Sloppy Joe's, Key West

Had a much better time here than across the street! Most famous bar on the island for a reason! Great music, live names, friendly staff, good crowd and atmosphere, drinks were well made, had a blast! Will come back whenever possible!

Dress Code: Dress casual

The bar is a hub and always packed. Lots of stuff hanging on the wall remind us that this place must have been one of Hemingway's hangout.

Live music at night. Don't be too critical, one day the music is good, but sometimes the performers are poor and vulgar. But the ambiance is good and the beer is too.
This is Key West!

We stopped in for a drink due to the Hemmingway stories. The original Sloppy Joe's (Captain Tony's) was deserted.
However, we stayed for the live music. Great band and fun atmosphere.
Drinks were a little off though. We ordered apple martinis which were made separately and both tasted more like lime than apple.
If you are picky about your liquor, you would probably like this place as long as you watch them make the drink. Their well liquors are considered top-shelf at other bars. E.g. well rum is Bacardi.
Drink prices were a little lower than elsewhere in Key West also.

Dress Code: Very casual

sloppy joe's bar is the most famous bar in key west. it is located in the original 1917 victoria restaurant building on duval street. the original sloppy joes was located around the corner on greene street which is now capt. tony's saloon. sloppy joe's was originally called russell's after it's owner joe russell. ernest hemingway convinced russell to change the name because joe "ran such a sloppy place". sloppy joe's is one of the most visited party spots in key west. they are open from 9AM to 4AM and have live entertainment from noon to closing.

Dress Code: casual.

Sloppy Joes is a most famous place to visit in the lower down town of duval where you can expect live musical entertainment through out the day and night. Drinks are reasonably priced and at one time had the best finger food in town. The drinks and music are the best thing about the place. It is familey orientated during the day and grown up at night.

Dress Code: come as you are very casual

Sloppy Joe's is the most famous bar in Key West. Sloppy Joe's is the one on all the t-shirts that you can see from Alabama to Zanzibar. And, Sloppy Joe's is forever linked to Key West's most famous former resident (my INSINCERE apologies to Jimmy Buffett), Ernest Hemingway. (If you want to know what's sticking in my craw regarding the greedy Mr. Buffett, see my "Cheeseburgers" Restaurant tip.)

So, Sloppy Joe's is as much a tourist spot as a bar.

But, the good news is that it's still a pretty decent bar. And if you'll visit earlier in the evening or in late afternoon, you might actually be able to breath inside, as most of the Sloppy Joe patrons are probably nursing their previous day's hangove at those times.

On an annual basis, Sloppy Joe's hosts the famous "Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Contest". It amazes me how much some of the past winners actually do look like Papa. It's too bad that they're not doing an Ernest Hemingway Write-Alike contest. (visit the www.sloppyjoes.com site for pictures of the 2006 winner)

The present location (since 1937) of Sloppy Joe's is not where Ernest spent much of his time. The old place was a few blocks away, and it moved when the landlord tried to raise the rent by some ridiculous amount of money...$1 a week I think.

For a live webcam look at Sloppy Joe's go to www.sloppyjoes.com/sloppycam/
I'd suggest taking a look around 10 pm.

Dress Code: As with other Conch Republic establishments, I think you have to wear shoes. I'm pretty sure that female patrons have to wear a top of some kind too, although it clearly doesn't have to be much of a top.

Sloppy Joe's is a Key West institution. The bar officially opened the day prohibition was repealed, but it had been in existence even before that time, operating as a speakeasy for those crusty Key West residents who refused to be told that selling alcohol was illegal. The bar had several other names, but, legend has it that Ernest Hemingway came up with the name Sloppy Joe's.

Actually, it is more than a nightlife spot as it opens early for those who like to begin imbibing in the a.m. hours or who, perhaps, are still going from the night before. The bar and restaurant are open all day, serving typical bar food and Florida Keys typical mixed drinks and beer.

In the evenings, live music is played here and the place attracts a crowd of locals and tourists, although more of the latter. Its a loud and rowdy place usually filled with sunburnt, tropical attire clad and drunken revelers. A visit to Key West would not be complete without visiting Sloppy Joe's.

Dress Code: In the Keys, virtually anything goes, so long as you are decent. Given the hot weather and the laid back attitude, you would be overdressed in anything more than shorts and a t-shirt.

Sloppy Joe's has been one of the most famous places on Key West since 1933. Ernest Hemingway was a regular and actually convinced the owner, Joe Russell, to name it Sloppy Joe's. The bar hosts the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest every year.

Live music and DJs give Sloppy Joe's a great atmosphere, and the service is good. It is overall a fun place and a part of Key West history.

There is a good menu of sandwiches and salads, along with some appetizers. There is also a good drink selection.

It is open daily from 9am-4am (noon-4am Sundays). It can be very crowded on weekends.