Miami nightclub accepts Bitcoin as nightlife cautiously returns

A nightclub in Miami is set to return from a COVID-19-related shutdown of over a year by accepting Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies as a form of payment.

Luxury nightclub E11even Miami announced Tuesday that it will soon start accepting cryptocurrency as payment for tables, drinks, merchandise and other services. According to the official announcement, the list of supported cryptocurrencies will include Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash (BCH), XRP and Dogecoin (DOGE).

In order to provide the new payment method, E11even has partnered with a major cryptocurrency processing company, but did not specify the name of the payment processor.

“With the tremendous growth and relevancy of cryptocurrency coupled with Mayor Francis Suarez leading the charge for Miami’s tech boom, we felt it made sense to introduce Cryptocurrency as an option to our guests to pay for their night out," E11even creator and CEO Dennis DeGori said. "E11even is dedicated to always staying ahead of the curve, and we believe cryptocurrency is here to stay.”

According to the Miami Herald, crypto payments are part of the club’s post-pandemic reopening on April 23 after E11even shut down in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move comes as a natural step for E11even, as a number of its clients have become increasingly involved in the crypto industry. “We have a very cutting-edge clientele from all over the world, and many are crypto savvy already,” E11even operating partner Gino LoPinto said, adding:

“We’re seeing an increasing trend of clients wanting to use their cryptocurrency as a form of payment. We believe nightclubs allowing Bitcoin as payment will soon become a nightlife industry norm, and we're excited to be the ones paving the way.”

E11even did not immediately respond to Cointelegraph's request for comment.

Miami itself is emerging as a major cryptocurrency-friendly city in the United States, with the city's mayor, Francis Suarez, campaigning to make Miami the capital of crypto in the country. In February, Suarez proposed an official resolution to allow Bitcoin to become an acceptable payment method in different parts of the city’s administration.