Co-owners Mackenzie Klyce, Max Donaldson and Taylor Atchison developed Follies Oysters & Cocktails with a shared vision: to offer Mobilians a traditional oyster bar featuring local seafood. Their vision came to life in the former Crystal Ice Factory garage building on Monroe Street, directly across from their other joint venture, the Ice Box Bar and Velvet Pig.
“I’ve always wondered why a traditional oyster bar didn’t exist in Mobile,” says Klyce, who opened Velvet Pig in 2023 with her husband, Donaldson, when they moved back to Mobile after living in New Orleans. “This is something that we’re both passionate about, especially me. We just thought, ‘Now’s the time to do it.’ This space opened up. Our other business partner, Taylor, wanted to open something else, and so oysters were our first instinct.”
Their instincts were spot on, leading the business partners to turn their new space into an upscale yet welcoming atmosphere. Wooden tables provide warmth while gold accents and rich green walls, floor tiles and table settings offer elegance, complemented by cozy banquettes and beautiful paintings by Mary Ball, Klyce’s high school classmate. But what draws the eye is the striking mosaic above the curved marble bar, creating a beautiful showcase for Alabama farm-raised oysters. “All of our seafood comes from the Alabama Gulf Coast,” Klyce explains.
Local crab is the star of the blue crab noodles, one of the most popular dishes, featuring a house-made pasta that is dyed red with natural ingredients rather than food coloring. But the main event is, of course, the oysters. Isle Dauphine oysters are the house oyster. Guests can enjoy these delicacies on the half shell, either raw and dressed with luxurious mignonettes like salsa verde or strawberries and champagne, or charbroiled and topped with butters like chimichurri or a peach barbecue dry rub. Those who can’t decide between the toppings can choose a flight of either style that comes with two of each flavor.
With a beautiful space, inventive cocktails and an incredible menu, Follies is a feast for the senses as well as the appetite. The new venture encourages patrons to appreciate the bounty of the Bay area, as Klyce says, “I hope people take away a little bit of knowledge on oysters and the abundance that the Gulf Coast and Mobile Bay have to offer.”
On the Menu
RAW OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL
A flight of a half dozen oysters on the half shell is dressed with three mignonettes: tangy and refreshing strawberries and champagne, herbaceous salsa verde and bold michelada.
STEAK FRITES
For those craving a satisfying meal from land rather than sea, a filet is seared and served with velvety bordelaise sauce and beef fat fried potatoes.
WEST INDIES SALAD
This classic dish, invented in Mobile, features jumbo lump and lump crab meat and onions marinated in flavorful vinegar and oil, served with crackers and lettuce and topped with lemon and salsa matcha.
SAUTEED RED SNAPPER
A fresh-caught snapper fillet is sauteed until crisp and laid over a light yet decadent tarragon butter and fennel broth, then paired perfectly with sliced sweet potatoes.
Follies Oysters & Cocktails • 800 Monroe St., Mobile. 526-2800 folliesoyster.com
Tue – Sat 3 – 10 p.m., closed Sun and Mon
