A swanky cocktail bar tucked into the lobby of a magnificently restored art deco apartment building? Yes, please.

Welcome to Larry’s: a cool, dark 21-seat alcove inside the elegant Lawrence House in Uptown (fun fact: Charlie Chaplin used to live here). Heisler Hospitality veterans Wade McElroy and Jeff Donahue (Estereo, Sportsman’s Club) offer a full complement of classic drinks and a nicely curated beer and wine list. But your focus should be the eight specialty cocktails. Each one begins with a familiar spirit and then goes rogue—to excellent effect. Case in point: the Rainbo ($10), which marries Scotch with Campari, ginger beer, and beet, grapefruit, and raspberry juices; or the Lady Louise ($9), a light vodka-based beaut with aloe liqueur, lime cordial, and soda.

“We’re hoping to become a go-to bar for the neighborhood,” says manager Tad Nelson. That’s all well and good, but now that the word is out, Larry’s may soon be a destination for the whole city.

1020 W. Lawrence Ave.