David and Jacqueline Burt, owners of Dunedin restaurant Bracken, have opened a whisky lounge — Lloyd’s Lounge — at the back of their establishment.
It is named after David’s father Lloyd, who died about three years ago.
Mr Burt is originally from the whisky-producing region of the Isle of Skye, in western Scotland.
The lounge is warm, has low lighting and is fitted out with plush furniture.
‘‘Kind of like a gentleman’s club feel is what we went for,’’ Mrs Burt said.
Customers can sit and have a glass of whisky before their meal or they can enjoy a dram afterwards.
Mrs Burt said the lounge was a way of keeping customers at Bracken, because the restaurant tries to give people ‘‘a whole experience’’.
They have a long and growing list of whiskies available ‘‘because David can’t go into a whisky shop without buying whisky,’’ Mrs Burt said.
People can have a flight of whisky or a single drink.
Much of their supply comes from Meenans Liquorland and a variety of New Zealand distillers.
The lounge will extend to a courtyard area during warmer weather.
