"Even though we’d happily trade it to have 27 back, Ray’s is a fine place to grab a frozen strawberry daiquiri and pretend you know how to play pool. The wood-paneled walls, mounted trophy fish, and poster of Dan Marino in zebra print pants feel forced (especially since this bar comes to us from New York). But this little house inside South Beach’s Freehand hotel never fails to make us feel like we’re a nonchalantly cool background actor in an indie film. They have picnic tables by the pool and an upstairs bar that overlooks the hotel. The menu is a mixed bag of sandwiches and general bar snacks, but stick to the burger and fries—they’re just what you want to be mindlessly eating poolside with a beer. photo credit: Mariana Trabanino photo credit: Mariana Trabanino video credit: Mariana Trabanino Pause Unmute Food Rundown Miami Vice 95% of the cocktails at Ray’s have some kind of “Ray” wordplay to them except this one. Thankfully, that makes it easy to locate on the menu. It’s a strawberry and pineapple daiquiri swirl that’s fruity, icy, and with a dangerously subtle taste of alcohol. Pretzel The pretzel is a bit too dense. If you just want something to nibble on, get the cajun-seasoned fries. photo credit: Ray's Hometown Bar Ray’s Burger It tastes like a Big Mac without the sesame seed bun—and that’s not an insult. We also appreciate how the patty isn't so thick that it’ll make you drowsy after pairing it with two Tecates. photo credit: Ray's Hometown Bar BBQ Pulled Trumpet Mushroom Sandwich We like the flavor, but it’s a very bad impression of pulled pork. The trumpet mushroom is too chewy and slippery (especially with all the sauce they use). photo credit: Ray's Hometown Bar" - Mariana Trabanino