See Key West Like a Local

Key West. Cayo Hueso, the Southernmost Point. Closer to Cuba than mainland Florida and Mecca for the Parrot Head nation. This little island is home to about 30,000 residents but hosts millions of visitors a year. If you haven't been, you need to add it to your bucket list. If you have, then chances are you already have your favorite places to go and things to do. Charter a fishing boat for some Yellowtail, then take your catch to the Half Shell Oyster Bar and let them cook it up for you. Turtle races at Turtle Kraal's. A tour of Hemingway's House to see the five toed cats. Strolling down Duval or quenching your thirst at one of the many famous (and infamous) watering holes and restaurants: Sloppy Joe's, Captain Tony's, Blue Heaven, The Bull, Hogs Breath, Margaritaville. And, of course, closing the day at Mallory Square, watching the Cat Man and the other performers as the sun sinks into the ocean.

My wife, Georgia, and I never get tired of visiting Key West - would probably live there if we could, and we have our own favorite spots, too (Like the Afterdeck at Louie's Backyard http://www.louiesbackyard.com/). But, as I mentioned in an earlier post, whenever possible I want to offer an "insiders view" to the beaches and bars I cover. So, I asked a local where he goes.


Chris Rehm is a singer/songwriter who has lived in Key West for three years. His debut cd, "Shanghai'd & Marooned in Key West (Things Could Be Worse)", a collection of songs about life in and around the Conch Republic, is in final production and expected to be released just in time for the Key West Songwriters' Convention at the end of April. I called Chris one afternoon and asked him to give me the 411 on some of his favorite places to go on the island.  https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/ChrisRehm09.

"Lately, I've been spending alot of time on Stock Island, which is about five miles from Key West. That's where I've been working on my cd. There's a place right on the docks there called The Hogfish Bar and Grille. A little out of the way but worth the trip." http://hogfishbar.com/  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2y-2eenMEs&feature=player_embedded


Another place I like, just a short drive from Key West, at Mile Marker 10, is Geiger Key. They have a small campground and marina with a tiki bar. Definitely 'old school Keys.'" http://www.geigerkeymarina.com/   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0IjvPuSDcM&feature=player_embedded


Back in Key West, I definitely have some favorite spots. If you're on Duvall, check out Bogart's. It's an Irish pub and alot of fun".  http://keywest.citysearch.com/profile/33373233/key_west_fl/bogarts_key_west.html


"The Porch, on the corner of Duval and Caroline Street - right across from the Bull - specializes in Craft Beers, which I love. It's an old house with, as the name implies, a huge porch that overlooks the street." http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-porch-key-west


"The Green Parrot alot of people know about, but it's also one of my hang outs. It's a bar only. They have some great bartenders there - Beaver, Chicken, Ken, and Jeff. One of the reasons I like it is that's it's only four blocks from my house. An easy walk - or crawl - home!" http://greenparrot.com/


Schooner Wharf is another place that people who have visited Key West will know about, but it's always a great stop. Michael McCloud plays most days and they have some good Microbrews. If I'm there, I'll be sitting at the bar, talking to bartenders Vicky or Debbie." http://www.schoonerwharf.com/


"At the end of the night, you want to head to Finnegan's Wake on Grinnell Street. It's also an Irish pub, with a phenomenal selection of beers. But, the main reason people end up there is because they keep the latest kitchen hours in Key West - until 1am. That's where all the service industry people go when they get off work." http://www.bestonkeywest.com/restaurants/finnegan's-wake.html


"One suggestion I have if you've never been to Key West: Ditch your car. Plan to walk or grab a bike at any of the rental spots, like The Bike Shop on Truman, near White Street." http://www.thebikeshopkeywest.com/


I also had a chance to speak to another Key West resident, Scott Kirby, recently (his interview was also posted this week) and he mentioned a couple of his favorite spots to
eat: "If I go out for lunch, I love the fish sandwich at Pepe's Cafe on Caroline Street."  http://pepescafe.net/  "La Creperie is an authentic French Bistro, run by a couple of sisters". http://lacreperiekeywest.com/  "I don't go out much after gigs, but when I do it's usually to the Afterdeck at Louie's"....


That's it for this "insider's look" at Key West. Of course, as I said, anybody who has been has their own favorite spots - to eat, drink, or just sight see - on Cayo Hueso. Feel free to add yours as a comment. And, if you've never been to Key West, waddya waitin' for??!!