Halloween-Style Event Includes A Parade And A Plethora Of Parties One of the most popular events of the year in Key West is back on the calendar for 2021. After being canceled last year due to COVID-19, Fantasy Fest is set to return this year for all 10 days. The dates are Oct. 22-31. This includes the the Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade, which goes through Duval … [Read more...]
Duval Street Key West Redevelopment Plan Misses Conch Republic Character
Upscale Plans Don't Fit The Mold In The Conch Republic By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Key West Blogger Redevelop Duval Street in Key West? Would Paris redevelop the Champs-Élysées? Would London re-touch Abbey Road, New York mess with Broadway? Then why in the world is Key West messing with its iconic street? A redevelopment plan is in place and a company … [Read more...]
Key West Tourists Start Petition To Stop Duval Street Redesign
Conch Republic Regulars Up In Arms Against Changing The City's Signature Street By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Key West Blogger A petition to halt a redesign of Duval Street has started and is getting several signatures from several Key West regular tourists. The petition has appeared on the Key West group Facebook page, a group with 56K members. The post, … [Read more...]
New Year’s Eve Curfew Causing Mass Hotel Room Cancelations In Key West
NYE Party Is Pretty Much Over In The Conch Republic By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com NYE Blogger Once word started getting out about Key West's New Year's Eve curfew of 10 p.m., potential visitors started canceling their hotel rooms about as quickly as they were expecting to be slamming drinks at the bars along Duval Street. Instead of being booked at 95% … [Read more...]
Key West New Year’s Eve To Have 10 PM Curfew In 2020-21
This Won't Be A Happy New Year in the Conch Republic By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com New Year's Eve Editor Published Dec. 6, 2020 Key West, one of PubClub.com's Top New Year's Eve destinations, will have a curfew starting at 10 o'clock on NYE night. PubClubbers out in the bars, along Duval Street and elsewhere in the city will have to be back in their hotel … [Read more...]
Tropical Rock Musicians Are In Key West For TropRock Strong Music Festival
Event A Huge Boost To The Conch Republic Economy After Cancelation Of Fantasy Fest By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Music Blogger Posted: Oct. 27, 2020 More than 50 tropical rock – known in the industry under the genre TropRock – musicians are in Key West, FL, the end of October through the first of November for a major music festival. The artists are playing at … [Read more...]
PubClub.com Virtual Destination Of The Week: Key West, Florida
Sunsets, Bars & Explaining Keys Disease By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Travel is a lot about dreaming – dreaming about going to a destination, about returning to a favorite place, about fantasizing about being at a place. And while we can't go anywhere right now, PubClub.com is providing a look at the fun elements of spots around the world, … [Read more...]
Santa Caught Relaxing In Key West Before Christmas; Hopefully Doesn’t Get Keys Disease
Chillin' In The Conch Republic By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Key West Blogger While you are out rushing to shopping malls, spending time on-line and then panicking over whether or not those gifts will arrive on time and freezing in rain and snow, Santa Claus is taking it easy in Key West. PubClub.com captured this photo of him relaxing in a hammock in the … [Read more...]
Key West Lifestyle Blog: Inside The Landmark Captain Tony’s Saloon Bar
Where Legends Never Die In The Conch Republic By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Lifestyle & Travel Blogger "I went down to Captain Tony's "To get out of the heat..." – Jimmy Buffett, "Last Mango In Paris" I've gone into Captain Tony's, tho not to necessarily to get out of the heat, as Jimmy Buffett so famously sang about this Key West landmark bar.k I … [Read more...]
Key West Lifestyle Blog: Why I’ve Never Developed ‘Keys Disease’
Tourists Becoming A One Of The Local 'Conchs' Is Not For Everybody By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I have never left Key West in the best of health – there's always that fast rush of last night's alcohol running through the system like water going through a faucet you didn't shut off – but I've never been in danger of catching "Keys … [Read more...]
Key West Lifestyle Blog: The Mallory Square Sunset Celebrations
Nightly Ritual Is The Top 'Must Things To Do' In The Conch Republic By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel & Lifestyle Blogger The timing was important. I was loading up the Toyota Celica convertible with my buddy Hayney and he was as precise in the timing of our trip as he was about packing beers in the cooler. (He had that down to a science; I watched … [Read more...]
Key West Lifestyle Blog: What Tourists Really Do In The Conch Republic
The Origins Of 'Keys Disease' In The Conch Republic By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Lifestyle Blogger There are a ton of things for tourists to do in Key West, FL. There's sport fishing, diving/snorkeling, going boating, going to see the Ernest Hemingway house (and all the cats) and while the beaches aren't around Duval Street, there's sand all around … [Read more...]
