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Club schlubs....when was the last time you even went to one? If you live in London you'll have spent the last 2 years congregating in late night bars, abandoned shops or underground car-parks. That's when you're not in a bog-standard warehouse, courtesy of the city's wonderfully generous event licensing. If you spent the summer in Ibiza, then a high proportion of that time would have been beach-side, raving with sand between your toes. Elsewhere, europe-wide, partying has left the building and gone outside, restricted only by the imaginations of an ever-growing tribe of inventive promoters.

Well it looks like Miami will be no different this year! After the huge success of DJ Mag's Shelborne events last spring, the whole strip seems to have taken note with more big name DJs playing hotel lobbies, bars and pools than ever before, and quite frankly, we're looking forward to never stepping inside a club for the whole week!

A few years back the hotels along Ocean or Collins were mainly to be given a wide berth, particularly by day. Overflowing with crass spring-breakers, banging booty bass and DJs more concerned with how many barely-clad bikini babes they could pull than getting the next mix right.

To be fair we've all ended up in one of those parties now and again, and probably had a good time if we could remember it, but it wasn't exactly something to plan your week around.

All change now though! And to help all potential pool-party planners to get the picks right, here's a handy list of why those dark downtown dens can be swerved this WMC:

Services with a smile
Number 1 in terms of importance is where you might be doing your number one (or two) Nothing more off-putting on the quest for a bling night out, than an overflowing 12-hour-in rave club loo. We've all been there. Dark and dingy, puddles on the floor and unidentified smeerage on the walls and seats...for some reason toilets is something that downtown clubs just don't do so well. OK, so maybe technically the Port-a-Cabins stacked up down the side of the Shelborne might not be much better - but sweetie, who can't wangle a wee in a lobby loo when needs must? Hand towels, fragranted soap and a basketful for goodies await for anyone who makes it past Reception.

Me plus One
Speaking of the blag...consider the benefits of tackling a daytime Door Whore when looking to jump a queue or two. We're not talking about some jaded twitching SoBe pro overseeing the pool parties...oh no sirreee, generally it's some lowly UK label assistant that gets dumped with the list in Miami, chances are they even paid their own flight for the privilege (I've even been there myself. Mr Tight-arse Label Boss you know who you are!) No skin off their nose if they let in an extra one or two. Dress to impress, have a couple of jokes at the ready, and if all that fails....bribe them with free drinks. It certainly worked on me.

Back to Mine Baby
Of course the ultimate in conference hedonism is a party trail that goes directly from pool to penthouse and back again. It shouldn't take much scouting to source a rave buddy with a room upstairs. Mingle in the right circles and you should have concierge eating out of your hand by the end of the week.

Berlin on the Beach
Mourn Ye Not the old Pawn Shop. When the line-up on the Drive is as hot as this then the party stays right on the beach. Events that should not be missed include the Loco Dice / Luciano rematch on Thursday 25^th at the Shelborne and the all-star line-up of Circo Loco at Eden Roc on Friday 26^th. Dirty raving in it's most decadent format. Tickets sold out? See above for entrance.

Stellar Line-Ups
And its not just the underground tech crowd that have gone pooltastic. Pete Tong leads his own crew  at the Surfcomber on Friday 26^th with Steve Lawler, Heidi and Tiefschwarz, Roger Sanchez supports Beatport on the same day and even Guetta is rumoured to be slipping into his Speedos for a special appearance. Check out the number of parties with 'special secret guests' and do your own maths.

The Gansevoort
OK, so it's a little further north than you mind generally find yourself aimlessly wandering (between 23rd and 24th.) But if an infinity pool 18 floors up, free Beatport parties every daytime Friday through Sunday and a late night club/bar/lounge aren't enough to tempt you, then check out the  coffee mornings at Cafe Bustelo at least. Thursday kicks off with Danny Krivit from 7am, running right into Get Physical's pool sessions from 11 with Damian Lazarus, Jesse Rose, Matthew Dear and M.A.N.D.Y. which is swiftly followed by Boyz Noise in the Louis lounge club until 5am. Get a room. Literally.

Late Night Lounging
In fact, SoBe's hotels are seriously rinsing their lobbies and bars this season. Apart from Louis at the Gansevoort, and Shine at the Shelborne, check out Wall at Hotel W or the Rooftop at the Viceroy. Is there a more perfect way to roll out of a daytime rave, than into a stylish cocktail space for a quick  brush-up and regroup? More reason than ever to stay at the beach till late.

Obviously, frequent forages downtown will still be part of the programme this WMC, but don't be too hasty to hop into that early evening cab. Pack your best bikini, get an extra sun-bed session this week and prepare to hit the pools bigtime....in Miami the best nights out can start very very early in the day.

Miami WMC Party Calendar Here