ORANGE BEACH, AL — Patrons of live music and great food are invited to come in and welcome one of Orange Beach’s newest venues, The Hot Spot.

Located at The Wharf in the old Ginny Lane’s building, the Hot Spot brings a different kind of attitude to the entertainment district.

Island Times Daiquiri Bar owner, Bobby Graves thought of opening the new establishment when he overheard his customers at Daiquiri Bar discuss what they wanted in a restaurant/bar.

“We sat there and always listened to how we didn’t have food at the Daiquiri Bar, and you always hear people saying what they want in a bar and what they want in food,” Graves said. “So finally, I opened my mouth and decided to have food that no one else is doing.”

Built to host live music and large crowds, the Hot Spot also offers an extensive menu that’s a little different than what the area is used to. The menu offers plenty of variety, but there are many menu items that have a Cajun flare.

“I wanted things from back home in Louisiana ,” Graves said. “Like the roast beef poboy and the shrimp dishes and the thin cut catfish.”

All of these items are offered on the menu as well as burgers, a variety of wings with different sauces and entrees like shrimp n’ grits. Appetizers range from Conecuh sausage bites to pretzels to BBQ shrimp to shrimp wontons and much more.

The restaurant also makes its own sauces from honey mustard to Parmesan garlic butter pretzel dip to Wild Bill’s wing sauce and more. The restaurant also offers a breakfast menu all day until close.

“The food is great and everything we have is the best,” Graves said. “We’ve turned into a fun place. With the records on the wall, the guitars, the beer waterfall, TV’s playing music videos everywhere. We’re an entertainment place with great food.”

As for live music, Graves plans on bringing all acts to the venue. From regional acts to local artists, depending on the night.

Currently, The Hot Spot plans to have live bands Thursday thorough Saturday, but plans on expanding to seven days a week. The Hot Spot also plans to host the second annual Gulf Coast Songwriter Shootout later this year.

“Right now we’re taking our training wheels off and learning what things we need to do,” Graves said. “We don’t want to get that reputation of waiting too long for food or our food not being good. Where the future goes depends on how everything goes right now, we’ll let the customer dictate it to us.”