This beloved waterfront restaurant in North Bay Village will close at the end of the year
The era of Shuckers, the laidback restaurant and bar that has perched on the water in North Bay Village since 1989, is coming to an end.
In collaboration with Continuum Company, Palm Tree Crew, an entertainment company co-founded by Norwegian DJ and music producer Kygo, has announced it will be taking over Shuckers Waterfront Grill & Hotel to open its first waterfront restaurant and hotel.
Located at 1855 79th St. Causeway, Shuckers is famous for its easygoing atmosphere, proximity to the bay — it’s not unusual to spot a dolphin or two cruising for a snack — and glorious sunset views. It’s known for its simple menu of grilled wings and seafood, plus a popular prime rib sandwich.
The restaurant also made news in 2013, when the deck collapsed during a Miami Heat game during the NBA Finals, injuring 33 people.
The new concept for the property includes a 20-boat slip marina with dine and dock services, 118 guest suits and a pool adjoining the hotel and restaurant.
Myles Shear, co-founder of Palm Tree Crew, said that Miami — North Bay Village, in this case — embodies the spirit of the company.
“We’ve admired Shuckers for a long time as a staple of the Miami hospitality ecosystem, and we feel privileged to partner with Continuum Company to bring this property into its next chapter,” he said.
This wasn’t the original plan for the property’s renovation. In 2023, the Montreal real estate investment firm Jesta Group got final approval on its $300 million plan to raze Shuckers and the Best Western Hotel and rebuild the neighborhood watering hole, plus add a new condo-hotel tower. But in 2024, Jesta sold the property to Continuum.
At the time of the approval in 2023, Anthony O’Brien, Jesta’s senior managing director, told the Miami Herald that the company planned to find a temporary location for the restaurant in North Bay Village or Miami Beach’s North Beach community until the new Shuckers was ready.
Now, Palm Tree Crew, which was created in 2020, is looking to create a different, more lively sort of atmosphere, part of what it calls “high-vibe” hospitality. The brand is known for specializing in highlighting live music.
Michael Diaz, CEO of Palm Tree Crew, said the brand’s move into the world of hospitality was a progression of its success.
“Our vision was to produce unique experiences around the world centered on music and the highest level of hospitality,” he said. “It has been thrilling to curate a lifestyle platform for our customers through live events and festivals, and we’ve found our audience craving more.”
Nothing will change in the immediate future for Shuckers and its loyal clients. The restaurant will remain open until the end of the year, when Palm Tree Club will take over. The company will make cosmetic improvements but plans to keep the deck and the restaurant’s casual setting.
