It was an extraordinary Memorial Day weekend that took me from Navarre Beach to Gulfport, with numerous stops along the way. My journey began a bit later than planned on Saturday morning as I drove to Navarre Beach, pausing for some retail therapy at the Premium Outlets in Gulfport, where I found remarkable Memorial Day sales. Shopping brings me joy, providing a unique blend of calm and excitement.
Afterward, I continued my trip to visit my favorite service animal—the Buc-ee’s Beaver in Robertsdale, Alabama. This shopping, dining, and fueling haven, renowned for its immaculate restrooms, ranks high among my guilty pleasures. Following my visit and navigating through heavy traffic, I arrived at the Elizabeth Bourvier Beach Compound around 3 p.m., with my first cocktail poured at 3:05 p.m. After enjoying dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant in Navarre, Bella Luna, we prepared to attend the Memorial Weekend Pensacola Saturday Night Party. Pensacola’s emergence as a popular LGBTQ+ destination can be traced back to the late 1980s when Steve Berman began hosting circuit parties, a tradition that expanded under Johnny Chisholm’s stewardship in the mid-1990s after he acquired the Emerald City bar in New Orleans.
This four-day circuit party event is a remarkable experience, featuring diverse themes each night and performances by top DJs from around the world, alongside an array of good looking guests. The festivities kicked off on Thursday with the “Welcome to Paradise” theme, headlined by DJ Will Lowe, followed by “Heated Rivalry” on Friday with DJs Jace M and Toy Armada. Having not attended Memorial Day weekend in Pensacola for over two decades, everything felt refreshingly new. Saturday’s theme, “Close Encounters,” showcased DJs Erik Vilar and Karsten Sollors, with guests embracing the space-age motif in their outfits. The large tent housing the parties was adorned with vibrant lights, while the DJs performed on a stage illuminated by a dynamic video wall that shifted throughout the night. The dance floor was teeming with some of the most beautiful people in minimal attire, creating a visually captivating atmosphere. I spent the night dancing, forging new friendships, and reconnecting with familiar faces from New Orleans. The final night, themed “Primal,” saw DJ Abel energizing the crowd until 3 a.m. Congratulations to Johnny Chisholm and his team for orchestrating such a spectacular and alluring weekend of events.
Pensacola offers a vibrant beach scene during this weekend that feels like a world of its own, reminiscent of Bourbon Street but with a coastal twist, featuring lively parties under tents, colorful beads, lots of shots and a spirited atmosphere that shows lots of skin. The downtown bar scene is equally impressive, with popular spots like The Roundup and Cabaret, which recently hosted performances by Trinity the Tuck and the newly opened Dorothy’s. We even were able to make a jaunt to the outlet malls in Destin for half a day of shopping with a late lunch at a wonderful diner in Fort Walton Beach – The Chicken ‘N the Egg.
After Memorial Day, I extended my vacation with a stop in Gulfport, where I enjoyed lunch at The Shed, a quirky BBQ joint in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. This unique establishment combines an eccentric aesthetic that looks like a cross between the Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets Swamp People with a little Duck Dynasty thrown in for good measure. In addition to the unique décor, they boast mouthwatering barbecue and sides, particularly the cole slaw and brisket, which are exceptional.
My stay at the Island Vieux Casino, a favorite of mine for its non-smoking environment, was followed by a delightful dinner with former Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Jeffrey Mayeux and his partner Travis Pitre at Neighbors Tap & Table, a new gay-owned restaurant in downtown Gulfport. Owned by Matthew Bounds, known as “Your Barefoot Neighbor” on TikTok, the restaurant exceeded my expectations with its creative craft cocktails and delectable small plates, including standout dishes like Pork Rinds and Pineapple Cornbread. We also ran into another former Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Olive there. We concluded the evening at Jeffrey’s venue, SIPPS, enjoying Country Night Tuesdays with live line dance lessons, where the lively atmosphere and skilled bartending by sexy Dakota made for a memorable night out. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to making my Gulf Coast adventure truly unforgettable.
