Set out in a marina on Stock Island, Hogfish Bar and Grill is just far enough off the beaten path of Duval Street to make it a bit of a “find” (it's also a popular spot with locals, which is always a positive sign). Here, we've rounded up the best bars in Key West, for when all that sunshine inevitably stirs up your thirst. But if you’re looking to get dressed up and make it more of an occasion, there are plenty of venues to fit the bill, whether it’s a night of cabaret at La Te Da or handcrafted cocktails and live jazz by candlelight at the Little Room Jazz Club. Sea views are, of course, optional, though encouraged (Sunset Pier and Hogfish Bar and Grill have some of the best). The Keys’ relaxed, lived-in vibe carries over to its bar scene (for the most part) having drinks with friends usually involves a pair of comfy jeans and a T-shirt, plus at least one fruity concoction, as you’ll find at the infamous Sloppy Joe’s. Sure, the area has evolved to suit the increasingly luxury-loving clientele who visit, but it also works hard to maintain that frozen-in-time feel (pun intended) that keeps tourists flocking to Florida’s most southerly region year after year. While frozen cocktails with tiny umbrellas (and the tiki bars that serve them) may be a relic of the 1950s in most other places, they’re still a staple of the Florida Keys.
