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Sunday, April 01, 2007

Weekend Watering Hole: Kelly's Caribbean Bar, Grill and Brewery, Key West, Fla.



As a regular weekend feature, Lyke2Drink will visit some of the world's great watering holes. This week we find ourselves in laid back Key West at the southernmost brewpub in the United States.

Kelly's Caribbean Bar, Grill and Brewery
301 Whitehead Street
Key West, Fla. 33040
(305) 293-7897

You can hardly turn a corner in Key West without running into a bar. It's a legendary place where pirates and presidents have hung out. Ernest Hemingway called the island home and it has a counter culture feel with more buildings flying the Conch Republic flag than the Stars and Stripes.

Key West is also the home of Kelly's Caribbean Bar, Grill and Brewery, which is owned by actress Kelly McGillis. If you start driving on Route 1 at the Canada-Maine border you will eventually find yourself in Key West. Kelly's is your last chance for a freshly made brew in the United States. I found myself in town recently as the winner of a cruise promotion run by the Harris Teeter grocery store chain.

Kelly's is located just off Duval Street, the main drag in Key West, right next to President Harry S. Truman's Little White House. Kelly's is actual several buildings surrounding a tropical courtyard. One of the buildings is the original home of Pan American Airways, which used to fly from Key West to South America and the Caribbean.

The brewpub had three of its draughts on tap when I visited: Havana Red Ale, Key West Golden Ale and Southern Clipper Wheat Ale. We did not eat, but the menu is highlighted by island fare.

If you find yourself in Key West, Kelly's is good place to escape the "t-shirt shop bars" and Bud Light specials. It is relaxed and laid back, like this part of the world was meant to be.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Agreed. I have been to KW many times and each time take in Kelly's Southernmost Brewery. They have a great happy hour special in the bar on wings and the like and on their own brews. It is a very nice setting also.