Welcome to Key West Mike 0 Visitors!

February 2, 2020



With Chasten Buttigieg

Jason Isbell

Welcome to Key West Mike 0 Visitors!

So I wanted to make this blog just about my welcome letter that I sent out to the attendees of this week’s Mile 0 Festival in Key West, but another fun event happened this week as well as Kathy and I were invited to attend a reception with Presidential Candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s husband Chasten at the Oldest House on Duval Street. I generally try and keep my blog a politics-free zone but it was cool to meet the husband of the first openly gay candidate for US President and to hear his positive message. We joined a bunch of other friends and supporters including Key West Mayor Terri Johnson and other local dignitaries to welcome him and hang out for drinks and light snacks. Now onto the letter I addressed to those arriving for the wonderful Mile 0 music festival.

 

Jamie and Kathy

Chasten

Mayor Johnson

I just wanted to take a moment and welcome all of you music fans who will be arriving this week for the annual Mile 0 Festival, especially those who may be making their first trek to Mile 0 and our island community. Those who have attended previously know what a special treat that we are all in for and all of you newcomers have made an excellent choice.

Courtney Paton

As a 30 year resident of Key West and an attendee of Mile 0 since the beginning, I just want to say that it is one hell of an awesome event. Kyle Carter and everyone at Oh Wook productions produce what is one of the most top-notch, well run and truly enjoyable music festivals around. My wife and I travel the country each year attending multiple music festivals and concerts and having one of the best right here in our own backyard is a real blessing.

 

Of course the line-up, venues and vibe of the festival are all awesome but what really makes the event is the wonderful, wacky and welcoming island community that we are fortunate to call home. As a local I thought I would add my two cents about some possible hidden gems that might you may want to check out in addition to the wonderful bars and venues that are part of the festival itself. And I certainly urge you to support those places that support the festival.

Jason Isbell

 

There are a few local haunts that as a local feel are worthy of mentioning. Key West offers an amazing assortment of bars and restaurants to choose from, but here are a few offerings worth checking out that may or may not already be on your radar. Currently my two favorite bars are General Horseplay (423 Caroline) and Mary Ellen’s (420 Appelrouth Lane). Each are hidden gems, very popular with locals and Mary  Ellen’s also offers some great food latenight which is a plus. For live music, the locals choice is the iconic Green Parrot Bar (610 Whitehead Street), this iconic watering hole is a must visit and one of the great dive bars not just in Key West but in the country. 

Wade Bowen

Jamie Lin Wilson

For those seeking great food, there are also a ton of option’s but a couple I would suggest that are off Duval are Salute On the Beach Restaurant at 1000 Atlantic Blvd. and the amazing Hogfish restaurant which is actually on Stock Island but worth the Uber trip as it is a taste of old school Key West and has great food. If you like good coffee and are driving down, stop at Baby’s Coffee which is about 15 miles or so up US 1, locally do yourself a favor and pick-up a Café Con Leche at Five Brothers Grocery, Sandy’s Café or El Siboney (also the best Cuban food on the island). 

Band of Heathens

I hope you get some time to explore the island outside of the festival. Sunset at Mallory Square is cheesy, but also beautiful and there is a reason millions of tourists check it out. Though the forecast this week is iffy, if you can get out on the water, do it. Fishing, parasailing, snorkeling and diving or just a nice sunset sail are all worthy diversions. The Key West Library will be hosting their monthly booksale on Saturday morning and there are a ton of great bargains to be had. If the literary arts interest you, stop by Judy Blume’s bookstore at the Studios of Key West, Judy is often on hand working and greeting people and it can be cool to meet a literary legend. 

Jamie Lin Wilson

 Jason Isbell

 

Most of all just have a great time. Since Oh Wook does such a great job marketing to the rest of the country, and really does not market much at all locally, many people who live here have no idea that the festival is even happening unless they are somehow involved so let people know why you are here.

Band of Heathens

Finally I just want to thank each and every one of you. Key West seemingly has events almost every week of the year that draw visitors from all over. The crowd that attends the Mile 0 festival is one of the best that we get on an annual basis. I have had the good fortune of meeting and befriending so many amazing people who come for this event. It seems more like a family reunion that the typical concert going experience. You guys are easily the most dedicated and inspiring group of music fans around and I always love all of your posts throughout the year as you anticipate this week. I hope you all have magical experiences and that you return again next year and beyond. Please feel free to drop me a note if you want a more specific suggestion.