South Beach's Cameo Theater, dark since its nightclub closed in 2019, has a path back to late nights on Washington Avenue.

Miami Beach's Planning Board unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the building on Nov. 3, according to the meeting record. The applicant is Mainro Miami Holdings LLC, led by Romain Zago, the former owner of Mynt Lounge.

The plan

The 17,589-square-foot building would hold a 240-seat restaurant on the upper level, open 6:30 p.m. to 4 a.m., the agenda item shows. The ground floor becomes a 226-seat lounge that keeps the theater's stage, open 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The application pitches the concept as "a modern Moulin Rouge by way of Cirque du Soleil," Commercial Observer reported. Zago sold Mynt in 2024 and opened a similar club, MainRo, in Hollywood, California. Kobi Karp is the architect.

The rules

The board attached conditions meant to keep the block calm:

  • Capacity: 987 people, down from the 1,121 allowed for the old club.
  • Sidewalks: no lines on public sidewalks and no outdoor TVs.
  • Sound: the sound system must be tested before the business license is issued.
  • Valet: at least five valet runners.
  • Check-ins: a progress report to the board within 90 days of getting its business license and a yearly compliance letter.

Building permits come next, and no opening date has been announced. Red Sidewalks has more on the building's history.

Also at the meeting

The board voted 7-0 to let the former Fogo de Chão at 834 1st St. grow to 398 seats and 509 people, the Florida Record reported. No operator is signed yet. Once one is, the project must come back for a new hearing. A neighbor spoke against it.

Several items moved to Dec. 8, including permit changes for the hotel at 2201 Collins Ave., a South Pointe zoning overlay, North Beach building incentives and a plan at 5757 Alton Road. A helipad rule was pushed to February 2027. Agendas post on the city's land use boards page.

More Miami Beach planning news: the North Lincoln Lane dining district, the Epicure block apartments and the Rivani lease vote.

Street view of the Cameo Theater marquee in South Beach
The Cameo Theater, closed as a nightclub since 2019. Source