In what is undoubtedly the final nail in the coffin for the Wynwood that once was, Gramps announced last week that it will close its doors in January 2026. The news, while shocking, isn’t exactly surprising. The popular local dive feels woefully out of place in a neighborhood that is starting to resemble tourist and transplant enclaves like Brickell, rather than the vision of an arts district that developers like the late Tony Goldman once sold us on.
News of the impending closure quickly spread across social media, with everyone, from local musicians to bar regulars, mourning the loss.
But you’d be remiss to think of Gramps as just another dive bar. Sure, potent drinks are served and music from DJs and live acts keep the crowds moving, but the Wynwood watering hole also serves a higher purpose. It is a valuable third space for diverse creative scenes, including Miami’s queer community, which made Thursday night’s Double Stubble series the longest-running drag night in the neighborhood. Gramps’ backroom, Shirley’s Theater, is as vital a space for film and comedy fans as its outdoor stage has been for local and touring acts…