When you’re driving along downtown streets and you see unique street names such as Cervantes Street, Barrancas Avenue and Palafox Street, you can only be in one city: Pensacola. And then you see familiar club names such as Rosie O’Grady’s, Phineas Phogg’s and Lili Marlenes and you say WTF!Yes, this is the Seville Quarter complex of restaurants and clubs and what makes those names familiar is that entrepreneur Bob Snow opened this entertainment complex in downtown Pensacola in the late 60’s and it was an immediate success. And then in 1974, he replicated it again in downtown Orlando with the Church Street Station complex. The big difference is that this Pensacola complex is still operating while Orlando’s complex is long-gone and our Church Street is long-dead. Snow invented the concept of charging one cover charge which got you into multiple venues.In this historic warehouse, Rosie O’Grady’s is still in business.The entrance sign to a covered alley with multiple diversions.We visited during mid-day so the place was pretty dead but at night you’ll still find dueling pianos going at it here.Signs within the complex were confusing or non-existent so we think this might be Phineas Phogg’s but are not positive. Phineas Phogg’s is the main dance club here with DJ’s spinning Thursday – Saturday nights. Church Street Station in Orlando had a similar disco called Phineas Phogg’s Balloon Works, Lili Marlene’s Aviator’s Pub, Rosie O’Grady’s Good Time Emporium and the expansive Cheyenne Saloon. Once Orlando’s top nightlife destination, Church Street Station was largely out-of-business by the late 90’s because of nightlife competition from Disney (Pleasure Island) and Universal (CityWalk).Moving now to the beach. The most-famous bar at the southern end of Florida is Sloppy Joe’s in Key West. The most-famous bar at the northern (northwestern) end of Florida is the venerable Flora-Bama Lounge in Perdido Key. The name is a mix of Florida and Alabama; you see this place is right on the state line!You’re greeted by this Flora-Bama logo store right up front.There are multiple areas of music within Flora-Bama.The main stage downstairs. Look for a lot of Top 40, Rock, Beach and American Country to be played at this outpost along the “Redneck Riviera”. DJ’s? Don’t think so.Flora-Bama Lounge is right on Gulf of Mexico beaches. Looking straight out or to the left, you see Florida.Turning your head slightly to the right, Alabama. They often play volleyball out there. The net is placed on the state line and the two teams are positioned in the two states.Orange Beach, Alabama is westbound along Perdido Key Drive.While Perdido Key, Florida is eastbound.Adults only after 6PM when a cover charge goes into effect. That wooden fence marks the border between Florida and Alabama and U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not care if you go back and forth. Come check it out for yourself if you’re in the area. A good time will be had by all.
You must be logged in to post a comment.