Look for the giant mermaid on US-1 at Mile Marker 82 Bayside, that’s your sign you’ve arrived at the pulse of Islamorada. Open since 1952 and rebuilt after Hurricane Wilma leveled it in 2005, Lorelei is about as close to mandatory as a bar gets in the Florida Keys. Almost entirely open-air, with an expansive waterfront deck on Florida Bay, this is where Islamorada gathers every night for the Sunset Celebration: live entertainment, a Rock-N-Roll Magic Show some evenings, and the kind of sunset that turns grown adults into philosophers. The Key Lime Colada is excellent, the bacon-wrapped shrimp and blackened grouper sandwich are local staples, and happy hour runs 4–6 PM daily. Arrive early. Seriously.
Thirsty for more? Dive into the Bum’s full guide to the best beach bars in Florida.
