The Best Key West Bars

A number of Key West bars offer much variety in atmosphere, they range from lively to exquisite, so finding your favorite will be a matter of spending a little time in one and seeing if it matches your personal taste.

That said, many locals and visitors alike agree that there are definitely a few bars that stand out in a crowd. Ultimately you have to ask yourself what interests you most when you go out for a beer, cocktail, or glass of wine. Are you looking for a friendly local atmosphere? Cheap drinks? A classy setting? Or a beautiful ocean view?

In Key West, many of the most popular bars and locally known hot spots are located on Duval Street. But not all of them are here, there are a several good watering holes away from the old town center area.

Top Local Spots

Chances are you want to experience an authentic taste of Key West nightlife and see what things are like at a few local favorites. There are a handful of well-known bars that pride themselves on being a part of the Key West culture. These are places where you can relax over a few drinks and find out what Key West is really all about.

Here are a few bars in Key West known for being great places to experience local culture:

• The Two Friends Bar
• Fat Tuesday
• The Green Parrot
• Sloppy Joe's

Keep in mind that Fat Tuesday is known as party central for many of the younger patrons visiting Key West. Depending on your tastes, it may not be the best spot for someone older, especially if you are looking for somewhere to relax. Sloppy Joes is widely considered to be an absolute must-visit – it is one of the bars that defines the Key West downtown.

Cocktail Bars and Lounges

While Key West offers a smorgasbord of drinking and partying hotspots, there are also plenty of sophisticated and relaxed lounge-style bars where you can enjoy a relaxing beverage with your favorite partner. One of these is Virgilio’s Cocktail Bar. Virgilio’s has been up and running for over a decade now, serving Italian food and cocktails to locals and visitors alike. If you enjoy dancing to live music, Virgilio’s is worth a look.

The Green Parrot is a historical classic. The building dates all the way back to 1890, and has been used as a bar since 1948. If you want to enjoy a few quality cocktails and soak up some Key West history, the Green Parrot should be on your itinerary. This is another great spot for live music and mingling with the locals, and the bar boasts a jukebox with a very extensive selection of classic rock hits from B.B. King through to Tom Petty.

Pub Crawl: The Bar Stroll

If you find it hard to make an executive decision on which Key West bars you are going to visit, there is an easy way to avoid the problem: just join the Bar Stroll. This pub crawl will guide you to five of the most happening bars in Key West.

The Bar Stroll is also a great option if you’re drinking on a budget, since you pay $25 for the tour and this entitles you to five free cocktails throughout the night. Of course, you’re also awarded with a tee-shirt as a nice souvenir to remember your pub crawl.