Jimmy Sings about a Bar...South Florida

[mikemck]

I love Alabama Jacks. There have been a lot of times when it would have been a lot more convenient to fly directly to Key West, but it's our tradition to kick off the party by stopping at Alabama Jack's.

It just wouldn't be the same if we didn't.

[chrisrehm]

I know Alabama Jacks like the back of my hand Prior to living in Key West, I lived in Cutler Bay Florida, which is about 20 miles north of Alabama Jacks... as the crow flies. The band that has been playing there for the last 23 years or so, The Card Sound Machine, are also good friends of mine and I've had the pleasure of sitting in with them on several occasions.Additionally, we've written a song together, "Country Band".

For those not familiar and would like to stop by on a visit to the Keys, you do not take US1, but rather take Card Sound Road as you leave Florida City. If you pass The Last Chance Saloon (the Conch Republic border, b.t.w.), you passed it. It's 12 miles down Card Sound Road at the base of the bridge.

You really want to hit it on a weekend afternoon!

[Parrotthed]

Ah, Alabama Jack's on Card Sound Road ... British writer Jonathan Raban mentions a vist there in his book "Hunting Mister Heartbreak," a travelogue across America. He ends the book with his visit to the Keys and Key West.
The book was published in 1989 so it describes the Keys the way I remember them from back in the day. Recommended reading.

[ScarletB]

Ahhh yessssss...AJ's - always a stop on the way and usually on the way back.

I've run into BNers there!

Imagine that!!
Last year on the way to MOTM I had just about recovered from a wicked "Send off to KW" hangover when we reached AJ's and lo and behold found BNer's already there and more arriving.
What a GREAT start to that weekend!

[IrishPirate]

Keeping everything crossed that we are stopping at AJ's again in November!!!!

[oldmanatee]

We will be stopping on Wed the 4th on the way down to MOTM.Sometime after 4pm. Tradition for us also.

[TropicalTroubador]

My only problem with AJ's is that they close at 7 PM. When I'm flying out from the East Coast, the earliest a flight will get into FLL is 4:30ish. By the time I get my luggage and my rental, it's virtually impossible to make it to AJ's before they close. So usually I hit them for lunch on the way out. This is easier when I've stayed Monday night in Key Largo, but last year I stopped there around 1-something driving direct from Key West.

Last time I had them there, the conch fritters left something to be desired. But the atmosphere can't be beat.