![key west gay bars on duval street key west gay bars on duval street](http://tropixtraveler.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/94-Key-West-Duval-Street-Florida.jpg)
Recommended for Dance Clubs because: This funky, Duval Street bar is a must-do on any Key West itinerary with its drag queen cabaret, bingo and karaoke.Ĭlaudia's expert tip: Want to meet some of the drag queens before the show? They usually greet passersby on Duval Street in front of the bar and are happy to pose for photos.įilled with mix of local characters and visitors-in-the-know, "The Parrot," is not your typical dive bar. Beware: some of the prizes are rather risque.
![key west gay bars on duval street key west gay bars on duval street](https://myareanetwork-photos.s3.amazonaws.com/bizlist_photos/f/355188_1567602867.jpg)
On Sundays, drag queen bingo with QMitch is a fave for locals and visitors alike, so get there early to snag a seat. Check at your hotel for a coupon for a discount on the cabaret cover charge. (Note: the late-night show is known to be more R-rated than the early show.) Make sure to bring lots of small bills, as tipping the performers is highly encouraged. There are two cabaret showings at 9:00 p.m. Expect singing, dancing, a bit of raunchy comedy and audience participation. Female impersonators take the stage at the cabaret, including the legendary Sushi, who has been making a name for herself on the island for more than 25 years. This funky Duval Street bar is a must-do on any Key West itinerary. Recommended for Dance Clubs because: Since its origins as a speakeasy during Prohibition, Sloppy Joe's (Hemingway's favorite bar) has drawn a crowd for strong drinks, live music and dancing.Ĭlaudia's expert tip: To beat the heat, try a refreshing Papa Dobles, Hemingway's fave cocktail, made with Bacardi, Maraschino Liqueur, lime and grapefruit juices
![key west gay bars on duval street key west gay bars on duval street](https://www.travel1000places.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Key-West-The-Bull-Bar.jpg)
By nightfall, this place starts to get rowdy, and the tables are cleared away to make room for dancing. Attached to the main bar is Joe's Tap room, with several craft beers on tap. But the walls are filled with photos and memorabilia devoted to the author, and it overflows with "Papa" doppelgangers during Hemingway Days each July. In fairness to historical accuracy, Hemingway probably spent more time haunting the original location (formerly a speakeasy and now Captain Tony's) until 1937. It was Hemingway's favorite watering hole ("Sloppy Joe" was Captain Joe Russell, the founder and one of Hemingway's drinking buddies) and remains a popular place for pub grub and live music. You'd be hard-pressed to learn about Key West without hearing of the infamous Sloppy Joe's bar, where people come to get, well, sloppy. Here are the ten best places to dance like nobody’s watching in Key West. DJs at Rick’s Upstairs and Fat Tuesday ramp up the beats for a younger crowd, who are fueled by an intoxicating blend of strong drinks and hormones. The vibrant LGBT scene offers the closest thing you’ll find to a traditional dance club at Aqua and Bourbon Street Pub, albeit with an outside tiki bar and male go-go dancers. At the classy martini bar, Virgilio’s, the well-groomed hit the outdoor dance floor for live music-usually jazz, blues or Latin. “The Parrot” is famous for bringing in the best bands from around the country for a heady mix of gritty blues, rock and funk. Late in the night, spots like Sloppy Joe’s and Green Parrot clear the tables to make room for a dance floor. Live music is a mainstay at most bars and restaurants, so if the mood hits you, it’s perfectly acceptable to shimmy and shake wherever you are. Instead, you’ll find a more organic approach from couples doing the salsa on Mallory Square at El Meson de Pepe to tourists kicking it with the drag queens at 801 Bourbon. Long lines, VIP rooms and exorbitant cover charges, don’t really fit into the laid-back island’s DNA. If you’re looking for the big-city nightclub experience, you won’t find it in Key West.