Key West Blog Post – Gray And Great Days In The Green Parrot Bar
Colorful Characters In One Of The World's Greatest Neighborhood Bars By Raymond Dussualt, PubClub.com Lifestyle Blogger It was a rainy day in Ft. Lauderdale, where I was on a business trip, when my Friday meeting got canceled. I was not due to fly back to California until Sunday so I did what any visitor should do when “stuck” in South Florida for a … [Read more...]
Florida Keys Vacation, Travel & Tourism Update 2018 After Hurricane Irma
Key West, Key Largo, Islamorada & Marathon Recovery Nearly Complete Hurricane Irma left her mark but in true conch style, the people of the Florida Keys fought back and are welcoming back tourists to a place that is nearly completely recovered from the destruction of last fall. Almost 80% of lodging units throughout the destination are open for … [Read more...]
It May Rain On The Parade For Fantasy Fest In Key West: Weekend Weather
Thunderstorms Forecast For Weekend But It Won't Wash Out The Party By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Blogger Key West can't get a break from Mother Nature. First, Hurricane Irma blasted through the Keys, which essentially shut down Key West for the better part of six weeks in September thru mid-October. And now that tens of thousands of people are partying in … [Read more...]
Fantasy Fest First Big Key West Event Since Hurricane Irma
Huge Party Brings Tourists Back To Florida Keys In A Huge Celebration By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger The party is back on in Key West, Florida. Hurricane Irma did its damage to the Conch Republic and to the Keys in particular, but it could not damage the biggest fall event in the area, a party known as Fantasy Fest. This pre-Halloween and … [Read more...]
Florida Keys & Key West Back Open To Tourists After Hurricane Irma
Bars & Hotels Are Re-Opening & Fantasy Fest Still On For October By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Nearly a month after Hurricane Irma sent both locals and visitors fleeing, the Florida Keys and Key West are back open and welcoming back tourists. October 1 became the official day in which visitors were allowed to return to the Keys through … [Read more...]
Key West Hotels & Accommodations Post Irma Re-Opening Updates
Some Properties Open In September; All To Be Ready For Fantasy Fest 2017 By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger With bars re-opening and cruise ships returning, several Key West hotels and accommodations are also back and running after Hurricane Irma. In fact, several received little or no damage from Irma. Here is a rundown of certain hotels that are … [Read more...]
Hurricane Maria To Spare Florida Keys & Key West Still Reeling From Irma
Legendary Bars Are Back Open In The Conch Republic By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger For all its destruction in the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico in particular, there is some good news regarding Hurricane Maria. It will avoid Florida and most critically, the Florida Keys and Key West. The latter two places are still reeling from the lashing they … [Read more...]
Key West Officials Ask Tourists To Stay Away After Irma – For Now
Conch Republic Is Closed To Visitors Until Further Notice By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger As Key West continues to recover from the hit it took from Hurricane Irma, officials are asking tourists to stay away for now. While residents have been allowed to return to Key West and the Florida Keys, the areas are open only to locals, business owners … [Read more...]
Meeting Of The Minds 2017 Still On In Key West After Hurricane Irma
Parrotheads In Paradise Event Set For November In The Conch Republic They know how to reason with hurricane season. The annual Parrotheads, everything Jimmy Buffett and TropRock event in Key West called Meeting of the Minds, is still on for 2017. Just like Fantasy Fest, this event in the Conch Republic is going ahead as scheduled. The Meeting of the Minds dates … [Read more...]
Fantasy Fest Key West 2017 Hurricane Irma Updates: On As Scheduled
'Irma Is Not Invited' To Party Set For Oct. 20-29 By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger The free spirit of Key West lives on and so, too, does one of its top annual events. Even in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Fantasy Fest, the week-long Halloween-style celebration, is on as scheduled for 2017. By late September, several bars have re-opened, the … [Read more...]
Key West Hurricane Irma Updates: Sloppy Joe’s & Other Bars Re-open; Cruise Ships Return
Airport Closed; Hotels Possible Re-Opening Dates By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Key West took a big hit from Hurricane Irma as heavy winds and rain pelted the Conch Republic. The hurricane made landfall at Cudjoe Key, about halfway between Key West and Marathon. It was a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph. Here are the latest … [Read more...]
Hurricane Irma Forces Mandatory Evacuation Of Florida Keys & Key West
Tourists And Residents Forced To Leave; Overseas Highway Clogged With Traffic After all the rain and and damage Hurricane Harvey caused in Houston and throughout Texas, officials in the Florida Keys are taking no chances as Hurricane Irma barrels on a potential path to the Conch Republic. All tourists and residents in the Florida Keys and in Key West are under a … [Read more...]
