The Whisky Barrel Brings Spirit Tastings And More To Port Jeff

PORT JEFFERSON, NY —It's not just wine bars and craft breweries any more in Port Jefferson: The Whisky Barrel will open in town later this spring. The whisky bar and restaurant wants to become Long Island's "whisky destination," and in addition to 100 varieties of whisky to try, the eatery will have small plates of food, craft beer, rare spirits and even cigars.

John Louis is one of the owners. Louis owns Maui Chop House in Rocky Point and tells Patch he was constantly talking about whisky in a men's Facebook group, spurring the idea for a whisky bar.

"The energy is great here," in Port Jefferson, he said. Louis and his partners are hoping to open the Whisky Barrel open around Memorial Day Weekend, in the former Fork and Fiddle space, 183 Main St.

There will be a full kitchen and bar, and hybrid flights of bourbon, wine, scotch and craft beer will be on offer. The eatery has outdoor seating, and Cuban and rare cigars that can be purchased to enjoy outside.

"It's going to be all the stuff you can't find anywhere else," Louis says.

The food is designed to be hand-held: sandwiches, fish and chips, bar food, charcuterie boards so customers can have food on hand quickly while they taste the range of spirits on offer.

Louis said that he's received a ton of interest and enthusiasm and attributes that partly to an increase in whisky connoisseurship.

"It stared four or five years ago, but I think the popularity of bourbon still hasn't hit its peak."

And it's not just men that are enthused. Louis says he sees more and more women looking forward to Port Jeff's newest whisky bar.