Duffy’s began its humble beginnings back in 1958 when Claude “Duffy” Whiteman leased the two-story cracker shack across the street from the Manatee Public Beach. Whiteman was a trumpet player from the big band era and named the place after the popular NBC radio programme: “Duffy’s Tavern”. When he opened the doors on the first day, this landmark establishment began selling mugs of beer for the first time. Also new to the menu were soups and sandwiches.