December 15, 2014

The countdown is on to Key West’s biggest New Year’s bash — and it’s right outside The Marker’s front door.

Every year, thousands of people flood Times Square for NYC’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration. It’s a tradition famous enough to lure tourists from all over, bundled up in winter coats, hats and gloves to ward off a freezing Northeast winter.

Hey, guys? Make a resolution to celebrate in flip-flops next time.

Key West knows how to party every night. But the island’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are ranked right up there with New York’s in national lists — and here, you can swap a snow parka for a swimsuit. Best of all, guests at The Marker will find Key West’s biggest bash right outside their door. The resort’s neighbor, Schooner Wharf Bar, hosts famous festivities that make the most of its oceanfront location. Each year at midnight, guests surround the Schooner America 2.0, a tall ship docked at the bar, and watch as a smiling, sword-waving “pirate wench” is slowly lowered down the mast alongside illuminated countdown numbers and amid the blasts of cannon fire.

“3, 2, 1 – Arrrgh!”

Okay, you can probably skip on the pirate-speak. (That pretty blonde pirate is actually Schooner Wharf’s owner, Evalena Worthington.) But you won’t want to miss out on tropical drinks, hours of live music and dancing, and a beautiful moment when a flock of doves are released into the starry night sky, a touching welcome to 2015 that might even make you a bit misty — at least, until the next rum runner arrives. The party goes until 4 AM and there is no cover charge or reservations required.

Guests at The Marker are only steps away from the action, which means party pirates can stumble home with just a few strides of their peg legs. In the morning, grab a seat at our poolside restaurant Cero Bodega for a breakfast that will cure what ails ye: steak and eggs, French toast with key lime honey butter, and flavor-filled huevos rancheros will set you on the morning-after road to recovery. (Spoiler: it leads to a lounge chair, your Kindle, and an afternoon of sunning and splashing.)

Head here to reserve a room and celebrate New Year’s Eve in tropical Key West style. Don’t worry about packing snow boots, but remember your sunblock.

Because with all due respect, Big Apple, some Key lime pie would taste much sweeter right now.

X-tra Info: If Schooner Wharf’s festivities don’t sound like a fit, there are plenty of other playful ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Revelers on Duval Street, which is lined with vibrant bars and restaurants, gather outside Sloppy Joe’s Bar every year to watch the “drop” of a giant iconic conch shell. And over at Bourbon St. Pub, a fabulous drag queen named “Sushi” is lowered at midnight inside a super-sized ruby red shoe. There’s something for everyone throughout the island!

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