Do Key West Nightlife Like A LOCAL

With the reputation that the nightlife in Key West has, you would think that there's a club on every corner, but that's not the case.  You just have to know where to go. 

Actually, it's more like you have to know where  to go on what night!

If you're gonna go to Aqua, there's something I think you should know...


Key West Nightlife Isn't About
Who You Know...

Key West nightlife is about where and when you know.   Take Aqua
in the picture above.  One of the most popular nightclubs on the island, but it's also a Drag Bar--are you cool with that?  Another good example is The Green Room--It's not even a CLUB!  Hey, wanna wear all black, and pretend you're on South Beach ('cause we don't roll like that down here)?  That only happened at Club A (which is now out of business), and it wasn't a club.

See what I mean?  There's many reasons for this, too--let me give you an example:  for years, and at many venues, they've tried to open a Latin Club.  Sounds like a no-brainer, what with the Cuban influence in South Florida, right?  So one would open up, someone would get stabbed (or shot!) up in there, and there goes the club.  Same thing for the Hip-Hop/Rap clubs, too.  EVERY. TIME.  So then a restaurant would try to have a Latin and/or Hip-Hop night...

Yeah, exactly.  Same thing.  Fuckin' pitiful.  And too bad.

A band playing at Durty Harry's.  Fights, yes.  Stabbings and shootings, not so much.


Not the Case (so much) With the Bands

Now as far as partying somewhere there's a band playing, not so much.  Sloppy Joe's usually has young up-and-coming bands there at night, sometimes a D.J. Same with Durty Harry's, but no D.J. The Green Parrot?  Oh, they get funky up in there!  Hog's Breath will typically have a more middle-aged crowd, and the nighttime music will usually be Blues, and it can be good, so make sure to stick your head in there and see what's up.  For more on straight-up bands, check out my Key West Bands page ('cause we're kind of going off the subject here--when I think Key West nightlife, I think clubs and dancing).

The Bottle Cap used to be the spot--now, where is it?

The Nightlife In Key West
Is "Limited"

So yeah, this DAMN sure ain't Miami, or New York.  Or Austin.  or any big city, where you'll have your choice of genres to listen to, and clubs to check out.  As far as Key West nightlife goes, we got the basics: Cover Bands and DJs, with a couple of eclectic groups thrown in for good measure.  Hell, we're a 2 miles wide by 4 miles long island--what do you want from us?

But a good time can still be had down here.  Rick's is "The Club".
The Green Room is trying to keep the Hip-Hop thing going at night, and I wish them luck with that. Virgilio's is known for Martini Monday, and is a chill spot (on Mondays).  The Bottle Cap used to have the Groove Lounge, and Techno Tuesday is where you'd find all of the smokin' hot eastern European chicks living in town, dressed up like runway models, but that moved to Club A, which again, is closed.  When the new spot opens up, you'll hear about it here.

Other then that, play it by ear.  Remember, it's not a big downtown area, and if you find yourself on the other side of the island (called New Town), your basically screwed.  Be sure to check out my Key West Bars and Key West Bands for more info.

And please, always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS leave a comment, good or bad, with me.  How else am I gonna know if I'm wrong about something, or if things have changed?  Hit me up on Facebook, Twitter, or on my contact me page.

And remember to tell 'em, "Freshwater Dave sent us!"

Have fun--it ain't hard!