9 Gay Bars in Key West, FL — LGBTQ+ Nightlife

Bourbon Street Pub is open 10am to 4am every day, making it a go-to for both daytime and late night. This gay-owned pub on Duval Street has served a mostly male crowd since 1995, with go-go dancers and strippers drawing in everything from 20-somethings to bears and daddies. The pub includes a clothing-optional swimming pool and outdoor seating. With a lively happy hour and video bar, it's a reliable anchor for a night out. For a quieter stop, La Te Da is a few steps away.

The first thing you'll notice is the long hours — 801 Bourbon Bar opens at 10am and doesn't close until 4am every day. This is the official home of Sushi the Drag Queen, and they pack the schedule with drag shows, karaoke, live music, and bingo daily. The crowd spans 20s to 40s with a mix of locals and tourists. Reviews on the drag shows vary: some guests love the energy, while others found the performances uneven. The bar itself is comfortable, with a smoking area and happy hour specials. During Key West's Pride celebration, they host several events. For a classic Duval Street night, you can walk next door to Bourbon Street Pub for more options.

Saturday night here was fun but the place wasn't busy, and they still charged $15 cover which some guests thought was high. The drag show itself was great, especially a performer named Jessica, according to one review. After the show, most of the audience cleared out, but karaoke followed and kept a small crowd going. Bring dollar bills for tipping the performers. The crowd skews toward straight travelers, families, and bachelorette parties rather than local gay men. If you're looking for a less touristy gay bar nearby, 801 Bourbon Bar is a short walk away on Duval.

Most gay bars in Key West cater to a mixed crowd, but One Saloon stays men-only and unapologetically adult. This leather bar sits behind 801 Bourbon Bar in the Bourbon Street Pub complex, drawing locals and travelers who want a space just for gay men. It's a dive with a retro feel, a cage area, and a patio that regulars use for cruising. Reviews note the crowd thins midweek but picks up on weekends. Plan to arrive between 5pm and late; the bar stays open until 4am most nights except Sunday (midnight). The leather and fetish vibe is consistent, and you'll find a mix of bears, daddies, twinks, and older regulars. Expect casual, no-frills drinks and a back-to-basics gay bar experience.

On Duval Street, La Te Da Hotel offers three distinct bars under one roof: the piano bar, Crystal Bar, and breezy Terrace Bar. This upscale complex draws a mixed LGBTQ+ crowd ranging from 20-somethings to 40-somethings for drag shows, cabaret, comedy, and live piano music. The Sunday Tea Party drag show is a local favorite. Food is served all day — American, European, seafood, and burgers — with a happy hour that keeps the Terrace Bar lively. A swimming pool and outdoor seating make it a spot you can settle into for hours. The upstairs showroom can feel a bit crowded, but the service is friendly and the atmosphere is casual yet polished.

The jukebox is loud, the pool table is busy, and someone is always at the karaoke mic. This cash-only dive bar earns its nickname as Key West's 'gay Cheers' through a steady local crowd that treats the place like a second home. Bartenders pour generously without the premium price tag. Open until 4am every single night, it's a natural last stop before heading home. The vibe is casual and mixed between gay and straight patrons, with a smoking area out back for late-night conversations. If you want a snapshot of local Key West nightlife, pull up a stool.

The crowd here is a mixed bag of locals, travelers, straight couples, and a few curious gay folks, all drawn to Key West's only clothing-optional rooftop bar. Perched atop the Bull & Whistle Bar, Garden of Eden offers a rare nude-or-not experience with panoramic views of the city. It's adults-only, open daily from 1pm to 2am, and known for Melinda's Long Island Iced Teas. Reviews say the vibe is relaxed and nonjudgmental, though gay men may find the crowd leans more straight. If you're after a purely Key West original experience, this is it.

Tucked behind A&B Lobster House in Old Town, this speakeasy-style cocktail bar has been a local retreat since the late 1940s. Plush leather chairs and jazz music set the tone for a classic martini lounge experience that feels a world away from Key West's busier streets. Berlin's opens nightly at 5pm with a casual, bar-food menu for those who want to eat while they drink. The crowd here skews local, making it a quieter alternative to Duval Street's party scene.

22&Co is easily Key West's most inclusive, most glitter-filled LGBTQ+ bar, with a tutus-for-everyone policy. Decor reminiscent of unicorn vomit and creative martinis make for a fun night and great photos. The crowd skews 20-somethings and mixed, with women-led ownership. Open daily from 2pm (noon on weekends) until 2am on Duval Street. No cover confirmed.