August 10, 2014
Tropical Heat Key West
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Tropical Heat is one of the sexiest events catering to gay men on Key West's social calendar. So many events are competing for your time that you may find it overwhelming trying to figure out where and how to spend your time. Take this article with you when you come down for this special weekend, which starts Thursday, August 14 and ends on Sunday, August 17, and it'll help you locate some of the most popular parties and mixers.
Thursday:
Tropical Heat kicks off with an "opening splash" at the legendary clothing-optional men's resort Island House (1129 Fleming Street). Come splash around with some seriously attractive men, starting at 5:30 p.m. They will be hosting pool parties from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday as well.
Once you're all dried off, head on over to Duval as the 801 Girls present their Tropical Heat "Naked Boy Show" at the 801 Cabaret (801 Duval Street, upstairs) starting at 9 p.m. Saloon 1 (801 Duval Street, in the back) hosts the Thursday night party, "ForePLAY," starting at 10 p.m.
Friday:
The Bourbon Street Pub (724 Duval Street) starts off the Friday events with a pool party from noon to 4 p.m. Relax the afternoon away at the Pub! If you're not done tanning and swimming, after 4 you should head on down to Alexander's Guest House (1118 Fleming Street) for a "traffic light"-themed pool party, sponsored by ManHunt.
The Equator Resort (818 Fleming Street) will play host to many sexy men in togas as their annual Tropical Heat Toga Party gets red-hot this evening from 8 p.m. to midnight. Want to release your inner kink? Saloon 1 wants you to come on out to their "HOTTER THAN HELL" fetish party, which will be rocking on until 4 a.m.
Saturday:
Partake in a gay trolley tour of the city! Meet at the corner of Duval and Angela Streets starting at 4 p.m. See the best of what Key West has to offer and enjoy this guided hour-long tour.
The Tropical Heat Sunset Cruise by BluQ sets sail from the Seaport (201 William Street) with all the men of your dreams at 7 p.m.; if you'd like to go too, purchase your ticket by calling BluQ at (305) 923-7245. Be sure to ask them about their sandbar excursion too!
The Bourbon Street Pub's theme party, "Big O!", will be packed with sexy men dancing the night away. Stop by anytime after 10 p.m.!
Sunday:
Tropical Heat may be ending today but there's no need to be sad when you can be a part of a festive ending event like the Tropical Heat Tea Dance! This is an event people love to go to year after year. La Te Da Hotel (1125 Duval Street) welcomes you for fun poolside from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
You can purchase tickets to all the events at the door. Tropical Heat organizers offer discounted admission by purchasing the VIP pass in advance. The VIP pass costs $149 (valued at $220) and can be purchased online at tropicalheatkw.com. If you have any questions, you can call the Key West Business Guild at (305) 294-4603.
If you're interested in traveling to Key West for Tropical Heat weekend, one discount that you may want to use is one for the Key West Express ferry service, which travels between Key West, Marco Island and Fort Myers Beach. Use the code TROPHEAT when you book online at seakeywestexpress.com and you can save $25 on your round-trip ticket! The offer is valid only for dates from August 11 and 17.
State, national and international sponsors of Tropical Heat Key West include Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Orbitz, Marriott Hotels, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and ManHunt. Tropical Heat Key West is part of the Key West Business Guild's network of events. For more information, visit kwbgonline.org
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
