225’s most-read stories of June 2023: New bars, shops and wineries worth a day trip

The summer heat isn’t slowing down activity in Baton Rouge.

In June, the Capital City welcomed new shops, bars and cafes. And according to our top stories for the month, residents were excited to learn about new ways to travel both near and far: on regional day trips and exciting new direct flights.

Here are the stories our readers turned to the most on 225batonrouge.com this month:

5. First Look: Downtown’s new Mother’s Lounge is a celebration of queer culture

Mother’s Lounge, a vibrant queer lounge and bar, opened its doors for its hard launch on Saturday, June 17. Created by and for the queer community by owner Montana Mercer and general manager Trent Shepherd, this establishment aims to become a beacon of self-expression and a hub of queer euphoria. Check out the ’80s-inspired décor designed by local firm Tiek Byday in our First Look by summer intern Gabrielle Korein.

4. Baton Rouge’s list of not-so-secret speakeasies is growing

Starting in June, the room behind Hayride Scandal’s main bar, called The Parlour, began offering intimate, educational conversations about spirits. The concept got us thinking about all the speakeasy-inspired, secretive bars that have opened in Baton Rouge in recent years. According to Alan Walter, manager of the Brakes Bar off Government Street, judging by the crowds they draw in, the “secret” behind these stylish bars crafting curious cocktails is out.

3. American Airlines is taking a chance on Baton Rouge with daily D.C. flights. So far, it’s paying off

On June 1, American Airlines flight 4216 took off its first nonstop flight from Baton Rouge to Washington, D.C. Nearly all of its 76 seats were full. The people onboard were part of a historic flight: the first direct route to the nation’s capital from Louisiana’s capital in 15 years. Our summer intern Oscar Tickle looked at how the new route came to be and talked with Jim Caldwell, the marketing and air service development manager at Baton Rouge Metro Airport (BTR), about the high demand.

2. First Look: Fleurty Girl brings NOLA style to BR in a new Mid City shop

Lauren LeBlanc Haydel, owner of New Orleans-born Fleurty Girl, opened her ninth location (and BR’s first) of the beloved shop that oozes personality on Government Street June 15. Taking over the former location of Mid City Mercantile, the shop is filled with soft t-shirts, shelves of candles, funny dish towels, cook books, door hangers, stationery and lots of purple and gold.

1. 6 wineries to day trip to from Baton Rouge

Our summer intern Jillian Elliott comprised a surprisingly robust list of wineries just a day trip away from Baton Rouge. With some as near as Gonzales and others just under three hours away, her list of places to sip varieties and stroll through vineyards must have piqued local oenophiles’ and travelers’ interests, bringing in more than 8,000 readers over the course of about two weeks.