The town of Fairhope is abuzz in the aftermath of a local birthday party that would have made Jay Gatsby proud. “But I’m not sure if I had more fun going to the party or planning it, ” Fairhope decorator Suzie Winston admits.
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In celebration of their 50th birthdays, Suzie and her husband, Stephen, a family practice doctor, took friends and family back in time to the age of Prohibition, flapper girls and luxury. The night began at Fairhope’s Tongue and Groove Drinkery (of which Stephen is a co-owner) where guests were required to provide a password. Once granted access by a gruff Brooklyn bouncer, partygoers were immediately greeted with Champagne and delicious specialty cocktails with names such as the Hemingway or the Aviation.
Without warning, a self-proclaimed Prohibition officer raided the party and escorted its guests onto a trolley for transport to a secret location. Rather than face jail time, guests were taken to a private mansion in Point Clear, complete with a third floor circular bar with a view of Mobile Bay, professional dancers performing flapper routines, cigar girls, a red 1929 Ford Roadster and lavish food from Classic City Catering in Pensacola.
“People told me they hadn’t danced that hard in 10 or 20 years, ” Suzie says of the feedback received since the party. “We had so much fun, I’m not sure we can wait until our 60th birthdays. This may become a yearly event!”
ABOVE An intimidating bouncer with a Brooklyn accent guarded the “speakeasy” entrance.
ABOVE The party glittered both day and night with metallic gold accents and candles.
ABOVE Even the couple’s dog, Petunia, got in on the action, dressing up as Petey from “The Little Rascals.”
ABOVE With flirty cocktails and period costumes, this 1920s-themed birthday bash would have made Gatsby proud.
Hemingway
1 1/4 ounces Cruzan rum
1 ounce Maraschino Luxardo
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
Bordeaux cherry, if desired
1. In a martini shaker, combine the first 4 ingredients. Shake with ice for 10 – 15 seconds, then strain into coup glass.
2. Garnish with cherry, if desired. Makes 1 cocktail.
Aviation
2 ounces Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin
1 ounce Maraschino Luxardo
1 ounce Creme de Violette
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 dash Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters
orange twist, if desired
Bordeaux cherry, if desired
1. In a martini shaker, combine the first 5 ingredients. Shake with ice for 10 – 15 seconds, then strain into a coup glass.
2. Garnish with orange twist and a cherry, if desired. Makes 1 cocktail.
ABOVE Delicious appetizers, including fresh Gulf oysters, kept partygoers dancing into the night.
ABOVE Guests mingled and admired each other’s costumes while sipping Prohibition-style cocktails.
ABOVE Men enjoyed cigars and brandy under the stars.
ABOVE Cigar girls wandered the party passing out smokes and luring guests back to the full cigar bar.
text by Breck Pappas • photos by Elizabeth Gelineau
