Past threads on Key West are ancient so starting a new one to hopefully get some recent info. I'll be down there during Xmas week, just wondering about any good bars/restaurants with decent tap lists, and any bottle shops (other than Publix) where I can find some good local IPA's & Sours. Any info on KW Breweries too is also welcome. I'll probably stop at JWB/Wynwood on my way down but the more the merrier. Thanks in advance!!!
I’ll start by saying I don’t get out much any more so I don’t have much new to add from those old threads on good bars and restaurants. Glitchcraft is kind of the new Porch and is a craft centric bar. Waterfront Brewery and First Flight are the only places in town brewing their own beer now. Both have fine beers and good food but nothing amazing. There are a couple breweries in planning on Stock Island that will hopefully open in the first half of 2020. Restaurant Store is probably still the best bottle shop, though there’s nothing really unique that you couldn’t find cheaper at a good bottle shop on the mainland. I don’t think we’ve gone backwards, but it’s seems to have stagnated some in the past couple years. Hope that helps.
We just returned from 5 days in Key West. We had a super fun time & ate plenty of fantastic food. As far as the craft beer scene goes, it's OK, but it's no Asheville, or the likes of. It took a little searching, but we did find decent beer at First Flight, (great wait staff too). Waterfront was OK, but a bit too sterile & commercialized for my liking & the beer was average at best. Sloppy Joes small side street tap room was nice w/ a surprisingly decent draft list. For traditional Cuban food, make your way to Stock Island, (15 mins from DT Key West) & visit El Siboney, outstanding Cuban food! Overall, we didn't have a bad meal anywhere during our 5 day visit! We drove down & had a cooler full of MN, GA, & NC beer, so I can't speak for any bottle shops in the area. Key West is a very fun town w/ plenty of things to do, so enjoy your holiday! Cheers!
El Siboney is great (though it is most definitely not a craft beer restaurant), but the original location on Catherine St is much closer if you are staying in Old Town. If you chose to go to Stock Island, the bars at the Perry Hotel have plenty beer options. And good food too.
