If you travel around the State of Alabama and ask someone to name the top five New Year's Eve parties in the state, Flora-Bama is in the mix. It doesn't matter where the people are from, they consistently mention the Flora-Bama's Bash as a place to be on New Years. The historic beach bar, well known for tossing mullet across the state line, has become a legendary spot party our the old year and plunge into the next.

Since opening their doors in 1964 the Flora-Bama has hosted a party on New Year's Eve, even before the Mullet Toss began. Thousands of people visit the beaches for the holidays and some "snowbirds" even arrive early for season. When you drive around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach during the winter you will notice license plates from around the country. Many groups come to celebrate the holidays on the beach, nut a large amount of locals and tourist alike make their annual pilgrimage to "party on the line."

Flora-Bama's New Year's Bash is really a two-day event. The party starts on the evening of the 31st, then thousands enjoy the Polar Bear Dip on January 1st. The dress and costumes for both days have become the pictures of legend!

New Year's Eve is a ticketed event that includes three stages of live music, an all you can eat dinner buffet from 6-11 PM, the breakfast buffet begins serving at midnight, and there are Champagne Splits and party favors for all. TICKETS

The world famous Polar Bear Dip is THE event of New Year's Day along the gulf coast. Groups and families gather in costume, swim suits and some even in wet suits to feel the brisk salt water on their face. You take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico at high noon. Those who fully submerge will get a free draft beer and a free New Year's lunch of ham, black-eyed peas, greens and cornbread.

For those who wish to have an elegant meal before the party there is also the Flora-Bama Yacht Club's New Year's Dinner Party, which also comes with tickets to the main event at the beach bar. This year's dinner is a separate ticket and the dinner includes short ribs or grouper. You can also enjoy a dessert of Crème brûlée or more.

It's no wonder the Flora-Bama has become the most famous place to party on New Year's Eve in the State of Alabama (depending on where you are standing at the time). Yes there are still those who will wait for hours to watch a moon pie or other objects to drop from above, but those parties are outside and don't have the long tradition of the legendary bar on the beach.

LIST OF OTHER NEW YEAR'S EVENTS IN GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH