If you’re looking for a casual and laid-back drinking experience in Key West, dive bars are the way to go. These bars are often frequented by locals and offer a unique island experience.
Dive bars are known for their cheap drinks, relaxed atmosphere, and lack of pretension. In Key West, there are several dive bars that are worth checking out.
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Some of the best dive bars in Key West include The Green Parrot, Captain Tony’s Saloon, Chart Room, Schooner Wharf Bar, Half Shell Raw Bar, and Bobby’s Monkey Bar.
Each of these bars has its own unique charm and character, making them a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the local drinking culture in Key West.
Top 17 Best Dive Bars In Key West
The Green Parrot
The Green Parrot is a bar located in Key West, Florida. It has been an institution since 1890 and is known for its live music, casual atmosphere, and great drinks.
The bar does not serve food, but it does offer movie-style popcorn. The Green Parrot is a popular local dive bar that is firmly established amongst the best Key West bars.
It is a true bar with a lot of history and stories, and people return year after year to enjoy the great music and greet new and old friends.
The bar has happy hour every day from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. . The windows and doors of this Florida beach bar are always open, which gives this indoor bar an outdoor feeling.
The Green Parrot is a Key West classic that has seen a lot in its 100 plus years. Almost every day of the week, you can catch a live band playing at this Florida beach bar.
Captain Tony’s Saloon
Captain Tony’s Saloon is a bar located at 428 Greene Street in Key West, Florida. The building that houses the bar has a colorful history, having served as an ice house, a city morgue, and a wireless telegraph station.
The bar has been patronized through the years by many well-known artists, writers, and celebrities, including Jimmy Buffett, who got his start playing at the bar in the early 1970s.
Buffett even immortalized the bar and its namesake, Captain Tony Tarracino, in his song “Last Mango in Paris”. Other famous artists who have taken the stage at Captain Tony’s include Shel Silverstein and Bob Dylan.
Captain Tony Tarracino, a local charter boat captain, purchased the bar in 1968 and named it Captain Tony’s Saloon. Tarracino served as mayor of Key West and was a larger-than-life character.
He sold the bar in 1989 but continued to hold court there every Thursday night until he passed away in 2008.
Today, Captain Tony’s Saloon is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, with live music performances every afternoon and evening.
The bar has a festive atmosphere and hosts theme-night parties. Despite its colorful past, the current proprietor is a skeptic about the ghost stories associated with the bar, although he has reportedly experienced a few ghostly encounters himself.
Chart Room
The Chart Room is a legendary bar located in the Pier House Resort & Spa in Key West, Florida. It was built in 1967 as a 50-room motel, but it lacked a bar.
So, the owners emptied out a room, added liquor and a mahogany bar, and created one of the most quirky places on an island filled with them.
The bar is known for its casual atmosphere, straight-up spirits, and vintage photos of notable visitors. It is an iconic dive where locals and guests swap stories and kick back.
The Chart Room is also known for its association with Jimmy Buffett and Mel Fisher, who used it as their unofficial headquarters.
The bar is open daily from 5:00 pm to 12:00 am. Some of the amenities of the Chart Room include a fun and inviting atmosphere. The bar is a tiny, dimly lit place with only six bar stools.
It is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, and it has been visited by many famous people, including Truman Capote, Hunter S. Thompson, and Jim Croce.
The Chart Room is a must-visit place for anyone who wants to experience the quirky and laid-back atmosphere of Key West.
Schooner Wharf Bar
Schooner Wharf Bar is a popular open-air bar and grill located in Key West, Florida.
It is an island institution since 1984, located on the site of the old Singleton Shrimp factory, and is a true Key West experience that’s not to be missed, regardless of your station in life.
The bar is a slice of Key West before million-dollar condos began sprouting up like kudzu and is as funky as a pair of well-worn flips and every bit as comfortable, just a ramshackle open-sided bar, small stage, and umbrella-covered tables set on a gravel patio.
The bar is the home port of the Key West flagship Schooner Western Union, available for sunset cruises and private parties.
Schooner Wharf Bar is known for its delicious cuisine, great live music, and special events.
The menu includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the bar serves drinks from three happy hours daily. The bar has been voted Best Bar – People’s Choice Awards since 1993.
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Schooner Wharf Bar hosts various events throughout the year, including Costume Night, Lighted Boat Parade, and entertainment shows.
The bar has a webcam that provides a live view of the bar and the surrounding area.
Bobby’s Monkey Bar
Bobby’s Monkey Bar is a bar located in Key West, Florida. It has a laid-back atmosphere and is known for its stiff drinks.
The bar is decorated with dozens of Velcro-handed monkeys hanging from the chandeliers and rafters.
The green doors and shutters outside the front entrance are charmingly crooked, and during the day, the bar is full of natural light and air.
At night, smoke fills the room and a haze settles over the bar and its patrons. The bartenders at Bobby’s Monkey Bar are known for being true professionals and slinging drinks adeptly to the late-night crowd.
There is a jukebox on the wall, stacked with the perfect mix of classic rock, disco, ’80s hair bands, and ’90s R&B.
Bobby’s Monkey Bar is a nice bar for locals and visitors, and the staff is very friendly. The bar has happy hour specials in the afternoon and evening.
Bert’s Bar
Bert’s Bar is a bar located in Key West, Florida. It is situated at 213-217 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040. The bar is known for its good happy hour, outdoor seating, and TV.
Bert’s Bar serves beer and cocktails, and according to reviews, the beer is delicious and the prices are reasonable. The atmosphere is described as homey and relaxed.
Bert’s Bar is also described as a dive bar, with a quaint and understated ambiance. The bar is ADA friendly and a great place to socialize and meet new people.
Bert’s Bar is open during the day but is great at night. The bar is standing room only. According to reviews, Bert’s Bar is a great place to visit after a long day to ease the tension and just relax.
Mary Ellen’s Bar & Kitchen
Mary Ellen’s Bar & Kitchen is a friendly neighborhood bar located in Old Town Key West, just off Duval Street on Appelrouth Lane.
The bar is open daily from 11:30 am to late, 363 days a year, and the kitchen and delivery are open Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to late, and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am to later.
They offer a selection of comfort food, including grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken wings, pizza, tater-tots, French fries, and other treats.
Food is available inside and at their outside to-go window, and they also offer free delivery in Old Town and a small charge for anywhere else in Key West.
Mary Ellen’s Bar & Kitchen is known for its lively atmosphere and events, including live music, DJs, charity vibrator races, sports, and other random events.
They have a legendary beer can collection on display, which has become a rite of passage for locals and visitors.
Their menu and delivery options can be found on their website, and they also offer pick up at the bar or delivery through DoorDash.
Half Shell Raw Bar
The Half Shell Raw Bar is a casual seafood restaurant located in Key West, Florida. It is situated in a former shrimp-packing facility and offers waterside seating with picnic tables.
The restaurant is known for serving fresh seafood, including broiled garlic oysters and conch fritters. It has received positive reviews on TripAdvisor, where it has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars based on over 2,900 reviews.
On Yelp, it has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on over 950 reviews. The Half Shell Raw Bar is also listed as one of the best restaurants in Key West by 10Best, which notes that it serves the freshest seafood in a casual atmosphere.
Hogfish Bar & Grill
Hogfish Bar & Grill is a lively, open-air seafood eatery located in Stock Island, Florida. It is known for its namesake hogfish sandwich and relaxed atmosphere.
The restaurant is a hidden gem that is popular among locals. The menu features fresh seafood and other dishes, and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.
Hogfish Bar & Grill is located in a working marina on Stock Island, which was once home to herds of livestock. The restaurant is rumored to have been the headquarters for shrimp boats in the 1950s.
If you are looking for a casual seafood restaurant with a local vibe, Hogfish Bar & Grill is a great option to consider.
The Dive Bar Shirt Club
The Dive Bar Shirt Club is a unique establishment located at 320 Grinnell Street in Key West, Florida. It is part shirt club, part museum, and part dive bar, and is possibly the world’s first Dive Bar-Tee Shirt Club.
The club offers a monthly subscription service where members receive an authentic T-shirt from the best of America’s most interesting and unusual bars. A new dive is featured every month, and once that month is up, that shirt is retired forever.
The bars are picked by the Dive Bar Crew, from their own travels and from the many submissions that are sent to them. In addition to the T-shirt, members also receive a unique postcard and a sticker every month.
