The top three finalists in each of the Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards have been decided by the voters, which means things will heat up in the daily voting contest that runs June 25 to July 16. This year’s first round of voting offered some familiar nominees, along with some monumental surprises.
Two of the most notable shockers came in the categories of Best Local Celebrity and Best Family-Owned Business.
For the first time since the Bubbas’ inception in 2014, the Best Local Celebrity will be claimed by someone other than Howard Livingston, who has carried the title seven consecutive times. Instead, two newcomers and two familiar faces, Landon Bradbary and Bill Hoebee, will face-off for bragging rights. They will be joined by two newbies and notable media faces, Gwen Filosa and the Keys Weekly’s very own Mandy Miles.
“This is always one of the most popular categories because dynamic personalities naturally tend to be the most popular in a town,” said Keys Weekly Publisher Britt Myers. “It has been fun watching Howard defend his title. But it wasn’t a big surprise to see Mandy and Gwen on the list. Both have been great journalists throughout an active year of news and both remained in the public eye. And for Hoebee and Landon — let the shenanigans begin.”
And in Best Family-Owned Business, three newcomers were nominated by the voters: Either Key West’s Finest, Ramona’s Conch Creations or Keys Armored Express will claim bragging rights for the first time. All three businesses are new to the category— it’s the first time this has occurred since the Bubbas began in 2014.
“I think it’s great to see so many new faces and businesses nominated,” said Myers. “As the Bubbas have grown, the voting has increased dramatically, which increases the competition in each category.”
Myers said he believes several factors led to some new faces on the final ballot in 2021. Aside from eight years of growing popularity, social media has become the premier method to solicit votes for the Bubbas. And many of this year’s current nominees were notably active on social media, which provided a stronger platform for local campaigns.
But make no mistake. Many previous winners are still on the ballot, which makes the 2021 Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards one of the most unpredictable and exciting contests so far. Voters can log in once per day to cast a vote over the next several weeks. Voting ends at midnight on July 16.
“I always remind people of two things,” said Myers. First, the voters decide the three finalists and the voters decide the winners. And secondly, it’s literally a win just to be nominated. It’s a subjective contest with one common goal: to raise money for our annual nonprofit. If we can have fun while raising awareness for a great cause, then we’ve accomplished what the Bubbas were created to do.”
The 2021 Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards winners will be announced Saturday, July 24 from the Key West Theater, which will host the eighth annual event.
All proceeds from the 2021 Bubbas sponsors and ticket sales go directly to Wesley House Family Services. To learn more about Wesley House Family Services, visit wesleyhouse.org.
2021 BUBBAS FINALISTS:
FOOD & DRINK
Key Lime Pie
Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe
Blue Heaven
Better Than Sex
Cuban Sandwich
Sandy’s Café
5 Brothers Grocery & Sandwich Shop
Kim’s Kuban
Ethnic Food
El Siboney Restaurant
Frita’s Cuban Burgers
Mo’s Restaurant
Cup of Coffee
Cuban Coffee Queen
Keys Coffee Co.
The Koffie House
Breakfast
Two Friends Patio
Goldman’s Deli
Blue Heaven (tied for 3rd)
Harpoon Harry’s (tied for 3rd)
Brunch
Hot Tin Roof
Azur
Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar
Lunch
Little Whitehouse Subs
Hogfish Bar & Grill
Moondog Café
Bar
Green Parrot Bar
Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon
General Horseplay
Gay Bar
Aqua Bar & Nightclub
801 Bourbon Bar
22&Co
Wine Bar
Grand Vin Wine Bar
Vinos on Duval
VIV Wine Bistro
Mojito
Two Friends Patio
El Meson De Pepe’s
Willie T’s
Beer Selection
The Retro Room
General Horseplay
Bearded Lady
Bartender
Jennifer Steffanacci
Mark Watson
Matt Carmony
Waterfront Dining
Louie’s Backyard
Latitudes
A&B Lobster House (tied for 3rd)
Four Marlins (tied for 3rd)
Pizza
Roostica
Clemente’s Wood-Fired Trolley Pizzeria
Duetto Pizza & Gelato
Seafood
Conch Republic Seafood Co.
Alonzo’s Oyster Bar
Hogfish Bar & Grill
Steak
Prime Steakhouse
Tavern N’ Town
A&B Lobster House
Taco
Amigos Tortilla Bar
Garbo’s Grill @ Hanks!
Sinz Burritos
Food Truck
Garbo’s Grill @ Hanks!
One Love Food Truck
Taco Express
Dessert
Better Than Sex
Flamingo Crossing
Square Grouper Bar & Grill
Conch Fritters
The Conch Shack
Conch Republic Seafood Co.
