Mary Ellen's Bar & Restaurant

It’s dark in the bar, so these pictures aren’t going to look great but this is a good spot to have some “munchies” food. I thought the wings were great. I eat wings more often than I’d like to admit and these are really good, wasn’t expecting to find that here as I know people talk mostly about the grilled cheese, which I didn’t try.

Great place off the beaten path to cool down and get a nice cold drink! They welcomed our 3 dogs gave them water and served us cold beer. We heard the bacon Mac n cheese and grilled cheese were great so we gave them a try. They both were good and filling. The best thing was the frozen Irish coffee with Oreos on top. If anything just go there for the frozen coffee!!!

I love this place. Returning after 11 months because the Jerk Chicken Tacos and Irish Coffee left a void in my taste buds. Everything was just as I remembered. The atmosphere was cozy and friendly, the staff was inviting and helpful, and the food was excellent! I still recommend visiting this place if you're ever in Key West. Happy Valentine's Day 💗

Want entertainment, good drinks and food in the same place? Stumble on in to Mary Ellen's Bar and Restaurant. We visited on a Monday evening for the Drunken Spelling Bee, drinks and some eats. A decent crowd that evening and I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time watching the participants drink adult beverages over several rounds and attempt to spell out words that the two hosts tossed out at them. The Vibrator Races on Thursday evenings were also a good time with the money paid going to charity. Happy hour with drink and food discounts 4-6 M-F and 4-5 on Thursdays. The food is basic bar food - sandwiches and appetizers, but good none the less. Try the Fried Chicken Sandwich or the sliders. The Bacon Jam Burger was a good eat as well.

Mary Ellen’s – Late-Night Comfort in Key West. If you're looking for a spot with good vibes and even better late-night food, Mary Ellen’s in Key West is where you need to be. My girlfriend and I were on the hunt for a bite to eat after a night of bar hopping, and after a few failed attempts to find an open kitchen, we found Mary Ellen’s—and thank goodness we did! Despite arriving as it started to pour, the staff quickly welcomed us inside while our food was being prepared. What we thought was just a kitchen turned out to be a cozy bar too, perfect for grabbing a drink while waiting for our food. Special shout-out to Jamison, the bartender, who kept the atmosphere lively and made sure we were taken care of. His friendly service really added to the experience. Now, the food—absolutely hit the spot! It was clear that the kitchen staff knows what they’re doing, and everything came out fresh and delicious. We were so satisfied with our meal that we couldn’t resist staying for more drinks and even a few celebratory shots! Overall, Mary Ellen’s saved the night with their late-night eats, welcoming service, and laid-back bar atmosphere. If you’re in Key West and in need of a place to grab a bite or a drink, especially after hours, this is the spot!

We ordered some food, waited kind of a long time for it only for them to have never entered in the burger. The mushrooms were good, as well as the tomato soup. The grilled cheese was very dry but good when dipped in the soup. The key lime martini was delicious. The digital jukebox was really cool. Unfortunately they were out of daiquiris, which were supposed to be one of their Friday specials.

Legit ass hole in the wall. Someone told us this was the best grilled cheese on the island. I’d say that’s wrong. Best grilled cheese in Florida. Fries were cooked and seasoned perfectly. Fried pickles were on POINT. Ordered fast and came out fast. Which is usually a red flag - not here. I hope we can make it back.

Hands down our favorite experience in Key West! Mary Ellen’s Bar hosts the legendary—let’s call it—a battery-powered derby, and it’s every bit as outrageous and hilarious as it sounds. Picture an adults-only version of the Kentucky Derby: less horsepower, way more vibration, and an incredible amount of laughter. Each race begins with a shockingly competitive auction where guests bid on creatively named contestants. My personal favorite, “Notorious V.A.G.,” didn’t quite make it to the winner’s circle—defeated by something sparkly and unstoppable from Lane 4. The competition is fierce, the names are hysterical, and the crowd energy is pure joy. But here’s the best part: all of this riotous fun is for a truly meaningful cause. Every dollar raised goes straight to local charities. The night we attended, funds supported the local schools’ art departments. Over time, Mary Ellen’s has raised more than one million dollars for Key West organizations. That’s a whole lot of good powered by a few AA batteries and some island creativity. This unassuming little bar has taken the quirky, generous spirit of Key West and turned it into something genuinely special. If you’re in town and up for some adult-rated fun with a charitable twist, this is a must-see.

