Sloppy Joe's calls itself a Key West tradition, and those who have been there wouldn't dispute it. The bar and restaurant has been open at the corner of Greene Street and Duval Street since 1937 and fits seamlessly with the carefree, go-with-the-flow vibes of the island.
Inside, you'll hear live music almost every night and a menu boasting all kinds of tropical favorites, including conch chowder, Key lime pie and of course the Original Sloppy Joe Sandwich (complete with onions, peppers and spices). There is also a large selection of beer, wine and cocktails that are sure to keep things lively until Sloppy Joe's closes at 4 a.m. daily.
Like the rest of the Key West, the island has its own bit of history. According to the website, Sloppy Joe's was founded the day Prohibition was repealed in December 1933.
Then at a different location and known as the Blind Pig, Ernest Hemingway was a frequent customer. According to the website, it was the famed author who suggested the bar rename itself Sloppy Joe's. Nearly four years later, it moved across the street to its current location.
Sloppy Joe's is a short distance from many other Key West attractions, making it a perfect location for daytime and evening dining. It's less than one mile from the Ernest Hemingway House, slightly more than a mile from the Southernmost Point and an easy three-minute walk from the tightrope walkers and street musicians of Mallory Square.
So if you're looking for a reasonably priced meal, an open-air setting and live music to accompany a cold beer, take a stroll to the corner of Greene and Duval. You won't regret it.
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