The Ice Box in Mobile has just celebrated its third birthday by growing a little larger, a little wiser, and even more fun, if that’s possible. The brainchild of Taylor Atchison and Stoney Boatman, this local watering hole has been a surprise waiting to happen ever since it opened its doors in February 2020. And it’s not over yet! More surprises are cooking as we speak.

The Book Cellar at the Page & Palette in Fairhope has become a frequent stop for meeting friends, attending author events, and enjoying live entertainment. It’s casual and cozy with a nice, full bar, TVs for watching sports, comfortable lazy boys just in front of the stage, and plenty of high-top tables to take in whatever they have going on that day or night.

We love what’s going on in entertainment districts along the Scenic 98 Coastal area. Revitalization among downtown areas in Mobile and Pensacola is attracting excellent new food offerings, bars, shops, and music venues making life along the Gulf Coast better and better each year. One venue we notice each week is Vinyl Music Hall, so we dug a little deeper…

Exploring all the wonderful beach venues around Orange Beach with an almost 4-year-old granddaughter is a treat! Penny was visiting from Athens, Georgia. In mid-October, we set off to explore the Pleasure Island Tiki Bar next to Sportsman Marina on Canal Road and found musical treasure!

Noell Broughton is a serial restaurant entrepreneur if there ever was one. Catch your breath because his story has the energy of a hurricane! It is a twenty-six-year career history with plenty of twists and turns and a lot of memories and fun along the way. Buckle your seat belts, the ride is not over.

As far as good times go, Gretsch Lyles and the Modern Eldorados never disappoint. The Sunday afternoon before Labor Day, they put on an outstanding performance for the Summer Concert Series at the American Legion Post 199. The beach was packed, the weather was perfect, and everyone was having a grand time.

Where do I begin to tell the story of Big Earl and the Sexual Biscuits? Let’s start with the facts. Big Earl is not his real name.

On a sultry, First Friday Art Walk evening in August, we met some friends at The Book Cellar to listen to some great music and to see who was out and about. As the event space for Page & Palette, The Book Cellar is becoming the go-to place for music, drink, and author events. There’s an author event this evening that I wish I could attend featuring Rinker Buck as he will tell tales of his “Huck Finn” style adventures in Life on the Mississippi. It starts at 6:00, but arrive early to get a good seat, meet friends and chat over a cool libation.