A terrific little local cocktail lounge. Great atmosphere. But your experience depends upon who is behind the bar.

I'm sure this place is probably great reading all the review, however one bartender can take down the entire experience.. First off, when we were ordering drinks, he had to look at drink menu ingredient list, which is fine, we just assumed he was new. My friend ordered a Negroni, which is a fairly simple drink to make and hard to screw up, somehow this bartender couldn't even assemble three ingredients of equal parts. We proceed to return the drink and ask him to make a proper one. Thats when the fun began with this arrogant, holier than thou clown. He threw a minor tantrum into the most flamboyant of ways. My friend has been bartending fifteen years and is one of the most respected mixologists in San Diego. She then watched him make this one, where he poured it completely recklessly over the same used glass and half melted rock and slammed it in front of the lady. She then responsed with "sir, don't you think that was a big agressive? When we found this bar, we understood it to be a high end craft cocktail establishment, which she then proceeded to ask if he was going to stir it, where he proceeds to put drink in a "drank in used glass" and pour it back into a community mixing cup, others drinks will be made in, surely a health code violation. She then reminds him that a proper Negroni needs to be stirred and not shaken. Then his horrific attitude elevated even more, he gives it one stir and throws it down with the meanest look ever to a lady of all people. I'm not sure if this lounge picked this guy up of a TGI Fridays termination list, however I strongly suggest you give proper training on how to make cocktails to your bartenders, and send this guy back to the etiquette class I took in the seventh grade, which taught me to be a kind human, and whatever problems you have outside of them, leave them there. Visited on 9/1 around 9:00 read more

We stopped by The Roost for an after dinner martini. The vibe was so cool and inviting. The service was awesome. We did ask a guy at the bar (after seating ourselves at a hightop table) if we needed to order at the bar and from that point on - we enjoyed every moment! The bartender - wish we'd gotten her name - was fabulous! The martinis were perfect and the atmosphere was just what we were looking for. If we had another night in Key West we probably would have gone back again tonight ! read more

Like other reviews have stated, Annette certainly leaves a lot to be desired in terms of customer service. Like other reviews say, this place is a bit off the beaten path and has hidden gem potential. With that said, the cocktails here were just ok. On paper, they look good! But in execution during our visit, we found the drinks to be improperly mixed. Both the drinks ordered had either too much simple syrup (Cheffy 75) or too much licquer (Sorgin Briser) that made them too sugary or bitter. Because you're paying NYC prices for these cocktails that really should be a few dollars cheaper, they were a disappointment. There are better cocktail bars in Key West and I would not call this a hidden gem. read more

Incredible drinks, best bartenders in Key West. Don't pass this by! This bar is unique, just off of Duval and spot on for making seriously great cocktails! read more

The Roost - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Key West, Florida

Fantastic get-away in the heart of a Town of get-aways. Great service. Always welcoming. read more

Great bar! The bartenders have been very accommodating and very friendly. Definitely have a Moscow Mule and some Guinness chips. read more

The Roost - Bar and liquor. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Stumbled upon this bar in Key West the other day. The bartender, Annette was very charming with her accent and personality. She makes a really nice Kentucky mule. Apparently this place makes its own ginger beer. I enjoyed the ambiance and sipping on a mule while we listened to Annette chat about football. If you want to grab a drink or a bottle to take home, this is a great place. We will be back before our trip ends this weekend. read more

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Stumbled upon this dark & very romantic wine bar & glad we did. Ordered the smokin glass rum cocktail (pictured) and charcuterie board, no words!! read more

The Roost - Blowin Smoke up your glass - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Key West, Florida

Great vibe. Nice bartender. They make a fantastic old fashioned and the caviar was on point.

Had a great time here when stopping by for a night cap and wanted a real drink and man did this fit the bill. Nice jazzy atmosphere. Smallish, but just the right size with friendly patrons. Just happened to be down the street from where we're staying. Hubby had a really great Sazerac which is hard to find these days. If you want a fun but not loud spot this is it! read more

Cool vibe until bartender Annette opens her mouth. Don't bother unless you love being berated & talked down to (like at Dick's Last Resort). But if you do, hope your drink of choice is on the menu & that you can answer any of Annette's questions about how you want it. Interesting though that after getting berated in front of all the customers with a lesson in all things dirty martini, she didn't give me anything different or even as good as some I've had. And after being given the option of it being filthy, it wasn't. So not sure why embarrassing me was so important to her if she could only make an average martini. read more

Not your average duval bar. Upscale bar right off duval. Great atmosphere with proper drinks.

