Located just a few stumbles steps from the front door of Key West’s legendary Sloppy Joe’s, you’ll find The Lazy Gecko.

Frozen Drinks Offered by The Lazy Gecko in Key West

This venue bills itself as “an island bar” but it’s more like a combination of Fat Tuesday’s and Margaritaville.

Step inside, and the first thing that catches your attention is the wall of drink machines to the left, behind the bar. Those drink machines serve up 12 flavors of pre-blended goodness, which have just enough alcohol to catch a slight buzz.

If the frozen drinks are too frou-frou for you, they actually have a respectable list of beer, both draft and bottled. Their mojito menu is pretty impressive, too.

Though a lot of Key West partiers hang out here at night, I like to visit just after watching the sun set at Mallory Square. That’s because between 5-8pm daily, the Lazy Gecko offers $1 off all frozen drinks. Come on a Sunday or Monday, and happy hour goes all the way to midnight. Perfect for those hot summer nights in Key West.

In addition to the drinks, this place serves up a decent menu of food, from burgers and sandwiches to pizza. Since I don’t like to pub crawl on an empty stomach, I usually pick up some food with my frozen drink.

Oh and if you’re a Boston Red Sox fan, this is the place to catch all the action. Drink specials include $2 bottles of Bud or Coors during the games, which air throughout the bar.

The Lazy Gecko is located at 203 Duval Street in Key West. Reach them by phone at 305-292-1903.

[Photo by Michelle Snow]

El Raval for Nightlife in Barcelona Spain

So this is the fist part of a several-part series of posts on Barcelona’s barris, or neighborhoods, and the best places to go out in them! In a city as large as Barcelona, it makes sense to stick to the bars and clubs in your own hood making walking to and from a cinch. These days I can be easily dissuaded to go out to a place that is not within walking distance from my apartment. I just can’t be bothered to catch the Metro (which is ridiculously easy to do).

So let’s start off in in a barri famous these days for nightlife: El Raval. This area, which is just off La Rambla, can be dodgy at night depending on which part of it you’re in. It’s a bit rough-around-the-edges and has some very creative, crowded, underground bars. Hipsters will rejoice in this area, as will students, or anyone else without much cash. It is also very arty, and those with a eccentric streak will dig El Raval’s non-conformist ways!

A few places to hit up in El Raval are:

Betty Fords:

This is where to go for burgers (some of the best in town), cocktails, and a mixed international crowd enjoying cramped quarters and good music. Prices are budget.

More: c/ Joaquin Costa 56, El Raval, Barcelona

El Raval for Nightlife

Bar eSe eFe:

One of my new favorites, this is where to go for microbrews and live music. Hear the music for free even on the weekends at this funky, somewhat hidden beer bar. Pints and bottles of beer are inexpensive.

More: http://www.facebook.com/bareSeFe

l’Almirall:

Spacious and old, with a beautiful wooden bar, having drinks at l’Almirall is like stepping back in time. Best to order your vodka orange at the bar, as the service is spaced-out. Bohemian, yes, in a way, but not everyone at l’Almirall has dreadlocks. Good for beer and a chat.

More: c/ Joaquin Costa 37, El Raval, Barcelona

Post and photos by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more on Spain at http://www.thespainscoop.com/

A few short blocks south of Mallory Square, in the heart of Duval St., you’ll find the Key West favorite of The Bull and Whistle Bar.

This venue is actually three bars in one, with each floor catering to a different clientele, and it’s a frequent stop on the nightly Duval Pub Crawl.  In fact, it’s within eyeshot of the legendary Sloppy Joe’s, where most crawls start. That is if you can still keep your eyes open, since the bar is open until 4am.

Bull and Whistle in Key West

At street-level, you’ll find The Bull. It features live entertainment in the corner from open to close every day, and the bartenders I’ve encountered are very friendly and quick. I liked the murals lining all the walls that evoked an era long past, as well.

The Bull also holds the distinction of being the oldest open-air bar in Old Town Key West, and it keeps its windows and doors wide open day and night.

Second floor is the Whistle Bar, and features the usual bar games, like pool, darts and foosball. There’s also a bar to belly up to, but unless it’s raining, you’re better off taking your drink outside and setting up a perch on the bar stools out on the balcony. It’s fun to people watch from here.

The top level is the Garden of Eden and not only is it a roof-top bar, but it’s also Duval’s only clothing-optional bar. And yes, there are usually a few people enjoying a drink sans clothing.

During the annual Fantasy Fest (held during October), the Garden of Eden also serves as one of the main spots for full-body painting. I wish I could show some of the photos I’ve taken, but this is a family-friendly blog.

At any rate, if you’re looking for a semi-low key bar in Key West with a fun atmosphere, you’ll find it at The Bull and Whistle Bar (224 Duval St.; 305-296-4565).  Discount drink coupons are available online.

[Photo by Michelle Snow]

Eclipse Bar for Drinks in Barcelona with a View

Usually, I am not a fan of having a drink in a hotel. Bars at hotels are bland most of the time, and lonesome. Here are few exceptions to the hotel-bar rule that are worth stopping into for a vodka tonic.

Omm

This is a fantastic bar in the center of Barcelona’s chic Eixample neighborhood. Many residents head to Omm’s bar and lobby for live music every Thursday from 8pm to 10pm. There are also DJ sessions Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11:30pm on. Sit at their chic bar and order an expensive cocktail for about $15. This place is great for people watching.

More: C/ Rosselló, 265
08008 Barcelona, España

http://www.hotelomm.es/

Neri

Unlike the other hotels listed here, Neri is a tiny boutique hotel in the Gothic Quarter. I adore Neri because of the Plaza its on, which is quiet and leafy, with a fountain in the middle. Have your dink outside with someone your sweet on.

More: http://www.hotelneri.com/

Casa Fuster

When Woody Allen comes to town, this is where he plays jazz! Stay at Casa Fuster if you can, and if not, make sure to have a drink in one of the city’s most elegant bars. Their Cafe Vienes Jazz Club has shows every Thursday, so check the line-up below. You must spend at least $25 per person, whether that’s on a bottle of cava or cocktails.

More: http://cafevienesjazzclub.blogspot.com/

The W’s Eclipse

One of the city’s newest hotels, go to Eclipse for the views over the Mediterranean Sea. Head here for a before dinner drink, or for a late-night G&T. Think romantic, modern, fun.

More:

Plaça de la Rosa del Vents, 1 -Barcelona 08039

http://www.w-barcelona.com/

Post and photos by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more on Spain at http://www.thespainscoop.com/