Consistently some of the best food in key west Bring the pizzas back!!! Also- We need hh in booze cmon Give us something...25% off food is ok but Not even on drafts? Bar staff is awesome and the place is always cold and spotless A must go to in KW

We stopped in on a rainy Sunday afternoon on a day trip to Key West. The place is small. It was very crowded. They have lots of TVs and had lots of NFL games on which was great. We decided to eat a late lunch. The food was excellent! We loved the tomato soup. I had the steak sandwich; it was very good. The tator tots and fries were outstanding. We also had the sliders. The food was really great! I would definitely go back!! I'd love to stop in for the vibrator races...that sounds like a hoot!

This was one of the best grilled cheeses I ever had. Fries were good too! Food came out quickly and the staff was friendly. I liked the Christmas lights on the ceiling of the bar. Would definitely return next time I'm in Key West!

This bar makes the besttt grilled cheese! I got mine with a cup of tomato soup, and my husband got fries- both were very satisfying. The decor was unique and fun and the service was quick as well.

Great foody spot with unique menu. Grilled cheese was a hit three nights in a row. Burger was decent. Friend chicken sandwich was good. Pickle fries were good (little soggy), but the regular fries were done well. Guacamole bites were just okay. Not something we'd order again.

Holy shit these cocktails are AMAZING! I've been in Key West for 5 days and just found this place THANK GOD! Best homemade cocktails I've ever had to date!

A lovely, welcoming, restaurant / bar. Yes the drinks are plentiful and potent, but the food is amazingly good too. No drama. Not boisterous. No knucklehead drunks. Just a very relaxed, happy vibe. The bar servers know their stuff and are friendly.

This hidden gem is just off of Duval Street. Great dive bar with drinks but the food is what makes this the 5 star winner of the Keys. Food came out hot and fresh. The veggies tasted so fresh. Our bartenders were friendly and fast!

The wings and Oreo cookie mudslides were home runs. Service was 5 of 5 stars. Great place to watch a game as the have Sunday ticket. Seems my team never wins tho. Not sure I can blame that on Mary Ellen, so she gets 5 stars. Great selection of beer and full bar.

We had a great time at Mary Ellen's Bar & Kitchen last night. This is a great place to go especially for a late night snack or dinner. We had the sliders and fries & tater tots. Thank you Kara. We appreciate you.

We had such a great time atMary Ellen's bar in Key West. The kitchen was open late. The tater tots were fresh and crispy and were served with a drizzled truffle cheese sauce. Delicious! The bar staff were so friendly and fun ... As as a visitor to Key West, this was just what I wanted. The bar staff even gave us suggestions about other fun spots to hit while we were down. I felt truly welcome there and enjoyed the artwork, the Christmas lights and the vibe. Mary Ellen's was the cleanest bar that wevisited for our vacation! Can't wait to go back and try more of the kitchen offerings. Very impressed with the value... We really didn't spend that much. Last note, definitely try the old-fashioned on tap! I was dubious at first, but it was just divine.

My wife and I went there yesterday and it was an overall positive experience. We sat at the bar. The bar tender was great. The inside is really neat with strings of lights and decorations hanging from the ceiling and interesting decorations on the walls including a large collection of beer cans. We started with the Thai cucumber salad that was only $6 because we were there during happy hour. I was very tasty. I had the paddy melt burger and added tater tots with cheese. My wife had burger sliders. All of the dishes were excellent. My wife said the sliders were the best she ever had. We each had a beer and a mixed drink, all tasty and nice and cold. My only complaint (one star deduction), was we were charged $10 for the salad. The bartender said that they no longer offer the happy hour price for that item (even though it is listed on their menu). It's only 4 bucks difference, but that is really bad for customer relations. That problem is not the fault of the friendly staff, however. The food is great there and the prices are good overall.

Ordered through a delivery app. Originally slotted for 15 minute delivery. Ended up being over an hour for sliders and cheese curds. Unacceptable timing.

Maybe the best dive bar in Key West. Go on Thursday nights when they have vibrator races for charity. Fun people work there. Good music, cold drinks and the cauliflower bites are yummy. Decently clean unisex restroom.

We didn't eat here it was drinks only. Had great drinks and it was a fun crowd and the bartender was funny and friendly. Made an effort to get off Duval St. this trip and this was a nice find.

Wow! This place is super fun! I love the atmosphere so much! It feels like you are in your friends basement chilling out watching a sports game and having a beer. And it's decked out with Christmas lights! I kept seeing the Frozen Irish Coffee online and I had to go try it! Looks can be deceiving with this drink!! I thought it would be an innocent milkshake but it's better than that if you like to taste your alcohol! Every sip you can taste whiskey and that's the way it should be at a bar! Right?? Haha. The chicken and waffles was delicious! They have Moscow Mule's on tap. Oh, and the fries are the good good fries! Everyone was so inviting and kind! Great place to visit ya'll!

