Now open: Lock Key Whiskey Bar at Glen’s

A new bar with a focus on fine whiskeys and a limited wine selection will open in the former location of Glen’s on Corporate Boulevard (Map it!). Arthur Lauck and Brandalyn Bostic-Tabor have partnered with Glen Bynum and Bubba Phillips to reopen and rebrand Glen’s as Lock & Key Whiskey Bar at Glen’s.

The bar just announced it is now open. Its hours are Monday-Friday, 4:30 p.m.-2 a.m., and Saturday, 6:30 p.m.-2 a.m.

Lock & Key Whiskey Bar at Glen’s has a speakeasy-type vibe. Lauck says there will be live piano music during happy hour throughout the week and jazz music one or two nights weekly. Occasionally, the bar will host late night events on Saturdays as well.

Lauck added that the non-smoking bar has plans to add small shared plates in the future, but not at the start.

However, the real key (no pun intended) for this new bar is its whiskey selection.

“We have single malt, scotches, blends, Canadian, Irish…we’re focusing on those really dynamite whiskeys out there,” Lauck says.

The bar features more than 230 whiskeys, including 30 and 25-year-old scotches, a limited wine menu as well as a few select beers.

The menu is divided into three categories: whiskey-lover, whiskey-doubter and whiskey tomorrow. The first provides a twist on classic cocktails, kicking drinks like the whiskey sour up a notch. The second focuses on bringing lively, fun cocktails to people who don’t normally drink whiskey. The third menu is for non-drinkers, designated drivers, and those looking to have a quality non-alcoholic drink served in a cocktail glass.

The whiskey bar is a niche, and the partners know that, but it’s something the city will benefit from, Lauck believes.

“We are trying to be the standout of the crowd,” he says. “We do have a cluster of other bars in this area with a solid whiskeys list. We think it works to everybody’s benefit. We hope people will say, ‘If you want whiskey in Baton Rouge, the Corporate Boulevard/College Drive corridor is where you want to go.’ And we hope you come here.”

The feel isn’t for those looking for a sports bar-type atmosphere, with lots of TVs. Rather, its interior is filled with a mix of high-top and leather seating—”a place where you come to sit down with friends or business associates,” he says.

As far as his own partners and associates are concerned, Lauck can’t compliment them enough for providing education in the subtle differences between each scotch, bourbon and whiskey the bar carries.

Through the bar’s website, Lauck is hoping that education will rub off on the customers.

The website doesn’t just feature a list of what Lock and Key offers, but also builds links to established review sites for the drink as well as staff thoughts and a few tasting notes. When you click on the taste note, the website will then build a list for you based on everything else the bar has to offer. Customers can then rate and review the drink via social media. The best tweets and Facebook posts will get a $20 bar tab. This interaction is important for Lauck.

“We want to bring ownership to the customers so they feel at home here,” he says. “Family is important to us. We want to provide an atmosphere where you can sit down next to someone, strike up a conversation and have a good time.”

For more information on Lock & Key Whiskey Bar at Glen’s, check out the bar’s Facebook page or visit the bar’s website here. —Matthew Sigur