Flora-Bama Lounge | Gulf Shores

The Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar, universally known as simply Flora-Bama, is one of the most legendary beach bars in the United States and a cultural landmark straddling the Alabama–Florida state line. Located right on Perdido Key, where Orange Beach, Alabama, meets Pensacola, Florida, it has been a gathering place since 1964 and embodies the Gulf Coast’s laid-back yet spirited personality.

History and Identity
The bar was originally established when the Florida–Alabama state line shifted due to new surveying, leaving the building directly on the border. What began as a small neighborhood lounge has since grown into a sprawling, multi-level beachside complex that attracts everyone from locals and “snowbirds” to country music stars, fishermen, bikers, and vacationers. Its weathered, ramshackle appearance is part of its charm, reflecting the easygoing beach culture of the Gulf Coast.

Layout and Atmosphere
The Flora-Bama complex stretches across the beach with multiple stages, decks, bars, and open-air spaces. Its interior is famously eclectic, filled with dollar bills pinned to walls, bras hanging from rafters, and decades of memorabilia. Outside, beachside decks allow guests to enjoy live music with sand under their feet and views of the Gulf. The venue has an open-door spirit, where flip-flops, swimsuits, and cowboy boots all feel equally at home.

Food and Drink

Oyster Bar: Fresh oysters are a staple, served raw or chargrilled, alongside Gulf shrimp and other seafood favorites.

Bar Offerings: The drink menu ranges from cold domestic beers to colorful cocktails, with the “Bushwacker”-a creamy, rum-based frozen drink-being the signature beverage.

Casual Eats: Burgers, po’boys, and fried seafood baskets round out the menu, emphasizing casual coastal dining.

Music and Entertainment
Flora-Bama is renowned for its live music, hosting performances on multiple stages every day of the week. It has become a launching pad for regional musicians and a stop for major touring artists, particularly in country and Southern rock. Legendary performers like Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett have taken its stages, helping solidify its reputation as a cultural icon.

Signature Events

Interstate Mullet Toss: Perhaps its most famous annual event, this quirky competition involves throwing a dead mullet fish across the state line. It draws thousands of spectators each spring and has become a hallmark of Gulf Coast eccentricity.

Polar Bear Dip: Held every New Year’s Day, participants charge into the chilly Gulf waters, often in costume, to celebrate the start of the year.

Concerts and Festivals: Flora-Bama regularly hosts large music events and charity fundraisers, reinforcing its role as a community hub as well as a party destination.

Cultural Role
The Flora-Bama has become more than a bar-it’s a symbol of the Gulf Coast lifestyle, representing resilience, hospitality, and a sense of fun that blends Southern tradition with coastal spirit. It has been featured in songs, music videos, documentaries, and countless travel guides, earning a reputation as the ultimate beach bar.

Visitor Experience
First-time visitors are often struck by its unpolished charm, where mismatched architecture and a come-as-you-are policy create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. By day, it can feel like a family-friendly beach spot with live acoustic music and casual dining. By night, it transforms into a rowdy, multi-stage venue with dancing, drinks, and packed crowds.

The Flora-Bama Lounge is not just a bar-it’s a Gulf Coast institution. With its mix of music, oysters, eccentric events, and unbeatable beachside location, it has achieved legendary status as a place where anyone can find a good time on the line between Alabama and Florida.