Move over Time Square, because celebrating New Year’s Eve in Key West is amazing!! We have some really fun ways to ring in 2026! We don’t DROP THE BALL on this holiday in Key West! We drop way cooler things! So, leave your winter coats behind and come down and enjoy the warm weather of the Southernmost City!
Key West New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Key West New Year’s Eve celebrations are aplenty. What do you expect from a city that has more bars per capita than anywhere else though! Some of these events have been featured around the nation on channels like CNN. So, if you are looking for a wild time, here are the different options.
Conch Shell Drop
This will be the 32nd annual Conch Shell Drop from Sloppy Joe’s Bar. The conch shell is a symbol of Key West, so it is an appropriate substitute for the ball drop in NYC! A rooftop host will count down the seconds to the new year as the giant conch shell makes its decent and the partying crowd watches and welcome 2026.
Pirate Wench Drop
The Schooner Wharf Bar located at the Key West Historic Seaport has a pirate wench drop each year to ring in the new year. This is a fun event for those sailors and wannabe sailors to take part in. And, quite apropos for the seafaring history of Key West. The wench will be lowered from the mast of a tall ship and the cannons will boom as the clock strikes midnight! Enjoy a night of live music and dancing to welcome in 2026.
Red Shoe Drop
Ring in the New Year, Key West-style, with one of the island’s most iconic and flamboyant celebrations — the Red Shoe Drop! As the clock counts down to midnight, join the crowd on Duval Street to witness a local drag queen descend in a giant, glittering red high heel from the balcony of the Bourbon St. Pub. This high-energy event draws thousands each year and is broadcast live to audiences around the world. With dazzling costumes, lively street performances, and an electric island atmosphere, the Red Shoe Drop has become a signature New Year’s Eve tradition unlike any other. Arrive early to grab your spot or upgrade to VIP balcony seating for an elevated view of the festivities. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, this is one Key West countdown you’ll never forget!
New Year’s Eve at Sunset Pier
Ring in the New Year at Sunset Pier in Key West – 0 Duval Street! Enjoy live music, festive drinks, and stunning ocean views as you celebrate under the stars. Don’t miss the iconic Key West sunset and a vibrant party atmosphere—perfect for an unforgettable start to 2026!
New Year’s Eve Chicken Drop
The 800 block of Duval will be closed beginning at 2:00 PM. The Chicken Drop will take place at midnight at 828 Duval Street.
Key West New Year’s Eve Experiences
Key West New Year’s Eve experiences are offered by several restaurants. From special prix fixe menus to glamorous parties, this is where to go if you want to DO IT UP to ring in the New Year. Reservations/tickets are a must for any of these experiences.
- Bagatelle – Executive Chef Luis Calderon’s three course menu, specially designed to walk you through his culinary vision. We would love to ring in the New Year with you! Be sure to call our host stand for reservations, as they are limited. (305)-296-6609. See the Menu.
- Dorada at the Casa Marina – Ring in 2026 with an unforgettable oceanfront Midnight at the Beach celebration at Dorada, Casa Marina’s signature Baja-Med restaurant. Indulge in a specially curated five-course prix fixe menu crafted by our culinary team, blending fresh coastal flavors with festive flair. The evening begins with live band performances from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, followed by a DJ-led countdown experience from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM as you toast to the new year by the sea. For a truly elevated evening, reserve our Toes in the Sand New Year’s experience—an upgraded private dining option featuring a oceanfront table on our private beach, personalized service, and front-row views of the midnight magic. Midnight at the Beach Menu is $150 per guest and includes: 1 glass of sparking wine, live entertainment, and complimentary parking. OR, enhance your Midnight at the Beach celebration with our exclusive Toes in the Sand upgrade—an elevated, ultra-premium dining experience set directly on Casa Marina’s private beach. Enjoy a chef-crafted seven-course tasting menu featuring fresh, seasonal flavors as you dine under the stars with the sound of waves just steps away. With warm ocean breezes, romantic ambiance, and front-row views of the Midnight at the Beach festivities, this upgrade transforms your New Year’s Eve into a truly unforgettable celebration. Toast to 2026 in extraordinary style! Toes in the Sand Menu is $250 per guest and includes 1 glass sparking wine, live entertainment, and complimentary parking.
- First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery – Gatsby Gala NYE 2026 – Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style at the Great Gatsby NYE 2026 event! Get ready for a night of glitz, glamour, and unforgettable moments. Put on your best attire, sip on exquisite cocktails, and dance the night away to the sounds of the roaring twenties. Don’t miss this opportunity to step back in time and experience a taste of the fabulous Gatsby era! Join us for a night you’ll remember for years to come! Get your tickets HERE!
