Iconic Beach Bar, A Louisiana Favorite, Is Also A Church

Louisiana lovers of sun, sand, cold beverages, and eternal life in Heaven have we got a place for you. Considering the way people from Louisiana flock to it, you could say this iconic beach bar hosts a "pilgrimage" every year. Although, it's not the kind of pilgrimage most of us envision when we hear the word.

Students at LSU will begin their pilgrimage on March 31st. The Ragin Cajuns of the University of Louisiana won't make their trek to sun, sand, and salvation until April 18th. And if I am reading the academic calendar provided online by the Cowboy crew at McNeese State in Lake Charles, they'll be beach-bound on the same date as the Cajuns, which would be April 18th.

While there is nothing new about hitting the beaches for spring break and finding an Alabama Bushwacker to beat the heat, there is something that I, a frequent guest on the beaches of Lower Alabama and the Florida Panhandle just learned today. I was today years old when I learned that maybe the most iconic bar on the Gulf Coast is also a church.

If you haven't figured out we are talking about the Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster bar, then you must be new to the Gulf. I think almost everyone has a "Flora-Bama" story. Whether it happened during the Interstate Mullet Toss or maybe during the Polar Bear Dip, most of us would prefer to maintain some plausible deniability.

Fortunately, some of us were old enough to commit our memorable moments before everyone started carrying around a video camera in our pocket. That's why you youngsters heading for spring break later this year need to question your parents when they tell you to "behave at the beach".

Now there is nothing wrong with a little good-natured misbehaving. However, when you cross the line and get into "sinning", that's where a lot of parents will draw the line. Fortunately for those who frequent the Flora-Bama, you won't have too far to go when Saturday night dawns into Sunday morning.

That's because the Flora-Bama is also a church. Seriously, it's been a sanctioned church since 2011. I am a bit ashamed to say I did not know about that aspect of the iconic venue. I knew it was the inspiration for songs by Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Chris Young, and others but I did not know you could "officially" find the Lord inside those walls.

Please understand that I understand the difference between a drunk talking to God over a puke-filled commode, and an honest soul searching for salvation. Apparently, at the Flora-Bama both kinds of congregation are welcomed.

The Flora-Bama holds two church services every Sunday morning. You can attend the 9 am or the 11 am. And from what I understand, I have never attended, the Easter Celebration at the Flora-Bama held on the beach draws thousands of "Son" seekers each year.

I was speaking to a preacher friend of mine about this and he was all in favor of the idea. His opinion was "If you want to save souls, you have to go where the sinners are" and to his way of thinking there is a better chance of finding those in need of salvation in a bar than there is in church. In his mind, anyway, any location, that allows people to get to know their Lord and Savior is a good thing. I don't disagree.

So, make a note, next time you're in L.A. (Lower Alabama) and you aren't too pissed off because the Buc-ee's stop took over two hours just remember libations and salvation can be yours at the Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar. If this doesn't prove that God loves us and has a sense of humor, I don't know what else will.