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New Year’s Eve Red Shoe Drop
Photo: Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO
When: December
Ringing in the New Year is a drag — literally. The Garden of Eden is one of the most popular bars in Key West, offering both a stunning view and a fun environment for a night of excitement.
đ Bobbyâs Monkey Bar
This is an awesome neighborhood dive bar, where cash is king.
Other must-tries include pulpo, or charred confit octopus, and branzino. The themes change from year to year, but the bars and parties are just as great! A significant section of the Key West Film Fest honors LGBTQ voices, with recent movies like Firebird and Portrait of a Lady on Fire winning top prizes.
Attend film screenings in Old Town Key West’s bounty of boutique theaters, unwind on an Atlantic Ocean beach, then hit an afterparty with like-minded cinephiles.
The Birdcage Cabaret, formerly SideBar, is the pinnacle of Live Drag! Depending on the night, it can be a bit quieter or have the tendency to get packed! Mangoes offers one of the best dining experiences while being just steps away from the most popular lesbian bars in Key West, FL, ensuring a seamless transition from brunch to afternoon festivities, or from happy hour to nightlife.
đ La Te Da
This is the pinnacle of Key West dining.
If you are heading to Key Largo and the northeastern keys, fly into Miami International Airport (MIA). Don't wait to join the party â reserve your spot via OpenTable in advance to enjoy this beloved hotspot! Key West Film Festival
Photo: The Florida Keys & Key West
When: November
Every autumn, culture vultures fly to Key West for five days dedicated to contemporary cinema.
The well-air-conditioned rooms provide the perfect private space to relax, and some include clothing-optional decks overlooking the grounds. The Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square is a nightly Key West art extravaganza on the northwest waterfront close to the foot of Duval St. The event starts every evening about two hours before sunset and ends approximately after sunset and is completely free to experience!
Since 1996, thousands of Key West onlookers have gathered around Bourbon St. Pub to see local drag legend Sushi (aka Gary Marion) descend from the building’s second story in a six-foot ruby-red stiletto as the clock strikes midnight. From this rooftop bar atop the Bull & Whistle Bar, you get a panoramic view of the island, and perhaps a bit more, if you catch my drift...
During the day, it's a sun-worshipper's haven with lounge chairs and umbrellas, but at night, the Garden of Eden transforms into a pulsating dance floor under the stars. When planning your visit, make sure to include plenty of time to check out the best gay bars in Key West, FL, for an unforgettable Pride experience.
Pride is a time where the community comes together, celebrates our individuality & beauty, and remembers all those whoâve stood up for our rights before us.
All the events are a warmup for Sunday, when Duval Street becomes a riot of rainbows for the annual all-are-welcome Pride Parade.
The AC sometimes takes a siesta, so things can get steamy like a hot day in the Everglades, but hey, that just adds to the charm, right? Plenty of activities happen off the field, including a Duval Street parade highlighting the event’s international roster, a women speaker series featuring inspiring stories from legendary ladies, and social activities where gals mingle over organized dinners and bar crawls.
Mangoes Drag Brunch has been voted in the Top 10 Drag Brunch Shows in the USA by the Miami Herald. This âGlow Hourâ sunset mixer features a bar and live DJ on June 24.
That same evening, down the street, the Tropic Cinema hosts a champagne reception and screening of âStonewall Uprising.â The screening includes a panel discussion led by Dr.
Cori Convertito who curated the ongoing âStonewall Uprising: The Start of a Movementâ exhibit with the Key West Art & Historical Society. An exhibit that will also run through the week. This is the place to see and be seen!