- Four Marlins at the Reach Resort – Ring in the New Year with an unforgettable oceanfront dining experience at Four Marlins. Savor chef-crafted specials blending coastal cuisine with festive holiday flair, perfectly paired with handcrafted cocktails and sweeping views of the Atlantic. Enjoy live music on the patio as you toast to new beginnings beneath the Key West stars. Whether you’re sharing a romantic dinner for two or celebrating with friends, it’s the perfect setting to welcome 2026 in style. New Year’s Eve Four Marlins 5:30pm – 9:30pm. Enjoy Live Music While you Dine. Reservations Recommended. OR Celebrate the final sunset of the year with an extraordinary Tide to Table dining experience at Four Marlins. Indulge in a six-course, chef-curated tasting menu featuring the freshest local ingredients and vibrant coastal flavors, served on our private natural sand beach. As the waves set the rhythm and the stars light the sky, raise a glass to the year ahead with this one-of-a-kind culinary journey by the sea. Cost is $300 per person. Exclusive Seating | Limited Availability. Reservations Required. Call to Reserve 305.293.6250. Check out the Menu.
- Hot Tin Roof at the Ocean Key Resort – Toast to the New Year with a delectable four-course evening menu. $175++ per person, 4 courses. Reservations are required. Check out the menu!
- Mangoes Restaurant – $25 table reservation in addition to a special menu. Reservations required.
- Marquesa – Toast to the New Year by beginning with an elegant evening at Café Marquesa. This New Year’s Eve will feature a decadent four-course prix fixe menu showcasing our most wonderful dishes of the year for $175 plus tax and tip per person. See the menu here.
- Martin’s – Enjoy a special holiday menu for $145 per person. See the menu here!
- Perla at the La Concha – Grand Beginnings: Ring in the New Year in true La Concha style at Tropicado & Perla, where the iconic Grand Dame of Duval Street sets the stage for two unforgettable celebrations. Join us as we transform the heart of Key West into a glowing, tropical celebration filled with elevated flavors, festive ambiance, and the timeless charm that defines La Concha. Our New Year’s dining experience features a beautifully curated holiday menu inspired by coastal elegance and island sophistication. Each course is crafted to highlight the season’s finest ingredients—rich, celebratory flavors for New Year’s Eve and bright, refreshing dishes to welcome New Year’s Day. Guests can expect a blend of festive bites, refined coastal creations, and signature La Concha touches that honor both tradition and tropical flair. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails, warm hospitality, and the vibrant energy of Duval Street as you countdown to midnight—or start the new year with a serene, sun-kissed brunch experience. Whether you’re toasting under the glow of New Year’s Eve or savoring the first flavors of a fresh beginning, Tropicado & Perla offer the perfect setting to celebrate. Let The Grand Dame be your host for a New Year filled with flavor, joy, and unforgettable moments. Available New Years Eve from 3-10pm and New Years Day 3-9pm, Tasting Menu for $130 per person or à la carte options available. Reserve your celebration today and welcome 2026 the La Concha way—festive, elevated, and uniquely Key West.
- Seven Fish – Join us for a night to remember! Enjoy a multi-course seafood extravaganza featuring fish, scallops, lobster pasta and steak, accompanied by LIVE MUSIC from 6-9 PM THEN PARTY WITH OUR DJ from 9 PM – 1 AM! Get ready to dance in to the new year! Your table is reserved for 90 minutes in order to accommodate all the other guests. Link to check our menu. Reservations are required. $125 – $200 per person.
Key West Restaurants Taking Reservations for New Year’s Eve
Most Key West restaurants taking reservations for New Year’s Eve will sell out, so reservations are highly recommended. Some smaller places may even close up for the evening. And, there will be a few places that will be open without the need for reservations. But keep in mind, certain areas of the island will be closed off for party revelers ringing in the New Year and parking is going to be extremely hard to find. So, the earlier the better in my experience! Here are a list of restaurants taking dinner reservations for New Year’s Eve currently.
- Alonzo’s Oyster Bar
- Antonia’s
- Atlas Izakaya
- Azur
- Bel Mare
- Benihana
- Cafe Sole
- Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Key West Kitchen at the Hyatt Centric
- Grand Cafe
- Hard Rock Cafe
- Margaritaville
- Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar at the Perry Hotel
- New York Pasta Garden
- Ocean Grill and Bar
- One Duval at the Pier House Resort
- Origami
- Pepe’s Cafe
- Rams Head Southernmost
- Red Shoe Island Bistro
- Sarabeth’s
- Southernmost Beach Cafe
- Stinkin’ Crawfish
- Tavern N Town at the Beachside Resort
- Viva Argentinean Steakhouse
- Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen at Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina
More About Key West
Do you want to know more about Key West? Before making your dining reservations, be sure to read my restaurant reviews. And, check out our restaurant review section of this blog. Also, to see what other things are happening on the island during your visit, check out our Key West Events Calendar to see other upcoming special events. For more information about the fun side of Key West… things to do and see in our island city, go to our Key West Web Site.
Feel free to Email Me if you have any questions about Key West!!
Island Genn – Your Key West Concierge & Travel Specialist
