Week in Insights: A Place Where the Drinks Are Creative and Free

Early in the pandemic, I became interested in mixology. I tended to prefer beer, wine, or a simple gin and soda when out with friends. But when Covid-19 made it impossible to gather in groups, Instagram led me down a rabbit hole. What started as a few bottles on my dining room radiator (don’t worry, it was off) has turned into Mel’s Bar, complete with a fully outfitted liquor cabinet and wine fridge.

Over the past three years, I’ve learned that making cocktails is really an art form. In 2022, I was lucky enough to design a cocktail for a ...