How to Throw a Bachelorette Party in Key West

If you’re a single girl in your twenties, you’re sure to attend a bachelorette party, or weekend, at some point. I’ve been to my fair share and even planned one. So I’ve taken what I’ve learned to put together this post on how to have your own pre-bridal bash in the Florida Keys. The gorgeous beaches and laid-back hotels mean it’s a good spot to spend a weekend with your gals, especially with direct flights from many major airports. But you can also road trip from Miami.

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Where to Eat in Key West

For such a small island, Key West has plenty of delicious places to eat. If you’re traveling with a big group, make a reservation since most restaurants are small. Also, note that a few of the casual eateries only take cash.

For breakfast

Blue Heaven is the most popular breakfast spot in town for lobster benedict, banana bread, and whole fried yellowtail snapper, but go early since they don’t take reservations. It’s especially known for its key lime pie! Harpoon Harrys puts a tropical spin on typical diner fare with dishes like lobster eggs benedict, but bring cash. Cuban Coffee Queen is obviously known for its Cuban-style coffee but they also have breakfast dishes and Cuban food.

For lunch

Garbo’s Grill is a taco truck that serves up delicious and spicy varieties like fish tacos, Korean barbecue tacos, and Jerk chicken quesadillas. Pepe’s Cafe has been a Key West staple since 1909, serving omelettes, sandwiches, and steaks. Grab a quick bite from Fisherman’s Cafe, which has sandwiches and wraps with fresh local seafood.

For dinner

The Stoned Crab focuses on sustainable seafood like offer stone crab and a “green” cocktail menu. Little Pearl is a neighborhood wine bar and restaurant known for conch chowder, local snapper, and Caribbean-inspired flavors. Only accessible by ferry, Latitudes at Sunset Key has views of Mallory Square and seafood dishes. Reservations are required!

For brunch

If you’re there on a weekend, gather for one last meal with your friends. Moondog Cafe & Bakery is open daily with breakfast tacos, shakshuka, and French toast. Firefly has brunch daily in the Bahama Village neighborhood with Southern-style sausage biscuits, shrimp and grits, and chicken and waffles. La Creperie serves both sweet and savory crepes with a variety of fillings.

What to Do in Key West

You can do Key West many ways, including seeing the sights or just relaxing and enjoying the food and drink. But don’t pack in too much. Pick one or two things to do on Saturday morning as a group.

For pampered bachelorettes

Take advantage of the relaxation the Keys lifestyle has to offer with a relaxing day at the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor or a morning yoga class there. There are also a number of spas where you can get a massage, including Prana Spa, which also has body treatments and facials.

For nature-loving bachelorettes

There’s more to Key West than the Old Town. The area outside of Key West is best seen by a Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour or by renting a paddleboard. Honest Eco Tours has snorkeling tours in solar-powered boats. Explore the tropical plant life at Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. If time allows, take a Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip by Catamaran or spend the day volunteering with ocean cleanup.

For cultural bachelorettes

See the sights that inspired the town’s literary and artistic communities. The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum is where Hemingway lived with his family in the 1930s. Meet the current residents, a gang of polydactyl cats that the writer named after Hollywood legends. The Key West Art & Historical Society has rotating exhibits and a collection of regional art and historic photos. There are also art galleries to browse for unique souvenirs.

For foodie bachelorettes

Chow down on the island’s best food on a Small-Group Key West Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour. Key West is also home to two rum distilleries that are open for tours and tastings. Key West First Legal Rum Distillery offers free mojito classes while Papa’s Pilar Rum Distillery is inspired by Hemingway and his boat.

Where to Drink in Key West

If you’re looking for nightclubs, you’re in the wrong place, apart from the Key West Pub Crawl. Instead, you’ll mostly find laid-back dive bars and the occasional cocktail lounge. Just remember to drink responsibly.

No one wants to be that amateur tourist. There’s an unspoken rule about the legality of walking with drinks in plastic cups as long as you aren’t wasted.

For creative cocktails

Caroline’s Other Side is a cozy spot known for its cocktails, including their Hemingway Daiquiri and authentic absinthe. The Green Room is built with environmentally responsible materials, has green drinks, and offers live music. Located on the site of where Pan Am was established, First Flight Restaurant & Brewery has house-made craft beers and cocktails like the “Bermuda Triangle.” It’s also owned by Kelly McGillis from Top Gun.

For dive bars

Key West has an abundance of old school drinking establishments but the most famous is Sloppy Joe’s, which was a favorite of Hemingway’s. It’s a tourist trap but has live music, drinks like rum runners, and craft beer. Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar is a laid back bar that has been around since 1992, serving quirky drinks like the Shark Attack. The large courtyard at the Schooner Wharf Bar is a popular hangout for locals with live music and frozen drinks.

For drinks with a view

If you’re looking for a rooftop bar, keep in mind that many are clothing optional. But you can enjoy drinks while keeping your clothes on at Rooftop Cafe, which resembles a greenhouse and has specialty martinis. Sunset Pier is a great spot to watch the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration over tropical cocktails and margaritas. For live entertainment, don’t miss the cabaret show at La Te Da. They have both a terrace bar and piano bar.

For non-alcoholic drinks

There’s plenty to drink if you don’t want to imbibe. Keys Coffee Co. is perfect for a quick drink, including Cuban-style cortaditos and nitro cold brew. Island Juice Bar has key lime smoothies and milkshakes. During the Mallory Square festivities, you can also find fresh coconut juice.

Where to Stay in Key West

Accommodations are the most expensive part of planning a bachelorette party in Key West. But thankfully there are some stylish hotel options that are also affordable.

Parrot Key Resort is outside the main area of Key West with villas with porches, multiple pools (including an adults-only!), a bar and restaurant, and a Duval Street shuttle.

Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina takes its inspiration from Jimmy Buffet with coastal-inspired rooms with balconies overlooking the port, onsite dining, and an outdoor heated pool.

The Perry Hotel have balconies overlooking the water and Stock Island. Guests also have access to an outdoor pool and an area shuttle as well as a welcome drink.

Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa is ideal for earning loyalty points while enjoying a convenient location. It has a restaurant, spa, outdoor pool, and beach access.

The Southernmost House Hotel is a Victorian inn with daily breakfast, a wraparound porch for views of Old Town, and an onsite pool. Rooms come stylishly furnished and there’s even a guesthouse you can rent for your crew.

The Saint Hotel is a part of the Autograph Collection and contains 36 artsy rooms with multiple beds, kitchenettes, WiFi, and an outdoor pool. There’s also a casual restaurant.

Rentals- TripAdvisor Rentals has some incredible properties like homes and even houseboats, including the MTV Real World house! There are also homes on like Airbnb like quaint Victorian homes.

Booking.com

Additional Advice

Plan for an early night on Friday since everyone will likely be traveling. This is the perfect time to enjoy games and chill drinks. I found this wedding-style Cards Against Humanity (Cads Against Matrimony) that was a hit with the group. I printed it off at home and cut up the cards myself for free. At other bachelorette parties, we’ve done the game where you guess which pair of panties represents which guest and the bride keeps them all.

You can also create your own photobooth with help from Pinterest. Keep the party going with this awesome playlist from PopSugar. Pick up some custom temporary tattoos to keep your group together as well as some phallic paraphernalia online. Make a Snapchat filter to document your trip.

Take Lyft everywhere and don’t risk DUIs. Rent something fabulous from Rent the Runway or wear a matching outfit or accessories with your crew. I would also bring a pair of extra shoes in case your feet hurt. Tieks are my personal favorite.