Papa Rocco's

In the mid 1980s, Bill McGinnes bought a stilted building a block from the beach in Gulf Shores, cut 10 off of each piling and turned what had been an all-you-can-eat buffet into an oyster and pizza restaurant. It might have been more profitable to pick a more bustling beach town than sleepy Gulf Shores, but Bill preferred the pace and style so he left his job as an engineer in a Detroit auto factory and settled down in LA (Lower Alabama). Originally, Papa Roccos had only about five items on their menu and some people thought it funny that a restaurant would specialize in pizza and oysters but Bill knew by the way they laughed that it was going to work. The Warm Beer and Lousy Pizza slogan came about in the third year but by then thousands of locals and tourists knew better. Papa Roccos had become the place to go in Gulf Shores as the only place that served a full menu until midnight and the only nightspot with live entertainment seven nights a week. McGinnes recalls that the first musician to play Papas was Ken Henderson who later formed a duo with the late, great Johnny Williams, another long time Papa Roccos player (formerly of The Drifters) and, still, no one questions that Gulf Shores legend, Brent Burns, has played at Papas the longest. Since Papas was the first in the area to feature nightly entertainment, there are very few local musicians who havent played at Papas. National acts, including Buddy Greco and AL Hirt have also graced the stage at Papas. Papa has never taken more than a long weekend off in the 20+ years so hell likely be here to greet you the next time you stop in. Live Entertainment 7 nights a week and never a cover charge.