Much of Key West’s gay nightlife can found in or near our famed “Pink Triangle,” which includes a cluster of LGBT bars, entertainment clubs and shops around the 700 and 800 blocks of the iconic Duval Street. The area is also home to four permanent rainbow crosswalks that the city installed in May 2015.
This iconic image shows Sushi and the 801 Girls, favorite drag performers whose shows enliven Key West’s LGBT nightlife.
And no matter what night you visit the triangle, there’s always an astounding array of live entertainment offerings.
From drag shows to cabaret to karaoke, our local LGBT entertainers provide countless hours of enjoyment throughout the week. Each venue has a unique entertainment specialty and a few wacky “Key West characters” sipping on libations.
The Bourbon St. Pub Complex, located at 724 Duval St., is well known for its hunky male dancers performing every night at 10 p.m., and live vocal performances featuring Just Jeff, Bria, Ronnie and Edith from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. You can check their daily schedule online — and don’t forget to bring some dollar bills so you can tip your favorite entertainers.
The complex consists of five bars (one of them is an outdoor Tiki Bar where I can occasionally be spotted) and also a fab dance floor to burn off all those high-calorie drinks.
The Aqua complex, located at 711 Duval St., has three venues. The Aqua Nightclub is where the hilarious and talented Aquanettes drag troupe performs the “Reality is a Drag” Show. The shows are wonderful and will have you laughing and applauding from beginning to end. The Aquanettes lip-synch to their favorite tunes and wind their way through a cheering audience accepting tips and flirting with revelers.
The Side Bar is Aqua’s prime dance club and video bar, boasting a stunning 12-foot video wall where dance videos are shown nightly starting at 9 p.m. The impressive dance floor is one of the largest on the island — 20 feet by 16 feet. The third venue, the Back Bar Key West, is an intimate outdoor space serving beers and delectable specialty cocktails that aren’t available in the main bar.
Aqua’s Side Bar dance club is a welcoming spot with an upscale vibe for everyone who loves to dance. (Photo by Blueye Images, courtesy of Aqua Side Bar)
At this point, you’re probably thinking there’s more. Well, yes, there is! Strolling “gayly” forward down to 801 Duval St., you’ll find the 801 Bourbon Bar, 801 Cabaret and 1 Saloon. The Cabaret features the famed Sushi and the 801 Girls who perform their zany and sometimes risqué drag acts nightly at 9 and 11 p.m.
La Te Da, located at 1125 Duval St., is a world-renowned guesthouse for visitors 21 years old and older. Its attractions include a poolside bar and restaurant, a piano bar and the Crystal Cabaret — the latter featuring nationally acclaimed female impersonators Christopher Peterson and Randy Roberts. Their shows are all live, with no lip-sync. They offer flawless comical impersonations of personalities including Judy Garland, Cher, Madonna and Bette Midler.
Last but not least is what I call the gay “Cheers” bar of Key West. Bobby’s Monkey Bar, located at 900 Simonton St., is a locals’ hangout with a very loyal following where everyone knows your name. If you’re a karaoke aficionado, then this bar is for you. As a bonus, it’s also known for its stiff drinks and low prices.
By now it should be clear that the Key West LGBT entertainment scene definitely mirrors our Florida Keys motto: Close to perfect, far from normal. I hope to see you soon in the “Pink Triangle” enjoying a personal “gay Key West pub crawl.” With all the entertainment choices available, you’ll never have a dull moment during your visit (unless, of course, you want to!).
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