As Wynwood continues its transformation from an industrial district into one of Miami's top cultural and nightlife destinations, Cafeina has returned with a bold new vision as the neighborhood's premier event venue. Founder Ivette Naranjo recognized the need for distinctive event spaces and has transformed Cafeina into an extraordinary venue for corporate gatherings, luxury activations, automotive showcases, and private celebrations.

Originally launched in 2009, Cafeina was Wynwood's first venue to obtain a full liquor license, quickly emerging as a hub for nightlife, art exhibitions, and performances by global artists including Ricky Martin, Karol G, J Balvin, and Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Today, Naranjo has reimagined Cafeina as a two-level, design-forward event venue that seamlessly blends historic charm with modern sophistication.

The Space and Design

Spanning more than 4,500 square feet of thoughtfully curated indoor and outdoor space, Cafeina's refreshed layout embodies both flexibility and style. At its core, a striking communal bar wrapped in rich fern green tones anchors the venue, surrounded by plush lounge seating that transitions effortlessly into the lush 2,500-square-foot garden—perfect for everything from intimate soirées to large-scale events.

Overhead, a 560-square-foot loft mezzanine overlooks both sides of the space, creating a dynamic vantage point for guests. Bathed in refined yet playful mustard-yellow hues across the lounge area and ceilings, the loft can be transformed into a performance stage, VIP hideaway, or sleek conference suite accommodating up to 50 guests.

The entire property connects seamlessly to an expansive outdoor garden—ideal for automotive events, alfresco receptions, or indoor-outdoor brand activations. With newly renovated bathrooms, upgraded lighting, and flexible production capabilities, Cafeina can accommodate up to 1,200 guests across its indoor and outdoor spaces.

Selvatico: The Jungle-Inspired Sister Property

Next door, Selvatico, debuted by Naranjo in 2024, serves as a jungle-inspired speakeasy and private event lounge designed in collaboration with Natasha Tellini Vontobel. Stepping into Selvatico feels like stepping into Oz: lush green tones envelop the space, accented by natural textures and custom lighting that evoke an enchanting, transportive energy.

The venue features projection capabilities on all walls, an LED backdrop behind the DJ booth, and a private outdoor courtyard, making it an ideal location for immersive experiences, intimate celebrations, and creative brand takeovers. Selvatico operates Thursday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., offering both public nightlife programming and private rentals.

Strategic Repositioning

The transformation from nightlife hotspot to premier event venue represents a strategic pivot. Wynwood's evolution from graffiti-covered warehouse district to high-traffic destination has changed the economics and opportunities available to venue operators. Corporate events, brand activations, and luxury private celebrations often generate higher revenue per square foot than traditional nightclub operations, with less wear on facilities and more predictable booking patterns.

Cafeina's history hosting major artists—Ricky Martin, Karol G, J Balvin, the Estefans—provides credibility with event planners and brands looking for venues with entertainment pedigree. That legacy, combined with modern production capabilities and flexible layouts, positions Cafeina to capture corporate and luxury private event business that might otherwise go to hotel ballrooms or generic event spaces.

The automotive showcase capability is particularly strategic. Miami has become a major hub for luxury automotive events, from brand launches to private collector gatherings. Venues that can accommodate vehicles while maintaining upscale aesthetics command premium rates in that market.

Female-Owned Business Leadership

"What we've built are not just venues, they're destinations," said Founder Ivette Naranjo. "Whether you're celebrating, launching, or performing, we've designed Cafeina and Selvatico to make every moment feel intentional, elevated, and alive."

Naranjo's reimagining of these venues underscores the essential role of independent, female-owned businesses in shaping Miami's cultural landscape. Through Cafeina and Selvatico, she continues to preserve Wynwood's creative roots while paving the way for the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs, and visionaries.

The female-ownership angle matters in Miami's hospitality industry, where venue ownership skews heavily male despite women often leading operations and creative direction. Naranjo's success with both Cafeina's transformation and Selvatico's 2024 launch demonstrates that female entrepreneurs can operate at the highest levels of Miami's competitive nightlife and events market.

Wynwood's Continued Evolution

Cafeina's transformation reflects broader changes in Wynwood. The neighborhood that once attracted artists and creatives with cheap warehouse space now commands premium rents and attracts luxury brands, high-end galleries, and upscale dining. Venues must adapt or get priced out.

Naranjo's approach preserves Cafeina's cultural legacy while repositioning for current market realities. The 2009 venue—Wynwood's first with a full liquor license—now serves a different clientele than the art district pioneers who first packed the space. Corporate event planners, luxury brand managers, and high-net-worth individuals hosting private celebrations represent the current opportunity.

The 1,200-guest capacity across indoor and outdoor spaces positions Cafeina to compete for large-scale events that smaller Wynwood venues can't accommodate. The 50-person loft conference capability captures mid-sized corporate meetings and executive gatherings. The intimate Selvatico speakeasy targets the opposite end—exclusive, immersive experiences for smaller groups willing to pay premium rates.

Production Capabilities as Differentiator

The upgraded lighting, projection capabilities on all walls at Selvatico, LED backdrops, and flexible production infrastructure indicate significant capital investment beyond cosmetic renovations. These technical capabilities allow brands to create custom experiences rather than working within fixed venue limitations.

For automotive showcases, lighting control is essential to properly display vehicles. For brand activations, projection mapping and LED capabilities enable immersive environments. For corporate events, conference-grade AV infrastructure ensures presentations run smoothly. Naranjo invested in the technical backbone that allows Cafeina and Selvatico to compete with purpose-built event spaces rather than converted nightclubs.

Market Positioning

Located at 297 NW 23rd St (Cafeina) and 299 NW 23rd St (Selvatico), the adjacent properties function as a campus that can be booked separately or together for large-scale takeovers. That flexibility appeals to brands planning multi-day activations or events requiring different experiences across connected spaces.

The positioning as "destinations" rather than "venues" suggests Naranjo is targeting clients who value aesthetic experience and brand alignment as much as functional event space. Corporate clients planning Miami activations want locations that photograph well and reflect positively on their brands. Cafeina's design-forward approach and Selvatico's transportive jungle aesthetic provide that Instagram-worthy backdrop.

With Wynwood's continued growth as a cultural destination and Miami's position as a hub for corporate events, brand activations, and luxury gatherings, Naranjo's timing appears strategic. The venues are positioned to capture demand from the next phase of Wynwood's evolution while honoring the neighborhood's creative origins.

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