I came into Mary Ellen's looking for that simple yet delicious pub appetizer and I'm happy to report that I found not one but 2! I ordered the cauliflower bites and French fries which were so flavorful and abundant! I'm sure there are more but these were the only two I was able to get through. Mary Ellen's is a cool haven from the outside heat. The interior is ample with eclectic decor, tvs and dark lighting but fun! The service from my bartender, a young woman, was exceptional. She was attentive without being overbearing and made this solo diner feel completely comfortable during a midday lull. It seems they host plenty of events throughout the evenings that are worth attending such as their "vibrator races" which a patron elsewhere recommended, especially as it's for charity! All in all this is a YES in my book and I highly recommend.

This place is as quirky as Key West. I didn't try their grilled cheese sandwich, but apparently, it is the best in town. Their other comfort food is great too. Prices are fair and they do delivery through DoorDash! They usually have something fun every night whether it is a live musical act, trivia night, bingo game, even spelling contests, etc. What really draws me to this place is the decor. It's like Christmas all the time here. And I love Christmas! 4 stars. I need to come back to finally try the gourmet grilled cheese.

Let's call it What it is. Local dive bar with tourists, grilled cheese, fried bar food, vibrator races every Thursday @ 6:30 pm. Big crowd, races benefits a local charity.just off Duval. Amazing wall of old beer cans. Fair beer selection, Abita Purple Haze oN tap. Music is bartender choice but for our visits always had awesome 80s. Pretenders, new order, the cult, Blondie Fleetwood Mac........ great French fries, only fair fired mushrooms (need horseradish sauce). pass on the grilled cheese and get the Mac & cheese w/ bacon instead. Vibrator races, Really fun, loud, and novel event. Packed with fun people. Not too crude and funny, Clearly plants in the audience boosting donation bids, but great idea.

I seen this pace had frozen Irish coffee and had to have one. It's a cute little bar. Service was great. This Irish coffee was bomb!!!

Male bartender would not even talk to us and after 45min of waiting for our food that we ordered and few locals showing up and getting their food before us as a bartender I was embarrassed for them. Ended up saying cancel and cash out. Manager that was walking around telling locals that his bartender was not a photographer instead of paying attention to the food/expo/customers was yelling at locals. She wanted to comp and give the food to take free but i was not interested at all. Hoped in because of a recommendation when nothing was open to eat. Seemed like if you're not a local they don't care. The only person that cared was the girl bartender. Oh well. If you're not a local stay out or you are literally missed. Be better. Cause that was embarrassing.

Loved stopping here for late night food. The cheese curds and truffle fries were yummy. The fries had the most delicious truffle cheese sauce on them. While we're here, we always play "find the____" because you can literally look at the decorations forever finding fun stuff. Last night we found Mr potatoehead, a scooter in the ceiling, Charles Barkley, etc.

This place speaks for itself. The bartenders, especially Rio, bring pizzazz to the place. There's always something going on like trivia, and don't miss the vibrator races

Mary Ellens....where do I even start.... This place is a gem to Key West and rightfully so. They have great pricing on drinks and the food is soooo good. The tots are a must as well as the grilled cheese and tomato bisque soup. The menu is extensive though, so be prepared to make multiple stops. They are also open late which is great when you have the late night munchies. Staff is very friendly and quick to get you your food and drinks. Whenever we make a trip to KW, we also do multiple stops to Marry Ellens and I suggest you do the same :) P.S. Did I mention the tots?!

Mary Ellen's hands down has some of the best elevated bar food in all of key west! The inside is always lively and especially on Thursday nights for the vibrator races! If you have never been I highly suggest checking it out! We love this locals spot which we visit every time we are in town!

I found this place last minute and had it as an option to try if we hit up all the other planned spots. We decided to come here after other bars were closing. It was crowded everywhere and we hoped this place would be different and we were right. It was hot as balls this December night so an air conditioned establishment was extremely important for us lol. I originally was drooling over the food menu but we were still stuffed from Sloppy Joe's hours prior. We entered and luckily, it was only us and another couple. The air conditioning was fantastic! We sat at the bar and both ordered the Frozen Irish Coffee. They had a slushy machine and added whiskey and cookie crumbles. OMG!! One of the BEST drinks I EVER had!!! It was cool and refreshing. It was not overpowered with extreme amounts of sugar. And you can actually taste the booze. We stayed for two drinks only because hubs did have to wake up to go to a job and the drink had real coffee so I did not want to be up all night. The bartender was cool. He did not really strike up any conversation and the times I attempted to start conversation, he did not seem appealed. I'm a social butterfly from NYC so it's in my nature! We tried to stop by the following day before we left the Keys but unfortunately, they were closed for a private function. We even asked the night before if dogs were allowed and they were! We are still drooling and daydreaming over the drinks and are definitely visiting again when we are in the area. I will definitely try their food as well.

