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"Opening March 3, this self-described “witchcraft cocktail bar” at 2764 Florian (just west of Joseph Campau) transforms a century-old building formerly known among other incarnations as Mephisto’s into a serene, lush lounge evocative of European cafes. Owner Zoey Ashwood repainted once jet-black, flame-detailed walls in soothing lavender and neutral colors, replaced posters of devils and horned pinup girls with botanical elements, dismantled go-go dancer cages and repurposed the wood into seating, and unearthed and refinished original hardwood floors; she even placed the old Mephisto’s sign in front of the door as a nod to the building’s past and made benches and display cases from wood salvaged from the upstairs furnishings now converted to apartments. The bar will serve craft cocktails with a spiritual twist: bartenders perform a small ritual during preparation and guests can opt to complete a spell by following menu instructions and placing the provided coaster logo-side up while saying “with ritual,” otherwise the drink is prepared and consumed like any other. The Black Salt’s opening party begins at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 3 (arrivals between 4 and 6 p.m. are entered in a raffle for a “prosperity and protection” gift bag), and hours of operation have not yet been announced." - Mickey Lyons