This Saturday March 13th let the fun begin and celebrate the Irish in all of us; I mean, who doesn’t like green beer? The contenders all meet at the Southernmost Beach Café, at the South end of Duval Street and work their way down Duval stopping at 8 other bars and ending on the Gulf Side at the Schooner Wharf Bar. Gathering of the Irish begins between 11:00-12:00 and first beers are served at noon. Go a little earlier and have a delicious breakfast on the beach at the Southernmost Beach Café and prepare yourself for the stroll. You can purchase tickets and T-shirts, shorts and the like, this week at any of the participating bars, Tickets are $30. Some words of wisdom to all who dare take on the Bar Stroll challenge: don’t do all your drinking at the start of the parade, or you will never make it to the end! And one other word of advice; make sure to dress up, go all out, you’ll be glad you did! Oh….and one other word, this is the bad news…that Sunday morning, March 14, the clocks Spring Forward, which means you will loose an hour of sleep. Set your clocks forward before you start your stroll! For more information on the St. Patrick’s Day Bar Stroll visit www.stpatricksdaybarstroll.com.
Don’t forget the last Home and Garden Tour of the season, is this weekend, March 12-13. The tour features architecturally unique Key West homes and shows off their interior design as well as the gardens. www.oirf.org.
Our featured restaurant this week is Finnegan’s Wake, Irish Pub and Eatery. Not only does Finnegan’s have a selection of fabulous beers, to make any Irishman happy, they also have fantastic ‘pub food’. Nothing like a tall pint of Guinness and a plate of their Sheppard’s pie; great ambiance, great music and Daily Happy Hour from 4-7pm and 12-2am. Happy St. Paddy’s Day!
Celebrating the Cuban/Key West connection, the Key West Botanical Gardens is hosting The Cuban Cultural Exposition March 7-13. Sunday March 7, 2-4pm come to the Gardens and view the intriguing photography of Cuban refugee vessels. Monday, March 8, 6-8pm come and learn how to make Paella. Tuesday, March 9, 6-8pm enjoy a presentation on A Cuban Botanic Experience. Wednesday, March 10, 6-8pm listen to compelling stories of Key West citizens and their early lives in Cuba. Thursday, March 11, 6-8pm come and take Salsa lessons and dance under the stars. Each of the weeks’ events are only $10. Culminating the celebration, Saturday, March 13, is the Hot Havana Nights party. 5:30-8:30pm eat a traditional Cuban dinner while enjoying the lively Tropicana show. 7:00-11:00pm Hot Havana Soul perform their renown Salsa beat on the Courtyard Stage, dancing encouraged. $100 for dinner and show, $25 general admission show only. The show will sell out so book today! keystix.com, or call the Garden at 305-296-1504 or email kwbgs@kwbgs.org.
Keeping in line with the Cuban theme, our featured restaurant this week is El Siboney, 900 Catherine Street. Family-friendly, affordable and casual this authentic Cuban restaurant is a favorite among locals. If you have never had plantains, or a hot steamy bowl of fresh Yucca, or Spanish rice smothered in black beans, you don’t know what you are missing! Hasta Luego!
The island is abuzz with the great shows coming up in March. Always…Patsy Cline , returns to Key West to rock your socks off. This wildly popular musical about the legendary singer Patsy Cline will be at the San Carlos Institute for 3 nights only; and it will be sold out! March 18-20 Tickets $55 and $45. Buy your tickets today, you can purchase them on line at http://www.redbarntheatre.com/ticketsalesfrm.html . Are you ready for the Full Monty? This show will literally knock their socks off! Waterfront Playhouse, www.waterfrontplayhouse.org , presents The Full Monty, March 1-20, and as word has it, this show is a must see! The comedy Shirely Valentine, March 3-27 plays at the Red Barn Theatre, www.redbarntheatre.com , and it too, can’t be missed! And what would life on an island be like without a Conch Shell Blowing Contest? On Sat. March 6th the Oldest House and Gardens hosts the Conch Contest. Come see our very talented Conch blowers (and some not so talented) and learn about our Conch Shell heritage www.oirf.org.
The last Home and Garden Tour of the season, March 12-13, features architecturally unique Key West homes and shows off their interior design as well as the gardens. www.oirf.org. This is a reminder... to pack your green shorts and your clover leaf hats and join in a St. Paddys Day party that can’t be beat. For the Irish among us as well as the ‘Wanna Be’s’, Key West hosts its 32nd St. Patricks Day Bar Stroll. Start at the Atlantic Ocean and drink yourself all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. www.stpatricksdaubarstroll.com .
After taking in a great show, touring our eclectic island homes or drinking green beer, the time will come to eat. Our featured restaurant this week is Banana Café, 1215 Duval Street. This wonderful little French Bistro serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Each dish is lovingly prepared using quality ingredients, each dish speaking to the passion of French cuisine. Subtle flavors, savory sauces in a casual bistro setting, Banana Café is definitely one of Key West’s finest! Bon Appetit!
For the writer we have a Travel Writing Workshop coming up this weekend February 20-21. Rovert Haru Fisher, acclaimed writer and Frommer's contributing editor will teach his popular Key West Travel Writing Workshop at the Heritage House Museum. Call Now for remaining spaces Contact:305-296-3573 Email: bobharu@aol.com
It's time to chill out, hang out, and jam to a funky beat. The Green Parrot Bar hosts the fabulous band Xperimento, February 26&27. www.greenparrot.com. Xperimento is a bilingual, multicultural band that blends Cumbia, Reggae, Merengue, Ska, Salsa and Funk with elements of Rock R&B, Hip Hop and Dancehall. You will not be able to stay sitting, the music will lift you up and keep you dancing!
And with so much activity, one must eat! Our featured restaurant this week is BO's Fish Wagon. Located at the Historic Harbor, at 801 Caroline Street, this ramshackle, funky open-air shanty has the BEST fish sandwiches in town. Always fresh, caught by the local fisherman this is a 'fish and chip shop' like no other! And they have great music in the evenings too! See you there!
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