Spinnaker Nightclub was an instantaneous success. OPCB’s best recollection is that it opened in the summer of 1970.
This photo appears to be from their opening season. At the time, Spinnaker was the first building on what was a very long stretch of Thomas Drive with vast open dunes. OPCB visited Spinnaker as soon as the law allowed. I think it was strictly a discotheque for several years before live bands appeared. Spinnaker was so successful that other locations began to emulate their business model.
Many nightclub ventures on Panama City Beach have shined brightly and burned out fast. I guess Spinnaker has the record at ~48 years.
