When I read "In Miami there is...", I was half expecting to read about your experience at the Lab (https://www.thelabmiami.com/) which shares space with Arts for Learning http://www.a4lmiami.org/ and Miami Light Project https://miamilightproject.com/. Open mics twice a month. Not to mention once-a-month Nerd Night at Gramps around the corner. I had almost forgotten about Churchill's when I started hanging out in Wynwood more.
Over the years, I have bumped into fellow Hacker Newers in all of these places.
I didn't realize how spoiled we must be here in Miami (but not at the moment). Thanks for the reminder, throwaway!