Whiskey connoisseurs have Village Whiskey, champagne still flows at Swanky Bubbles, and Xochitl has over 75 tequilas. Now Headhouse Square welcomes The Twisted Tail, a Bourbon and Blues bar at 509-11 S. 2nd St., just north of South St.

Work in progress on the first floor

Upstairs Juke Joint will feature live music five nights a week

Set to open in a couple of weeks, construction is ongoing at the old Kildare’s Irish Pub but is getting close to completion. Daily updates on the restaurant’s Facebook page are keeping the excitement growing with nearby residents, business owners and future patrons. A charcoal-fired menu by Michael Stevenson (formerly of Paradigm and the Mosholu), craft beers, and live music will add a great dimension to the vast array of bourbons and specialty cocktails based on the American whiskey.

Bourbon bar upstairs. Check out the awesome ceiling!

This pretty thing is holding up a corner of the bourbon bar

Owner George Reilly, a bar and restaurant lifer, is making his first foray into ownership. He’s had his work cut out for him in preserving and rehabbing a historic space, but believes he is up to the task of fitting in with the lively nearby restaurant scene that includes Stella, Nola Café, Xochitl and Bhodi Coffee. Here’s hoping that the menu and service live up to the hype, and that a new anchor for this end of South Street keeps this business district moving in a positive direction. Plus, we’re stoked to try some new and interesting bourbons. Mmmmm.

Other businesses across Headhouse Square

–Lauren Summers