By Alaina Loughridge - Photo by Wen McNally
May’s Bartender of the Month is truly a Tybee gem! Not only does she act
like she sprouted from a mermaid pod, but she has the best personality of
a laid-back chick living the life on the beach. Lee Fussell of Nickie’s Bar
& Grill is our girl and I swear if she can’t make you smile, then you best
head back from whence you came. I had a chance to hook up with this
blonde enchantress and get not only her go-to cocktail (my God, I was bent
after two of those), but get the scoop of the month.
Born in Verdun, France (ooh la la), Lee hit the world as an Army brat. Her
daddy had traveled around a bit, but after Lee was born, moved the family
to Atlanta where she was raised with her sister. DeKalb County was home
for Lee’s formative years and after she graduated from high school, it was
clear to her that she was meant to be in the industry. Slinging drinks at
42 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | MAY 2018
18 years old in Tucker at C.W. Shaw’s, life just happened and happily so.
Five years later moving on to Long Horn’s Steak House, Lee spent 20 years
there working her ass off as everything - waitress, bartender, oh and a
corporate trainer! That’s some know-how and dedication to the job right
there, y’all.
Four years ago (and after years of working to get here), Lee FINALLY ended
up on Tybee! She has been coming here as a kid while babysitting her
cousin and always knew in her guts that Tybee was going to be it for her.
Well damn girl! Took you long enough!
Here are the deepest secrets of Lee’s life:
Tybee Life: Four years
Passion: Life, the beach, and the deck at her house
When she grows up: Nope, not doing it
Spirit Animal: A Mermaid! Loves the ocean and hey, who said the
Spirit Animal had to be based in reality and who says a mermaid
isn’t???
Lee’s go-to drink is called a Sneaky Blonde and I have to say, that cocktail
sneaks up on you. I had two and went to stand up and there went me being
graceful and debonair as I damn near fell on my face. Loved every second
of it!!!! Watch out for Lee! She is a sneaky blonde! Go see her at Nickie’s
Bar & Grill. You’ll happily regret every moment.