Snap shot of Whisky

A new bar, Whisky, has quietly opened at 100 N. Arlington Ave. You may know the spot as the original incarnation of Se7en Tea House and Bar, whose sole location is now inside the West Street Market. Whisky looks much like Se7en did, but with a new coat of black and gold paint and some snazzy new chairs, couches and bar tables. The grand opening was March 4, the hours are 4 p.m. to 3 a.m., and cocktails start at $5. Bartender Myra Lawrence filled us in on the rest of the details.

What makes Whisky so special?

“We make our own syrup, season our own olives and onions. We have vanilla, brown sugar, mint and spiced syrups. We make our own grenadine. … We’re going to start infusing our own vodkas. We did a jalapeño vodka, and it ran out in three or four days. We had to open all the jalapeños and grill them. It’s like getting maced, but it was totally worth it. … We put bacon on a kebab skewer in our Bloody Mary’s. It’s really delicious. … We try to get things you can’t get elsewhere, like we have ginger beer, gluten-free beer.”

Tell me about the alcohol selection.

“They’re emphasizing whiskey and bourbons, separated by region. We have vintage Jameson, Japanese whisky—Yamazaki, people have been asking for it; it’s single malt whisky aged 12 years.”

Signature drink?

“We took a lot of the old classic drinks and put our spin on them.” (The menu features drinks like the Old Fashioned, Mint Julep, and Manhattan.)

“And everyone who works here came up with a drink they’d like to be on here.” (Hers is the Dirty Myratini, featuring vodka, olive juice and sriracha.) “It’s like pho but in a drink.

“Then there’s the Russian Nut, which is a White Russian with peanut butter vodka. It sounds strange, but it’s delicious. … It took a long time for us to find something peanut butter vodka would be good in.”

What type of person would like it here?

“The owners don’t want it to be too stuffy. College kids can come in, but if they want to bring their parents, it wouldn’t be weird. Really, anyone who wants a good drink.”