Welcome To The Front Porch Of Key West: Laid-Back Living, Legendary Nightlife And The Spirit Of The Conch Republic
Welcome to Key West, where sunsets are celebrated, cocktails are part of the culture and the characters are as colorful as the Conch Republic itself. From legendary bars and live music to sightseeing, restaurants and the island’s wonderfully laid-back lifestyle, here’s your starting point for exploring Key West the PubClub way.
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Editor & Publisher
Kick off the shoes, take off the tie and lose yourself in Margaritaville.
Key West is a step back into time, in fact, into no time. It’s a place of slow pace, of changing attitudes, of free-flowing spirits and free spirited individuals.
The southernmost city in the United States, closer to Havana than Miami (90 miles to 150), Key West is a tiny speck of land, three miles wide by five miles long that was the home to Hemingway, the beginnings of Buffett and the destination of weekend revelers from South Florida, Europeans on holiday and anyone else looking for a place in the sun or just to escape the grind of the everyday world.
Don’t be surprised if a planned three-day vacation turns into a mad scramble to catch the Last Flight Out. Or even lasts a lifetime. It’s called “Keys Disease” and it has stricken many a traveler to these parts.
This particular article acts as the front porch of Key West. It’s an introductction to the Conch Republic, a scene setter for it.
For a full PubClub.com tour of what makes Key West so contagious, hop aboard the PARTY BUS by clicking on the navigation bar at the end of each page. Or, go directly to the action on our section pages:
• Settle into the laid-back mood of Key West in PreParty.
• Kick back then kick into high gear with The Bartender.
• Hear the best bands, enjoy the world’s best sunset, hang out with locals or follow the crowd in PubClubbing.
• Get the inside scoop on top Key West events, including Fantasy Fest and New Year’s Eve.
• Enjoy the journey: take a guided driving tour through the Florida Keys.
Kevin Wilkerson is the founder of PubClub.com, an award-winning journalist and nightlife expert who has covered destinations, events and nightlife for more than two decades. While working as a newspaper reporter, he received an Associated Press award for investigative journalism. He has traveled to Key West several times.
Next Stop On The Key West Pary Bus
• Complete Key West Visitor’s Guide!