Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Flora-Bama Lounge

Known generally around here as just the "the Bama", sometimes you see its whole name in print -- Flora-Bama Lounge, Package, Oyster Bar & Grill. It's located on Perdido Key at the western-most tip of Pensacola, Florida, just inches from the Alabama line. Right on the beach.

Flora-Bama's entrance

Flora-Bama's street signThe owner calls it, "The Last Great American Road House." Playboy Magazine, among others, has voted Flora-Bama the best beach bar in the world. It offers multiple bars and music venues with a huge deck where you can eat, drink and listen to live music while having a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico.

It was badly damaged by Huricane Ivan and other storms in 2004 and 2005. Rebuilding was delayed by the difficulties getting all the necessary permits for coastal construction. We went there several months ago and the rebuilding was about to begin. We will return soon and I will have updated photos so we can see the progress they've made.

Each year the Flora-Bama sponsors a variety of musical and athletic events. All are great fun and raise a lot of money for local charities. Probably the most famous of these festivities is the Annual Interstate Mullet Toss. Individuals compete on the beach throwing a mullet from a 10 foot circle in Alabama across the state line into Florida. This is on the last weekend of April every year.

Here's a link to the Flora-Bama's Wiki article.

To the Beach

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