Bars & Nightlife in Key West, Florida

- This town can party!

Duval Street in Key West parties until 4:00 a.m. every night. Bring aspirin.

Key West boasts a broad spectrum of bars and lounges that cater to the thirsty traveler.

It has often been said that Key West hosts as many drinking establishments as it does houses of worship – but bars now seem to be winning the battle. From the four-star resorts with piano bars and sunset views to the funky neighborhood taverns, there are hundreds of great places staffed with terrific mixologists ready to help you with your “attitude adjustment” – many open and serving until 4 a.m.! You will enjoy the live music offered at many of these grog-shops and are guaranteed to meet some of the most fascinating people in the world seated on the next stool.

Here are a few we love:

The Green Parrot– On the corner of Whitehead and Southard St., this drinking house is a real classic that has been serving the working men & women of Key West for over one hundred years. They bring in some of the finest musicians from all over the country and there is never a cover charge. Their motto is “no sniveling” and the friendly bartenders faithfully enforce it. Reasonably priced w/ full bar but beer rules!

Schooner Wharf Bar– Located right on the water at the Historic Seaport at the end of Williams St. This is a real slice of old Key West and is always bustling with locals and tourists alike. Run by a most charming and beautiful Swedish woman, this laid-back bar welcomes well-behaved dogs and has live music night and day. Their grill offers reasonably priced food to enjoy while watching the fleet of tall-sail ships make their way in and out of port. Don’t miss this terrific watering-hole.

Virgilio’s at La Trattoria – This charming full-service bar is hidden behind one of the best Italian restaurants in town at Duval and Appelrouth Lane. They have a fine rotating roster of mellow musicians and a great late-night menu is available. Best known for their awesome chocolate martini – Ketel One with Crème de Cocoa and Godiva liquer, shaken and served straight-up in chilled glass w/ dark chocolate rim.

El Meson de Pepe’s– Before or after sunset, stop at this legendary Cuban eatery to listen to the live salsa band. Located on Wall St. right at Mallory Square, they will make you the definitive Mojito cocktail. Raw sugar syrup, lime and fresh mint leaves are muddled together and then shaken with Bacardi rum and splashed on ice with a dash of sparkling soda water. Local color comes to life at this festive hacienda!

The Afterdeck at Louie’s Backyard – Built out on an expansive deck overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this is a beautiful place to see and be seen. Open from mid-day until late at night, you can sit at teak cocktail tables and stare out to sea while sipping on well prepared drinks, or one of the fine wines from the by-the-glass menu. You may see Jimmy Buffett, who once lived next door, or the visiting celebrity du jour – as they all make their way to Louie’s on the corner of Waddell and Vernon St.

Of course you will also want to check out Sloppy Joe’s, Captain Tony’s, The Bull and Whistle, Margaritaville, and the bars with their incredible female impersonators. You'll find it all while doing "The Duval Crawl", local-speak for wandering bar to bar, to-go cocktail cup in hand.