Mudbugs Dive Bar — Restaurant in Gulf Shores

Our go-to spot on our vacation this week. We always try to find karaoke places when we travel.... and this place (supposedly) does Karaoke nightly. The 3 nights in a row we went, they did have it.

It was a blast. It was a different crowd every night but always seemed to liven up after about 10pm. For as many people that were coming in and out, there were zero issues or drama that unfolded, always a plus in our books. We met some great people. The bartenders were awesome. On our second day to go to Mudbugs, when we walked in the door, the bartender had our drinks ready when he saw us coming in. We didn't even have to order. The tab was never opened under my name, but he knew my name just from talking to me once the night before, and made sure to let me know he remembered my name too. You don't find that kind of service and attention to detail much anymore.

It's a smaller place but roomy at the same time. Parking can be a little confined but manageable.

The decorations inside are unique. And you'll understand when you go inside how they got the name Mudbugs.

Beers are somewhere around $5 range. I never paid much attention to the exact price. Shots a little priceir at $7.25. Usually at the end of the night our tab was still under $100 and that was for 4 people. I dont think they have food here (I never saw anyone with any sort of bar food on their tables anyways..... 10/10 would definitely go here again in our future trips to...

I recently had the misfortune of visiting Mudbugs, and let me tell you, it was an experience I won't forget anytime soon—no matter how hard I try! First off, we paid a cover charge for what we thought would be live music, but nope, no band in sight. Just the sweet sounds of bubbling toilets. Yes, you heard me right—bubbling toilets! They were overflowing like some kind of gross water feature gone wrong.

As if that wasn't enough, the drinks tasted like undercooked hotdogs. I didn't know that was even possible, but congratulations to the bartender for achieving the impossible. And here's a fun twist: with each order, the drink cups got smaller and smaller. By the end of the night, I was pretty sure they were serving shots in thimbles.

Oh, and did I mention the $25 minimum? Yes, you had to spend at least $25 for the privilege of this horrendous experience. It was like they were charging extra for the bubbling toilet ambiance and hotdog-flavored drinks.

The service? Let's just say the fire ants were more attentive in the outdoor seating area. Speaking of which, they were everywhere, giving the place a nice, painful ambiance. And the smell—oh, the smell. It was like something had died and brought its worm friends to the party. If you're looking for a night out that's truly unforgettable (in the worst way possible), Mudbugs is the...

Review: A Hidden Gem That Knows Exactly What It Is

Tucked away in the heart of Gulf Shores, this bar is everything you didn’t know you needed after a long day of souvenir shopping and selfie-snapping. If kitsch is an art form, this place is a masterpiece. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s precisely the magic. It’s part dive, part time capsule, all heart.

The cocktails are fun, unfussy, and hit the spot. The staff here don’t just serve—they perform. Warm, witty, and genuinely happy to be part of the chaos, they’ll remember your name, your order, and probably your pet’s name by the end of the night. They're the heartbeat of the bar. Shoutout Mac

In a town packed with cookie-cutter spots aiming to “go viral,” this bar succeeds just by being unapologetically itself. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to keep secret—while also telling everyone about it.

Perfect for: spontaneous singalongs, drinks with character (and characters), and stories you’ll never be able to explain...