The End of an Era in Southern Maryland.......

[asphaltgambler]

The place was known as "Gilligan's Pier" for at least the last 20 years and prior to that "Pier III" in southern Md. shore on the Potomac river. That area is known locally as "Pope's Creek" Just a hop away is the 301 bridge south into Va. and the Dahlgren military base on the opposite shore.

IT was a Tiki Bar, Juke joint, music and entertainment venue, dive, watering hole with a million dollar view, etc. At any given weekend you might see a local farmer or someone prominent from DC politics, or musician stopping by to blow off steam. It was a place to see and be seen, but with no name-dropping outside the place. Over the years they added dump-truck loads of sand to create a bigger beach, palm trees, stage, 2 outside bars made from junk fishing boats, extended the pier out into deeper water with water and shore power for larger boats. Sometimes there would be a whole separate scene on the bigger boats tied to the end of the long pier, you'd walk out there, they'd invite you onboard.......

At night the whole outside, palm trees, fence would be lit with cheap Christmas lights creating a cool glow about. I remember through until the early 90's you could get a 'go cup' at last call. Asking for such, the bartender would give you a solo cup with top and straw with whatever you wanted 'for the ride home'!! That ended with MADD, and the tightening of DD laws, but if you were a regular, they would still give you one, but inside a small white paper bag They could get away with that because it is in a rural area, lots of countryside, farms and back roads. BTW, just up the street on Rt 301 is 1 of 3 last remaining drive-through liquor stores

Frequently on Holiday weekends in the Summer, go-fast boats of all sizes would roll in from up near the DC area, come down and dock. Then after some bench racing at the bar, a couple would go out, go north up river, turn around and drag race down in front of the bar and whomever got to the 301 bridge first, won. Usually they raced for @1 mile total. Of course all kinds of cash betting, trash talk went on.

There was all sorts of live music, but largely Classic rock, Blues and some Country. They had a volleyball net on the beach, where at times all would watch the women play....... All-in-all really great times and an unbelievable mix of people, colors, backgrounds, financial status all mixing in harmony and just having fun.

In the winter, when business was slow, they would have big-name bands from all over come and play. They would move most all the tables and create one big dance floor. One band I remember seeing was "KIX" out of Baltimore, Md. in the early 90's. I couldn't believe they were playing this place, but by that time hair bands had fallen by the wayside and grunge was in. It was big hair courtesy of auqa-net, shoulder-pads, high style, high-heels, loud music in a dump that was just too cool for anywhere else.


Yesterday was the last day. They had closed the place for business late fall of 2021 and put it up for sale. They auctioned off all the trinkets, signs, lights and crap that was stapled, nailed and bolted to the building. I bid online and won 2 Wild-Turkey metal signs, went there yesterday to take them down and have 1 last look around..........

[Seahawk]

I wish I would have known!

I lived in Cobb Island for two years before we moved to the farm, which was just over 12 miles away.

I may have had a few cocktails there

[asphaltgambler]

Actually, we drove down to Cobb island after getting our stuff from Gilligan's and saying our goodbyes. We had lunch at this dive called "Scuttlebutt's at the marina with decent food and liquor

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Actually, we drove down to Cobb island after getting our stuff from Gilligan's and saying our goodbyes. We had lunch at this dive called "Scuttlebutt's at the marina with decent food and liquor

New place...but it has been 26 years😎

We lived at 11980 Neale Sound Drive. Loved it.