Louie's Backyard - AVOID IT!

[Flip4JB]

Not worth the walk from Duval Street. We just walked out of there.

What ruined it was the anorexic skinny blonde hostess with tattoos - first, she seemed annoyed by us walking in. And since we had been advised by at least two sailors that a storm was blowing in, we asked that she put us somewhere covered. Well, she walked us out to the deck - and when I reiterated, she continued to blow us off saying, "you'll be fine". When I pointed to a covered table, she still did not move us, making some snide comment about little boys wanting to be weatherman.

Well we took a quick look at the menu (extremely limited and overpriced) - and since we had lost our appetite due to her "hospitality" we decided to walk out. Needless to say it was downpouring with 30 knot winds 30 minutes later.

I know the significance that place has for JB and his fans (including me) -- too bad my experience was soured by the people working there. I will never go back.

Go to Blue Heaven or Bo's.

[big john]

My brother and his wife went there a couple years ago. He said it
was really expensive. But to be pricey AND have rude service?
Who needs that. Besides, that blonde was probably a transvestite.

[ScarletB]

I've only been there once and while, yes, it was expensive, it was a completely terrific experience. The waiter could not have been nicer or more fun - it's definitely a "special occasion" type place in terms of cost, but I wouldn't tell anyone to avoid it over one bad experience. I loved it. I didn't feel they were snobbish or rude or anything. If I were you I'd have said something to the management, I doubt they want someone treating guests that way.

[big john]

Just checked a few sites and read some recent reviews.
Looks like you aren't the only ones that had trouble with this hostess.
Crap like that can ruin a business.

[drunkpirate66]

Louie's is all about its location. It has gorgeous ocean views and i had many fun afternoons there when I was a KW resident years ago. IF you go there because Jimmy Buffett lived across the street 40 years ago - DON'T. The deck isn't the same because that pesky thing keeps getting washed away in hurricanes . . . the actual bar is different . . . the staff is different . . . the road is different . . . there is now a gigantic hotel next to it (lame) . . . nobody who was around when Jimmy was a regular is left . . . it might as well be a Chili's in Davenport it is so ridiculously different then in Jimmy's day. It is a bar that sells an expensive view. If you want to get drunk cheaper then buy a twelve pack and some rum from a local package store and put them in a back pack and walk around to the less pricey KW establishments. Still can get Yuenglings for a buck on Caroline Street . . . I think . . . at Pepe's.

[CindaBee]

Having made many visits to Louie's over the years, back far enough that it was inexpensive and funky, not overpriced and snooty, I still MUST go on each trip. I have learned now to just walk onto the deck and take a table. I wait a minute or so and if no one appears, we simply walk to the bar and order our drinks. I've never had a problem doing that and never really had a bad experience there, but did give up eating there years ago.

[popcornjack]

Louie's is all about its location. It has gorgeous ocean views and i had many fun afternoons there when I was a KW resident years ago. IF you go there because Jimmy Buffett lived across the street 40 years ago - DON'T. The deck isn't the same because that pesky thing keeps getting washed away in hurricanes . . . the actual bar is different . . . the staff is different . . . the road is different . . . there is now a gigantic hotel next to it (lame) . . . nobody who was around when Jimmy was a regular is left . . . it might as well be a Chili's in Davenport it is so ridiculously different then in Jimmy's day. It is a bar that sells an expensive view. If you want to get drunk cheaper then buy a twelve pack and some rum from a local package store and put them in a back pack and walk around to the less pricey KW establishments. Still can get Yuenglings for a buck on Caroline Street . . . I think . . . at Pepe's.

Now THIS is what I'm talking about!!! viewtopic.php?f=40&t=85123&start=1980

Sorry you had a lousy time. Trust me I know how badly a moronic shallow hostess can ruin a place.

[drunkpirate66]

Louie's is all about its location. It has gorgeous ocean views and i had many fun afternoons there when I was a KW resident years ago. IF you go there because Jimmy Buffett lived across the street 40 years ago - DON'T. The deck isn't the same because that pesky thing keeps getting washed away in hurricanes . . . the actual bar is different . . . the staff is different . . . the road is different . . . there is now a gigantic hotel next to it (lame) . . . nobody who was around when Jimmy was a regular is left . . . it might as well be a Chili's in Davenport it is so ridiculously different then in Jimmy's day. It is a bar that sells an expensive view. If you want to get drunk cheaper then buy a twelve pack and some rum from a local package store and put them in a back pack and walk around to the less pricey KW establishments. Still can get Yuenglings for a buck on Caroline Street . . . I think . . . at Pepe's.

