AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, a longstanding fixture on the Destin Harbor, is set to commemorate its 40th anniversary with the inaugural National AJ’s Day on Sept. 27.

• Since its inception in 1984, AJ’s has grown from a small trailer shucking oysters on the Destin Harbor to four locations along Florida’s Emerald Coast. These include the original AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar on Destin Harbor, AJ’s Oyster Shanty on Okaloosa Island, AJ’s On the Bayou in Fort Walton Beach, and AJ’s Grayton Beach on 30A.

The establishment has become known for its fresh seafood, live entertainment and connection to local fishing culture. AJ’s also offers water activities, adding to its appeal as a coastal destination.

Alan Laird, AJ’s founder and owner, attributes the restaurant’s success to a simple philosophy. “My philosophy has always been, you’ve got to have enough to make people want to go there, to eat there, to stay there, to come back there, and to tell their friends to go there,” Laird said.

Over the years, AJ’s has served multiple generations of families, becoming a tradition for both locals and tourists. The restaurant features a variety of live entertainment, including one-man acoustic shows, duos, and full touring bands.

The National AJ’s Day celebration will be held at the original Destin Harbor location. The event will feature live music throughout the day on the outdoor Tiki Village and Jumbotron Stage. Grammy-nominated band Fastball, known for hits like “The Way” and “Out of My Head,” will headline the festivities.

• As part of the celebration, AJ’s will offer special 40-cent menu items rotating hourly, allowing patrons to sample some of the restaurant’s popular dishes.

AJ’s has maintained strong ties to Destin’s fishing heritage. The restaurant serves as the permanent headquarters for the Destin Fishing Rodeo weigh-ins each October and displays fishing memorabilia throughout its Destin location, including buoys, antique outboards, and fish mounts from notable local fishermen.

In addition to National AJ’s Day, AJ’s Destin hosts special events throughout the year, such as ‘Tribute Tuesdays’, featuring national touring Tribute bands covering some of the greatest eras and bands in music history. 

For more information about National AJ’s Day and other events, visitors can check AJ’s online calendar or Facebook page.