Tropical Heat is one of the sexiest events on the Key West gay social calendar, and any gay man who lives in Florida should experience it at least once. There are three days and four nights of fun events, beginning on Thursday, August 13. Let me give you the run-down of all the events going on in Key West for Tropical Heat.
Thursday, August 13: Go to the Island House (1129 Fleming St.) for the official kick-off party that begins at 5:30 p.m. Afterwards, the 801 Girls will host the Tropical Heat Naked Boy Show at the 801 Cabaret (upstairs, 801 Duval St.), beginning at 9 p.m.
Friday, August 14: The day begins with an optional excursion called “Cody’s Naked Paddle Boarding Adventure.” That begins at 10:30 a.m.; to reserve your spot, call (305) 395-9494. The Bourbon Street Pub (724 Duval St.) hosts the SPLASH! Pool Party starting at noon and going on until 4 p.m. You can enjoy the sun as it sets on the sail and splash party at Blu Q (200 Margaret St.) or you can go to the Traffic Light Party at Alexander’s Guest House (1118 Fleming St.). Both begin in the six o’clock hour and continue on until the sun has set on the water. Then, Saloon One (in the rear, 801 Bourbon St.) hosts their annual Fetish Party beginning at 10 a.m. They say this year’s party will be hotter than you-know-where, and we expect a lot of men to be just as hot!
Saturday, August 15: If you’d like to take part in a snorkel and sandbar cruise, the boat is leaving Blu Q on Margaret Street at 11 a.m. Island House is hosting a Tropical Heat clothing-optional pool party beginning at noon. Tour the city on the gay trolley after the pool party; meet the trolley at Duval and Angela Streets by 4 p.m. Check-in at 5:30 p.m. for a tea dance on the sea at Fury Watersports Adventures (Greene and Elizabeth Sts.). Then, at 8 p.m., Tropical Heat’s annual Toga Party will celebrate its 10th anniversary. See the hot men strut their stuff at the Equator Resort (818 Fleming St.). The Bourbon Street Pub hosts the Big O! Exhibition Party from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Sunday, August 16: Blu Q offers a special sandbar exploration tour at 10 a.m.; it’s a pretty cool way to wind down your trip to the Keys. The final big event of Tropical Heat Weekend is the hot naked Sunday pool party, hosted by Island House. Get there by noon to get a good spot near the pool for sunbathing and guy-watching!
If you’d like to get VIP entry to premium events on the Tropical Heat itinerary (cruises excluded), you can buy a VIP pass online at tropicalheatkw.com for $120. Passes purchased in advance can be picked up at the kick-off party on Thursday, August 13.
If you’re looking for a place to stay during Tropical Heat Weekend, there are a number of recommended accommodations. The organizers suggest Alexander’s Guest House (1118 Fleming St., 800-654-9919), the Equator Resort (818 Fleming St., 305-296-5765), the Island House Resort for Men (1129 Fleming St., 800-890-6284). The latter two guest houses are clothing-optional and are geared specifically to men. The New Orleans House (724 Duval St., 305-293-9800) also boasts a men-only, clothing-optional swimming pool. If a larger hotel is what you’re after, book your room at the Key West Marriott Beachside (3841 N. Roosevelt Blvd., 305-296-8100).
Tropical Heat is one of the yearly events organized by the Key West Business Guild. Sponsors include Coca-Cola, Lower Keys Limo, Silver Palms Inn, Tavern N Town, TravelHost, AIDS Help, Bone Island, Evolution, Key West Butterfly Conservatory, Key West Express, Key West Hideaways, and Ocean Wellness Spa.
For more information on Tropical Heat Key West, visit tropicalheatkw.com.
