Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Key West is not necessarily how people picture ringing in the New Year. But, move over Time Square! We have some really fun ways to ring in 2025! So, leave your winter coats behind and come down and enjoy the warm weather of the Southernmost City!
Conch Shell Drop
This will be the 31st 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! 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 2025.
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 2025.
Red Shoe Drop
Female impersonator Randy Roberts will be lowered from the Bourbon Street Pub / New Orleans House Complex in a super sized red show drop to ring in 2025. The famed Roberts will entertain the audience gathered round as he is lowered to the street. You can view this spectacle for free, or you can buy VIP tickets to exclusive balcony seating, top shelf open bar, and hors d’oeuvres.
Casa Marina & Reach Resorts
The iconic Casa Marina, located at 1500 Reynolds Street, and their sister property, the Reach Resort, located at 1435 Simonton Street, are welcoming 2025 in style! Celebrate with a Moonlit Masquerade, Toes in the Sand Dining, live entertainment, and more! Call for reservations: (305) 293-6235.
Gatsby Gala
First Flight Island Restaurant and Brewery located at 301 Whitehead Street has been throwing The Gatsby Gala for several years now. Guests are encouraged to have fun and dress up like Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan did in the roaring 1920’s F Scott Fitzgerald book that the party is named for! The celebration will have live music and DJ performances to enjoy. Also, a full open bar and chef manned food stations will help you to enjoy ringing in the new year!
Special Dinners
Several restaurants offer special dinners to ring in the new year.
- A & B Lobster House and Berlins Cocktail Lounge at 700 Front Street are open for drinks and for dinner tonight. Reservations highly recommended.
- Alonzo’s Oyster Bar at 700 Front Street will be open for dinner on New Year’s Eve. Reservations highly recommended: Call 305-600-3405 or Book through Open Table.
- Antonia’s at 615 Duval Street is open and taking reservations through Open Table.
- Azur at 425 Grinnell Street is open and taking reservations through Open Table.
- Banana Cafe is open – Enjoy their regular menu!
- Benihana Key West is open and taking reservations through Open Table.
- Blue Heaven located at 729 Thomas Street is celebrating New Year’s Eve under the stars with a prix fixe Manu for $135 per person. Call 305-296-8666 for reservations.
- Bob’s on Margaret, located at 532 Margaret St. is offering a prix fixe menu for $75 per person plus gratuity. Reservations are necessary; call 786-388-0407.
- The Cafe Marquesa located at 600 Fleming Street is celebrating New Year’s Eve by beginning with a decadent four course prix fixe menu which will feature Chef Laurence’s most wonderful dishes of the year. To toast the New Year, enjoy a glass of champagne with your first course. Seatings beginning at 5:30pm; 185++ per person. Make reservations via Open Table.
- Cafe Sole, 1029 Southard Street, will be open for the holiday and is taking reservations through Open Table.
- Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Key West Kitchen at the Hyatt Centric – Dinner will be offered from 5-9pm. The full Four Flamingos menu will be available with some featured specials from Chef Blais. Make sure to reserve at Open Table.
- Four Marlins at the Reach Resort has reservations available for a special New Year’s Eve dinner overlooking the Atlantic! Book through Open Table.
- Hard Rock Cafe Key West is open and taking reservations through Open Table.
- Lola’s Bistro Food Truck at 711 Duval Street is open from 5:30 to 10:30pm this evening! Enjoy gourmet eats without a reservation!
- Mangoes, located at 700 Duval St. is offering Table Reservations for New Year’s Eve dinner. A $20 deposit to secure a table is required which does not include dinner or drinks. Book through Open Table.
- Martin’s located at 917 Duval St. is offering an exquisite 3 course dinner and a night full of celebrations. $145 per person. Book reservations in advance at 305-295-0111 or on Open Table.
- Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen and Bar at the Perry is ending the year on a delicious note with an unforgettable dinner prix-fixe menu available Tuesday, December 31st, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. For reservations, book on Open Table!
