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For travelers seeking a lively and unforgettable nightlife experience, Duval Street in Key West, Florida, is an absolute must-visit destination. With many bars, restaurants, and attractions to choose from, visitors will find themselves spoiled for choice when it comes to entertainment options.
From the iconic Sloppy Joe's Bar, a favorite haunt of legendary writer Ernest Hemingway, to the vibrant and colorful nightclub, Aqua, there is something for everyone along this bustling strip. And with live music and concerts happening almost every night, the city truly comes alive after dark. Duval Street fills with energy as people hop from bar to bar, enjoying live music, dancing, and endless cocktails.
Duval Street in Key West is world-famous for its music, nightlife, and food/beverage industry, making it a top destination for spring break and all-year travel. No matter what visitors choose, the nightlife on Duval Street promises a fun and unforgettable evening. The infamous 'Duval Crawl' may also be worth considering for anyone wanting to try new drinks and meet new friends: so again, Duval Street is where people want to be.
Does Duval Street In Key West Have Good Nightlife?
- Duval Street is the epicenter of Key West nightlife.
- There is music, bars, lounges, and nightclubs open each evening.
Duval Street in Key West is known for having incredible nightlife. Since this strip is at the heart of Key West, this is where visitors can expect most of the nightlife and events to happen. Many travelers explain how skipping Duval Street while visiting Key West is nearly impossible because it offers many bars, restaurants, shops, and entertainment opportunities.
On top of that, Duval Street is also filled with rich history, so even while out partying, someone can get a taste of Florida's history and tradition. It's worth noting that Duval Street is considered the "main drag" of the island. Like any city someone travels to, there's always a spot that sees the most people and action; Duval Street is Key West's.
What Are The Best Bars On Duval Street?
There are many hotels along the Duval Street strip, another reason it is so populated. Some of the best bars and restaurants on Duval Street include:
- The Rum
- Fat Tuesday
- Sloppy Joe's
- Rick's
- Willie T's
- Little Room Jazz Club
What Are The Best Nightclubs On Duval Street?
In addition to those establishments, Duval Street is home to these nightclubs/lounges:
- Aqua Bar & Nightclub
- 801 Bourbon Bar & Club
- Lux Resto Lounge
- Garden of Eden
So, Duval Street isn't lacking in the entertainment department. Visitors can spend every night of their vacation enjoying the music, food, and dancing without hitting the same spot twice.
This ultimate travel guide to Key West and things to do there is a great pre-vacation read for those planning a trip!
Is There Live Music On Duval Street?
- Duval Street has nightly live entertainment.
- Most bars and restaurants offer free music throughout the week.
- Music should start at 2 PM and run until midnight on Duval Street.
Plenty of live music takes place on Duval Street in Key West. Depending on the night, countless restaurants, bars, and lounges will offer their guests different styles of live music. For example, Rick's entertainment complex at 202 Duval Street has live music daily with a rotating roster of performers. Therefore, someone may hear something different each night they attend the venue.
As mentioned earlier, the Little Room Jazz Club is a highly-rated spot to visit at night on Duval Street. As the name insinuates, this club focuses mainly on jazz and live singers, so that may be a more intimate option for couples traveling.
Couples might want to book a stay at these ten tropical luxury Key West resorts to enhance their vacation.
Almost every bar on Duval Street will have live music at one time during the week. Again, many locations feature nightly music and entertainment, ranging from singing to instrumentals and even guest DJs. These bars and live music venues are also generally free to enter as long as people order food and beverages, so that's another bonus.
Overall, one of the best parts about a trip to Key West, Florida, is that it's filled to the brim with culture, music, food, shopping, and the perfect opportunity for memory-making.
Reading this guide to Duval Street in Key West could be worth reading before embarking on a journey.
How Many Bars Are There On Duval Street In Key West?
- There are currently 43 bars on Duval Street in Key West.
- The 'Duval Crawl' is a tour of all 43 bars.
There are roughly 43 bars currently operating along the Duval Street strip in Key West, Florida. Duval Street becomes Key West's epicenter once the sun sets because of the world-class bar selection. Many establishments feature multiple bars, like Rick's, which features eight bars inside one central complex. This is a similar story up and down Duval Street: making it perfect for bar crawling.
One way to experience all the bar life Key West offers is by partaking in the infamous "Duval Crawl." This tour brings visitors up and down Duval Street, offering them the chance to try drinks from each bar and meet new friends. Luckily, Key West also offers many more unique tours worth the money to continue the party once the sun rises.
To successfully finish the Duval Crawl, tourists will need to stick around for each of the 43 establishments on the tour. Of course, it's not required: but it's certainly something to brag about once someone gets home from their unforgettable trip.
These ten iconic hotel bars in South Florida may also be worth considering.