Summer starts with a “Sloppy” smash

The world famous bar is no stranger to hosting all sorts of zany events to benefit the Sloppy Joe’s Foundation. KEVIN ASSAM / FLORIDA WEEKLY It comes as no surprise that one of the most recognized and highest grossing bars on the island remains relatively immune to the ups and downs of the local economy. But for the staff at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, even they collectively recognize the new heat of visitors that mark the start of summer. “We definitely acknowledge the dog days of summer as everyone in Key West experiences. But one of the things that we have is some air conditioning, and that definitely helps us,” says Vikki Peacock, operations manager at Sloppy Joe’s. Well, central cooling, yes, plus a lineup of novel events that continues to turn heads both at home and nationally through the bar’s tens of thousands of followers. While Sloppy Joe’s has its famous door-busting Fantasy Fest and New Year’s Eve Drop, the onset of summer sees the return of the historical Hemingway Days Celebrations