Good late night grub and cool vibe. We had the tuna tacos and mojo turkey sandwich. The decor is modern and fun.

We stopped in here at the suggestion of friends -- and LOVED it! Really friendly bar staff, amazing decorations and lighting throughout and a fun crowd. Step off Duval Streets about 200 steps to find this hidden gem -- its GREAT!!!!

Great place for drinks and great food as well. Very fun the crowd is cool and the bartenders are attentive and nice. One of the better place to hang out and cool off in key west.

Not only is this a really fun bar with a GREAT atmosphere, but they also have the BEST grilled cheese (who would have thought?!) They also make their own pickle juice in house, so a prickleback shot is a must! This will be on my list for friends visiting Key West. I can't wait to go back - I'm still dreaming about the grilled cheese!

$8 car bombs drew me in. Was pleasantly greeted by Kristi. She was busy but made us feel welcome letting us know she would be right with us. The best service we've had here during our week long stay. Didn't plan on eating but got the fried mushrooms on HH. Delicious with just the right amount of seasoning. What we thought would be a one time stop turned in to a future staple for us. Bartender also told us they have a whole menu dedicated to Jamaican food. Looking forward to trying that out on our next visit. All 4 of us left happy. When we make our yearly trip down to Key West Maryellens will be on our list of must stop places to go.

We enjoyed ourselves here. A local dive bar of sorts with great food. It was air conditioned, sorta dark, lots of lights and random things on walls, shelves etc and a chatty but welcoming bartender. We had a quick snack here - Mary Ellen's dirty fries, similar to loaded nachos at other establishments, minus nachos, plus fries and a fried egg on top.

Mary Ellen's is one of my favorite places ever. The atmosphere is awesome. Christmas lights on the ceiling, dog paintings on the wall and a ufo mural with Prince all add to the ambiance. Staff is always great and the beer is always ice cold! One of the best spots if you need some A/C break after all the Key West heat. Best late night food ever. Grilled cheese and tomato soup is soooo good. I can't explain how delicious the soup is. Perfect for soaking up some alcohol or a great hangover cure. Put this place on your list of can't miss spots!!

First time eating here. Wanted to try the grilled cheese. Ordered The Classic which is a grilled cheese with pepper jack, smoked mozzarella and American cheeses on Texas toast. Added bacon and grilled onion. The onion on the sandwich was raw, not grilled. Would have been better with grilled onion, but that's just my preference. Overall it was a really good grilled cheese. Also ordered the Asian cauliflower bites and the tater tots with truffle cheese sauce. Both were very good. The service was great. The ambiance was very unique. A lot of cool stuff in the bar. Definitely recommend this place.

First the good- We went for the Vibrator Races on Thursday night, proceeds benefit a weekly local charity. So much fun, Master of Ceremonies was fabulous as was the staff and bartenders working inside! Now the one negative- The woman outside that checks you in. You need reservations for this and my local friend who lives here bought 2 tickets for $50 online a month ago. We arrive outside and my friend shows her the tickets. She rudely snaps she doesn't want to see them and what's her name. My friend gives it and the woman can't find her on her clipboard of hand written names. She basically tells my friend that the printed sheet she brought might be fake. We are 2 women in our early 60's and she was berating us like we were delinquent teenagers. She was so rude, made us wait until finally gracing us with 2 seats that my friend paid for. My friend is a local, and maybe this woman is tired of dealing with people but she left a crappy impression to start the night where we were ready to spend money and make bids to donate to the charity. May want to consider a better ambassador at the door on nights of fundraising.

I'd you don't get the grilled cheese and tomato soup here you are 100% missing out! Sooo good!! And the Asian cauliflower bites are great also!

Mary Ellen's is a great little local bar tucked away just barely off Duval Street. It has cool decor and friendly bartenders! We've been here many times over the years, but apparently I'd always forgotten to leave reviews until this trip to Key West. Even if you don't want to drink, you can order some of the best grilled cheese sandwiches you've ever had! Somehow I also forgot to take photos of my ooey-gooey cheesy sandwich, but believe me it's fantastic! There is even a walk-up window outside if you don't want to go into the bar itself.

