Restaurants Acing the Waiting Game
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
We’ve all experienced the stomach growl when you approach a restaurant greeter and hear, “There’s a wait.” Waiting is hard, especially when you’re hungry. Or have kids. Or a large party. But, many restaurants on Alabama Beahches know how to play the waiting game, and you come out the winner.
From kid’s areas to live music to quick cocktails, restaurants around the beach are creating great spaces for patrons to hang out while they wait for a table. The next time you venture out for a meal filled with delish beach eats, check out one of these seven beach restaurants where you’ll be happy to wait.
Lucy Buffet’s LuLu’s
When you’re as popular as LuLu’s, it’s understandable that you have a bit of a wait. Luckily, they’ve prepared for just that by providing a variety of activities to keep your whole party entertained while they prepare your spot. A three-story ropes course, a beach arcade, and a large sand area with beach toys are all perfect for the kids to climb, play and run off that pre-meal energy. For the adults, canal views, convenient bars and daily live music will make your wait feel like a planned party. If you don’t have time to play, their website offers online check-ins where you can announce your arrival and beat the wait.
Original Oyster House
If you have kids in your party, even a short wait can feel like an all-day affair. The Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores combats this problem with an outdoor playground that will keep the kiddos busy for you! You can even feed the fish from the boardwalk, which is also lined with several stores. There’s also an onsite gift shop where you can buy souvenirs, merchandise, and beach essentials you may have forgotten.
The Hangout
If you’re heading to The Hangout during the summer, chances are you’ll encounter a waiting list. But most visitors are up for the wait - and for good reason! It combines good food, custom cocktails, a sandy play area and a whole lotta fun for an unforgettable experience that starts as soon as you’re on the list. You can’t miss your chance to hang in the restaurant’s outdoor courtyard - live music, daily foam parties, a giant sandpit, ping-pong tables, and daily events will have you bumping yourself down the waitlist so you can enjoy more fun. Don’t worry, you can still play after you eat.
GTs on the Bay
GTs stands for “good times,” and they mean it! GTs On The Bay overlooks Wolf Bay and provides plenty to see and do while you wait for a table. If you walk through the restaurant, you’ll pass by a pool full of fish. The back deck offers stunning bay views, live music, and quick bar service to help pass the time. Kids will love the outdoor play area that features a wooden pirate ship and a large sandpit. The restaurant even has its own pier, so you can take a walk out to the water while you wait.
The Gulf
If you have to wait for a table, why not do it on the beach? The Gulf is a unique beachfront restaurant made entirely of recycled shipping containers. You'll find plenty to look at and tons of Insta-worthy photo ops. You can grab a spot at the bar, watch boats zip across the water, browse through the restaurant's record collection, and listen to live music with your toes in the sand. There’s also a gift shop that offers a cool beachy mix of clothing, souvenirs, home decor, and more.
Tacky Jacks
Tacky Jacks in Gulf Shores changes the waiting game with Jack’s Bar, an open-air bar where you can sip a cocktail while you watch the kids play in the outdoor kid’s area. There’s also daily live music and views of the scenic Intracoastal Waterway to keep you occupied. Or, take a stroll through Tacky Jacks Gift Shop, where you can find restaurant merch and unique gifts made by local artists. Don't forget to write your name on a piece of duct tape and stick it to the wall while you're here!
Tiki Bar at Sportsman Marina
The Tiki is a fun, open-air restaurant in Orange Beach that offers great views and delicious drinks. As you wait for a table, you can play a game of cornhole, grab a drink from one of the restaurant's two bars, enjoy live local music, and let the kids play in the sand. You can also admire some of the boats docked at the Marina and watch as anglers bring in their catches for the day.