Our story

From Havana to Key West to Treasure Island: The Sloppy Joe’s Legacy The story of Sloppy Joe’s begins in Havana, Cuba, in the early 1930s, inside a lively bar owned by Jose Garcia. His club became known for serving iced seafood and liquor, but what made it famous wasn’t just the menu; it was the mess. Thanks to the constantly melting ice on the floors, customers joked that the place was “sloppy,” and the name stuck.

That little bar, known as Sloppy Joe’s, became a hotspot for travelers, celebrities, and writers, including the legendary Ernest Hemingway. A fan of both the bar and its signature Cuban dish ropa vieja, Hemingway was a regular during his many fishing trips to Cuba. That dish (shredded beef in a rich tomato sauce) is often credited as the inspiration for what Americans now know as the Sloppy Joe sandwich.

Sloppy Joe’s Comes to Key West

In 1928, Hemingway moved to Key West, Florida, and became close friends with local speakeasy owner Joe Russell, who operated a bar known as the Blind Pig—a rough-around-the-edges joint off Greene Street that thrived even during Prohibition.

Once alcohol became legal again in 1933, Russell opened a legitimate bar and, with Hemingway’s encouragement, renamed it Sloppy Joe’s, honoring the Havana original. In 1937, the bar moved one block over to its now-famous location on Duval Street, where it remains a beloved Key West landmark and one of the most historic watering holes in America.

The Treasure Island Chapter Begins

In 2002, the lively energy, rich tradition, and laid-back hospitality of the original Sloppy Joe’s found a new home on the sugary white sands of Treasure Island, Florida.

Located just steps from the Bilmar Beach Resort, Sloppy Joe’s on the Beach was designed with the same spirit in mind: a place where locals and tourists can eat, drink, relax, and enjoy live music and unbeatable sunset views.

With over 150 seats on our two-tiered beachfront deck, an indoor/outdoor bar, and air-conditioned indoor dining, we bring you the best of Florida’s Gulf Coast—complete with a nod to Hemingway and the legends before us.

Our menu features Caribbean-American fare, from fresh seafood and beach bar classics to burgers, sandwiches, and tropical drinks. Whether you're here for lunch in flip-flops, cocktails at sunset, or dancing under the stars with live music, there's always a good time waiting.

More Than a Name – A Tradition

Sloppy Joe’s has always been more than just a name; it’s a state of mind. It’s about good food, great music, sunset views, and the kind of atmosphere that keeps people coming back.

Whether you're here for a quick lunch, happy hour cocktails, or a night out with friends, Sloppy Joe’s on the Beach is the place to be. We honor our roots while creating new memories every day, right here on Treasure Island.