A variety of New Year’s Eve options are available in Key West this year. Here is just a sampling:
Shoe Drop Celebration
The Southernmost City celebrates with a descending 6-foot red high heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St. Seconds before midnight, the high heel bearing a lavishly gowned and coiffed Sushi is to be lowered from the second-story balcony of the complex toward the cheering crowds below. As midnight strikes and the New Year officially begins, she will land and gleefully pop the cork on a ceremonial bottle of champagne. Visit www.bourbonstpub.com for more information.
Conch Shell Drop at Sloppy Joe’s
The arrival of 2020 is to be heralded on the island’s Duval Street with the “drop” of a gigantic manmade conch shell, the symbol of the Florida Keys, to the flat roof of Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval. Thousands of spectators gather on Duval for the annual gala, emceed by a rooftop host starting at 10 p.m. and featuring dancing in the street and a countdown to midnight recorded on a huge clock. For more details, visit www.sloppyjoes.com.
Pirate Wench Drop at Schooner Wharf
For piratical partiers, a New Year’s Eve salute to Key West’s rowdy seafaring roots is scheduled at the island’s Historic Seaport. At midnight, a winsome pirate wench is to descend from the top of the mast of the tall ship America 2.0 as cannon blasts welcome 2020. Scallywags in attendance can expect live music all day, dancing and festivities at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St. More info is available at www.schoonerwharf.com.
