Miami’s bar and comedy communities are mourning the loss of Danny Benavente, a well-known bartender, comedian, and nightlife fixture whose death has prompted an outpouring of tributes across the city’s entertainment scene.
Benavente died in the early morning hours of January 1, 2026, according to multiple accounts from friends and venue operators. He was 42 years old. News of his passing spread quickly through Miami’s close-knit bar and comedy circles, where he was widely regarded as a welcoming presence both behind the bar and on stage.
Benavente was a regular fixture at several well-known Miami bars, including Blackbird Ordinary, Mama Tried, Better Days, and The Dead Flamingo. Patrons and coworkers alike described him as someone who made people feel at ease, whether they were longtime regulars or first-time visitors.
At The Dead Flamingo, which opened in early 2024, Benavente served not only as a bartender but also as an operating partner. Venue representatives said he played a key role in shaping the bar’s atmosphere, blending hospitality with humor in a way that reflected his personality.
In addition to his work behind the bar, Benavente was active in Miami’s stand-up comedy scene. He performed locally and created QuipWars, a live comedy game show that combined stand-up, improvisation, and audience interaction. The show, which ran at The Dead Flamingo, had been gaining traction and was seen by fellow performers as a platform that encouraged collaboration and supported emerging comics.
Friends and fellow comedians said Benavente was known for using humor to put others at ease and for creating opportunities for performers who were new to the scene. Several noted that his work often blurred the line between nightlife and live entertainment, helping strengthen ties between Miami’s bar and comedy communities.
Tributes And Community Response
Following news of his death, tributes appeared across social media from bartenders, comics, and patrons who had crossed paths with Benavente over the years. Many described him as generous, kind, and quick with a joke, emphasizing the sense of belonging he fostered in spaces that can often feel transient.
The Dead Flamingo announced plans for a tribute comedy show scheduled for January 18, intended to honor Benavente’s life and legacy. Organizers said the event would celebrate both his contributions to Miami nightlife and the personal connections he built within the community.
Benavente’s passing has highlighted the interconnected nature of Miami’s bar and entertainment scenes, where bartenders, performers, and patrons often overlap. For many in those circles, his death represents not just the loss of a colleague, but of a central figure who helped define the social fabric of local nightlife.
As tributes continue and the community prepares to gather in his memory, friends and coworkers say Benavente will be remembered for the way he made people feel welcome — whether through a conversation over a drink or a laugh shared during a performance.
