The 10 Best Bars in Key West for Every Type of Drinker
Thirsty for a Key West night that fits your vibe perfectly? From rainbow-tabled sunsets to candlelit jazz, this guide pairs you with the right bar for your mood. You will find classic dives, beachfront sips, and high-energy showstoppers all within a breezy stroll or quick ride. Grab your sandals and let us map your perfect round, one unforgettable stop at a time.
1. Sunset Pier at Ocean Key Resort & Spa
You come here for the horizon and stay for the glow. Sunset Pier stretches into the sea with rainbow-colored tables that make every photo pop, and the breeze tastes faintly of salt and citrus. Order a mango mojito or a rum punch and let the steel drums set the pace while the sky turns sherbet.
It is vibrant without trying too hard, perfect for couples, friend groups, and solo sunset chasers. Servers are quick, cocktails icy, and the vibe leans celebratory. If you time it right, you will toast the sun slipping beneath the Gulf, then watch the lights spark along the pier.
2. Southernmost Beach Cafe
This is the place for frozen drinks with a side of ocean. You can wander from the sand to the bar and back, toes dusted in salt while a daiquiri sweats in your hand. Happy hour brings affordable pours and a sea breeze that makes even ordinary conversations feel like vacation confessions.
Views stretch wide at one of the southernmost points in the U.S., so bring your camera and your sunscreen. Expect friendly service, beachy playlists, and plates that travel well between loungers. If you want easygoing sips and unbothered sunshine, this cafe nails the brief every time.
3. 801 Bourbon Bar
Welcome to Key West’s glittery heartbeat. 801 Bourbon Bar is where drag queens serve charisma with jokes that land as hard as the beats. Order something colorful, tip generously, and settle into a night where laughter bounces off the walls and rules do not matter much.
The crowd is inclusive and ready to dance, whether you are front row for the show or hanging by the bar. Pop anthems keep the energy high, and staff keep the drinks cold. It is a nightlife staple that feels like instant friendship, a place where every guest gets permission to shine.
4. Sloppy Joe’s Bar
Sloppy Joe’s is the Duval Street legend that still throws a daily party. Since 1937, its margaritas have been strong, the music loud, and the floor happily crowded. You will likely start with a frozen drink, meet someone from three time zones away, and decide to stay for one more song.
It is rowdy in a lovable way, with memorabilia lining the walls and bartenders who pour with confidence. Expect classic bar bites and a soundtrack you will hum on the walk out. If you want old-school Key West energy, this is your first and last stop.
5. Tropicado Mojito Bar
Tropicado feels like a postcard from the golden age of island cool. Sleek lines, warm woods, and mint bouquets frame bartenders known as Mojito Masters. You watch them muddle with precision, then layer rum, citrus, and crushed ice until your glass fogs and the aroma of mint blooms.
The menu riffs on tradition with passionfruit, coconut, even spicy chile versions that tingle. Seats are comfortable and conversation flows, which makes it perfect for date nights or unhurried catch-ups. If a mojito is your north star, this bar charts the most delicious route.
6. Hogfish Bar & Grill
Hogfish Bar & Grill is salty in the best way. Set by working shrimp docks on Stock Island, it pours cold drinks and serves seafood that tastes like the ocean is still humming beneath it. You can hear guitars from the live music corner and seagulls heckling in the distance.
Order the namesake hogfish sandwich and a beer, then watch boats drift as the sun fades. It is unpolished, friendly, and proudly local, the opposite of fussy. If waterfront authenticity is your craving, this spot scratches it with a generous, satisfying flourish.
7. Rick’s Bar
Rick’s is not one bar. It is eight different moods under one buzzing umbrella, which makes it ideal for big groups who cannot agree on a soundtrack. You might start with karaoke, hop to live rock, then finish under a DJ booth sipping something neon.
Expect fruity cocktails, spirited bartenders, and a crowd that peaks after midnight. There is always a corner matching your energy level, from rowdy to flirty to just-here-to-people-watch. If your plan is to let the night choose for you, Rick’s happily becomes the map.
8. Bourbon St. Pub
Bourbon St. Pub brings a New Orleans vibe to Duval with simple drinks and reliable entertainment. The main bar keeps the pours straightforward while the crowd leans playful and welcoming. During big Key West festivals, the men-only outdoor bar turns into a lively courtyard scene.
Music, dancers, and theme nights keep the calendar busy, so there is always something to catch. Grab a beer or a rum-and-coke and let the evening unfold without overthinking. If you appreciate unfussy drinks and consistent nightlife, this pub delivers with charm.
9. Green Parrot Bar
The Green Parrot is Key West’s divey soul. It runs on live music, cold beers, and the kind of friendly chaos that feels like home. You will find locals, travelers, and a schedule packed with quirky happenings, including the beloved Ukulele Night each month.
There is no fuss, just bands that play loud and bartenders who move fast. Drinks are priced right, and the dance floor appears naturally whenever the groove hits. If you want Key West unfiltered and joyous, the Parrot is your perch.
10. Little Room Jazz Club
When the island gets loud, slip into Little Room and exhale. Candlelight flickers across small tables while a trio coaxes standards into hushed perfection. Order a stirred cocktail, let the piano notes hang, and feel your shoulders drop a notch.
The crowd is grown-up and relaxed, ideal for dates or a solo nightcap. Service is polished without being stiff, and the acoustics make conversation easy. If your Key West requires elegance with its escapism, this jazz club plays the final, satisfying chord.