Alonzo’s Oyster Bar
Bloody Mary
Two Friends Patio
Rams Head Southernmost
Tempt (@The Saint Hotel)
Late-Night Spot
Green Parrot
Mary Ellen’s
Rick’s
Margarita
Hard Rock Café
Margaritaville Key West
General Horseplay
Martini
Virgilio’s
Martin’s
22&Co
Place to Cure a Hangover
IVs In the Keys
Firefly Key West
Hangover Hospital
Barbecue
The Dirty Pig
Smoked BBQ (On the Water)
The Moose Pit
Bar or Restaurant Restroom
Tavern N’ Town
22&Co
My New Joint
Sushi
Misohappy Sushi &Thai
Origami Sushi Bar
Thai Island
Catering Company
Catered Affairs of Key West
Great Events CateringDestination Catering & Events
Organic/ Health Food
Date & Thyme
Sugar Apple
The Cafe
Happy Hour
Two Friends Patio
The White Tarpon
Alonzo’s Oyster Bar
Overall Restaurant
Santiago’s Bodega
Tavern N’ Town
A&B Lobster House
THE COMMUNITY
Place to Take the Kids
The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
One Athletics
The Waterfront Brewery
Event/ Local Festival
Fantasy Fest
Songwriters Festival
Zombie Bike Ride
Teacher / Professor / School Administrator
Christina McPherson
Eli Jannes – Sigsbee
Dr. Jonathan Gueverra – College of the Florida Keys
Tourist Attraction
The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Fury Water Adventures Key West
Local Celebrity
Bill Hoebee
Gwen Filosa
Landon Bradbary (tied for 3rd)
Mandy Miles (tied for 3rd)
Non-Profit Organization / Foundation
Florida Keys SPCA
Womankind
Sister Season (tied for 3rd)
SOS Foundation (tied for 3rd)
Local Musician
Brian Roberts
Rob Benton
Caffeine Carl
Band
The Durtbags
Coconut Victrola
Patrick & the Swayzees
DJ
DJ Buggy
DJ Sanaris
Jimmy Cooper (DJ Top Jimmy)
In Drag
Beatrix Dixie
Sushi
Inga
Artist
Lance Berry
Rick Worth
Marlene Koenig
Thespian / Performing Artist
Arthur Crocker
David Black
Erin Mckenna
Live Music Venue
Green Parrot Bar
Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon
Smokin’ Tuna Saloon
Performing Arts Venue
Key West Theater
Waterfront Playhouse
Comedy Key West
Art Gallery or Studio
The Studios of Key West
SALT Gallery
Wyland Gallery
THE BUSINESSES
Resort / Hotel
Casa Marina Key West
The Perry Hotel
Pier House Resort & Spa
Accounting Firm
Oropeza & Parks
Zuelch & Zuelch Accounting & Tax
Jeffrey E. Allen CPA
Law Firm
Oropeza Stones & Cardenas
Horan Law
Smith, Hawks, P.L.
Furniture Store
Royal Furniture
Fast Buck’s At Home
Soul House
Charter Fishing Captain / Guide
Captain Marlin Scott
Fishizzle Sportfishing Charters
Bear Holeman
Dive Shop
Sea, Key West
Divers Direct
Captain’s Corner Dive Center
Bait and Tackle Shop
Key West Bait & Tackle
Esky Rods
Kico’s Place
Watersports Company
Fury Water Adventures Key West
Sunset Watersports
Sebago Watersports
Marina
A&B Marina
Stock Island Marina Village
Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina
Customer Service
First State Bank of the Florida Keys
FishMonster & IslandJane Key West
Strunk Ace Hardware Inc
Grocery Store
Fausto’s Food Palace
Publix
Winn-Dixie
Contractor
Marino Construction
Charley Toppino & Sons
Conch Construction and Roofing
Landscaping Company
Mama’s Garden Center
Ecoscapes
Southernmost Scapes
Auto Repair
Oily’s
Richard’s Tune Up
Shifting Gears
Photographer
Nick Doll
Iris Moore
Larry Blackburn
Doctor
Dr. Jack Norris
Dr. Norman (Rocky) Tingle
Dr. Melanie Youschak
Veterinarian / Vet
Keys Animal Care Center
Key West Vets and Pets
Realtor
Bascom Grooms
Will Langley
Rick Lively
Real Estate Office
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Knight & Gardner Realty
Bascom Grooms Real Estate
Keller Williams Key West Compass Realty
Bank
First State Bank of the Florida Keys
Keys Federal Credit Union
Centennial Bank
Jewelry Store
Jeff’s Gems and Nautical Designs
Mine Shaft Jewelry Designs
Neptune Designs
Car Dealer
Niles Sales & Service
Key West Kia
Keys Auto Center
Bed & Breakfast
Alexander’s Guesthouse
The Gardens Hotel
The Mermaid & The Alligator (tied for 3rd)
The Conch House (tied for 3rd)
Chiropractor
Ryan Barnett, DC
Oropeza Chiropractic Center
Darold Leto, D.C.
Dentist
Claude Harris
Hector Guzman
Louis Spelios
Florist
Love in Bloom
Kutchey’s Flowers
Petals & Vines
Insurance
Fullers Insurance
Porter Allen Co.
Keys Anchor Insurance (tied for 3rd)
United Atlantic Insurance (tied for 3rd)
Liquor Store
Jolly’s
Conch Town Liquor & Lounge
Tipsy Rooster Liquor Store & Bar
Local Retailer
The Green Pineapple
Kirby’s Closet
Besame Mucho
Fitness Center / Gym
FYT Key West
CrossFit Personal Training
Bodyzone Fitness
Nail Salon
Lee Nails
Nail Bar and Lounge
Amazing Nails
Spa
Flow Spa Key West
Prana Spa
Ocean Wellness Spa & Salon
Hair Salon
CAYO Beauty Salon
Avenue, Liz Stricker Salon
Kai & Co. Salon
Barber
Cottar Cuts
Addison’s Barber Parlor
Moore Than Fades Barbershop
Summer Camp
Reef Relief
Seacamp
Camp Bravo
Family-Owned Business
Key West’s Finest
Ramona’s Conch Creations
Keys Armored Express
Overall Business
First State Bank of the Florida Keys
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Knight & Gardner Realty
Fury Water Adventures