All the times we have been to KW and to Mary Ellen's we never wrote a review. This is one of our favorite places service is always great drinks well made food is great as well. We always make sure booking our vacation that we will be in KW on a Thursday for their vibrator racing which a portion of all winnings goto a local charity. What a great concept for a fundraiser Can't wait for our return visits

The frozen Irish coffee is the best! Great music! Bartender was super efficient! I do recommend this drink!

Best burger! I hope the cooks/BOH have an amazing day. Really, that burger tasted like it was made by god himself

I can't go through town without hitting this place up. The epitome of the perfect southern meal. Huge area so plenty of room for the lines out the door.

Best happy hour of Key west. BOGO drinks and 5$ tots! Can't get any better than that!

Mary Ellen's is a very cool, local, dive bar in Key West. I loved that the only people there when we were there were locals. We were tipped off that we HAD to try their Frozen Irish Coffee and it was worth every single calorie! I believe it was ice cream and Irish Whiskey then it was topped with crushed Oreos (or Cinnamon Toast Crunch)!! Whoa, so good! I've also heard that their Grilled Cheese is THE BEST. We had just eaten a huge breakfast so we didn't get a chance to eat here. I've read nothing but amazing reviews about their food so I will definitely be back for more beer, cocktails and food the next time. Make this one of your many stops on your list of things to do in Key West. Forget the tourist traps, go where the locals go!

Been to Key West for a couple days and thank goodness I found this place. It's is a combination of good vibes, great people, amazing food, drink special and most importantly always fun here. Been here about 3 times In 2 days. The place is right off Duval st in key West. That's the main strip of key West. It was an instant relationship since I got here. Love at first sip! Lol. Great bartenders Brad and Joy very friendly people and always attentive. The locals flock here bc it's just a real place without holding back. People are here to have a fun time and move on with their lives. Since I was here there was dildo racing and live music. Who knows what else they have. A very friendly homey bar. They have a great happy hour (Mon-Fri 11am-6pm) with $4 stoli drinks but prices are reasonable otherwise. Open till 4 am there is always a place for you in Mary Ellen's. And the kitchen stays open until the bar closes which is a plus. The food is high quality bar food. Chef Paddy and his staff have the key to great food, Love. You can taste to love in the food here. It's simple but done right. From a variety of grilled cheeses To fried cauliflower bites. You will always get a well prepared meal here. They also have a walk up window if you just want a delicious snack on the go. One of the best bars in the Keys don't miss out on a great vibratious experience with mouth watering food. It will make u come back again and again. Oh there's a leather shop right next to Mary Ellen's, if your into that stuff. Lol.

Hidden gem dive bar right off Duval. I've been coming for the frozen Irish coffees for years and just assumed the food was standard bar fare. I was wrong! The patty melt was delicious. Fun nightly entertainment too. Tuesdays is trivia night and Thursdays are the famous vibrator races.

Fresh Guinesss and mimosas. Friendly atmosphere. Didn't try it but fancy grilled cheese and tomato soup sounded inviting.

We have been to Mary Ellen's many times on previous trips to Key West. Great place for a beer or a cocktail, but make sure you ask which beers are 2-4-1 during happy hour to avoid the surprise when you get your bill. The food we had this time was just ok. The classic grilled cheese is a bit pricey for what you get. The fried mushrooms were good but nothing spectacular. Good place to stop if you want a cold beer and they are open late!

YUMMMMY! Best tomato soup hands-down. I recommend the tomato and cheese with a side of tomato soup. Additional must tries are the pickle fries, mozzarella sticks, and if you have kids or kids at heart, the happy meal is a must!! We came here the day after my youngest had recovered from a bout of food poisoning. She's 11 and she was soooo scared to try anything to eat, at all. She was a little hesitant to try her chicken nuggets in the meal, but once she did, she didn't look back. She carried that cute little box out with her as we walked down Duval and she enjoyed every last crumb of nuggets and fries. Thank you sooo much Mary Ellen's for helping my daughter cheer up, eat up, and resume our amazing family vacation. All four of us were delighted with our food at Mary Ellen's.

Went in and sat down. No one greeted us or even went to our table to ask if we wanted anything to drink or eat. Server made eye contact, but just kept doing whatever he was doing and mind you the place was not busy at all. Waited 20 minutes and decided to leave since no service was given. Very disappointed and was looking forward to eat and drink there. Don't recommend going if this is how they treat customers. Read good reviews but the in person experience didn't match.