"The Porch The Porch shares its porch with another bar, Caroline's Other Side, but you won't likely confuse the two. While the Other Side is all about the cocktail, the Porch sticks to beer and wine, and that tight focus pays off. With an international selection ofbrews on regular rotation, and a casual and friendly vibe, the bar has become a favorite of locals and a few savvy tourists since it opened.At any given time, the chalkboard over the barlists 18 draft beers on tap as well as 50 more available in bottles.Tropical plantsset the relaxed mood on the shady front porch, andthe interioris decorated with eclectic art and photography."

"The Other Side: New-School Cocktails in Old-School Key West In the land of piña coladas and light beers, The Other Side cocktail lounge is chiseling out new booze territory one ice globe at a time. Drinks, loosely inspired by the Keys, are like nothing else on the island. There’s the frothy Ramon Fizz, a mix of gin, lime, cream, egg whites, and fleur d’orange, or twists like the fennel martini, and for purists, a serious list of bourbon, whiskeys, and 16 rums. The small space feels a world away from the beach, with touches of old-school Hollywood glamour: a marble-topped bar, padded white leather bar stools, and a painting of a peacock tail fanned across one wall. When you need a break from the sun and throngs, this is the place to tuck in with a good book, or a good date (snag the chess board if you’re feeling ambitious)."

"Chances are that when you return home after your trip to Key West , someone will ask you if you went to the Green Parrot. It's that kind of iconic bar, the kind your parents' friends ended up atover spring break in college long ago.The bar started asalocal grocery store about a hundred years ago; the building became the Brown Derby, a bar that was popular first with the submarine sailors from the naval base down the street. When the naval base closed in the '70s, the bar transitioned into a hangout for fishermen andlocal sailors andthe hippies that began to drift into town. The Green Parrotstill has the air of a honky-tonk, lit exclusively by spotlightand neon, with a roster of almost-nightly live music, mostly of the bluesy, rollicking sort."

"Waterfront Brewery Located on historic Key West Bight, Waterfront Brewery has an ideal vibe for the Key West beer drinker and connoisseur. On weekdays,tour the brewery with the passionate brewmaster, Justin Stine. Stinetook first place in the 2015 Best Florida Beer Championshipwith hisKey Lime WITness and has also won awardswith the house's Crazy Lady Honey Blond Ale. During tours,participants sample the housemade Belgians, IPAs, and lagers, and take a taste of whatever experimental brews that Stine is concocting at the time. In addition to tours and beers, Waterfront Breweryoperatesa great raw barand serves a variety offish and seafood entrees. Highlights include the fried mahi sandwich, and the kale salad, which is tossed with red cabbage, cranberries, shaved broccoli stalks, tomatoes, and pumpkin seeds, thenlashed with mango-poppy seed dressing."

"Eco Bar at the Stoned Crab Opened to celebrate Florida's healthy way of life,the Eco Bar is the onlybar on the island to serve sustainable cocktails, wine, and craft beers.Chris Holland, who owns the Stoned Crab, is passionate about keeping things green. Hollandpartnered with chef Paul Menta (who foundedKey West First Legal Rum, a distillerythat usesorganic practices) on this venture, creating a restaurantand a bar that reflect their lifestyle. Thedelicious and wholesome menu is based onseafoodbought from local fishermen and fish markets, andorganicfruits and vegetables (and herbs for your cocktail!) fromlocal farms.Notable cocktails include the Carly Loves Cucumbers, whichblends organic vodka, muddled cucumber, lime juice, and agave nectar, fizzed with a splashof club soda—seriously delicious and healthy!"

"Mary Ellen's Mary Ellen's is known for its delicious grilled cheese sandwiches, whichare madein nine gooey varieties andare accompanied to the table bya wide selection of dipping sauces. The menu makes a half-hearted (a little joke there) effort to promote healthy options like kale salad and avocado toast, but really it's all about the bar food at this friendly neighborhood joint in Old Town. The game's always on the television, and there's a regular schedule of trivia contests, open-mic comedy nights, and beer-fueled spelling bees, all of which go well with grilled cheese."

"Hogfish Bar and Grill, under a thatched palapa roof with open sides, istucked in among the boats and gulls of Safe Harbour Marina in Stock Island. In short, a meal or a drink there makes you feel like an insider, a salty local far from the crowds downtown. That in-crowd feeling is burnished on weekends, when local bands play sets, or during one of the events held by Hogfish during the season,like shrimp boils. The simple food is served generously on plates crowded with side dishes.The hogfish sandwich, served fried on Cuban bread, is the stuff of late-night-post-beer legend."

"Dancing, Drag, and Drinks When you want some seriously campy fun, Aqua is the place to go. Join the (very mixed) crowd for dancing, nightly drag shows that feature the Aquanettes, and karaoke Monday through Thursday. If you want something a touch more low-key, there's the Back Bar, where you can have a cocktail and a chat (drinks are two-for-one on Sunday). This place isn't cheap, but you get the whole package in one spot. A fun night out is guaranteed."