Bars & Nightclubs
Penny Johnson was voted SFGN’s Best Bartender in Palm Beach County of 2015 and 2016!
Penny’s at the Duke may be fairly new to the LGBT scene in Palm Beach County, but the bar has already made a name for itself, quickly building up a loyal fan base. The Duke opened in 1946 and keeping the name was part of the purchase agreement for Penny Johnson to buy the business. A patron suggested Penny’s at the Duke and it stuck. Then Penny laid down 9,000 pennies in urethane to physically lay claim to the name and opened the place in August 2013. Penny’s is a neighborhood gay bar with a twist. A bunch of straight customers came with the territory and have stayed to become part of the regular crowds. “They have fit right in with us,” Johnson said. “They sing karaoke (Mindy and Todd) with everyone else on Wednesdays from 7 to 11 p.m. and they stay for the drag shows.” Penny’s has a no smoking policy, but there are two patios where people can take their drinks and smokes and most do without complaint. The bar has lots of specials, which can be viewed online at their Facebook page. The current favorite beverage is cinnamon whiskey called fireball. Whether you’re female or male, you’re welcome to be one of “The Ladies Who Brunch” on first Sundays at noon.
A Boutique Bed & Breakfast
With so many Palm Beach hotels to choose from the alternative choice is The Palm Beach Hibiscus, a charming boutique Bed and Breakfast with a Key West style ambiance. A hidden tropical oasis offering elegant room accommodations in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Conveniently located between City Place & Clematis Street, a short stroll to movie theaters, restaurants, nightclubs, shopping, art galleries, & specialty stores. Also, close to Palm Beach Convention Center, The Kravis Center, Norton Museum, prestigious Worth Avenue and the sandy shores of immaculate Palm Beach.
Our Backyard Bar at the Hibiscus is Open to the Public and offers Happy Hour Prices 4p-7p EVERYDAY except Mondays when closed.
Established in 1984, Roosters is the longest continually operating gay bar in Palm Beach County. Located on Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach, the bar is less than a quarter of a mile east of I95 so it’s a convenient location for customers from all of Palm Beach County and points north.
Some months ago, SFGN ran an update on the bars in South Florida. At that time Rooster’s had just made some significant upgrades, painting, cleaning, and remodelling. They also initiated a no smoking policy.
To accommodate their smoking clients, the bar remodelled the outdoor patios. According to Manager David Hazen the transition was swift and easy and improves the atmosphere tremendously.
Besides winning Best Bar they also won the reader submitted category of Best Atmosphere.
“We had a good air exchange system,” Hazen said. “But it wasn’t as good as completely eliminating the smoke. Smoking is bad for health and more people are coming to know this.”
Regular client James Timmerman loves the atmosphere at Roosters. “It’s a real neighbourhood bar,” he said. People know your name and are genuinely concerned about each other. This is true for both the bartenders and customers.”
“We must be doing something right,” Hazen said. “We have very loyal employees and very little turnover.”
“There’s also a sense of responsibility to the larger community,” Timmerman said. “We help raise money for good causes.”
“We raised $14,000 for breast cancer,” Hazen said. Ten thousand dollars for Pulse Victims and we’re in 10th place in fund raising for The Ride.”
“And,” said Timmerman. “There’s something different happening every night so you’re never bored.”
Melissa St. John, First Lady of the Palm Beaches,
Voted Best Bar & Atmosphere in Palm Beach Co. 2016 by South Florida Gay News!