• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

Falling in Love with — and in — Key West

Towleroad November 12, 2020

John (L) and Michael (R) recently relocated to Key West after years of visiting.

When John first took his husband Michael, then his boyfriend, to Key West, it was a major turning point in their relationship.

“It was literally the first time I had ever gone on a trip like this with someone I was dating,” Michael recounted recently over a Zoom call. “I think I actually cried at the airport over our mimosas.”

“You cried when we checked into our room!” John chimed in.

Now, the pair has gone from frequent Florida visitors to full-time residents. After years of traveling from New York to Key West, John and Michael could no longer resist the pull of the popular LGBTQ travel destination. The pair hopped in their car in July and drove straight down to Key West, their new home.

SPONSORED POST

Sure they were trading skyscrapers and subway trains for palm trees and swimming pools, but the Conch Republic and the Big Apple might have more in common than some visitors realize.

“It's like New York because there's a very engaged community,” John said. “It's like New York in that it's fairly liberal, politically, in regard to social justice and especially the environment.”

Michael (L) and John (R) on a previous visit to Key West.

Also like New York, Key West boasts tons of great dining. However, the idyllic climate means even more options for spreading out and enjoying a meal in the fresh air.

“That was part of our calculus in moving down here in the first place,” John confessed. “Outdoor dining is practical all year-round.”

It's not difficult to find good food in Key West, but John and Michael were eager to dish on some of their favorites, including the adorable French bakery and bistro, La Grignote (French for “the snack”). Scrumptious French pastries are made on-site daily, while owners Joel and Babette's dog greets customers wearing a signature “Don't Feed Me” scarf. (More for us, we say.)

John and Michael frequently visit one of local cabaret legend Randy Roberts‘ favorite haunts: the beloved Point5, upstairs from another Duval Street staple, Nine One Five. Grab an open-air spot and enjoy gazing down at Duval while sampling one of Executive Chef Brendan Orr's signature small bites. It's the perfect spot to cap off a day of shopping along Duval, supporting the local business community, including the island's longest-running, gay-owned and operated retail space, Graffitti.

Snorkel the clear waters off of Woman Key

There's a lot more to do outdoors in Key West than just eat and shop.

The sunny weather and inviting water also make it an ideal location to try kayaking, snorkeling, jet skis or a private tour aboard the island's famous clothing-optional boat, Blu Q.

It's tough to resist, even if you're not typically aquatically adventurous.

“I am a consummate Earth sign,” said Michael. “Even the concept of snorkeling or going out into open water in the ocean was initially terrifying.”

“You were a trooper though!” John reassured him.

John sitting poolside at Island House on a previous vacation.

Not all water sports are so action-packed. Key West's LGBTQ nightlife soldiers on, with many bars and resorts taking advantage of their outdoor space to allow patrons to spread out. The famed all-male, clothing-optional resort, Island House, for example, has expanded its café seating poolside in lieu of lounge chairs. Or, the guys recommend grabbing a poolside drink in the large backyard at Bourbon Street.

Of course, whether you're a resident or just visiting, there's one signature Key West experience that's always worth a stop: Sunset at Mallory Square. In fact, it was one of the things John was most excited to show Michael on that first trip years ago.

“I was excited for him to see all the artists and the street performers at sunset at Mallory Square,” John said. “It hits all the marks: Beautiful sunset, you can appreciate nature, the tropical climate and you're surrounded by local performers doing their thing, hustling and making their living.”

John (L) and Michael (R)

“It's definitely a thing we constantly go back to, because it's sort of a benchmark for the things we love about this place,” Michael added. “I'm a working artist, so going into a town where it was immediately very quirky and supported local art and kind of supported weirdness in general and being their authentic selves, that for me was the draw, ultimately.”

Topics: Featured, Space, towleroad, Travel More Posts About: florida, Key West, Travel, Travel: Florida, Travel: Key West

Related Posts
  • Keep Key West GAY: Rebel & Relax
  • Only in Key West: A Butterfly Dome; Daily Sunset Celebration; and Unique Off-shore Cruising of All Kinds for All Sorts — LISTEN
  • Key West Keeps Inspiring Art and Artists With Its Literary Legacies, Culture Crossings, Local Support, and Queer Influences
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Alex Morse, Gretchen Whitmer, Shawn Skelly, The Weeknd, Hungary, Botched Art Restoration, Billie Eilish: HOT LINKS
Next Post: U.S. Federal and State Officials Say 2020 Election was ‘Most Secure Ever’ as Trump Continues to ‘Float Improbable Survival Scenarios’ »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • See Cher’s full interview with Howard Stern
    This is from last year and while I had seen clips, […]
  • Musk Does Not Deny NY Times Report Of His Drug Abuse
    In case you missed it, The New York Times published a […]
  • OMG, his butt: Actor Lasse Klene in ‘Traumnovelle’
    It’s the weekend, and Lasse Klene does exactly what we WISH […]
  • OMG, Bella and Gigi Hadid reveal that they have a secret younger sister
    The cats outta the bag: Gigi and Bella Hadid have revealed […]
  • Leavitt: DOGE Will Continue Without Musk
    With Elon Musk officially gone from the White House, Press Secretary […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×