If you’ve come to Key West to celebrate a big occasion, you’ve come to the right place. From birthdays to anniversaries, weddings, family reunions, bachelor and bachelorette parties, there are plenty of venues and bars to throw a party and have a great time.
Hit Duval Street
Sloppy Joe’s – Sloppy Joe’s is easily Key West’s most iconic bar, so start your celebration here. There’s live music day and night, a great bar and delicious food. The scene is lively so be ready to dance and get a little wild.
The Porch – For craft beer in a sophisticated setting amongst an eclectic group of locals, there’s no place like The Porch. This popular watering hole is perched inside a historic Victorian mansion on the corner of Duval Street and Caroline Street. If someone in your party has a hankering for a fancy cocktail, just head across the foyer to The Other Side.
Green Parrot – With an incredible live music calendar, a killer jukebox, pool tables, darts and free freshly popped popcorn, there’s a reason the Green Parrot is Key West’s most beloved bar. While it’s technically one block off of Duval Street, your party will enjoy this off the beaten path favorite.
Festive Restaurants
El Meson de Pepe – Make it a festive celebration with dinner at El Meson de Pepe located right on Mallory Square where live salsa music is performed nightly to accompany the sunset. This family-owned Cuban restaurant serves up the tastiest Ropa Vieja and Cuban mix sandwiches with yellow rice, black beans and plantains. Wash that down with a mojito and your party will be in heaven.
Fogarty’s – The sprawling patio at Fogarty’s makes for a great casual celebration for a large party. In fact, everything here is big, including the portions of delicious dishes like broccolini pasta, pecan-encrusted mahi-mahi and slow-roasted baby back ribs. They’ve also got a great menu of giant salads and a delicious cheeseburger. Enjoy with one of their many frozen drinks on tap at the adjacent Flying Monkey Bar.
A&B Lobster House – For a refined celebration, book a dinner reservation at A&B Lobster House where you can order fine wine, sip martinis and enjoy some of the island’s choicest chops and freshest seafood. From hogfish snapper to the ribeye, you can’t go wrong dining at this classy establishment.
Throw a Garden Party
Truman Little White House – With three separate lawns surrounding President Harry S. Truman’s historic winter escape, the Truman Little White House can accommodate parties of all sizes. The front lawn, side lawn and intimate garden space can be used separately or together for a lavish party for every occasion.
Hemingway House – For a storied party with lush, tropical grounds, consider the former home of Ernest Hemingway on a large plot of land on Whitehead Street. He and his second wife Pauline lived here during their tenure in Key West in the 1930s.
Audubon House – For a whimsical party under the stars, the Audubon House at the foot of Whitehead Street offers tropical orchid-filled trees throughout its garden grounds. With a large front porch, brick pathways and pocket gardens throughout the yard, it’s a lovely location for a party you won’t soon forget.
Celebrate On the Beach or Water
Fort Zachary Taylor Beach & State Park – For a classic Key West beach party, look no further than Fort Zachary Taylor Beach & State Park. With a Civil War-era fort, a rocky beach, nature trails and snorkel gear for rent, your party will never run out of activities. There’s also a snack bar in case you don’t feel like packing a picnic.
Fury Water Adventures Charter – Consider a party out to sea with a private charter or a group trip aboard Fury Water Adventures. Their stable 65’ catamarans with a shaded cabin, main deck and upper deck can accommodate up to 127 guests. Whether it’s a sunset sail or a snorkel adventure with your crew, an afternoon at sea is an incredible way to celebrate good times.
The Gates Hotel – Called as such because of its location at the entry point of Key West on Roosevelt Ave., is a hyper-modern yet warm and inclusive getaway. With a style between retro Florida and island chic, The Gates fuses all the elements that make Key West great like music, exceptional food and exclusive rums and cigars.