Thunder Wheels Skating Center

Thunder Wheels opened in 1994 and finally closed for good in 2001 – A rather late staple to the roller skating rink scene and an oddity to the Miami skating scene as a number of nearby rinks were already beginning to close for good.

While Thunder Wheels did have arcade, pinball and other amusement machines, the operation relied heavy on being a slightly older centric skate, dance and entertainment venue focusing on bringing in live entertainment and DJs to play while fans skated the rink. The venue served as a late-era hub for Miami’s Freestyle and ‘Booty’ music scene. Due to the nature of their older-teen and adult focused setting, Thunder Wheels became known as a trouble spot by neighboring residents.

Following altercations between nearby condo residents, police and patrons of the rink, as well as citations for code violations which the owners successfully overturned, Thunder Wheels reputation would never recover and eventually shut down in 2001.

References:

1. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-thunder-wheels-legal-so/204013459/