A new bar is preparing to open in downtown Fairhope this month after receiving final approval from the Fairhope City Council in July. 87 West, located at 212 Fairhope Avenue, is the venture of an ownership group made up of sisters Carly and Chelsea Pirtle and Steve Olechnowicz.
Chelsea Pirtle brings a range of restaurant management experience to the new business, while Carly Pirtle previously worked behind the bar at Dragonfly Foodbar in Fairhope. According to Chelsea, the name 87 West is a nod to Fairhope’s longitudinal coordinates.
The new spot will operate primarily as a bar, focusing on handcrafted cocktails and a wide selection of bourbon and whiskey. It will also offer a small snack menu and gaming for guests.
About the approval process
In Alabama, a business seeking a retail alcohol license must first get approval from the local governing body, in this case the Fairhope City Council, before the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board issues the license.
Fairhope was founded in 1894 as a “single tax” colony by followers of economist Henry George, and Fairhope Avenue runs through the heart of its downtown business district.