40th Hemingway Days 2020 Key West Canceled Due To COVID-19
Annual Festival Centered Around Birthday Of 'Papa' Won't Happen This Year One of Key West's most colorful characters gets a colorful celebration as the Conch Republic celebrates the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway during the annual annual Hemingway Days. But not this year; the city of Key West has canceled all sanctioned events for 2020, … [Read more...]
Two Foods You Must Absolutely Eat While In Key West, FL
Conch Fritters And Key Lime Pie Are The Conch Republic's Signature Dishes By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger When you go to Key West, and the Florida Keys for that matter, there are two things you must try to experience the culinary delights of the area. They are conch fritters and Key Lime Pie. Here's s little about each and one more reason you must have … [Read more...]
Key West Taxi Drivers Succesfully Fighting Uber
Ride-Sharing Services Illegal In The Conch Republic City hall was packed and as heated as a July afternoon on Duval Street. And for now, the taxi drivers have won the battle against Uber in Key West. The Key West City Commission held a meeting in mid June on the subject and with some 200 cabbies, residents and business owners packed into the building, changed … [Read more...]
Jimmy Buffett Song Lyrics Inspire Fond Key West Memories
Songs Sparks Fond Memories Of Fun Bars And The Conch Republic Mindset By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Blogger & Parrothead Give me oysters and beer every day of the year. Now that's a good thought! Hearing Jimmy Buffett sing these lyrics in his song Tin Cup Chalice brings back memories of Key West, FL. And oh, what memories! One could sustain quite a fine … [Read more...]
Parrotheads Flocking To Key West For Meeting Of Minds
Jimmy Buffett Fans & Tribute Bands Meet For Annual MOTM Festival The fins are up and the Parrotheads are out in one of their key destinations: Key West, FL. The 2015 Meeting of the Minds takes place in the Conch Republic from Nov-4-8. This multi-day festival is a celebration of the music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett and features dozens of TropRock bands, including … [Read more...]
New Year’s Eve Key West Complete Party Guide Tips & Everything You Need To Know
Duval Street Block Party, A Wench, Conch & A High Heel Drop By Dana Koplik, PubClub.com Correspondent Key West – what a great way to bring in the New Year while pretending it’s summer. Grab a group of friends, book a beach cottage, head to Duval Street and let the games begin! The great part about Key West is you don’t have to agonize over your evening … [Read more...]
Key West Fantasy Fest Complete Party Guide Top Events & 2022 Dates
Key West, Key West sunsets, Florida, Top Travel Destinations, sunsets, Mallory Square Top Party Destinations travel, bars & restaurants When it comes to costumes and Halloween, few places can match the craziness of Key West. Every year, the city hosts a spectacular multi-day event known as Fantasy Fest, a week of zany events that consists of more than 40 masquerade … [Read more...]
Key West Sunsets Are A Must-Do Activity At Mallory Square
Every place should celebrate sunsets like Key West. In the Conch Republic, sunsets are not just something that happens without notice. You don't spend it in a t-shirt or souvenir shop, a restaurant or chiling back at the hotel. Or even a bar (and just about everything in Key West revolves around spending time in a bar). In Key West, sunsets are a daily ritual, a spiritual … [Read more...]
Key West Best Bars Nightlife Reviews Sloppy Joe’s Captain Tony’s
Where To Party In The Conch Republic "I went down to Captain Tony's to get out from the HEAT..." This line from a Jimmy Buffett song pretty much describes the bar scene in Key West. People walking down Duval Street on a warm afternoon give up the notion of doing anything productive and stop into one of the many decades-old bars made famous by Hemingway, Buffett or those … [Read more...]
Meeting Of The Minds Key West On Future Party Events Bucket List
A Jimmy Buffett Parrothead Celebration In The Conch Republic One of these days, I'm going to go to the Meeting Of The Minds in Key West. After a few days, the Meeting Of The Mindless might be more appropriate, plowed under by boat drinks and margaritas in a non-stop drinking frenzy in a Florida paradise. Meeting Of The Minds – or MTOM as veterans refer to it – is … [Read more...]
Rum For Reef Relief And A Key West Pub Crawl
Plenty of Boat Drinks For This Conch Republic Party Rum for reef relief. A pub crawl for ocean preservation. I'll drink to that, of course! And on Saturday, Sept. 23, you can, too. If you are in the Conch Republic, join the second annual Conched in Key West Bar Crawl benefiting Reef Relief for the preservation of the world's coral reefs. It starts at 2 and goes to … [Read more...]
Bartenders Tequila Contest in Key West
Partida Spirit Bird Challenge is June 12 For South Florida Bartenders Key West is a town known for beer and rum. But tequila? Sure, I'll have some! That's what the Partida Spirit Bird Challenge is all about. The 2011 event is Sunday, June 12, at open-air rooftop of the Rum Barrel (528 Front Street) from 5-8 p.m. It's an open competition for bartenders from throughout … [Read more...]