In 2002, Florida Keys restaurateur Bobby Mongelli opened the Hogfish Bar & Grill, a cool Keys-style emporium overlooking the water at Inventory Island’s Secure Harbour Marina.
Mac McAnally is to headline the Hogfish Bar & Grill’s twenty second anniversary live performance. (Picture by JoNell Modys, Florida Keys Information Bureau)
On Saturday, Nov. 30, followers of the long-lasting spot can rejoice its twenty second anniversary with a free live performance starring legendary singer/songwriter Mac McAnally and his musical colleagues.
Since its inception, the thatch-roofed Hogfish has change into famend for its mellow “previous Keys” environment and colourful clientele in addition to its full bar and menu fare.
Diners and drinkers can sit inside or out, at weathered picnic tables, or overlooking a handful of picturesque houseboats and sailboats moored on the adjoining docks.
Notable patrons over time have included entertainer and former Key West “favourite son” Jimmy Buffett, different prime musicians, congressmen and senators, celeb cooks and a bunch Bobby characterizes as “cool individuals from everywhere in the world.”
What do these “cool individuals” like concerning the Hogfish? For one factor, the great meals.
The place’s signature dish, as its identify implies, is hogfish — a primarily diver-caught fish with a lightweight but distinctive taste. All kinds of different Keys seafood temptations are additionally served, together with a lip-smacking smoked-fish dip.
The undisputed menu star is the sizeable “killer” hogfish sandwich. Sufficient for 2 to share, it consists of a beneficiant serving of fresh-caught hogfish topped with melted swiss cheese and sautéed mushrooms and onions — all nestled on a bit of contemporary Cuban bread with a aspect of crispy fries.

On the famend Hogfish, the signature dish is … hogfish! Right here it’s ready as a “killer” hogfish sandwich.
“Hogfish could be very white, very flaky, with a candy scallop-like taste. It’s caught anyplace there are reefs, and it’s a specialty of the Keys,” stated Bobby.
Whereas the menu choices present satisfying meals for the physique, the anniversary live performance is bound to fulfill the music-loving soul. The leisure is to start at 5 p.m., when Keys troubadour Howard Livingston and his Mile Marker 24 Band take the stage.
Scheduled headliners are three members of the late Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band — longtime musical cohorts who’re additionally rightfully famed for his or her particular person careers. These consummate all-stars are singer/songwriter and guitarist McAnally; composer and percussionist Eric Darken; and chart-topping songwriter and performer Scotty Emerick.
And so they’re just about assured to rock the rafters on the proudly ramshackle Hogfish.
Whereas not everybody might be within the Keys for the anniversary live performance, everybody can (and may) go to the Hogfish sooner or later throughout a sojourn within the island chain. A real locals’ watering gap that’s additionally beloved by in-the-know guests, it may be discovered at 6810 Entrance St. alongside the vigorous marina.
“It’s an previous working waterfront blue-collar bar and restaurant, and other people say they find it irresistible as a result of they’ll sit and chill out — really feel like they’re a part of the group or really feel like a neighborhood,” Bobby defined.
The Secure Harbour Marina part of Inventory Island, now residence to artist lofts, liveaboard boats and even two shipwreck salvage vessels, additionally has a wealthy historical past.
A ferry that when related Key West and Havana departed from a dock throughout from the bar, and native lore says Secure Harbour was a staging space for the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961.
At the moment, Bobby and his spouse Michelle — who he calls “the brains behind my each transfer” — make sure that the Hogfish honors that historical past whereas including its personal taste to the world.
Uncover its welcoming environment, colourful setting and nice meals on the anniversary live performance (or any time!). To search out out extra concerning the unforgettable emporium, simply click on right here.