Cocktail enthusiasts in Sault Ste. Marie looking for a place to dress up and socialize will soon have a place to do just that.
Melissa Thompson, owner of The Whisky Barrel on Gore Street, will soon open Wisp Lounge in a currently vacant Queen Street East storefront.
In a telephone interview, Thompson said she opened The Whisky Barrel six years ago after a trip to Scotland with her husband Dunbar.
"I created The Whisky Barrel with him to give the community something different. He really liked the pubs in Scotland and we wanted to bring a little bit of that atmosphere to town," Thompson said.
Now, six years later, she is opening an additional establishment on Queen Street East near East Street, in a space formerly inhabited by Stork + Bundle.
"We'll have about 35 seats and we're looking to open, hopefully, in the first or second week of December," Thompson said.
The name Wisp Lounge comes from creatures of folklore. Thompson said the establishment will sell all kinds of cocktails, including one that is smoked that will be named 'Will-o'-the-Wisp.'
The lounge will also feature charcuterie boards 'with a twist' with smoked meats and cheeses.
"A wisp is kind of like a wisp of smoke. We're also [Dungeons & Dragons] players and a wisp is a fantasy creature. So it kind of gets a bit of both sides," she said.
Ciders, beer and desserts will also be on the menu, as well as mocktails — cocktails that don't contain alcohol.
"Those who are non-alcoholic drinkers or are driving can have a nice mocktail or two," Thompson said.
The lounge design will shy away from tables, and feature comfortable seating like couches, benches and bar stools. Although there will be no specific dress code, she said her hope is the sophisticated design of the space will inspire people to dress up for a night out.
"Some girls just like to wear their nice clothes once in a while and go out for a drink," Thompson said. "There's not really anywhere in town where you can do that."
Like the atmosphere they created at The Whisky Barrel, the Wisp Lounge will be built around the idea of people gathering together and socializing.