Captain Tony's Saloon facts for kids
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Captain Tony's Saloon is a famous and historic spot in Key West, Florida, United States. It is located at 428 Greene Street. This unique place has welcomed many well-known artists, writers, and celebrities over the years.
When a famous person visits, a special barstool is added. This barstool is painted with the visitor's name. You can find barstools with names like Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, Jimmy Buffett, Shel Silverstein, John Prine, John F. Kennedy, Harry Truman, and Mike Leach.
Above the sign outside the building, there is a large, preserved Atlantic goliath grouper fish. Captain Tony himself caught this impressive fish. People say that if you toss a quarter into the fish's mouth, you will have good luck until you leave Key West.
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The Long History of Captain Tony's Saloon
The building where Captain Tony's Saloon stands has a past as interesting as Key West itself.
Early Uses of the Building
When it was first built in 1852, the building at 428 Greene Street served two purposes. It was an ice house, keeping things cold, and also the city's morgue. In the 1890s, it became a wireless telegraph station. This station was very important in 1898 during the Spanish–American War. News about the battleship Maine being destroyed in Havana was sent from this building to the rest of the world.
In 1912, the building changed again. It became a factory that made cigars. Later, it was a popular gathering place for Navy members. After that, it housed several secret places where people could gather during a time when certain activities were not allowed. One of these secret spots was called The Blind Pig.
From Sloppy Joe's to Captain Tony's
By the 1930s, a local person named Josie Russell bought the business. He created a new place called Sloppy Joe's Bar. This was where the famous writer Ernest Hemingway spent many of his evenings between 1933 and 1937.
In 1938, the building's owner decided to raise the rent by just one dollar per week. Because of this, Russell and his customers decided to move the entire bar! They picked up everything and moved it to Sloppy Joe's current location at 201 Duval Street.
The building at 428 Greene Street then changed hands several times. It was eventually closed for a while. In 1962, David Wolkowsky inherited the building from his father. Wolkowsky restored the bar and gave it a new name: "The Oldest Bar."
Captain Tony Takes Over
In 1968, a local charter boat captain named Tony Tarracino, known as Captain Tony, bought the bar from Wolkowsky. He then named it Captain Tony's Saloon.
Captain Tony's became a special place for many, including musician Jimmy Buffett. Buffett started his career in Key West by playing music at Captain Tony's in the early 1970s. He was often paid with tequila! Buffett even mentioned the bar and Captain Tony in his song "Last Mango in Paris". Sometimes, Jimmy would make surprise visits to the bar. However, he usually performed at his own place nearby, called Margaritaville Cafe.
Another famous musician, Bob Dylan, has also visited the saloon over the years. He even released a song called "Key West (Philosopher Pirate)" in 2020. Because of his visits, Bob Dylan's name is also painted on a bar stool.
Captain Tony Tarracino sold the bar in 1989. However, he continued to visit most Thursdays to greet customers and fans. He did this until he passed away in November 2008.
