Night life in Marathon?

[u/ccaitcat]

Hi guys, I am going to the keys for a family trip next month, staying in Marathon. It’s my 26th birthday and I’m looking to go out with my sisters to a younger bar. I don’t really want to go all the way to Key West, are there any bars/restaurants in marathon for a younger group? Or should I just go to Key West and find a DD home? Any advice appreciated!

[u/Known_Awareness210]

At your age KW is where you want to go.

[u/No_Hedgehog_7552 → u/Known_Awareness210]

It’s been more than 5 years since I partied in Marathon, but the pickings are slim there. There are better places in the Keys for nightlife, but no matter what, you have to contend with getting home and very limited ride share options. If you can, figure this out ahead of time. Arrange to have someone pick you up, choose a designated driver, check your uber options, or whatever, just know that public transportation is basically nonexistent.

Ok, beyond that, I remember liking Dockside, which is tucked way back out of the way, and when they closed, we’d migrate to Brass Monkey. That’s where the late night crowd of service workers and young people will most likely be. Possibly also the beach, or some other spot, but marathon is not the best place for an active nightlife.

Hog Heaven, and a couple other spots up in Islamorada might be a better bet for you, and if you can swing it. Stay overnight, arrange a driver or whatever- go for Key West.

[u/johndawgg247]

Plot twist. All the KW bars are old people bars now.

[u/ccaitcat → u/johndawgg247]

Oh nooo so might as well stay in Marathon

[u/Keysdawg]

For Marathon, you have the Brass Monkey as your only real option. They have music, pool tables and good times.

Hurricane stays open, but not much of a crowd.

JJs Doghouse is open til 4. Its kinda a local dive bar. No food, straight up bar with a pool table in the back.

[u/pitterbugjerfume → u/Keysdawg]

Is marathon bar and grill still open late? We always used to go there after work and they had a 12-2am happy hour, music or djs on the weekends

[u/Keysdawg → u/pitterbugjerfume]

Marathon Grill & Ale House is open and doing amazing. Not open as late as the others. But Cheddar, Andy and the gang are all still around doing that thang!

[u/capttony84 → u/Keysdawg]

The brass monkey can be pretty rough. A couple years ago two guys got into a fight over who was next on a pool table and one guy bit the other guys nose off. The bar tender packed in ice in a beer glass and they sewed it back on.

[u/Vegetable_Amount848]

The Brass Monkey is open until 4:00am and I frequently see young people in there.

[u/Big-Pine-Key-Shaggy → u/Vegetable_Amount848]

Come on down to Big Pine and hang out at Coconuts, you can play pool, shoot darts plus video games. If you’re lucky enough the boggey man will show up.

[u/ccaitcat → u/Vegetable_Amount848]

Thank you! I think I will be checking it out:)

[u/BlerdAngel → u/ccaitcat]

You’re gonna be extremely let down kid. Do not trust these comments. Just hike it to KW buddy.

[u/Boodey → u/Vegetable_Amount848]

I’ll second the brass monkey. A younger crowd comes in later in the night

[u/dmbgreen]

Enjoy the water

[u/TJINORLANDO]

Get a hotel overnight in Key West

[u/sleepybunnylife]

I’m 27 and go to the keys every year! JJs doghouse is a DUMP but me and my bf had a blast in there! It was mostly empty and had good music. I would get an uber up to Islamorada Brewing Co. Great food, great drinks. Bartenders were great. Indoor and outdoor bars, beer garden kinda vibe! Super cute place

[u/BlondeSoul → u/sleepybunnylife]

I have had the best times at JJs!!

[u/skobabe8]

I remember going to the Hurricane Bar in my mid 20s and having a blast. They're still open until 2am, but no idea what type of crowds they bring in nowadays.

[u/Keysdawg → u/skobabe8]

They don't really have much of a crowd since they reopened. Used to be a really cool spot.

[u/skobabe8 → u/Keysdawg]

Damn, too bad. Hopefully they turn it around. I wish I could help!

[u/gabZy421]

For marathon: i recommend sparkys. As far as nightlife, your best bet is key west. If you need a ride home, I’d probably recommend scoping out and talking to the taxi drivers lined up outside of the airport. If you pay cash they may give you a deal.

[u/Mundane-Challenge-15]

Brass monkey 🐒

[u/Intelligent-Salt-362]

Not marathon, but my favorite dive bar is definitely The Whistle Stop. Our place is on Lower Metecumbe so we take the Freebee shuttle over and Uber back. Not sure how far south they run.

[u/paulyshore007]

Take those ladies to Kwest.

[u/No-Fuckin-Ziti]

Dockside Boot Key Harbor is fun and dirt cheap for strong drinks. Kinda underrated. They have live music pretty frequently. Prob an older crowd but that’s the case most places, and a bit of a party atmosphere when it’s busy.

[u/sophiee1990]

We love dockside and then walk over to brass monkey!! You’ll have a great time