The crew at Captain Tony's.

by Shayne Benowitz

Dive bars. They hold a special place in the hearts of many. Come as you are, drink cheap, and have a great time. Although not always my cup of tea, I’ve definitely had some great times in the local dives. These classic Key West watering holes hit the spot when you want to kick back without care.

Stephen & Nicole trying to flip a quarter into the grouper's mouth.

Captain Tony’s

The site of the original Sloppy Joe’s where Hemingway used to hang is located right off Duval Street on Front. It’s a dark hole in the wall with pool tables, the occasional live musician, and walls lined with memorabilia. Named for a much-loved and somewhat infamous Key West character, Captain Tony’s is a great spot for some trouble. It’s one of Captain Westy’s favorites. We like to grab the benches around the unused fireplace and if we’re feeling frisky we’ll order up a round of the house specialty rum punch. They’re tasty with a distinct pineapple flavor and they come in cool souvenir cups!

Beers, peanuts, and dollar bills at the Chart Room.

Chart Room

This little hideaway is tucked into the Pier House Resort. It’s small, dimly lit, lacking ambiance, but flush with peanuts, free hotdogs, and a fun dice game. Things get silly at the Chart Room. Sit at a large round table with your friends and order up a round of Jack & Cokes or some bottled beers and play Ship, Captain, Crew. All you need is the dice and a bunch of dollar bills.

Ashley, Jill, & Shayne with root beer barrels.

Green Parrot

There’s nothing secret about the Green Parrot, one of the most loved and frequented bars amongst locals and tourists alike. Whether it’s live music on a Saturday night, midday beers, happy hour, or closing it down at 4am, the Parrot is always full of surprises. My favorite memories have been quieter nights with a good group of friends playing darts, drinking beer, eating popcorn, and of course a few rounds of root beer barrels!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories and a daily dose of what’s cool around the globe visit her Wanderlust Website at http://web.me.com/shaynebeth.

Lobster!

by Shayne Benowitz

The traps have been set. It’s the start of lobster season. With ideal summer weather the last few days, the water has been placid and clear. Now the harbor is also dotted with buoys marking the traps. For our Key West parasailing captains, they’ve got to be vigilant and steer clear of them. For everyone else, it’s time to feast!

Before lobster season is open to the pros, Key West holds a “mini season” where amateur divers can scour the reefs and rocks for the first catch. Annabelle and Cassandra, a couple of Fury gals, and my favorite little concharitas have been lobstering during mini season since they were little girls, and this year was no different.

Annabelle and Cassandra (far right) with friends.

They hit the water both days of mini season, and snagged 30 lobsters by midday. Having never been lobstering or even spear fishing myself, I’m truly impressed with these lovely ladies and hope they’ll take me with them one of these days!

In the meantime, I guess it’s time to hit up A & B Lobster House for a little surf ‘n turf. Or maybe Annabelle and Cassandra will have me over for dinner!?

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories and a daily dose of what’s cool around the globe visit her Wanderlust Website at http://web.me.com/shaynebeth.

A busy day on the parasail docks.

by Shayne Benowitz

There is no denying that this island has heated up in a flash over the last couple of weeks. While many lament the humidity and the sweltering sun, most of us at Fury are thrilling over ideal conditions on the water. Hot sun, cool ocean, soft breeze, calm seas, and unlimited visibility at the reef.

Working in the sun can sometimes act as an appetite suppressant, but we all need fuel to get through the day. This time of year, we’re craving cold, fresh, and filling treats and meals. There’s not always a lot of time, so we’re big fans of anything that’s mobile and delivery is a must. Here’s a quick guide to some Fury-tested and approved quick bites to take the edge off the summer heat: (more…)

The new facade at la Creperie.

by Shayne Benowitz

There’s been something missing in my life over the past year. For breakfast, I’ve grabbed a fruit parfait and coffee with coconut milk from Help Yourself or a bagel and cappuccino from the Coffee Plantation. Bad Boy Burrito and Cole’z Peace have been there for lunchtime deliveries. Upper Crust Pizza, The Café, and the occasional Chinese takeout have fed me dinner. But… I haven’t had my crepes!

(more…)

Colorful facade of the Cuban Coffee Queen.

by Shayne Benowitz

It’s a New Year! Change, resolutions, fresh starts, new perspectives. A new year is always invigorating and exciting. As 2009 turned to 2010, new hot spots in food and entertainment have sprung up all over the island. Key Westers now have exciting restaurants and a brand new local’s bar to patronize in the new year. So here it is, Fury Girl’s picks for the next big thing, the latest and greatest in Key West in 2010. (more…)

by Shayne Benowitz

Ashley, Becky, Shayne, and Jill outside The Good Life.

I’ve always thought Madonna and Sheryl Crow had it right. “Girls just wanna have fun!” And of course, “All I wanna do is have some fun. I’ve got a feeling I’m not the only one.” This is certainly true for the girls of Fury. We spend our working day surrounded by the Fury boys who vastly outnumber us. For the most part, it’s lots of fun. But there are definitely times when we need a little break. Lately, we’ve been embarking on semi-regular girls’ nights out. (more…)