Fairhope is famous for its downtown bistros, waterfront seafood spots and flower-lined streets, but for a long time the city lacked a dedicated place to watch the game with a crowd. In late 2023, Tammy’s Sports Bar and Grill set out to fill that gap. Opened in the Eastern Shore Shopping Center, the renovated and rebranded Fairhope sports bar leans all the way into its theme, from referee-uniformed servers to a menu organized like a scorecard. A visit during a ladies’ lunch in November 2023 showed that the place has plenty to offer even for guests who care more about the food than the final score.
This look at Tammy’s covers what the restaurant offered when it opened under new ownership, who is behind it, and why a full-fledged sports bar made sense for a growing Eastern Shore community.
A Familiar Name Returns to a Familiar Spot
The “Tammy” in Tammy’s Sports Bar and Grill is Tamara Wintzell, a well-known figure in the local restaurant scene. About a decade before the 2023 reopening, she operated a bar and grill at this same location. For the new venture, she teamed up with partners Rod Platt, John Matus, Pat Risley and Jeff Schemmel to renovate and rebrand the space.
The restaurant sits in the Eastern Shore Shopping Center, next door to Petsense, making it an easy stop for shoppers and neighbors on the east side of the city. Unlike downtown Fairhope, where parking can be a challenge on busy weekends, a shopping center location offers the kind of easy access that game-day crowds appreciate.
During the November 2023 visit, Rod Platt and John Matus were both on hand, greeting guests and keeping an eye on orders coming out of the kitchen. Having owners visible in the dining room is often a sign of a restaurant that is still finding its rhythm and wants to hear directly from its first customers, and it gave the reopening a personal, neighborhood feel. Wintzell was there too, doing what she is known for: making sure the food was high quality and the service was polished. Platt explained that partner Jeff Schemmel, a sports consultant, was responsible for gathering all of the memorabilia decorating the restaurant.
Sports Memorabilia on Every Wall
That collection is the first thing guests notice. Multiple big-screen televisions share wall space with balls from nearly every sport, pennants, jerseys and trophies. The decor covers the walls and spills onto the counters, making the room feel like a cross between a neighborhood tavern and a small sports museum.
One member of the lunch party described the menu as a “boys” menu, and it is easy to see why. The lineup is heavy on hearty, shareable bar food. But that is not a complaint. The reviewer happily admitted to having an appetite to match, and the group ended up enjoying every bite.
The theme carries through to the service. Servers are dressed as referees, and the menu sections borrow their names from the world of sports:
- Pre Game for appetizers
- Grand Slam for burgers
- Pitch Hitters and Extra Innings for other entrees and sides
- Little Leaguers for the children’s menu
The playful naming makes the menu fun to read and gives families a clear signal that kids are welcome.
What’s on the Plate
The food is the real draw, and portions are generous. At the November 2023 lunch, the orders included:
- Bases Loaded Nachos with chicken, topped with melted cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and salsa. The chips were fresh and sturdy enough to hold up under the toppings, which is the true test of any nacho plate.
- Ahi Tuna Tacos topped with coleslaw and a cucumber wasabi sauce, a lighter and brighter option than much of the menu.
- The Grand Slam Burger, a handmade, seasoned 10-ounce patty served on a brioche bun with a side of excellent french fries.
The servings were sized for hungry appetites, and still the group cleaned their plates. One of the diners was celebrating a birthday, so the staff brought out a Loaded Brownie a la Mode served in a mason jar. After a meal like that, the reviewer reported, dinner was not necessary that evening.
The menu reflects a broader truth about sports bars: the best ones succeed on food and hospitality, not just on the number of screens. A good burger, reliable wings or nachos and friendly service keep customers coming back on nights when there is no big game on.
A Covered Patio Built for Game Day
Behind the restaurant, Tammy’s added a covered patio with a second large bar, patio tables and fire pits for fans who prefer to watch outdoors. The patio was set to open the same afternoon as the lunch visit, and the group got a sneak peek. Everyone agreed it would work well for private parties.
Outdoor space is a valuable asset on the Gulf Coast. Baldwin County’s mild climate means patio season stretches much of the year, and fire pits make cooler fall and winter evenings comfortable, right in the heart of football season. For birthday gatherings, office parties, fantasy football drafts or watch parties, a semi-private covered area gives groups room to spread out.
Why Fairhope Wanted a Real Sports Bar
Fairhope has grown considerably in recent decades, drawing families, retirees and remote workers to the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. The city’s dining scene has grown with it, but much of that growth has centered on downtown restaurants focused on seafood, Southern cooking and upscale casual dining. A dedicated sports bar fills a different need: a lively, casual gathering place where neighbors can watch games together.
Sports bars also play a social role that is easy to overlook. For newcomers who have moved to Baldwin County from other states, a game-day crowd is one of the quickest ways to meet people and feel part of a community. Transplants cheering for their hometown NFL teams can find each other, while longtime locals trade good-natured barbs over college rivalries. A place with plenty of screens can show several games at once, which matters in a region where Saturday afternoons and Sunday afternoons are often packed with overlapping kickoffs.
That need is especially strong in Alabama, where college football is woven into daily life. Families are often split between Alabama and Auburn loyalties, and Saturdays in the fall revolve around kickoff times. The state’s two flagship programs meet each year in the Iron Bowl, one of the most famous rivalries in American sports. The series dates to 1893, and the game took its name from Birmingham’s history as a center of iron and steel production. For years it was played at Birmingham’s Legion Field before moving to the two campuses in Tuscaloosa and Auburn.
When Tammy’s reopened in November 2023, the Iron Bowl was just days away, set for Nov. 25 of that year. The expectation was that the restaurant would be packed with fans cheering on both sides, and that the new patio would add room for the overflow. Beyond college football, a sports bar in the area also serves fans of the NFL, the SEC’s other sports, baseball, basketball and major events like the Super Bowl, March Madness and golf’s majors.
More Than a Place to Watch the Game
The takeaway from the November 2023 visit was that Tammy’s is not only for die-hard fans. The reviewer freely admitted to not being much of a sports follower and not having attended a big university with major athletic programs. Still, the energy of the room, the food and drinks, the attentive service and the chance to socialize made it worth a return trip, game or no game.
That is part of what makes a good neighborhood sports bar valuable to a community. On a busy game day it is a gathering place where strangers cheer together. On a quiet weekday afternoon it is simply a friendly restaurant with a big menu and a comfortable room. A ladies’ lunch at a sports bar may sound like an unlikely combination, but at Tammy’s it worked.
Planning a Visit
When it opened under its new partnership in late 2023, Tammy’s Sports Bar and Grill was open six days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is located in the Eastern Shore Shopping Center next to Petsense in Fairhope. As with any restaurant, hours, menu items and prices can change over time, so it is a good idea to check with the restaurant directly before heading out, especially on big game days when tables may fill quickly.
A few tips for first-time visitors:
- Arrive early for major college football games and rivalry weekends, when crowds are likely to be largest.
- Ask about the covered patio if you are planning a birthday, team gathering or other private event.
- Bring an appetite. Portions are generous, and the desserts are built for sharing.
- Families can order from the Little Leaguers menu for children.
Whether you bleed crimson, shout “War Eagle,” or simply want a good burger and a lively atmosphere, Tammy’s Sports Bar and Grill set out to give Fairhope the kind of game-day hangout the city had been missing.