Patrick Fowler, Blake Mims, Chris Coleman and another silent partner gathered around a table one night. These men shared dream: to open a restaurant of their own in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Mims is a Tuscaloosa native that attended Mississippi State University. During college, he would bring his fraternity brothers back home to visit, and each time, Blake’s dream would be reinforced.
Fowler and Coleman have worked in almost every bar in Tuscaloosa since they moved here. Throughout their time here they have learned all of the ends and outs of the industry. They have always been “in the business” and now it is their time to shine.
Six months have passed since that discussion at the table. Fowler, Mims and Coleman are able to see their dream become a reality. After months of hard work, planning, searching for the perfect location, sifting through 80 options for names and putting the finishing touches on everything: it came together.
Wheelhouse Sports Pub opened its doors on November 4, 2015.
“Ever since January things have just fallen into place for us,” Mims said. “It is amazing, at first we questioned everything. Is this the right location? Will all of this work together? But the best part of all of this is being able to watch every idea we have had come to life.”
It is no secret that Tuscaloosa has a good bar scene. But what sets Wheelhouse a part?
One word.
Two syllables.
BAR-ARCADE.
Wheelhouse is the only "bar-cade" in town. A bar-cade is a bar with many arcade games from different time periods for you to enjoy. What is better than that?
It is also owned and operated by locals with a local vision. Fowler, Mims and Coleman are still looking for so many things to add to Wheelhouse to make it the perfect place to hangout.
Parents, college students and kids of all ages can come and enjoy good food, good fun and of course sports in a great atmosphere.
Wheelhouse is located at 2326 4th Street in the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa. It opens at 11 a.m. for lunch during the week, and it doesn’t stop serving food until people stop ordering. They open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, just in time for game days.
Even on Sundays Wheelhouse is open and still serving food after 9:30 p.m. for people who want to stick around and keep watching Sunday night football.
“We want to be a place that people can go to and feel at home no matter what time of day it is,” Mims said. “Even if it is 3 a.m. we want people to know that they are welcome.”
Each night if the week, Wheelhouse has a different activity to offer. This is a list of their weekly specials:
Monday: Monday Night Football
Tuesday: Sports Trivia with Special Guests. These guests could even include members of the Alabama Football Team.
Wednesday: Air Hockey Tournaments.
Thursday: Skee ball Tournaments.
Saturday: 99.1 Radio with Bud Light Girls.
Sunday: The entire NFL Package.
For more information about Wheelhouse, check them out on Facebook.
