Key west gay festival
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Womenfest
Photo: The Florida Keys & Key West
When: September
September’s Sapphic-centric Womenfest is one of America’s largest celebrations for queer women and their friends. Drag shows at Aqua and 801 Bourbon Bar sample the drag scene’s top talent. Expect outrageous parades, orgiastic masquerade balls, and enough elaborate costumes to mount a zillion modern productions of the Ziegfeld Follies.
Although many offerings aren’t LGBTQ-specific, the anything-goes attitude of Fantasy Fest’s 60+ parties ensures queer folks are part of the fabric.
The Conch Republic kicks off Pride Month with a weeklong celebration of all things LGBTQ. Theater performances, drag shows, pool parties, and boat trips abound, and the island’s queer bars draw larger-than-usual crowds.
All the events are a warmup for Sunday, when Duval Street becomes a riot of rainbows for the annual all-are-welcome Pride Parade.
Forget about phones or cameras, they're a no-go here, so feel free to shed those inhibitions along with your clothes. Perhaps our favorite meal of the entire trip, Azur is LGBTQ+ owned and offers a memorable dining experience featuring Mediterranean specialties. Mangoes is open for lunch and dinner as well, and don’t forget those happy-hour cocktails! Hosting a fabulous Drag show, a live DJ, and bottomless mimosas every Sunday is one to remember (or forget!) when brunching in Key West.
Key West Pride is switching things up this year by kicking off at the end of June, a departure happening for the first time in years. Known as one of the top gay resorts in Key West, this property, over the years, has attracted thousands of Pride-goers looking for a lively atmosphere and a close-knit community vibe.
Top Gay Owned Restaurants in Key West
🌈 Dinner at Azur
Flavor is a thing that Azur does not lack.
In addition to the various vendors will be live performances by musicians and artists. Key West Bear Weekend
Photo: Mike Freas/Florida Keys News Bureau
When: November
Most of America’s bears start hibernating in November, but in Florida, there’s a slew of furry friends just getting the party started.
The well-air-conditioned rooms provide the perfect private space to relax, and some include clothing-optional decks overlooking the grounds. It’s a great way to meet others traveling to Key West for Pride!
Clubs & Dance Parties — Make sure to check the bars’ websites on this blog to see what dance and club events are happening.
The parade starts at the Quay located at the Truman Waterfront, continues to Whitehead St, turns left on Whitehead to Front St., then right onto Duval Street, ending on United Street with a Tea Dance. Discussions and workshops spotlight the industry’s top talents, and movies showcase some of the best in local, national, and international filmmaking.
It packs a punch with karaoke and strong drinks. It’s a great bar to lounge at, but it can also get quite busy and packed with people ready to dance on the weekends! The themes change from year to year, but the bars and parties are just as great!
The Ultimate Gay Guide to Key West Pride — Top LGBTQ+ Bars, Restaurants & Tours in the Florida Keys
Happy Pride 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ from Key West!
Nothing’s better than seeing the queens belt it out!