The Legendary Beach Club Comes Home to 1 Ocean Drive for a Holiday Celebration at Nikki Beach Miami Beach in Honor of Founder, Jack Penrod –
Nikki Beach Hospitality Group is excited to announce that this July 4th, Penrod’s Beach Club – the beach club that started it all – is coming home to Miami Beach for one day only. Returning to its original stomping grounds at 1 Ocean Drive, Penrod’s will bring back the energy, nostalgia, and iconic beach club vibes that helped shape South Beach into the global destination it is today, paving the way for decades of legendary hospitality. This one-time activation invites guests of all generations to rediscover the carefree joy of beachside revelry with dishes from the original menu, beach volleyball, and throwback tunes straight out of the 80s and 90s.
In 1984, Jack Penrod was invited by the City of Miami Beach to help bring back the American Riviera reputation that Miami Beach once had. In the early 80s, the beach was riddled with crime and drugs and was a red zone for investment. Due to Jack’s proven success in the hospitality industry and his innate marketing skills, the City granted a 40 year lease, including a substantial investment at 1 Ocean Drive as well as beach management from 1st to 15th Street.
When Jack opened Penrod’s Beach Club in 1989, it was more than a bold business move, it was a cultural reset. Alongside his future wife and business partner, Lucia Penrod, Jack led the charge to revitalize the area with a vision of hospitality that blended fun, food, and unforgettable experiences. With the support of a strategic media campaign in partnership with the City, their efforts reignited interest in Miami Beach across the Northeast. They brought the party to cities in the middle of winter — importing sand, palm trees, and a taste of tropical life to inspire travelers to return.
Penrod’s Beach Club ushered in a new era for South Beach and helped make it the vibrant scene it is today. The three-story, 35,000-square-foot space built at 1 Ocean Drive for locals, tourists, and celebrities alike featured a tailgate-style sports bar, nightclub, and beach volleyball courts, plus incredible events like a man-made ski mountain in Lummus Park, Bon Jovi concert on the beach and MTV Spring Break. With DJs, live bands, and a beach that never slept, Penrod’s was the ultimate playground and the place to be.
In 1997, tragedy struck when Jack’s daughter Nicole was killed by a drunk driver. In her honor, Jack and Lucia transformed the venue into Café Nikki, a beautiful butterfly garden that introduced a softer energy to the space. The following year, this heartfelt tribute evolved and expanded into Nikki Beach, now a global lifestyle and hospitality brand with beach clubs, resorts, residences, and restaurants across 10 countries around the world, all rooted in the spirit of Celebrating Life.
After 25 years in business on the beach, Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach named April 17, 2012, “Jack Penrod Day” to honor his contributions to the community. The July 4th event, hosted by Lucia Penrod, will be a heartfelt tribute to Jack, who passed away earlier this year at 85 and will honor the impact of Penrod’s with special programming that blends past and present. Guests are encouraged to bring their vintage Penrod’s memorabilia — hats, t-shirts, mugs — to receive a beer on the house, as a thank you to those who helped make history.
The event will take place on Friday, July 4th, from 12 PM – 9 PM at Nikki Beach Miami Beach (1 Ocean Drive). Reservations are now open via Resy.