Beers. Bras. Beaches.
These are all things you will find and see when you’re at the Flora-Bama located in Pensacola, FL.
Flora-Bama is a bar that was established on the Florida and Alabama border in 1964 after the State of Florida gave the State of Alabama two miles of beachfront land in return for the construction of the Perdido Pass Bridge.
The front of the famous Flora-Bama bar.
The Tampary family decided to build the bar on the new state line and was finished two years after the road was finished being built and it was added onto over the years.
The main and original bar area where most people come to hang out and drink.
The bar was later bought by Joseph Gilchrist in 1978 and has since been co-owned by multiple owners who are Pat McClellan, John McInnis, and Cameron Price.
More information can be found about the Flora-Bama’s history on their website. http://www.florabama.com/ABOUT
The Flora-Bama has many events that they put on throughout the year, some of them include the Polar Bear Dip, the Super Chili Bowl Cook-off, the Mullet Man Triathlon, and the Interstate Mullet Toss, and a Halloween Costume Contest.
Upcoming events at the Flora-Bama.
Most of the events are posted on their website, but some are also posted on their social media accounts. Here is a link to Flora-Bama’s Instagram page. https://www.instagram.com/_florabama/
Some of the Flora-Bama events are pretty self-explanatory, like the Polar Bear Dip. At this event, you take a plunge in the Gulf of Mexico on the first day of the new year and those who fully submerge will get a free draft beer and a free New Year’s lunch.
“I love going to the Polar Bear Dip every year, it’s a great way to bring in the new year and a free meal!,” local Jenny Kirchgessner said.
One of the biggest events that goes on at the Flora-Bama is the Legendary Interstate Mullet Toss.
The Mullet Toss is a competition in which those who participate throw a dead mullet fish over the state line of Florida and Alabama to see who gets the farthest. It is described as a big flash mob on the beach where a fish-throwing event breaks out.
“I love the mullet toss, I make sure to take the week off when it is every year so I can go down to the Flora-Bama and participate,” Vacationer Bob Stickelmaier said.
This year will be the 24th annual toss and more information can be found on their website. http://www.florabama.com/mullet-toss
The beginning of the setup for the Legendary Interstate Mullet Toss.
The Flora-Bama hosts all types of events for people to come and enjoy. Almost every week there is something different to see and do at the bar. More information on events can be found at the link below. http://www.florabama.com/annual-events
Another big thing at the Flora-Bama is their live music. Live music was originally added to the bar back in 1978 when Joseph Gilchrist purchased it.
The bar has five different stages throughout the building and the outside area. They host all different kinds of artists and music types. They have thousands of musicians perform every year and they consist of locals and famous artists.
The main stage of the Flora-Bama, where most of the partying goes on at.
Some of these artists include Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, Drake White, John Rich, Luke Combs, and many others.
“The live music is one of my favorite things about the bar. I love being able to walk in and see people performing on the stage,” regular Tom Berry said.
You can find tickets to Flora-Bama’s concerts and find out who’s playing any day on their website. http://www.florabama.com/live-music
The Flora-Bama is a place to go when you’re in a good mood and even if you’re not it will put you in one.