SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Since 1958, the historic Bluegill Restaurant has served and entertained thousands of locals and tourists on both its original and present location on the causeway.  

Founded in 1958 by Wallace and Evelyn Johnston, it has had a colorful and eventful history. 

When legendary Mobile Municipal Auditorium Manager C.W. Buddy Lewis called the Bluegill’s original owners to see if the coast was clear, they wondered what was up.  

To their surprise, they were soon to find out this was Col. Tom Parker’s way of asking if it was safe and secure for a visit from none other than the King himself, Elvis Presley.

As the story goes, Elvis visited the original location on the Apalachee River on the Causeway, and enjoyed a meal of catfish and hush puppies.

That meal, consumed sometime in the 1970’s, would be the precursor to a list of famous entertainers to later appear at the Bluegill after its sale in 1998. 

For more than 10 years, the Bluegill’s waterfront deck has hosted Grammy Award winning artists, Classic Rock stars and emerging super stars, as well as local talent.

The list includes Grammy and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Leon Russell and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown; home grown talent, Wet Willie with Jimmy Hall, Beverly Jo Scott, and founding member of the Marshall Tucker Band, the late, great George McCorkle. 

Since 2000 the Bluegill has hosted the 10-year reunion of the Spin Doctors. Regional favorite Marc Broussard has also been a regular, and emerging acts, such as Toby Lightman, Low Millions and the Colour have appeared in more recent years.

Last year, with a turnout so large that 400 people had to be turned away, the Bluegill hosted a free concert by radio station 92ZEW featuring super star in the making

Colbie Caillat, in one of her first live performances.  

With a line up like that, it’s no wonder the Bluegill is annually voted “Best Place for Live Music” and “Favorite Outdoor Live Music Venue.” 

In 2008, the Bluegill will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with more great food, entertainment and concert performances to come. 

Please join in for what will be an ongoing celebration all year long.