Bar review: Sloppy Joe's in Treasure Island

Cloudy days get to me. Last week's continuous onslaught of heavy weather had me feeling caged-rat crazy. I mean, come on, we live in the Sunshine State!

I desperately needed some good ol' Florida escapism last Saturday. With family members in town, we opted for Sloppy Joe's on the Beach, inside the Bilmar Resort on Treasure Island. We would enjoy an afternoon of alcohol-enhanced merriment, and uneasy stories spoken much too loudly.

We hit the beach to catch a bit of local blues man Sarasota Slim's set. Turned out Treasure Island was throwing a "Bands on the Sand" bash. The guitar fireworks were still audible as we entered the Key West-y, two-tier, wooden deck of Sloppy Joe's. We were seated next to the Bilmar Hotel's pool but still faced the ocean. Well, at least I did. The place was packed. Not only was it Memorial Day weekend and within earshot of a free music fest, but for the first time in what felt like months the fine people of Tampa Bay were finally experiencing a storm-free afternoon!

It took a while for the server to arrive. He was slammed. To his credit, though, once we placed our orders he returned promptly with our drinks. I had a mediocre mojito. Original Sloppy Joe's enthusiast Ernest Hemingway would have probably returned it and demanded a talk with the mixologist. The mint looked limp and un-muddled. But I realized there were simply too many drinks to be made fast for my rather delicate one to be made just right. Plus, I couldn't argue with the soothing hint of 10 Cane Rum.

I quickly consumed my so-so mojito. A deliciously decadent platter of "Sloppy Nachos" ($8.49) arrived. I attacked it savagely and asked the server to offer a libation suggestion.

I ended up with the "Sloppy-Sized Margarita" ($9.99). The garish beverage came in a plastic cup that could have doubled as a salad bowl. "This is a margarita (original Key West owner Joe Russell) would have been proud of," reads the entry from the extensive, sticky, laminated cocktail menu. "We combine Jose Cuervo Especial Gold Tequila, triple sec, sour mix and a splash of orange to make our famous house margarita." I know, it sounds dangerous. But the drink proved larger than it was potent. Or maybe I just have a higher tolerance than that of the tourists to whom the "Sloppy-Sized Margarita" is clearly marketed.

And Sloppy Joe's does seem to be geared especially for tourists. But that only adds to the vacation atmosphere. A little escapism. And fair weather. That was exactly what I needed last Saturday.

— What's your favorite drinking destination? Contact Barfly columnist Wade Tatangelo at tbteditors@ tampabay.com.