Just when you thought Atlanta's nightlife scene couldn't get any better, Drew and Brittany Fancher are bringing you the ultimate going out destination.
PHOTO BY SARA HANNA
Veterans of the corporate world, Drew (@drew_fanch) and Brittany Fancher (@brittyfancher44) turned a dream into reality, and that dream began with a mobile cocktail service at the onset of COVID-19. They could no longer ignore their entrepreneurial spirits; thus, an adventure began as the pair became more than just husband and wife; they became business partners. What started as a weekend gig soon evolved into a passion project to open their own high-end craft cocktail bar. Enter THE FORUM COCKTAIL CO. (@forumcocktailco).
The lounge emphasizes craft cocktail presentations including the tequila street sour, alpine smash and lavendar haze PHOTO BY SARA HANNA
As you can see on our cover, the time and effort put into the space might as well be blood, sweat, and tears as they have navigated a new industry in a bustling city. “The Forum,” as Drew calls it, is focused on the experience as a whole, from the cocktails and food to the overall ambiance, “Our goal is to be constantly innovating and pushing the limits while also educating our guests and bringing them along this journey with us,” says Drew. Drawn to the Westside of Atlanta for the welcoming environment established by The Chattahoochee Food Works development and the Selig family, they felt that their concept was the perfect fit for the area as it grows and becomes a hot spot for dining and experiencing the city. In the front, patrons can expect a Romanesque aesthetic with textured paint design details that mimic the classical architecture and even a 5-foot-tall statue in the middle of the back bar.
Brittany and Drew Fancher embrace the exotic ambiance of the cocktail club’s interior. PHOTO BY SARA HANNA
However, the cocktail lounge is not one, but two completely individual experiences, “You go down the beautiful hallway that is full of unique artwork and enter through a secret passage,” says Drew, “ and you are transported to a midcentury modern speakeasy with abundant lounge seating and a beautiful bar.” Inspiration for the interiors comes from their abundant travel forays, “We drew design direction from a number of places! Brittany and I have been blessed to be able to travel to South America, Africa, and Europe, and we drew from bars in each country and city we visited.” And with the help of their talented designers, the vision has come to fruition. Although to get the whole experience, you’ll have to venture over to West Midtown yourself to delve into the hard work and magic put into the new speakeasy. A lot of that magic comes from the couple’s dynamic. With Drew as the numbers guy and Brittany as the creative spark, their complementary attributes have made The Forum Cocktail Co. what it is today, a physical representation of their hard work and zeal to see an idea through to the end. “This process has honestly taught us how to communicate better and shown each other what our strengths and weaknesses are,” says Drew, and as they have grown, so has their business. From tableside specials and Instagram-able moments to incredible service, the upscale bar is your new luxury cocktail experience that will keep you coming back time and time again.
Photography by: Sara Hanna
