Straws and Claws

Straws and Claws - A woman holding a glass of wine - Florida Keys

Meghan Malatesta serves a coconut-flavored cocktail in front of the glorious backdrop that is the Gulf of Mexico.

It’s kind of confusing, but hang in there. Every year, the name of the upstairs bar at Keys Fisheries Market and Marina changes. They do it for a good cause and all the dollar “votes” are donated to charity. Last month, patrons voted to name it “Straws and Claws” and so it will be known as for the next 11 months or so. When it will change again.

Meghan Malatesta eases the confusion with a perfectly tasty coconut flavored cocktail. It has coconut rum, Key lime liqueur and pineapple juice. The bar has a great selection of bottled beer and during the magical happy hours (4 to 7 p.m.), patrons receive 75 cents off each beer or a $1 of well drinks. But the real winner of happy hour, though, is the patron that orders the 75-cent oysters. Yum!

Malatesta has been in the Keys for more than two years, and almost as long bartending at Keys Fisheries. She’s from Winter Park, Florida, and says while it’s not that far from the Keys, it’s vastly different.

“I like to do anything water-related during my off hours,” she said.

Keys Fisheries is located at 3502 Gulfview Avenue. Turn off Overseas Highway, headed towards the Gulf, at the Stuffed Pig on 35th Street.