Key West Bait & Tackle

We visited both "sides" of this great store and fell in love with them both.
While my husband did business Stacie in the apparel shop, I stopped in next door for some take-out beers in the bait and tackle area. Becky helped me there, and she was so friendly! (I wanted to buy her a beer, but she was working).
Great selection of items in both shops. Husband found a comfy T-shirt, and it was hard to get him out of the bait and tackle area!

Can't speak for the "bait & tackle" portion of this Key West landmark, but the "lounge" portion has my loyalty.

A beer & cash only bar, the "Live Bait Lounge" offers super bartenders & cheerful interactive customers, with only bar stools for maybe 6 customers. Then it's standing room only.

The unique atmosphere of the "Live Bait Lounge" features a pay-it-forward blackboard where you can buy your pARTy Pal a beer BEFORE he shows up.

The person's name & the number of drinks he has are tallied each time a drink is paid for in advance - some pARTy Pals have multiple drinks waiting for them.

I like that the "Live Bait Lounge" offers "Narragansett" beer - the southernmost I have seen this "Crush It Like Quint" beer.

If your like "local" bars, the "Live Bait Lounge" will not disappoint.

"Run-A-Way Bill" was here!
... and will return

03.15.20

Unimpressive shop located in the docks. Came in looking for live bait was told they don't carry live bait. When asked where else to go for live bait was told "key largo" by the woman working the counter, suggesting I should drive 90 miles to be able to get live bait. In what world does a bait and tackle store in key west not carry live bait? Why would you advertise live bait? Then not carry it. Was even told that frozen bait was better by the same woman which any fisherman would know frozen bait "can work" under the right condition and the right species but nothing beats live bait when it comes to game fish. In my honest opinion this store relies solely on tourist buying expensive sunglasses and the attached bar to stay in business because they do little for the fisherman. Good luck with your business it would be shame to be here since 1980s just to go away in the 2000s you will not be getting any more of mine.

Very funky little bait and tackle store, like lots of things in the keys. You can get most anything you need for fishing here, including ice beer and drinks. They had a pretty diverse selection of items tucked into this tiny space. We stopped in here before fishing for last minute items, and after fishing for more beer.

Great people, great product, good price. but above all there live shrimp are amazing. They are vary lively and work amazing. Best tackle shop in key west.

Fishing and Beer go hand and hand... some would even say "So what if don't make a catch today as long as we have some cold brew".... but normally the fish and beer are partnered at sea...

Well, at Key West Bait & Tackle they take that premise a step further with a beer serving bar right in the bait and tackle shop. Now you can pick up your hooks, rigged ballyhoo and frozen chum, grab a brew or two and not even dirty the boat.

Seriously, a bait and tackle shop with a bar; they may not have nearly the inventory of most bait and tackle shops but then again most shops can't offer you a brew. Actually, they really do have a great assortment of bait and tackle. And they really do have a bar... small, but nonetheless it's a bar.

For a laugh stick your face through the fisherman photo board and grab a memorable photo of yourself holding a impressive catch in your full fisherman's garb. See for yourself...

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/key-west-bait-and-tackle-key-west?select=An0FsyErLr3_7skAc6gP8A#An0FsyErLr3_7skAc6gP8A

UPDATE: MARCH 2013

Thought I'd share some info about Key West Bait & Tackle I just learned myself...

The bar inside of the shop is called the "Live Bait Lounge" (great name) and the prices are bargains (especially for Key West); domestics go for $2.50 and imports for $3.25. And recently they began to offer breakfast and lunch (very fairly priced).

Seems like the perfect place to swap fish tales (you know the kind; where the fish gets bigger each time that story is told).

A bit pricey but welcome to Key West! good advice arrive early for live shrimp. Great selection of different types of frozen bait and chum.

Extremely rude staff. They were not helpful at all. I asked about what to use for bait offshore and was looking for some guidance and they were really nasty and sarcastic to me.

Rude disinterested guy working there. Been there twice. Same both times. Go to K-mart for frozen bait and basic gear. They are half the price and only half as rude.

Loved this place but unfortunately my last visit the employees were jerks and condescending. I've been coming here for ten years and am disappointed. I was going to buy a nice Yeti cooler but will take my business elsewhere.