Nightlife · Key West · United States
Key West nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Key West, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: CedarBendDrive from USA, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Key West's nightlife is concentrated on Duval Street and the Historic Seaport: long-running saloons, live music from afternoon to late, piano bars and drag shows. The 'Duval Crawl' from the Gulf end towards the Atlantic is a local ritual. The main areas are Lower Duval Street, Upper Duval Street, Historic Seaport and Whitehead and Southard streets.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Old Town and Duval Street
- Local drink
- Cuban coffee
Where to go out
Lower Duval Street
The busiest stretch near the Gulf, with Sloppy Joe's, Captain Tony's Saloon and many live-music bars.
Upper Duval Street
The heart of the island's LGBTQ+ nightlife, with cabaret and drag shows.
Historic Seaport
Waterfront bars with live music and harbour views at Key West Bight.
Whitehead and Southard streets
Classic dive bars with live bands, a block off Duval.
Nightlife tips
- Many bars have live music from early afternoon, so you do not need to stay up late.
- Drinks in plastic cups can be carried on parts of Duval Street; glass is not allowed.
- Ride a bike with lights or walk at night; drink-driving enforcement is strict.
Evening sights
Waterfront · Old Town and Duval Street
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
Arrive about 45 minutes before sunset to find a spot on the water's edge and see the performers set up.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
Street · Old Town and Duval Street
Duval Street
Walk the full length once by day, then come back after dark when live music spills out of the bars.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Shopping
- Food
Waterfront · Historic Seaport
Historic Seaport harbour walk
Look into the water near the fish-cleaning stations, where large tarpon often gather.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- After dark
- Couples
Experience · Historic Seaport
Sunset sail
Choose a traditional schooner for a quieter sail, or a catamaran for more space and a party atmosphere.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Couples
- Views
- After dark
What to drink
- Cuban coffee — Strong, sweet espresso served in small cups or a 'colada' for sharing, or as café con leche with steamed milk and buttered Cuban toast for breakfast.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 27°C (81°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:59 | 18°C (64°F) | 6 |
| April | About 19:49 | 22°C (72°F) | 4 |
| July | About 20:19 | 27°C (81°F) | 10 |
| October | About 19:00 | 25°C (77°F) | 9 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Old Town is walkable end to end in about 30 minutes, and most sights are on or near Duval and Whitehead streets.
- Bus — Key West Transit runs the free Duval Loop around Old Town and the Historic Seaport, plus city routes to New Town and a Lower Keys shuttle towards Marathon.
- Taxi — Taxis, pedicabs and ride-hailing are available, useful for the airport and late nights.
Late-night bites
- Conch fritters — Seafood shacks at the Historic Seaport and along Duval Street.
- Cuban sandwich — Cuban cafés and takeaway windows around Old Town and New Town.
Staying safe at night
Key West is generally relaxed for visitors, but bike theft is common, so always lock bikes, and drink-related incidents occur on Duval Street late at night. Sun and heat are intense year-round, and reef trips can be cancelled or rough in wind. Follow official evacuation orders if a hurricane approaches.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, couples and food lovers
Old Town and Duval Street
Duval Street runs about 2 km from the Gulf at Mallory Square to the Atlantic, lined with bars, galleries, T-shirt shops and restaurants; the side streets — Eaton, Caroline, Southard, Fleming — hold restored wooden houses and guest houses with pools. It is the most convenient and the noisiest place to stay.
- Good
- Everything within walking distance; Characterful guest houses; Lively evenings
- Watch out
- Loud at night near the bars; High prices and little parking
- Nearby
- Mallory Square, Hemingway Home, Key West Lighthouse, Southernmost Point
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Key West?
Lower Duval Street, Upper Duval Street and Historic Seaport. The busiest stretch near the Gulf, with Sloppy Joe's, Captain Tony's Saloon and many live-music bars.
+Which area of Key West is best for nightlife?
Old Town and Duval Street: Bars, shops and conch houses along the island's main street.