A brand new bar opened in Downtown this month: Juniper, 222 E. Congress St., is a gin-centric institution the place folks will be capable to take pleasure in craft cocktails, beer and extra.

The idea was impressed by European bars, particularly gin bars in Spain, stated advisor Kellner Brown of Pressed Rat Design.

“We have been impressed by the copa balon from Spain and whenever you have a look at it, it appears to be like like a big bowl on a wine glass stem. it is like a mix between a goblet and a merlot glass,” Brown stated. “And that is how they serve their gin and tonics.”

The drink menu has one thing for everyone. Brown stated there’s something distinctive in every drink. For instance, they’ll have dried inclusions that may go within the glass so as to add to the “olfactory expertise.” A few of these embrace peppercorns, strawberries and extra.

“One of many attention-grabbing components is dried seaweed,” Brown stated. “So one of many notes on this one drink is kelp and there can be dried seaweed contained in the glass.”

Brown stated the institution itself is laid-back, “loungey” and intimate, with candles on the tables. The partitions have uncovered brick, offering an industrial really feel to the ambiance. And as patrons take pleasure in their libations, jazz and “1920’s membership music” streams by way of the audio system. The menu additionally contains cocktails paying homage to the Jazz Age, Iron John’s Brewing Firm beer and different spirits on the bar for individuals who don’t like gin.

“Lots of people who’ve are available since we opened say that they do not like gin or that they do not like gin now due to earlier experiences with it,” Brown stated. “However we’re right here to assist folks hit the reset button and open up the door to one thing they’d stated no to earlier than.”

Juniper is closed Sundays and Mondays and it is open Tuesday – Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight and Saturday from 2 p.m. to midnight.