
• Club Space
• The Electric Pickle
• B.E.D.
• The White Room
• LIV
• Club 90 degrees
• BAR (formerly PS14)

Hot Miami Hotels

• The Gansevoort
• The Delano
• The Fountainbleu
• The Raleigh

Hot Miami Restaurants

• Pasha’s
• The Big Pink
• Van Dyke’s
• Bongo’s
• Pizza Rustica Miami Beach
• T-Mex (formerly Taco Loco)

Hot Miami Nightlife Districts

Navigation

Public transportation is not always the most convenient way of travel in Miami, but it’s definitely less expensive. Plan ahead and leave an hour earlier than you normally would since it can be fairly unreliable at times. You can take the South Beach Local which has multiple stops all along the strip and it only costs 25 cents, or if you need a more broad reaching bus check out Miami-Dade Public Transportation trip planner to find routes all over the city, starting at $1.50 a trip. Also, good news for those wondering how you are going to get from the airport to the beach, a new bus route will be added in early 2010 that will be a direct route from MIA to the beach, added just in time for WMC!

Another great option is riding bikes. For only $80 for the entire week you can rent a bicycle from Miami Beach Bicycle Center. It’s a great way to enjoy the beautiful sites of South Beach and surrounding areas.  If you are going this route please be aware that Miami drivers are some of the worst drivers in the world, and that’s when they’re sober. Add partying and boozing all night into the mix and you might not stand a chance… you really don’t want to be on the receiving end of some drunk person’s reckless driving.

Lastly, make friends with people that have access to a car. We all know the rules of safety; don’t get in cars with strangers. But if you end up meeting some friendly people in your hotel, that happen to have a car, and also happen to be heading in the same direction, use your better judgment and decide if they might be able to help you out, without you being reported to Missing Persons the next day.

Ah, the master plan. Timing and hard work will get you what you want, I promise. Follow these basic scheduling guidelines and all things WMC will be smooth and manageable.

October 1st- decide to go to WMC!
Make the decision, think about your budget. Are you hard core? I certainly think so.
Involve your friends, family, co-conspirators, and even strangers as much as possible.
Decide who is going with you! WMC is not for the solo artist – make it a group effort!

Dec 15th- buy plane tickets and book your hotel
Use frequent flyer miles. Check out which airport is the best to fly into and out of.
As soon as something pops up that seems like a good deal and you can afford it, go for it! Peace of mind is priceless.
As for accommodations, stay with friends if you can, then check your hotel and condo rental options.
Remember that location is key for transportation purposes.

Jan 1st – Start researching WMC on Nightlyfe
Don’t forget to get the Nightlyfe iPhone app!
Sign up for mailing lists

Feb 1st- start getting tickets and sign up for your WMC badge
If you plan on going to Conference activities like panels or the IDMA awards, you should buy a badge.
Get it as early as possible, as they they much more expensive later.
Your best bet is to buy tickets for events as soon as they come out.
You can save tons of money by getting early bird tickets.
Sign up for more mailing lists.
RSVP like a madman.
Learn the layout of the land with regard to clubs and places of interest.

March 1st -
Confirm your flight.
Confirm your hotel.
Plan your party attack.

March 14th -
Rest up – the party is on the way!

March 20th- pack bags
Gather as much info as possible.
Get advice from friends
Recall issues from earlier journeys to WMC, pack accordingly.
Snowsuits and bad attitudes not required.

March 23rd- arrive Miami!
After all of the work you’ve put into the preparation, now it’s time to chill out and get down. The harder you worked on scheduling and budgeting and information gathers before this point, the better your trip is going to be.

March 30th – leave Miami
Leaving is hectic, so be prepared for cab rides, late checkouts, luggage issues, and being broke and sunburned. You are going to be coming back with more things that you left with, so be prepared for extra weight.

March 31st- recover
If you have a chance, buy a little notebook and write down where you went, who you saw, people you met, how much money you spent. You will be coming back again, don’t worry!

]]> http://nightlyfe.com/wmc/wmc-guide-how-to-get-ready/feed/ 0 http://nightlyfe.com/wmc/wmc-party-guide/ http://nightlyfe.com/wmc/wmc-party-guide/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:51 +0000 WMC GUIDE http://nightlyfe.com/wmc/?p=4718

This marks the end of our guides and the beginning of the most unforgettable week of your existence. As the most complete and accurate source of all Winter Music Conference parties we considered the seemingly impossible…choosing the best Winter Music Conference parties that you should attend. But with over 200 parties with lineups spanning all genres of electronic dance music we couldn’t bring ourselves to telling you wish parties are the best- so we asked you.

After asking our knowledgeable readers what they feel are the best pool, boat, beach, free and night parties of Winter Music Conference 2010 we came up with our day-by-day list below to help make those difficult decisions of which parties to attend a little easier.

Tuesday, March 23rd

• Pool/Beach Party: DJ Mag Pool Party @ The Shelborne
• Free Party: Alter Ego
• Night Party: Supermartxe @ Nikki Beach

Wednesday, March 24th

• Pool/Beach Party: DJ Mag Pool Party / The Beachbombing
• Free Party: The Intricate Beauty Album Release Party w/ King Britt
• Night Party: Danny Howells: Dig Deeper Miami 2010

Thursday, March 25th

• Pool/Beach Party: HARD Pool Party / Juicy Beach
• Boat Party: Cosmic Gate & Friends Yacht Party
• Free Party: Do you Wanna Boogie?
• Night Party:  Juicy Beach with Robbie Rivera and Friends

Friday, March 26th

• Pool/Beach Party: Juicy Beach
• Boat Party: Sander Kleinenberg & Desyn Masiell Yacht Party
• Free Party: Beatport Pool Party
• Night Party: Future Sound of Breaks

Saturday, March 27th

• Pool/Beach Party: Get Wet Pool Party
• Boat Party: James Zabiela and Friends Boat Party
• Free Party: Slippery Glitch Hop Party
• Night Party: Miller Genuine Draft & Get Physical Music presents M.A.N.D.Y. LIVE

Sunday, March 28th

• Pool/Beach Party: Sunday School for Degenerates
• Free Party: Down with Rogue Dubs and Dubstep.FM
• Night Party: The Techno Loft presents Clink Showcase

What are your favorite  parties? Add them to the comments section below!