Top 10 Nightlife of Key West

Our Local Expert Says:

Biker stop on most every Poker Run, outstanding live entertainment and HUGE oysters at the min-raw bar daily. Ask for Randy, he's the fastest shucker!

Description:

At Hog's Breath, the motto is "better than no breath at all," and who can argue with that simple logic. You can even buy hats and shirts with that adroit slogan. While the restaurant and raw bar are a draw, the entertainment and Harley "Hogs" are as well. Live entertainment goes on daily, as does the partying. Try Hog's Breath beer, raw oysters and a fish nugget sandwich with tartar sauce.

Our Local Expert Says:

A focal point of nightlife action in Key West.

Description:

In 1984 Mark Rossi purchased a small bar on the 200 block of Duval St. and changed the name to Rick's. Since that time the business has evolved into a huge complex consisting of six venues and 10 bars. With the acquisition of the sports bar next door the business became known as The Rick's/Durty Harry's Entertainment Complex! Today the complex features Rick's Upstairs, Key West's hottest dance club. Durty Harry's, the best live rock & roll and sports bar in the keys. The Tree Bar gets its name from the huge shade tree providing customers with the most comfortable place to take in the sights and sounds of Duval St. This bar is best know for serving fresh squeezed juices and premium spirits. Rick's Down has the best live entertainment in town combined with the lowest priced and most potent drinks on Duval Street! The Crow's Nest is our brand new VIP Bar and deck. The bar was named for the bird's eye view it offers of the stage and courtyard. The sixth venue is our adult entertainment club, the Red Garter, which offers all that you would expect from the Key's premier facility.

Description:

Once an icehouse, this lively spot is one of the city's most popular bars and is said to have been the original Sloppy Joe's, entertaining author Ernest Hemingway. Jimmy Buffet sang here for a while in the beginning of his career and now live bands play nightly, who knows, perhaps you will hear the next Buffet. Stop by for a drink, or just to take a look at the "Hanging Tree," located inside the bar.

Captain Tony Tarracino, who died Nov. 1 at age 92, came to Key West from New Jersey in 1948 with $18 in his pocket. Ten years later he purchased the bar on Greene Street and changed its name to Captain Tony's Saloon.

A former charter boat captain, gambler and reputed gunrunner, Tarracino served as mayor of Key West from 1989 to 1991. Though he sold his bar in 1989, he remained a public figure who often stopped by to greet patrons.

Description:

Cocktails and chilled martinis are not the only drinks served here. Vergilio's posseses a penchant for letting you drink lovely wines and scotches. Lounge music rules. The jazz and blues are not left behind though. But don't anticipate a quiet night out as it can get hot down here as the dark hours roll by. Vergilio's is known as trendy spot with live music and late night DJs.

Description:

Wild groups gather at this open-air bar nightly, to party 'til they drop. If you are up for a pretty rambunctious scene, you will enjoy this antique saloon built in 1890 and generally agreed upon as the oldest bar in Key West. The co-owned smokehouse next door called "Meteor," serves pork, chicken, beef and seafood until 2am. Play pool, darts, or pinball while trying a "spine-tingling" cocktail. On weekends, there is live music, and the jukebox pounds out blues, zydeco and reggae all week. Don't miss this spot, listed as one of the "World's 50 Greatest Bars."

Description:

You'll have to stop in here just to say you did. Scholars and drunks debate whether this is the same Sloppy Joe's that Hemingway wrote about, but there's no argument that this classic bar's early-20th-century wooden ceiling and cracked-tile floors are Key West originals. There's live music nightly, as well as a cigar room and martini bar.

Description:

If you're tired of the same old cocktail mixes and regular drinks, pop into Fat Tuesday. Happy hour starts from 4p-7p. Known as the 'Home of the World's Famous Frozen Drinks', Tuesday's smooth cold concoctions are known throughout the country. The front runner for the most popular drink here is dubbed 190 Octane and consists of grain alcohol and orange. Also check out the Rumrunner, Kuya Pina Colada, Horny Appleton, Stoli Ocean and many many more delicious liquids. You can even make your own or have the experts mix it up for you. The prices just might be the best in town.

Description:

Irish Kevin's is all about having fun. Featuring live entertainment and friendly staff, it's a cool place to hangout, grab a beer and some food. The owner Kevin (we should have guessed!) arrived in the US in 1992 and previously performed on Duval street, finally with his dream intact (dream of opening a watering hole) he is the regular attraction at the bar, with sing-a-long numbers and comedy skits. Also performing every night is singer/entertainer Jared Michael Hobgood.

Description:

The Conch Republic Seafood Company offers a great open-air waterfront view of the Key West Bight and some of the freshest seafood available, but this is not the main draw. Most visitors come for the 80-foot long rum bar, shaped like a boat, which claims to be the largest between Miami and Cuba. You can select from oysters, clams, mussels or shrimp from the raw bar, or dine on Bahamian-Style Cracked Conch, Grilled Tuna Steak or Black Angus steak. For dessert, try the Chocolate Rum Cake with white chocolate glaze.

Description:

Located in the Hyatt Key West Resort and Marina, this restaurant offers scenic views of the Key West islands while you dine. Against the backdrop of the stunning ocean, you can sip your favorite drinks or dig into some light grilled meats seated at the mosaic-work bar. Worth trying out is the signature drink called Pirate's Choice Rum which is made from local key-lime. The pool side has parasol covered tables, teak furniture and pathways to give it a refreshing relaxed look. A great way to take in the magnificent ocean sights and sip on some drinks.