"Communal" / solo dining options in Key West?
 

I'll be spending 2-3 days in KW mid February on a solo jaunt. I'd like to have at least a dinner or two in places where there's communal type seating (there are a fair number of such places these days here in NYC), in hopes that it will ease the process of making acquaintances and sharing conversation. Do any of you have suggestions or ideas based on perosnal experience there?

The first thing that comes to mind is the bar at Pepe's. Some folks just sit there to wait on a table and others eat at the bar. It's a small place, and conversation comes easily to everyone. We've met - and talked with - lots of folks there. I can't really think of anyplace that has communal seating per se, but I think you'll find meeting people very easy in Key West.

Hi Owen. I went to Key West for a week by myself several years ago and had a great time. Don't know about communal dining options, but everyplace I went was very solo-friendly. Had a good meal seated at the bar of Kelly's (owned by actress Kelly McGillis) -- very memorable coconut-encrusted shrimp. Also, there is a nice restaurant on the water at the Southernmost Point of the island -- it's connected to a hotel but I can't remember the name of it -- if you go to the south end of Duval St., the restaurant is on the left, right on the small beach there. I enjoyed eating lobster there and listening to the sound of the water lapping on the shore. They have terrific Key Lime pie. I also had a tasty dinner at a place on Duval St. that I think is called Mango's -- they have good pizzas (I had a seafood pizza that was delicious). For breakfast or brunch, try Blue Heaven. I found that people were very friendly and I met people easily (and I'm not even that outgoing). <BR> <BR>Do you know where you're staying yet? If not, I recommend the Southernmost Point Guest House -- very reasonable prices that include a yummy breakfast, and comfortable rooms, a jacuzzi, beach chairs for the beach across the street, etc. They have one room behind the house that is really designed just for one, and when I was there it was only $55/night. <BR> <BR>Make sure you go down to the square to watch the sunset -- great people watching, street performers, etc. <BR> <BR>Also, I recommend taking a trolley tour of the island (you can get on and off) and also touring Hemingway's house. A boat trip to the coral reefs is fun too. <BR> <BR>Hope you have as nice a time as I did.

Go to the Hilton Resort where you can catch a 5 minute boat-ride to "Sunset Key" (part of the Hilton development). <BR> <BR>You need to go to the concierge desk in the gift shop to get a pass for the boat. They will call the restaurant and tell them you are coming. <BR> <BR>The restaurant on Sunset Key is fabulous - no walls - set on the beach, and the food is superb...prices are average - not any more expensive than most places on Duval Street. <BR> <BR>I went there when I was alone and ate sitting up at the bar. A lot of people do the same - the atmosphere is stylish but laid back at the same time.

Thanks to all for the great suggestions. This will be my third trip to Key West, the first being so long ago that it's a hazy memory (I may well have been in my cocktail drinking pahse back then - a possible factor!) and the second a few years back but accompanied by a female friend. My vacations have been taken with my daughter for many, many years and I'm really excited about doing a solo trip again - it sounds as though KW is a good choice. I'm already planning on a snorkel trip with the Restless Native charter - used them last time and had a fantastic experince. I was unaware of the option for dining on Sunset Key - will definitely try that. Lisa - how far from Duval Street is the Southernmost Guest House? An easy walk or should I rent a bicycle? Also - do they have a pool? The last guesthouse I stayed in didn't have one and it's on my priority list this time.

Hi again Owen. The Southernmost Point Guest House is right on Duval St., but it is at the very southern tip of it (in other words, at the quiet end away from the action) -- but I walked everyplace. It was about a 10-15 minute walk down Duval St. to the center of the action. SMPGH has free parking; I parked my car there and didn't use it once. I did not rent a bike. Unfortunately they do not have a pool (I went to the beach every day instead -- granted it is small, but has the added attraction of waitstaff who can bring you fruity drinks when you're parched). Most of the places with pools were out of my price range at the time so can't help you with that, although I was considering going back last year at one point and posted a question here that generated several good suggestions, so if you do a search you'll probably bring up lots of helpful threads. Have a great time.

Pepe's is great--I dragged my husband there for every meal. I think, however, that the waitress was a bit bemused when we ordered key lime pie and beer. Great place also to just have a beer and relax (okay, so maybe that's everywhere in Key West). <BR> <BR>Also try Blue Heaven. Off the beaten path, but you'll hear a lot of people talk about it. A very mixed crowd, and you're likely to find someone looking for conversation. The food's great, and there are often chickens wandering around.

I've been to Blue Heaven once in the past and look forward to going again. The Key Lime pie and beer story is no stranger than the question our waitress asked when we went out for breakfast in Toronto a block or so from the Skydome. It was 8:30AM on a Saturday and the first question out of her mouth was "You want beers?" !! Fortunately I was past the point in life where I would gladly have said yes...