Now THIS is what I'm talking about!!! viewtopic.php?f=40&t=85123&start=1980

Sorry you had a lousy time. Trust me I know how badly a moronic shallow hostess can ruin a place.

Nice rejoinder!

[Bfan53again]

We just stop for a drink and the view......never do dinner. Too expensive, too many better options in KW....

[SchoolGirlHeart]

It's a shame you didn't talk to the management. She's clearly putting a dent in their business.

I've never eaten at Louie's but I've spent a fair bit of time on the afterdeck, where a beer costs about the same as half the places in town. The view is worth it.

[aeroparrot]

Louie's is all about its location. It has gorgeous ocean views and i had many fun afternoons there when I was a KW resident years ago. IF you go there because Jimmy Buffett lived across the street 40 years ago - DON'T. The deck isn't the same because that pesky thing keeps getting washed away in hurricanes . . . the actual bar is different . . . the staff is different . . . the road is different . . . there is now a gigantic hotel next to it (lame) . . . nobody who was around when Jimmy was a regular is left . . . it might as well be a Chili's in Davenport it is so ridiculously different then in Jimmy's day. It is a bar that sells an expensive view. If you want to get drunk cheaper then buy a twelve pack and some rum from a local package store and put them in a back pack and walk around to the less pricey KW establishments. Still can get Yuenglings for a buck on Caroline Street . . . I think . . . at Pepe's.

Now THIS is what I'm talking about!!! viewtopic.php?f=40&t=85123&start=1980

Sorry you had a lousy time. Trust me I know how badly a moronic shallow hostess can ruin a place.

Nice rejoinder!

Very rare do I see someone use the word "rejoinder".

Sorry about the bad time Flip.

[SMLCHNG]

Went there once. And ONLY once. Food was good, but overpriced. Service was really good. However, I will never forget/forgive the host running after me, down the sidewalk, hollering at me because I accidentally kept the pen I signed the bill with.

[ScarletB]

Went there once. And ONLY once. Food was good, but overpriced. Service was really good. However, I will never forget/forgive the host running after me, down the sidewalk, hollering at me because I accidentally kept the pen I signed the bill with.

Clearly someone there doesn't make good hiring decisions - you'd think there might be lots of good waitstaff in a place like that. I work in a resort town and the hotels and restaurants really work hard at educating their employees on how to do it right.

[chippewa]

Went once, food was good but the service was really bad. Went to Key West a couple of times since then but never bothered going back. Too many other nice places.

[Bfan53again]

Went there once. And ONLY once. Food was good, but overpriced. Service was really good. However, I will never forget/forgive the host running after me, down the sidewalk, hollering at me because I accidentally kept the pen I signed the bill with.

Now that is absurd........was a Cross pen or something

[dnw]

Went there once. And ONLY once. Food was good, but overpriced. Service was really good. However, I will never forget/forgive the host running after me, down the sidewalk, hollering at me because I accidentally kept the pen I signed the bill with.

[SMLCHNG]

Went there once. And ONLY once. Food was good, but overpriced. Service was really good. However, I will never forget/forgive the host running after me, down the sidewalk, hollering at me because I accidentally kept the pen I signed the bill with.

Now that is absurd........was a Cross pen or something

No, it wasn't ANYTHING fancy.

[ContinentalDrifterIII]

Thats a shame. I make it a point to visit each time I am in Key West. I like the view and the Buffett history. There is an entrance on the side that leads right to the Afterdeck. We seat ourselves and I walk to the bar and order drinks. I've never had a problem with service and the staff was always friendly. It only takes one bad employee to ruin an experience.

[tigzoe]

We just stop for a drink and the view......never do dinner. Too expensive, too many better options in KW....

I can't remember the last time I had a sit down dinner in KW.

[tigzoe]

Went there once. And ONLY once. Food was good, but overpriced. Service was really good. However, I will never forget/forgive the host running after me, down the sidewalk, hollering at me because I accidentally kept the pen I signed the bill with.

Sorry, Penny. I must admit, i am a bit of a pen snob. if I am working the desks, I leave my good pens in my office.