Nightlife in the Upper Keys tends to start before the sun goes down, often at noon, as most people -- visitors and locals alike -- are on vacation. Also, many anglers and sports-minded folk go to bed early.

Locals and tourists in Islamorada mingle at the outdoor cabana bar at Lorelei. Most evenings after 5pm, you’ll find local bands playing on a thatched-roof stage, mainly rock or reggae, and sometimes blues. Oceanside Safari Restaurant and Lounge, 73814 Overseas Hwy., (tel 305/390-4572) has a full-service waterfront restaurant, expanded menu, and bar at Caloosa Cove Resort and Marina, replacing the beloved Safari Lounge, a locals' favorite watering hole for cocktails and snacks and a filming location for the Netflix series "Bloodline."  Hog Heaven, MM 85.3, just off the main road on the ocean side, Islamorada (tel. 305/664-9669; Fri-Saturday 11am–4am, Sun-Thurs 11am-2am), opened in the early 1990s, the joint venture of young locals tired of tourist traps. This whitewashed biker bar is a welcome respite from the neon-colored cocktail circuit. It has a waterside view and diversions such as big-screen TVs and video games. The food isn’t bad, either. The atmosphere is cliquish because most patrons are regulars, so start up a game of pool to break the ice.

In Key Largo, The Caribbean Club, 10480 Overseas Hwy. (tel. 305/451-4466), is a divey waterfront spot for karaoke Wednesdays and nightly live music. Plus, it’s the place where many movies, including Bogie and Bacall classic “Key Largo,” were filmed, so the locals and staff have good, salty stories. It’s open from 7am(!) until 1am-ish daily and it’s cash only, but there’s an ATM inside. For a higher end nightlife Pierre’s, 81600 Overseas Hwy., (tel. 305/664-3225) is the place, or, cross the sand to neighboring Morada Bay for a toes-in-the-sand scene.

Located bayside in Key Largo Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, 10400 Overseas Hwy, (tel. 305/453-9066) is a massive entertainment and boozing complex owned by the legendary football coach featuring several bars, restaurants, a pool, and nightly entertainment. It’s more for early birds as it closes at 9pm.  Nearby is another popular day and night drinking spot, Skippers Dockside, 528 Caribbean Dr., MM 100, Key Largo, (tel. 305/453-9794), featuring an outdoor tiki bar, live entertainment, and a Monday through Friday happy hour from 3 to 6pm that often keeps people happy until the place closes around 10pm on weeknights and 11pm on weekends. Locals also love Snook’s Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar, 99470 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo (tel. 305/453-5004), featuring three bars,  fab views, live music every night from 5:30 to 9:30pm, daily happy hours from 4 to 6pm, and good food.

Sundowners Key Largo, 103900 Overseas Hwy., (tel. 305/451-4502), has fabulous views from its bustling bar, as well as live music nightly until at least 10 or 11pm, but get this, leaving from Sundowners is Cruisin’ Tikis (tel. 800/941-7080), a floating tiki bar offering BYOB day and night trips starting at $60 per person.

In Marathon, Sunset Grille, 7 Knights Key Blvd., (tel. 305/396-7235;) has spectacular sunset sips overlooking the Seven Mile Bridge and a daily 3 to 5pm happy hour, as well as a very popular, splashy Sunday pool party with DJs, cornhole tournaments, food and drink specials, and a beach barbecue. And, although it closes somewhat early, around 8:30pm, Burdine’s Waterfront is a Marathon hideaway, 1200 Oceanview Ave. (tel. 305/743-9204), featuring fab drinks and views of the water.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.