- Milagro Restaurant and Bar located at 1401 Simonton St. is offering a special menu for New Year’s Eve for $125 per person. Reservations required; call 305-440-3534 or book on Open Table.
- New York Pasta Garden at Duval Square is open and taking reservations through Open Table.
- Ocean Grill and Bar in Duval Square is open and taking reservations through Open Table.
- One Duval at the Pier House Resort & Caribbean Spa – 1 Duval St. Guests ring in the year with a decadent oceanfront dining experience 5-9 pm that includes a sophisticated selection of starters like Beef Carpaccio or Panko Crusted Scallops while the main course is Roasted Prime Rib or Lobster Raviolo & Butter Poached Lobster Tail. The celebration concludes with Chocolate Sin Cake for dessert. Reservations are recommended for all holiday dining experiences and can be made by calling 305-295-3255 or through Open Table.
- Origami in Duval Square is open and taking reservations through Open Table.
- Pepe’s Cafe at 806 Caroline Street is open and taking reservations through Open Table.
- Santiago’s Bodega is offering their regular menu along with New Year’s Eve special of baked escargot, pan seared scallops, lamb meatballs, and vanilla cannoli. Call 305-296-7691 for reservations.
- Seven Fish at 921 Truman Avenue is open and taking reservations through Open Table. The are having a New Year’s Eve celebration and it is $99 per person.
- Southernmost Beach Cafe at the Southernmost Beach Resort is open and taking reservations through Open Table.
- Stinkin Crawfish Key West at 217 Duvall Street is open and taking reservations in Open Table.
- The Stoned Crab at the Ibis Bay Resort is open and taking reservations through Open Table.
- Viva Argentine Steakhouse, located at 903 Duval St. Has reservations available for a special New Year’s Eve dinner. Call 305-783-2602 for reservations or book through Open Table.
- White Street Pizza is open and taking reservations through Open Table.
- Yellowfin Bar and Kitchen at Ocean’s Edge Resort invites you to ring in the New Year with an unforgettable dinner at Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen! Indulge in a celebratory prix fixe menu alongside our regular favorites, perfect for a festive evening with your loved ones. Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 4 – 9PM. Reserve your table now; call 786-862-6321.
Other Places to Ring in the New Year!
If you are not looking for a full on dinner experience, check out these other places to ring in the new year! Enjoy special entertainment for these unique Key West party experiences!
- Better Than Sex – This New Year’s Eve, skip the chaos and celebrate on your own terms. Whether you’re ringing in the year at midnight or indulging in the moments before the clock strikes 12, Better Than Sex – A Dessert Restaurant is your decadent escape from the crowd. Reservations required.
- General Horseplay – Get ready for Adam Lufkin Band from 8–11 PM, DJ Johnny Whoops from 11:30 PM–2:30 AM, Confetti Cannon at Midnight! Good vibes, great tunes, and unforgettable memories await at 423 Caroline Street!
- The Green Parrot – Bring in the new year with us at one of our most favorite bars in the world located at 601 Whitehead Street.
- Little Room Jazz Club – Swing by and enjoy happy hour followed by Belisa Lea performing at 8pm tonight!
- Surly Siren Saloon – Join us for a fun filled party! Live music all day and night with Reggae Lou Duo 1-4pm followed by Erica Sunshine Lee 5-8pm and Rob Benton ringing in the new year starting at 9pm! We will have an app buffet, champagne toast and so much more! See ya at 308 Front Street!
- Tiki House Key West – 203 Duval Street. Step into 2025 in style at Tiki House! Come dressed to impress in your finest masquerade attire and get ready to party the night away with incredible music, amazing vibes, and the best cocktails on Duval Street. We have the ultimate lineup starting with Joe the Show at 2:30pm followed by the Jay Bangles Band at 7:30pm and DJ Louie M. until 3am. Grab your masks and join us for a night of mystery, elegance, and unforgettable memories as we ring in the New Year in style! Free admission. 21+ Event.
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
