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By Sarah Goodwin, Contributor
Aqua
by: jkbrooks85 flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
This fun dance club offers strong drinks, a great sound system, a disco ball, and a stage often hosting events like drag shows and karaoke contests. Enjoying the controlled chaos, you’ll find a great mix of gay men, lesbian women, unsuspecting tourists, and just about everyone in between. If you need to get away from the music for a second, there’s a quiet outside bar behind the bathrooms.
Blue Q
by: Sarah Goodwin – Courtesy: Gogobot
Captain Steve and his crew of hot, fit gay men party hard on this clothing-optional catamaran. Kayak, snorkel, or sunset cruise on the pristine waters off the coast. The music is loud and the booze never runs out.
Fairvilla
by: Sarah Goodwin – Courtesy: Gogobot
Fairvilla sells adult costumes and plenty of “sexy things,” as the window display so eloquently indicates. It’s for adults only, obviously, and is stocked with extra costumes in October. The store is clean, the staff are non-judgmental and open-minded, and it’s an easy place to have a bit of fun.
Lazy Dog Kayak
by: b_nicodemus flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Lesbian-owned and operated Lazy Dog offers paddleboarding and kayaking, either on your own or on an ecotour, in Cow Key channel. You might spot local manatee before heading deep into a scenic mangrove tunnel. Small sharks and large tarpon are plentiful. They also offer paddleboard yoga. And, of course, you’re allowed to bring your dog.
The Flaming Buoy Filet Co.
by: Sidneiensis flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
This comfortable, casual neighborhood bistro serves eclectic Floribbean cuisine. The staff is friendly, and the cute name (buoy=boy) reflects the restaurant’s adorable owners. This place is totally off the beaten path so it’s mostly packed with locals. You can sit on the porch overlooking a residential neighborhood, in the spacious dining room, or at the small, friendly bar. The wine list is good, the price is reasonable, and the food is plentiful and well-prepared.
Island House
by: Florida Keys–Public Libraries flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Rooms at this men-only, clothing-optional resort are decorated in a motif inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s home in Havana. Entertainment comes in the form of a large heated pool with a tiki bar, a Jacuzzi, a health club, a spa, a gym and a café, plus an erotic video lounge if that’s your thing. The landscaping is lush and gorgeous, so if you want to spend all day outside, they offer meals delivered poolside and a free happy hour.
Bobby’s Monkey Bar
by: molybdena flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
This little pink building on a quiet corner has the best karaoke in Key West, starting after 9:30pm every night but Wednesday. It’s an LGBT but straight-friendly neighborhood dive bar with a warped pool table. It’s smoky, loud, and rowdy — and that’s not an insult.
The Porch
by: seljes flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
This wine and craft beer bar sits just off Duval Street in a Victorian mansion. It’s a quintessential Key West locals’ bar: quirky and casual and filled with 80s references and private jokes. It’s attached to a craft cocktail lounge called The Other Side. Though the atmosphere inside is decidedly more low-key than its sister-bar, on the porch and in the courtyard out front, it all mingles into one. They host fun parties and events and often feature music or other performers.
La Te Da
by: Sarah Goodwin – Courtesy: Gogobot
Lateda is a cabaret, a restaurant, and a resort on the quiet end of Duval Street. The restaurant is located outside and has a great chef, the bar is friendly and fun, and inside, the cabaret shows great lounge acts and drag shows.
Bourbon Street Pub
by: Sarah Goodwin – Courtesy: Gogobot
This is definitely where the boys are. Women are welcome, except in the back by the pool, which remains men-only. There’s two bars inside and a stage featuring smoking hot go-go boys. Giant screens create visuals with music videos and more. This bar is the heart of the square block of Key West locals jokingly call the “gayborhood.” Even the crosswalks are rainbow colored! Bourbon gets packed during busy season, so don’t expect to get a seat.
801 Bourbon Bar
by: John Beagle flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Downstairs is a fun LGBT bar with kitschy decor which sometimes has karaoke or drag shows, while upstairs is a lounge featuring drag cabarets, burlesque shows, and bingo nights. It’s a decent mix of locals and tourists, located in the fun “gayborhood” of the Duval and Petronia area.
Gogobot’s mission is to find people places to eat, stay, and play that are perfect for them. Find more LGBT-friendly spots in Key West on the app.
Source: gogobot.com