Since its opening over a year ago in June, ZeyZey has been delivering a wide variety of music to an eager audience. The outdoor venue is located on the eastern side of Little Haiti in the Magic City Innovation District and was much-needed in the area when it first opened as a pop-up. With a determination to provide a “homey atmosphere for regulars, elevating production value for artists, and offering hospitality to everyone,” it’s no surprise that the venue soon became one of the most popular music spots in Miami. In its first year, ZeyZey made it onto Miami New Time’s 11 Best Live Music Concert Venues list.
“People generally say, ‘I’ve been waiting for something like this in Miami; it’s so overdue,’” says co-founder and head of production Anthony Hall.
Named after the Iku word for “happiness,” the 15,000 square-foot outdoor venue reflects Hall’s desire for a venue that is “inexpensive and homey.” ZeyZey has a spacious backyard dominated by a large Bunyan tree. The stage and concert area are equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. Its backyard party atmosphere provides the perfect spot for all ages to dance and enjoy music. After a successful first year, the anniversary was celebrated with a free concert on August 16, 2024.
“We made it a free show as a thank you to Miami,” explains co-founder Josh Hackler.
Hackler got his start in the Miami area with Grassfed Culture Hospitality. The team includes his wife, Pili Restrepo Hackler, and Sebastian Vargas. Together they launched two restaurants, Krüs Kitchen and Los Félix, in Coconut Grove. The eateries have received accolades for their culinary achievements, including Green Michelin stars for both establishments and a Michelin Gold Star for Los Félix. Their third project in the area was ZeyZey. Over the year, the team expanded as the vision for ZeyZey solidified.
“We’ve slowly found people who pour their heart and soul into ZeyZey,” says Hall. “Our general manager, Sarah Marshall, is an absolute superstar; working with Josh and Pili is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s super inspiring and could literally choke you up.”
That dedication to the bands and the audience it serves was evident during a recent show in June. Neil Frances, a Los Angeles-based pop duo, was one hour away from taking the stage when the threatening gray skies overhead opened up. Luckily, the team had been working hard to make certain the show would go on no matter what the fickle Miami weather unleashed.
“It was the grayest day. We got the team together at 7 a.m. and worked for ten hours building a stage and a bar from scratch in an available warehouse behind ZeyZey,” says co-founder and creative director Pili Restrepo.
The show went on without a hitch.
Originally built with a 1,200-person capacity and different spaces to enjoy music, ZeyZey continues to grow, meeting the needs of promoters, bands, DJs, and its audience. There is the main outdoor stage where some of the biggest bands play, like Puerto Rican bomba-fusion band El Laberinto del Coco, who were the headliners of the free concert ZeyZey put on for its first anniversary.
“This is a really amazing band, and they would otherwise be pretty pricey, but we’re really doing this as a gift to the Miami community,” Hackler says.
ZeyZey’s diversity of music matches the musical passions of the audience it caters to from “a motley of underground and alternative artists that mirrors locals’ playlists more than the Top 40”. The main stage isn’t the only draw. There are different areas for DJs to spin, parties, and discos.
Anthony Hall says, “We try and keep our finger on the pulse of what our friends and peers are listening to and try to bring them.”
