Dante’s Key West

955 Caroline Street – 305-953-5123 – www.dantes-keywest.com

One of the Coolest Places in Key West to Hang Out

I can’t say enough good things about Dante’s. Next to Schooner Wharf (which sits just a bit down the marina from Dante’s), this is my favorite bar in Key West.

Imagine this: A large swimming pool, a really cool waterfall, and a statue of a marlin which shoots water into the pool. Pretty cool? Add two tiki bars and a large pool deck with umbrella tables and lounge chairs, a stage where they have live entertainment at night, then add on top of that a fantastic view of the Old Key West marina and you have Dante’s.

My first visit to Dante’s was when I was down on vacation. We sat at the bar and had a drink or two, but were afraid to go in the pool because it kinda looks like it belongs to a hotel or something.. I was afraid we didn’t belong and would get shoo’d out. Well it doesn’t belong to a hotel.. it’s just a big nice pool, that happens to be part of a bar. I love it!

All of this would be enough to keep me going back, but when you add on top of all those great amenities some fantastic food (menu here) and you’re getting pretty close to a perfect situation. Dante’s shares a kitchen with Prime 951 steakhouse, a really fancy resturaunt right next door, so you know right off there’s good food comin’ outta there!

I haven’t had a lot of stuff off the menu because I just can’t seem to get past the Nachos. They are hands down the best nacho’s I’ve ever had, and the plate is so big you can feed 3 or 4 people off of it. People I’ve been with have ordered the sandwiches and burgers, I didn’t sample any of them, but I can tell you they are huge, and judging by how fast they disappear, and the yummy sounds coming from the devourers, they must be good.

Dante’s is the place that during Fantasy Fest had the stripper pole on a platform in the middle of the pool, and held a pole dancing competition. Good times!

There are always a good group of locals and touristas alike smattered throughout the two bars, the bartenders are super friendly, and they drink prices won’t kill you. When the weather is warm, which is most of the time, the pool deck is crowded with oiled bodies sipping frozen drinks and soaking up the rays.

You can usually find Magic Frank here as well an hour or so before his show over at Schooner Wharf, relaxing and chit chatting with the folks at the bar.

Dante’s is definitely one of those bars that draws the locals to it as well as the tourists. Most of the folks I’m friends with here don’t have access to a swimming pool where they live, and when it gets really hot out, you just gotta get into the water. Dante’s is where everyone goes to relax and cool off during the day. When the sun goes down, it’s only a few stumbles to Schooner Wharf  for the late evening crowd.

Check it out! It’ll be love at first dip!