Cowboy Bill's Saloon
December 4th, 2006 by vagabond
Some may remember "Awful Arthur's" on Angela Street, just off of Duval. Well, after several tries over the past several years, the now defunct "Arthur's" has become just a faint memory. We've heard said, "all things happen for a reason". So I have to assume Cowboy Bill's was the reason here; a different, but refreshing, new saloon for the ever diverse Key West drinking crowd.

Cowboy Bill's originally opened in a small narrow sliver of real estate on Duval Street next to Willie-T's, but with only a beer and wine license, had a hard time drawing a western saloon crowd. Remember the movies, John Wayne swaggers up to the bar and snaps, "whiskey, and leave the bottle". Well that couldn't happen at Cowboy Bill's until he moved into his new saloon, that included a full liquor license.

The "new" Cowboy Bill's Saloon is actually a food, drink & entertainment complex. At the Angela Street entrance is an open air restaurant/bar. The menu is rather good for a bar with a variety of appetizers, sandwiches and entrées, including my favorites the "Cowboy Rib Eye Steak" and an excellent, falling off the bone, "BBQ Rack of Ribs". There are also several tasty seafood selections and a menu section for the little cowboys & cowgirls.
(This is where I am Thursday/Friday nights and Sunday afternoons, come see me!)

One might believe that that's all there is, but move past the restaurant area and you'll find the "Saloon", which is actually two separate bars. You'll first run into the non-smoking, air conditioned sports bar with pool tables, electronic games and lots of TVs. It's a great place to watch sports on TV.

If you prefer an outside atmosphere, smoking, cowboys & cowgirls, loud country music and live entertainment, the back bar is for you. It's hard to find, but there is a small hidden entrance on Duval Street; just keep your ears open for the music. With live entertainment, a covered dance floor and a mechanical bull, you can't help but enjoy this place. Yes… you read that right! A bull you can ride… no bullshit! I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is the only mechanical bull in the Florida Keys. And if you don't enjoy anything else at Cowboy Bill's, I guarantee that you'll laugh your ass off watching some of the knuckleheads that try to ride that bull!

I must say I'm very impressed with the venue. You'll find a unique blend of locals and tourists, the staff and bartenders are attentive, friendly, a bit sassy and always smiling, the food is good and the drink prices are quite reasonable. And like most bars in Key West, there are specials and happy hour prices. The back bar stays open until 4AM and serves food late into the night. I recommend it; especially when the bartenders get on top of the bar!