Reviewed by: Pat Byington
New bar 87 West coming to Fairhope this August with cocktails + gaming
Reading time: 3 minutes
A new cocktail bar devoted to making patrons “want to stay for another round” is coming to downtown Fairhope, and its owners are aiming for a mid-to-late August opening.
87 West, set to open at 212 Fairhope Avenue, cleared one of its final regulatory hurdles Wednesday, July 27, when the Fairhope City Council approved the bar’s liquor license.
Meet the Pirtle sisters
Co-owner Chelsea Pirtle said she and her sister, Carly Pirtle, had talked for years about opening a small bar in Fairhope, an idea that goes back to Chelsea’s bartending days at the Grand Hotel.
The sisters, now in their 30s and 40s, teamed up with Steve Olechnowicz, owner of local tech company Geostream Solutions, who built out the bar’s sound, lighting and tech systems.
According to the bar’s website:
“87 West started with a simple question. Why didn’t Fairhope have a little bar like this? A proper bar, one where the drinks are made with care, the lighting is right, and you actually want to stay for another.”
What will 87 West serve?
The Pirtles originally planned to open 87 West as a full liquor restaurant, but a kitchen layout issue in the building forced a change of plans, Chelsea said.
87 West will operate as a cocktail bar, serving mocktails and snacks rather than a full food menu, at least for now.
Old Fairhope building restored to its 1946 look
The future space of 87 West has had several lives, most recently as a salon, but Chelsea said the building first opened as a laundromat in 1946.
The team pulled out the drop ceilings, glossy tile flooring and drywall to expose the original rafters and shiplap ceiling. Now, there is a poured concrete floor and matching concrete bar top.
“Once you walk in the door, you’re going to be amazed.”
Chelsea Pirtle, co-owner of 87 West
87 West plans gaming area with Xbox, PlayStation
Beyond the drink menu, 87 West plans a gaming area near the front of the building, with Xbox and PlayStation consoles set up in nooks with couches and TVs, plus casual games like trivia on the screens.
Why is it called 87 West?
The name nods to Fairhope’s spot on the map. 87 West refers to the city’s longitude, paired with its latitude near 30 North.