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The club is open from 11am to 11pm daily, and happy hour is from 4pm to 6pm every day, with half-price drinks.
The menu is limited, with brisket tacos and ground beef being the only items offered, served with chips and salsa and queso.
The club also serves draft beers, wine, and seltzers, and offers a first round buy one, get one free with the Key West Bar Card.
The Porch
The Porch in Key West is a historic inn located at the corner of Frances and Southard streets in Old Town neighborhood.
It is a popular destination for savvy and discerning travelers seeking a unique and authentic experience. The inn offers air-conditioned rooms and express check-in and check-out.
In addition to the inn, there is also a craft beer and wine bar called The Porch – Craft Beer & Wine Bar located on Duval Street. This bar is a hidden oasis of awesomeness and is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
The Lazy Gecko
The Lazy Gecko is a tropical island sports bar located in the heart of Key West on Duval Street. It was known for its charming design and private courtyard.
However, according to a post on TripAdvisor, the bar closed on July 10th, 2017 due to circumstances beyond their control. A Yelp page for the bar confirms that it is closed.
The Rum Bar
The Rum Bar is a popular watering hole located in Key West, Florida.
– Location: The Rum Bar is located on the ground floor of the Speakeasy Inn on Duval Street, which is considered Key West’s main artery.
– Atmosphere: The bar has a laid-back and relaxed vibe, with a small patio for outdoor seating.
– Menu: The Rum Bar is known for its vast rum menu, and it serves up a number of cocktails featuring Key West’s favorite liquor. It is considered one of the best places for rum in Key West.
– History: The Speakeasy Inn, where the Rum Bar is located, is a landmark building that offers an elegant and romantic retreat. It was the home of Raul Vaquez, who was a cigar selector at the Gato cigar factory.
– Reviews: The Rum Bar has received positive reviews on sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp, with many customers praising its atmosphere and selection of rum.
The Bull and Whistle
The Bull and Whistle Bar is located at the corner of Duval and Caroline Streets in Key West, Florida. It is the last of the old-time Duval Street open-air bars and is made up of three bars, each with its own unique personality.
The Bull is located on the first floor and is one of the few remaining open-air bars of Key West. It has a large space with a long stretch of bar, table seating, and a small stage where local musicians perform nightly.
The Bull has a genuine carousing feel, making it easy to pop in, grab a drink, and watch the crowds go by. The Whistle Bar is located on the second floor and has a balcony overlooking Duval Street.
The Garden of Eden is located on the third floor and is a clothing-optional rooftop bar. The Bull and Whistle Bar is known for its entertainment, including 50’s and 60’s Doo-Wop and Motown music
The Green Room
The Green Room is a bar located in the heart of the Key West bar district.
It was known for providing patrons with a fresh experience never before seen in Key West, featuring organic drinks and ‘made from scratch’ food.
However, as of October 2023, The Green Room has closed.
On Instagram, The Green Room Key West account has 2111 followers and 117 posts. Additionally, there is a room called the Green Room at the Grand Maloney by Brightwild, which is located in the center of Key West and provides air-conditioned rooms.
The Green Parrot Back Bar
The Green Parrot Back Bar is a popular local dive bar in Key West that has been an institution since 1890.
It is a true bar with no food service, but they do have a help-yourself movie-style popcorn machine. The bar features live music every night, and they have a variety of different bands playing.
They also have Bingo on Monday nights. The Green Parrot Bar is a Key West icon and has been so many things to so many people for so many years.
It has been the site of human exploits, from poetry slams to divorce celebrations, from memorial services to hurricane parties and pet birthday bashes, from tattoo contests to fundraising benefits.
The bar has a rich history, having been a grocery store, a Navy hangout, and an open-air hipster watering hole before becoming The Green Parrot Bar.
The bar is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. every day. They have happy hour every day from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. .
The Green Parrot Bar is a Key West classic and a must-visit for anyone looking for a casual atmosphere, great drinks, and live music.
The Purple Porpoise
The Purple Porpoise Pub is a bar located in Key West, Florida. It has received mixed reviews on various websites.
Some reviewers have praised the beer selection and the staff, while others have criticized the food and the atmosphere.
The bar is located at 1045 Coppitt Rd in Key West.
Sources: https://chesbrewco.com
Category: Places