Sad, but hilarious. We came in on a slow Friday night. (Two tables seated inside and 3 patrons at the bar.) The two of us took barstools and waited for 10 minutes while the bartender did everything in her power to appear busy and not acknowledge us while offering a free drink to a friend who stopped in. She made and delivered two cocktails to a table, shared a story about her airport experience with the other patrons at the bar, and then gruffly said, "Just a minute!" as if we had breathed or eye rolled in her direction. We got up and left silently and after us she called," Have a good night - enjoy McDonald's!" So we weren't worth greeting or serving but it's ok to be additionally rude on our way out? What an emotionally stunted amateur. (Her poor personal grooming is just a choice.) read more

Love this little cocktail bar! We've been to Key West so many times but have never been here - now I can guarantee we'll never go to Key West again without stopping in here. The bartender was fabulous - whipped up a drink based on someone's preferences and they loved it (not on the menu) and we just felt so welcome instantly when coming in. read more

This is place is a must go. Annette is the the absolute best. I was walking back to my hotel and passed this place and said "eh, this place looks cool." Soooo happy I dropped in. Did I say Annette is the best? Will be back... read more

Love this place! We came Sunday mid day and Grubby is the bartender. He is awesome! Very friendly and welcoming, not to mention knowledgeable. A true cocktail bat! They offer very few small eats, such as duck pate, deviled eggs, nuts. The vibe is nice and has happy hour. It's one of the five bars the owners own. We have been to four of them and this is our favorite! read more

SOJO!!!! Probably the best cocktail bar off the strip in Key West. The bartender SOJO is the man. A small quaint dimly lite bar that used to be or may still be a liquor store. No one mixes a craft cocktail like SOJO. He performs miracles with Bourbon and this place sticks a lot of good ones. If your in a Key West you have to stop in. It will get you away from hyped up tourist spots too. God Bless you SOJO!!! Thanks read more

It's apparent the bar maid did not like us even though she referred us as gents... We walked in to a room full of straight folks. We're a gay married couple. She over charged us the happy hour rate and then suggested we might not be able to afford the check. We left her a nice tip. But definitely no warm fuzzies from this place. Maybe the gays need to stay at the gay accepting places. read more

Wow, what a find. We went for drinks and appetizers before a show so got there at five. The place has a very cool, comfortable vibe. Annette was our bartender and exceptional. The drinks are creative and delicious. The appetizers were too!! We had an awesome time and will most certainly return! read more

I love this place. Unfortunately I wonder what the goal of the owner is??? Is the goal to be successful? Or to turn every patron away? The drinks are fabulous but so sorry to say the bar tender will be the end of you. If you are in business your job is to SERVE not insult. Sadly Annette has nothing to offer but insults unless you're a local....kinda....maybe it's just about someone she knows. So my true question is to the owner..."what is your goal?" read more

Looking for a laid back place with good cocktails and found this gem. Drinks are great, company is even better! Annette is amazing and had plenty of stories and her lively banter with all of the patrons kept you wanting to buy drink after drink and not want to leave! Will absolutely return the next time we are in town. read more

Fantastic cocktails and the best bartender! Definitely get the Guinness chips- so good!

My wife and I came here with our daughter on a recent trip to key west. I always get a bit paranoid that people are going to be annoyed with a baby at a restaurant but everyone was super friendly. Especially the Irish bartender. It was clear she had the right personality for her job, and made a great cocktail to go with it. The homemade ginger beer mule was one of the best I've ever had. I overheard a couple at the bar say they always return to Roost when in Key West, because everything is always great. Wish we had more time here to try more cocktails and the food menu. read more

This place is awesome!!!! Craft cocktails & such a cool place ! Bartender was so much fun too can't wait to come back ! For sure best drink I've had in key west !! read more

Annette is the best! Warm gracious cocktoligist! Tucked away on Fleming street this place is a gem! Great drinks and food!

