My girlfriend and I are leaving the snow in Denver for the warmth of Key West for Thanksgiving. We plan on going out to Alice's for dinner and will partake of other festivities during the weekend. How casual is it down there?

Thanks

Ryan

Very casual. I think there are only a couple of restaurants where you would be uncomfortable in shorts and a t-shirt. Alice's isn't one of them. However, the evenings may be cool enough to make long pants a practical consideration. Would also recommend Seven Fish for great food in a casual atmosphere. Have a great weekend.

We find that even in the best places there shorts and a nice shirt is perfect. While we liked Alice's, we found it a little overated. 7 Fish is great if you can get a reservation. We also stumbled across a cute place called Martins and I understand they have a nice brunch. We loved A&B Lobster House. It probably has some of the best bisque I have ever had.

I totally agree w/ the Bisque....Yuumy, also great tuna and the best Banana's Foster I have ever had. Blue Heaven is always good, but for something a little nice, A & B' s has great food.

There is a deep freeze warning for the south. Check the 7 day forcast as you will probably get some chilly weather.

Key West is not a "trendy" town so you can wear fun clothes and fit in. Be comfortable!

Sandals, sneakers, shorts, light weight shirts and dresses withOUT hose for ladies. Honestly, long sleeve shirts with shorts, bright colors, tropical patterns, everything fits in. Tell your girlfriend that any of the old jewelry or "beach" clothes she has in her closet will work down here. Long dresses with flat sandals. It's a tiny bit cool in the evening so a long sleeve shirt or slacks may be good to bring along.

Your most important item to wear is sunscreen and a smile!

And make room in your luggage for all the souvenirs and t-shirts you're going to buy. Yes, you will!

Mid 70's during the day is what the report is saying. Be sure to have lunch at The Half Shell Raw bar. You can't get anymor keywesty than that.

The only restaurant I've been to in KW (of course there may be others like this) that "suggests" dress other than casual like shorts, is Latitudes. It's the restaurant Hilton operates on Sunset Key, their private island just off Mallory Square. "Country club casual" is suggested (e.g. polo short and decent slacks for men). I mention this rstaurant because despite the opinion of many that it's over priced (it is a by a tad bit), the food is good and the atmosphere incredibly romantic IF the weather is warm enough to eat outside. Three sides of the dining room are open air and it faces the water (Gulf side). There are "beachside" table open when the weather cooperates. They are outside the dining room and not actually on the beach but each table is on it's own little ground level wooden deck, surrounded by sand and set away from the dining room a nice distance away from the other tables. Lightign for the outdoor area is by way of tiki torches and I found the setting to be incredibly romantic (so did my date). We (especially she) were/are both reasonably savvy to what constitutes fine dining and thought is was a worthwhile dinner. There's better and unquestionably more inventive food in KW but the atmosphere at the outdoor tables is unbeatable.

Hey don't listen to these other jokers that are posting here!

They are some of the known Key West Hoax professionals that play jokes on visitors who they really do not appreciate!

Key West is extremely formal, and most of the places requires a Tux, as the town council past the "black tie" law a few years back to try to keep tourist away.

My advice is to take with you 2 Tux and a couple of gowns for your girl. You can get them cleaned every few days at any number of "24 hr Express Tux & Gown Cleaners" which are all over town.

Have fun.

Mikie...I think I just had an aneurysm reading your post. Now THAT'S freaking funny!!!

I find a thong with a tasteful wrap around, bikini top, and flipflops serve me perfectly when I am visiting KW. Watch out, though, the island is completely overrun with armadillos.

It is about as casual as it can get. For instance, most of the year, a lot of girls just walk around in bikinis or a bikini top and shorts. You can go right into the restaurants with this attire - no biggie.
Coming from Denver - shorts and tshirts (probably tank tops for her) are all you'll need. I always bring an overshirt though because of air conditioning in restaurants. Don't forget the sunscreen. Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't get scorched! Oh, and flip flops all the way. Don't waste your time on anything dressy.

Is that true?!? Are there really armadillos on Key West?

Don't eat at any hotel restaurants in Key West or the Keys. There are too many good privately owned places to dine at before you waste your money at one of those monstrosities. Latitudes is the worst.
Shorts and a nice shirt will work perfectly anywhere you choose to eat at.

I agree with the above poster's comments on hotel restaurants. Banana Cafe is also a great place to check out. It is on the quiet end of Duval but worth the walk.

Be as casual as you want. The best places do not require anything more than a nice pair or shorts and golf shirt. Ditto on 7 Fish and Banana Cafe.

Was there this summer and casual, casual, casual is the key word for dress! I swear, I saw a man riding a moped that night with NOTHING on but a leather belt around his waist and a dish towel covering the vital part(s?) in front - now I wouldn't recommend THAT casual, they are certainly very relaxed about it down there!

Besides, anywhere that we can take my mini-schauzer into every bar/resturant/store (with the exception of Latitudes the ONLY place that barred him! - Sloppy Joe's gave him a drink of water ON the bar!) can't worry too much about how people dress!! I love it down there!

slummy is as slummy does.