What it is
Planning note first: if an older guide points you to Hyde Beach at the SLS South Beach, skip it. That pool party has closed and the SLS South Beach is shut for renovations as of 2026.
The South Beach pool day that's actually worth your afternoon now is Strawberry Moon at The Goodtime Hotel on Washington Ave — a swim club, restaurant, and bar built around an expansive outdoor pool deck. It's a tighter, more produced scene than the old mega-dayclub setup, but the DJ bookings are legitimate: David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Marshmello, Black Coffee, and Diplo have all played this pool. Pool parties run Friday through Sunday, 12 PM to sundown.
VIP options are tiered: Beach Couch ($500), Daybed ($750), Poolside Daybed ($1,250), Cabana ($2,000), and Bungalow ($4,000), each with a dedicated server and DJ-booth sightlines. General admission runs around $40. Dress code is enforced — upscale swimwear and resort wear only, no athletic gear, jeans, or boots.
Why it works for the group
If the crew wants a lower-key daytime stretch than a full-on club scene, this fills that slot without being boring — real DJs, a good crowd, and drinks by the pool instead of standing around a hotel bar. It's also a solid recovery block if the plan is yacht or golf earlier in the day: show up, grab a table, and let the group unwind before the night's real event.
Split a Cabana ($2,000) or Poolside Daybed ($1,250) across 8–10 guys and it's a manageable line item, especially compared to a club table later that night. Book VIP if you actually want a table — the pool deck only holds 300–400 people, and walk-ins on a Saturday afternoon are a coin flip.
Planning tips
When to book: Email [email protected] ahead of time for VIP — capacity is capped at 300–400 and good tables go fast on weekends. For general admission, get there before 1 PM on Saturdays if you want a spot without a long wait.
What to budget: General admission is around $40/person. VIP starts at $500 for a Beach Couch and scales to $4,000 for a Bungalow — a Cabana ($2,000) or Poolside Daybed ($1,250) splits reasonably across a mid-size group.
Time to set aside: Doors run 12 PM–6 PM, so this can eat a full afternoon if you let it. Keep water and sunscreen in rotation — nobody wants to be sunburned and dehydrated heading into a late night.
Good to know
- Where: The Goodtime Hotel, 601 Washington Ave, South Beach.
- Duration: Open 12 PM–6 PM, Friday–Sunday; plan for 3–6 hours.
- Price: ~$40/person GA; VIP tables $500–$4,000 (Beach Couch to Bungalow), 2026.
- Group size: Best for small-to-mid groups (2–12); larger groups should book a Cabana or Bungalow.
- Dress code: Upscale swimwear/resort wear only — no athletic gear, jeans, or boots. 21+ only.
- Booking: No affiliate listing — buy tickets and reserve tables directly through The Goodtime Hotel's Strawberry Moon page, or by email for VIP.