Visited on vacation with my husband this past week. While we try to seek out local favorites, sometimes it's hard to find these places with mediocre businesses blanketed with good reviews, being the top recommended online. I'm so glad that we found this place. Annette was a very memorable bartender with just the right balance of sarcasm and sweetness. She makes amazing drinks and can hold a conversation with anyone. We very much enjoyed her company along with the cocktails. Counting down the next time we get to come back! read more

Great little bar. Grubby is the best bartender ever. Follow him at whatever bar he works at. read more

The Roost - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Key West, Florida

This is a swanky, quiet bar off of the main strip- a great place if you want to have an actual conversation. We enjoyed our drinks and short time here. The bartender was super nice and made us up some dark and stormies. Funny enough, she told us afterwards that she was out of ginger beer so she used her mule mix instead, which did the trick. We'd return again but probably won't seek it out. read more

Good drinks, great wine, & respite from Duval St. Annette welcomes guests them feel at home.

Phenomenal service and great experience. Hidden gem in Key West. Annette was the best bartender. Keeping you on your toes and in-line. read more

The Roost - Annette was great. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Key West, Florida

the drinks were average & our old fashioned tasted like straight orange juice... Annette made us uncomfortable from the second we walked in, my boyfriend was yelled at for coming up to the bar to order when we were sitting at a table, we also were yelled at upon leaving for accidentally bumping into our table, not to mention she over charged us for our drinks , seems like she enjoyed ridiculing us because we were 22 read more

Cool lil spot with a chill vibe until the drunk obnoxious bartender threw me out of the bar when I asked him for a few stuffed olives . I watched him joke around and exchange witty banter for an hour with customers and when he received a lil razzing back from me for not wanting a bag of chips he literally threw at me , he then came around the bar , hit my back and called me a d*ck . I should've called a cop but I left peacefully. Grubby is his name and he should be fired . Four other customers left after seeing the way he treated me . I know this because we met at Irish Kevin's where we all remained in shock from his behavior. Horrible service with drunken bartenders that insult and assault peaceful customers. read more

Great local spot for creative cocktails. Locals bar. Definitely check it out. Good snacks too. Everyone is local and very friendly

Love the Roost. Just wish it was closer to the house as it's a long walk in the summer heat. Great atmosphere and staff was very friendly and attentive. Love the overall vibe. read more

Great off the drag place for a quality cocktail. Despite other reviews, Annette was very pleasant and fun to talk with. Drinks and bites were great, a perfect quiet spot to chill out. read more

The bar is cool. Unfortunately that's where the fun ends. The bartender Annette is probably the most rude human being I have ever encountered in bar setting. I had to rate the Roost a 1 because there was no option for zero. We WILL NOT be back. Just continue being you Annette and the bar will have zero business and YOU will have no job. read more

We found The Roost and immediately loved the atmosphere. It's a laid back bar with great craft cocktails. I had the Key West mule with their homemade ginger beer, it was delicious and refreshing! The bartender was great! She gave us some pointers on where to catch the amazing Key West sunset. We went back almost everyday of our stay for a drink! read more

What an unfortunate experience from a very unhappy and hateful bartender/server. My husband and I stepped into a beautiful bar where we saw some of our favorite top shelf liquors hoping to have a cocktail. We had our two happy girls with us. My husband asked if we could have a cocktail and have the girls in with us. The woman working the bar said in a mildly rude voice that she will serve us outside. That was no problem for us-we understand. That's why we asked. There were only three other customers there in the whole bar so she wasn't in the weeds. My husband asked if she had a certain liquor and she lowered her voice to a growl at him and told him he could look up his own and that the reason she has a menu is because she knows how to make what's on the menu. She tossed him a menu and growled at him! She had short gray hair and I cannot imagine where her hate came from but I feel sorry for her and I hope she can find happiness and peace somewhere. A simple "no, I don't want to serve you with your girls here" would have been an acceptable answer-it's why we asked. The hate and rudeness was so unnecessary. I am in the habit of writing great reviews with great service but this one was SO BAD I had to post this. read more

The bar looks cool and they have a great selection, but the bartender Brad was not friendly and in fact a couple times downright rude to us. A couple of our group took some time to decide and he said, "do you know what you want? I mean, you ARE coming into a bar." Seriously, we can't look at your cocktail menu which we've never seen before? It wasn't like the bar was empty and he was waiting for us. We had our drinks and as we were paying, one in our group asked if there was a local discount. He said to her, "I've never asked for a local discount." That seemed pretty rude to me. Why should you judge us for trying to save a buck in an expensive city, and just because you're not smart enough to ask? Lame. Service makes or breaks the bar experience, and this guy broke it. I was excited about this cool little place, but I wouldn't go again based on that. read more