The Sloop Tavern turns 65 years young

Ballardites have been “Sloopersizing” for 65 years, as the legendary watering hole rings in its birthday on Saturday.

“We are celebrating the fact that an old blue collar sailor bar from the old days is still around,” current owner Patrick Files says.

The history of the tavern is a colorful tale; Files says that legend has it that Ole Olsen brought it with him from England after the Great War. He says there’s a picture in the bar of the “Sloop Inn” – the original Sloop – somewhere in England.

Pre-1970, Files says it was only half of its current size; the other side was a machine shop. In 1976, Wayne “Big Wayne” Schmidt bought the tavern, and then started the Sloop Tavern Yacht Club (STYC), “so he and his sailing buddies had a clubhouse and a place to drink,” Files says. The club is still active, hosting races every Monday night.

Phil and Connie Chase bought the Sloop in the early 80s, who passed it onto their son Joe in 1995. Files’s dad, Charley, bought it from Joe in 1999.

Charley was partners with the Mitchell Bros restaurateurs (owners of Charlie’s, Windjammer, Golden Tides and Spinnakers). In 2011 Charley passed away and Patrick took over. “I’ve tried to keep the Sloop as a time capsule of its heydays,” he says.

The 65th birthday celebration will be from noon on Saturday, June 10 (21+ only). They’ll have food and drink specials, live music, and prize giveaways

(And yes, the 65th birthday t-shirts are for sale. Inquire at the Sloop.)