Monty’s Raw Bar + Marina Sell For $14.7 Million

Coconut Grove’s legendary bayside hangout Monty’s Raw Bar and the adjacent Prime Marina (together called Bayshore Landing) have been sold for $14.7 million dollars. The Dallas based company Suntex purchased the 70 year lease from Aligned Bayshore Rawbar LLC which is tied to Jose Hevia’s Prime Marina Group. The lease which is for the land owned by the City of Miami, was last sold in 2015 and includes a 111 slip marina, 30,535 square foot office space and 15,000 square foot restaurant.

I have fond memories of going to Monty’s as a kid for breakfast with my dad. Back then it used to be a free-standing building located closer to South Bayshore Drive (where Starbucks stands now) and originally operated as a small restaurant and gas station.

Monty’s opened in 1969 by the one and only Monty Trainer, a Key West native who was deeply embedded in the life and culture of Coconut Grove. Locals and tourists alike have been coming to Monty’s for over 50 years to enjoy a cold drink under the giant tiki hut. It is undoubtedly one of the most well recognized establishments in the city.  It has also been the backdrop for TV series, music videos and movies including Marley and Me, Miami Vice and Burn Notice. Monty no longer has ownership in the restaurant and instead focuses his time and energy as the President and CEO of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Over the years, Monty’s has survived the ups and downs of the changing Grove landscape, several major hurricanes, and even a pandemic so I would say there’s a good chance they’ll be around for generations to come. Good luck to the new owners!