Hemingway's Pub Photo

Photographer’s Note

This again is in 3 shots so check out the work shops. I have picyures of it in the day but thought what the hell who knows what a bar looks like in sunlight...

A redacted Wikipedia assist here:

Founded on December 5, 1933, the bar's most famous patrons were Fulvio Ferraris, Ernest Hemingway and the infamous rum runner Habana Joe. The original location at the time Hemingway frequented Sloppy Joe's is a few doors down to the west, just off Duval Street, at 428 Green Street, and is now called "Captain Tony's".
Green Street façade of Sloppy Joe's Bar

The bar went through two name changes before settling on Sloppy Joe's with the encouragement of Hemingway. The name was coined from a bar in Old Havana, on the corner of Zulueta and Anímas, that sold both liquor and iced seafood. In the Cuban heat, the ice melted and patrons taunted the owner José (Joe) García Río that he ran a "sloppy" place. The name has nothing to do with the like-named sandwich.

The bar is the site of the Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest, started in 1981. It is well known as a tourist attraction, with live bands and slushy drinks. On November 1, 2006, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The bar is also referenced to in the famous film Citizen Kane. One of the men being interviewed, trying to remember the name of Xanadu, lists a few places that are "down south." The last place mentioned before he remembers the right name is Sloppy Joe's. In addition, the bar featured in an early scene from Our Man In Havana starring Sir Alec Guinness and Sir Noel Coward displays a sign at the back titled: "Sloppy Joe's Bar Habana."

fulvio52, azaf1, Budapestman, Cretense, lrw1966, gunbud, stego has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

sevy (12961) 2009-03-10 3:03

Hello Greg,

Nice presentation of this famous bar I was not knowing.
You are missing a wider angle lens to this shot. I would have like to see more the walkers in the street but keeping the lighted advises of the bar which are catching the eyes and giving the impact of the shot.

Yves.

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-03-10 3:08

Hi, Greg. Sloppy Joe's, there it is... You're totally right, who knows what a bar looks like in sunlight! I've been spending quite a few bucks on Piña Coladas and Cuba Libres in here, as a matter of fact the day we left Key West I remember they were adding a new wing with my money... Great one, buddy! And since the moment you were so kind to mention me next to Hemingway as one of the most famous patrons, you might wanna correct my name in your note : it's Ferraris. I got to protect & exploit my image, LOL!!!
You're doing good out there, keep it up, have fun! Looking forward to what's coming up next. Cheers!
Fulvio.

azaf1 (15541) 2009-03-10 3:11

Hi Greg

Really detailed and intersting note on the bar. The night shot is really nice with all the lights and people going by.

Have a good day and TFS
Argiris

Budapestman (41086) 2009-03-10 3:41

Hi Greg,
Spectacular photo from this interesting place with much interesting information. You handled the lights wonderfully. The thick crowd lays the foundations for the mood of the picture. Superb show from this place. Have a nice day!
George

Cretense (54954) 2009-03-10 5:09

Hi Greg!

Beautiful nightscene, full of joy, full of life! Great composition and framing, great light managment, beautiful neon colours! congratulations!

Hercules

lrw1966 (1630) 2009-03-10 5:56

Greg, Hi:

Marvelous colors and details of this famous pub. Very educational notes, as well, thanks.

Congralations, very nicely done
Larry

Longroute (8915) 2009-03-10 8:42

Night life in hot Florida! Yes, it really recreates the peculiar atmosphere of an American Bar. A fine play of neon lights, pretty natural and saturated colours, a good sharpness and above all a good composition. I like also the other too in the ws.
Asta la vista,
Donato

gunbud (27585) 2009-03-10 18:46

Hi Greg,
You are quite the hobnobber walking the footsteps of the famous Fulvio and what's his name, you know the writer.
I see there is no shortage of patrons in this difficult economy.
Love the slight blurr which goes so well with this theme and of course the great note about the rich history of this famous watering hole.
Regards, Tom

stego (22340) 2009-03-15 15:47

Hi Greg,

Nice capture of the lively street night life of that street. It's far from easy getting such good compos in ambiances like that, the sign with Hemingway's portrait is very well framed. The colours are quite catchy and the technical quality is admirable. That applies also to the WS's, which are a good complement to the presentation.

I am not the kind of guy that gives importance to visit places that are popular for making part of famous pieces of the life of famous people, but by random coincidence I was in a couple of places that reminisce that "life is a party" atmosphere associated with Hemingway and I can't resist admiring the man for his good taste for the simple joys of life, something that perspires much in his writings. I am talking about Paris, Pamplona and Cuba...

The first time I was in Pamplona I slept in the hotel used by Hemingway in his visits to the bulls festival that he made world famous. We were so tired when we arrived the city in a dark rainy night that we didn't care for the sloppy appearance of the place, that looked like not having renovated since the last time old Ernest was there. We didn't also notice that it was "Hemingway's hotel" until the next morning, when we found a sign on the room next to ours reading that it was the room he used. They have renovated the place shortly after I was there and apparently now it is a classy expensive hotel.

Regards, José.