Captain Tony's Saloon facts for kids

Captain Tony's Saloon is a famous and historic gathering spot located at 428 Greene Street in Key West, Florida, United States. This special place has welcomed many well-known artists, writers, and celebrities over the years. A cool feature of the saloon is that when a famous person visits, a special barstool is added with their name on it! You can find barstools painted with names like Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, Jimmy Buffett, and even former presidents John F. Kennedy and Harry Truman.

Above the sign outside the building, there's a large preserved fish called an Atlantic goliath grouper. Captain Tony himself caught this fish! People say that if you toss a quarter into the fish's mouth, you'll have good luck until you leave the island.

The bar in 2017

A Building with Many Lives

The building where Captain Tony's Saloon is located has a very interesting past, just like the town of Key West itself.

From Ice House to Telegraph Station

When the building was first built in 1852, it was an ice house. It also served as a place for medical purposes for the city. In the 1890s, it became a wireless telegraph station. This telegraph station was very important in 1898 during the Spanish–American War. News about the battleship Maine being destroyed came from Havana to Key West and was then shared worldwide from this very building.

Cigar Factory and Gathering Spot

In 1912, the building changed again and became a cigar factory. Later, it turned into a popular gathering place for Navy members. After that, it became several secret gathering spots, with the last one being called The Blind Pig.

The Story of Sloppy Joe's

By the 1930s, a local person named Josie Russell bought the business. He created a new place called Sloppy Joe's Bar.

Ernest Hemingway's Favorite Spot

The famous writer Ernest Hemingway spent many evenings here between 1933 and 1937. In 1938, the building's owner wanted to charge one dollar more per week for rent. So, Russell and his customers decided to move the entire business! They picked up everything and moved it to Sloppy Joe's current location at 201 Duval Street.

The Oldest Bar and Captain Tony

After Sloppy Joe's moved, the building at 428 Greene Street changed hands several times. It was eventually closed for a while. In 1962, David Wolkowsky inherited the building from his father. He fixed it up and named it "The Oldest Bar." Then, in 1968, a local boat captain named Tony Tarracino bought the place from Wolkowsky. He renamed it Captain Tony's Saloon.

Jimmy Buffett and Captain Tony's

Captain Tony's Saloon is where the famous musician Jimmy Buffett started his career in Key West.

Buffett's Early Days

Buffett performed at Captain Tony's in the early 1970s. He was often paid in a fun way with drinks! Buffett even wrote about the saloon and Captain Tony himself in his song "Last Mango in Paris." Sometimes, Jimmy Buffett still makes surprise visits to the saloon. However, he usually performs at his own place nearby called Margaritaville Cafe.

Tarracino sold the saloon in 1989. But he continued to visit most Thursdays to meet customers and fans until he passed away in November 2008.