Sloppy Joes Bar

Doesn't Recommend

bagheera363

Joined 7 years ago

Papa is turning in his grave. This place is expensive, has lousy food/slow service, and talentless and often flat-out offensive entertainers. Went there while on Christmas vacation this year (2007) and left after 15 mins because two morons on stage were drinking beer and singing about blow-jobs and foreskins. Disgusting and dumb. Won't be back if it's the last bar on earth.

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tamstrat

Joined 8 years ago

Ode to Papa Hemingway. Yes it's crowded, yes it's noisy, yes it's expensive, yes it's not for kids, yes it's in Key West so what does one expect? This is a very busy, touristy place to go and just have FUN! I thought the Sloppy Joe's were really good, no this is not prime rib but it was good bar food. The drinks and food are expensive but this is a tourist trap and that's what one should expect to pay. The music was really good and everyone in the bar was having a great time. I highly recommend if you are in Key West to stop in and drink a cold one in memory of Papa.

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kpo

Joined 6 years ago

Fun any night of the week. Great live bands, and or DJ music, bar was packed even on a Tuesday night. Full bar, with very nice bartenders, making strong drinks! Fun atmosphere, with 'interesting' people to check out..

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sundowner

Joined 7 years ago

The tourst must stop. You won't find many locals at SJ's, It is a must stop for visitors, usualy have a decent band/singers featuring mostly Parrot head music (Jimmy Buffet). Pretty much packed between 4pm and 12am, then dies out...

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

If you want to get happy, or just get sloppy, "Hemingway's favorite bar" is the place.. The Scene
The official debut of Sloppy Joe's was Dec. 5, 1933--the day Prohibition was repealed. The "Joe" who ran the joint was Joe Russell, noted speakeasy operator, boat pilot and fishing partner of Ernest Hemingway, who suggested the name change (from the Blind Pig). Hemingway drank there, contributed a stuffed sailfish to the decor and left a bunch of personal effects in a back room--some were donated to the bar by his long-suffering widow.

The Draw
Happy, sloppy patrons (or those about to be) float in and out of a crowded, funky, impossibly noisy place at all hours of the day and night. The barely controlled booze-fueled mayhem is kept energized by daily live music, including afternoon, evening and late-night bands. In addition to booze, patrons can fill up on sandwiches, wraps, pizza and bar snacks. A retail shop sells T-shirts and souvenirs.

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wesliz

Joined 7 years ago

Thanks Kelly:). We had a great time here. Drinks weren't cheap, but very few things are in KW. My Sloppy Rita was great and so was our Sloppy Joe. Kelly was an awesome bartender and we met nice people.

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tolksdos1

Joined 8 years ago

Great Afternoon Atmosphere. I lived in Key West and Sloppy Joe's was one of my favorite places to stop by on a Sunday afternoon. Love the open-air building, wonderful Hemingway collectibles to look at, great entertainment and cold beer. You can always count on having a great conversation with someone next to you at the bar. Can't wait to return.

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lhoz

Joined 8 years ago

We go back every time we're there. My wife and I have visited Key West several times and one of the highlites of our trips is going to Sloppy Joes. You can't beat the atmosphere or the entertainment. The food is what it is - bar food - not bad, not great, but edible. Pete and Wayne are fantastic and the rest of the acts are nearly as good. We would definitely recommend it.

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beachmedic

Joined 8 years ago

Get it Right. The review saying Sloppy Joe's was not Hemingway's fav bar and that Captain Tony's was is a half truth. SJ's was located around the corner from it's current location when Ernest drank there (where Tony's currently sits). It was however Sloppy Joe's bar that he drank at. As far as the bar itself, know what to expect going in... It's crowded, noisey, a little expensive, and not all the food is gourmet. However, it's also one of the most fun places on the island, guaranteed to have a great time when Pete and Wayne are playing (very R-rated). Good music, good company, and good drinks make up for a lot in my book. Also, to all of the food critics out there, try the Sloppy Fries and Grouper Sandwich next time, excellent!

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mrsomes

Joined 9 years ago

I'd Go Back. We enjoyed lunch at Sloppy Joe's. A little crowded due to the cruise crowd but we were served right away. Had the chicken wraps and they were huge (1 feeds 2 people) and delicious. Live music was really good. Whether this is a "tourist trap" or not it's worth stopping in when in Key West. It's fun.