Experience the Oyster at The Hangout 2026

An oyster festival weekend of unforgettable culinary delights - Experience the Oyster at The Hangout presented by Murder Point Oysters

Experience the Oyster at The Hangout, presented by Murder Point Oysters

Join us for an oyster festival weekend of unforgettable culinary delights and entertainment at Experience the Oyster at The Hangout, presented by Murder Point Oysters! 🤙🦪

Friday kicks off with an exclusive VIP Kickoff at Zeke's Restaurant from 6PM-10PM. Savor fresh oysters, delectable appetizers, and enjoy a cocktail soirée with renowned chefs and Gulf & Atlantic Coast farmers.

On Saturday, the excitement continues at The Hangout! Experience the Oyster is scheduled to run from 11:30AM to 5PM, with VIP guests enjoying special early access starting at 10:30AM. Immerse yourself in live music, hand-crafted cocktails, chef demos, and a big screen football experience.

Not an oyster fan or just need a different taste? No worries! We will also have gumbo to sample too. The Hangout Restaurant is also open and has food for all taste buds AND...

NEW for 2026 - SURF MEETS TURF! Alongside thousands of the Gulf's & Atlantic's best oysters, Experience the Oyster is bringing the heat to land. This year, chef-driven, fire-grilled steak bites join the oyster bar for the first time ever — same coastal craft, now with steak on the board. 1 Tasting Ticket = 1 Oyster or 1 Steak Bite.

Feast on raw and cooked oysters, gumbo, steak and get ready to savor the Gulf Coast's finest at Experience the Oyster!

Ticket Information:

General Admission

• $75.00
• Admission to Saturday
• Raw & Cooked oysters from the Gulf and Atlantic
• Grilled steak bites
• Meet-and-greets with special guest chefs
• Live Music
• SEC Football experience on the big screens
• Hand crafted-cocktail, beer, and wine available all day
• One (1) Tasting Ticket Set which includes ten (10) tasting tickets

VIP sponsored by SmartBank - Limited Tickets Available

• $200.00
• All the General Admission access and...
• Admission to the exclusive Friday VIP Kickoff @ Zeke’s Restaurant from 6PM to 10PM. Beer, wine, oysters, and appetizers included.
• Early admission to Saturday - 10:30AM entry time
• Exclusive VIP demos
• Access to the private VIP area sponsored by SmartBank
• Complimentary beer, wine, limited cocktails and water while supplies last
• One (1) Tasting Ticket Set which includes ten (10) tasting tickets
• Limited Premium Parking spaces available for purchase to only VIPs

Tasting Tickets

• $40.00
• Each Tasting Ticket Set purchase includes ten (10) tasting tickets
• 1 ticket = 1 oyster or 1 steak bite
• Guests can purchase additional tasting tickets in advance online

Who's Coming?

The Chefs:

Taste oyster dishes made by special guest chefs. Grab all of these chef dishes throughout day and enjoy the raw oysters from the farms that provide all of the event’s oysters.

• Dylan Feenker - The Hangout ⎸ Gulf Shores, AL & Myrtle Beach, SC
• Bill Briand - Little Bird & The Hope Farm ⎸ Fairhope, AL
• Bobby Matos - State of Grace ⎸ Houston, TX
• Brian Paolina - Lucy's | Auburn, AL
• DeAundre Bailey - The Citizen ⎸ Alys Beach, FL
• Eric Rivera ⎸ Auburn, AL
• George Lazi & Emily Veal - Pearl & Horn ⎸ Pensacola, FL
• Jeff Hansell - Thorny Oyster ⎸ Bay St. Louis, MS
• Jeremiah Matthews - Southwood Kitchen ⎸ Daphne, AL
• Jesse Houston - Switchback Supper Club
• *Jim Smith - Hummingbird Way ⎸ Mobile, AL - VIP DEMO CHEF
• Josh Quick - Odette | Florence, AL
• Larry Agnew - The Grand Marlin ⎸ Pensacola, FL
• Mike Wehner - Southern Roots at The Grand Hotel ⎸ Point Clear, AL
• Pete Blohme - Sunset Pointe ⎸ Fairhope, AL
• Kaleb Melvin - Le Moyne’s Chophouse at the Admiral Hotel ⎸ Mobile, AL
• Randy Harris - Jesse’s Restaurant ⎸ Magnolia Springs, AL & Fort Morgan, AL
• Ricky Brimlow - Zeke’s Restaurant ⎸ Orange Beach, AL
• Robert Kraatz - The Gulf ⎸ Orange Beach, AL
• Ryan Stroup - Kiva Dunes ⎸ Gulf Shores, AL
• Scott Simpson - The Depot ⎸ Auburn, AL
• *Tony Messina - James Beard Award | Hollywood, CA - VIP DEMO CHEF
• Will Sams - The Pearl ⎸ Fairhope, AL
• Ashley Jackson - Johin’na ⎸ Birmingham, AL

The Farms:

• Murder Point Oysters ⎸ Bayou La Batre, AL
• Blackjack Point Oyster Co. ⎸ Aransas Bay, TX
• Brightside Oysters | Grand Isle, LA
• Eagle Point Oyster Co. ⎸ Ocean Springs, MS
• Isle Dauphine ⎸ Dauphin Island, AL
• Low Country Oyster Co. ⎸ Charleston, SC
• Matheson Oyster Co. | Gloucester, VA
• Oyster Bros | Matagorda, TX
• Pelican Oyster Co. ⎸ Spring Creek, FL
• SharkBite Oysters ⎸ New Smyrna Beach, FL
• Mason Hill Farms | Grand Bay, AL

Other Information:

-Tasting tickets do not grant admission to the Friday or Saturday events. Tasting tickets cannot be used to purchase food or beverages at The Hangout. Tasting tickets, whether used or unused, have no cash value.

-For a list of Prohibited Items, please click HERE or visit our website www.ExperienceTheOyster.com

-Children aged 5 and under admitted free with a ticketed adult.

-Lineup and schedule are subject to change.

-This event is rain or shine.

-All sales are final.

Visit our website at www.ExperienceTheOyster.com for information