Posted by Dooley on April 26, 2005 at 22:38:05:
In Reply to: Re: Maybe a stupid question... posted by Kev on April 26, 2005 at 00:12:21:
Stupid? Phah! I wish I'd asked this question before I went!
I have to answer that by saying it depends where you are going and what you are wearing. Being that it was about 80 to 90 degrees each day, there is not a lot of need for clothes to begin with. If you are deciding to go, dress sensibly. We would usually wear shorts and a T-shirt (girlfriend, a top) and usually no underwear. Then we could shed clothes easily and it wasn't something that we would not care about if it got dirty or wrinkled.
Be smart and keep a lot of the junk at home or in the hotel, only take the (excuse the pun) the bare essentials. Wallet for ID and money (maybe a credit card) and your room key. Don't worry about driving, there are cabs running at all hours and hotels all over the place. As for your camera? You can bring it, but as Kev said, all three places are really strict about where and how photos are taken. Also think about ditching the cell phones, not only because of the secret camera abilities (sorry Cocco!), but also because you are on vacation in Key West and should not have to worry about phone calls.
My girlfriend adds -- "Ladies, for those wanting to only go topless, I would suggest shorts as the best over a skirt or bikini bottom at both places. This gives you a few pockets to keep stuff -- like your raging naked boyfriend's wallet :) -- and, for some reason, keeps drunk slackjaws from asking you to 'lift your skirt.' Remember, this is Key West . . ."
At Garden of Eden, when we would go to the bar, we would take our clothes off either when we got there or when the slackjaws left. Usually I would just pile them on my barstool or on a chair with my girlfriend. It is important to note that all three places do not want your bare ass sitting on the chairs or stools so at least keep something (I would sit on my shorts with my wallet in it) to sit on. After we had been back a few times, we did give our clothes and my girlfriend's purse to the bartender who kept them behind the bar when we went out to dance or mingle. Usually there is enough security at Eden to avoid jackasses trying to rip people off.
At Atlantic Shores, the pool area is slightly larger; about double or triple the size. The only place you can go full nudity is either at your barstool or beach chair, and at the pool area. If anyone is walking around, then they ask (more like demand) that bottoms are covered up. They do this, as Kev might have said, to keep the neighbors from complaining. Keep track of clothes is easy, either near or under your beach or bar chair will keep things in order. Again, the people there, both staff and customers, are decent about keeping an eye on things. Remember, if security is not tight at these places, they are going to loose customers. So far, I have heard very little complaints about lost money, clothing, etc.
If you go to either place during the day, be smart and bring a towel to lay on. Sometimes they run out, so better safe than sorry. Which place is better to catch the sun? Well, that depends on your comfort with being naked around others. Eden is right in the heart of the Duval street bars, so you are in an area where a lot of people may wander through. Atlantic Shores is on the far south end of the island and it is tucked away somewhat, and away from much of the Key West traffic.
I suppose the same rules go for Naked Lunch, if there were any people, naked or otherwise, in there.
Enjoy!