The possibilities were endless but your mission was clear: Nominate your Key West favorites in nearly 100 categories, from favorite burger to the best bar bathroom.
We didn’t limit your options or offer any suggestions. This was all up to you. We gave you a blank space, a blinking cursor and free rein to choose who you love.
And you did. Boy, did you ever. Once again, you answered the call and submitted more than 10,000 nominations from all over the country and beyond.
The Bubbas bring out the best
The Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards are all about the people. It’s the people of Key West who make this island special — the people who mix our drinks, do our taxes, deposit
our paychecks, teach our kids, cut our hair, cook our meals and so much more.
The Bubba Awards are also about giving back to the community, and for more than a decade, proceeds from the annual awards show that takes place at the generous Key West Theater have been donated to a local charity. In all, more than $250,000 has been raised for local kids and people in need.
This year’s beneficiary is the Keys Area Health Education Center (AHEC), the Keyswide nonprofit that provides no-cost medical and low-cost dental care for the school-age children of the Keys, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Final Voting: Thursday, June 25 – Sunday, July 12
As always, it’s all up to you.
The nominees, finalists and winners are chosen entirely by you, our readers. And we thank you for your energy and enthusiasm.
We are down to the finals. In each category, the top three nominees are now the finalists, and one of them will take home a 2026 Bubba Award.
The Bubbas ballot on the next page lists the finalists for each category. Voting starts at noon on Thursday, June 25 at keysweekly.com and runs until midnight on Sunday, July 12.
Visit keysweekly.com once a day through midnight on July 12 to cast your votes. There’s no subscription or credit card required, just an email address.
Who makes the best Cuban sandwich? Who has the best margarita? Best happy hour? Best bank? Bartender? Boat captain or barber? Which business has the best customer service? And what’s the best place to take the kids?
All these and dozens more categories are waiting for you to pick the winners of this year’s Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards.
Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, and the winners will be announced at the annual sold-out awards show on Saturday, July 25.
Updates and reminders will be provided at keysweekly.com, in our daily e-blast, Key West Weekly print editions and social media.
