A new craft cocktail and light bites spot is hosted its grand opening last weekend. Swift Lounge will replace Dough Boy Swift, a pizza spot, at the corner of Clark Road and Swift Road.

Swift Lounge is located next to its sister restaurant Masō, which opened six weeks ago, and both concepts are owned by Broc Smith and Jeremy Rice. Rice designed the 45-seat space and manages the behind-the-scenes operations, while Smith oversees front-of-house operations.

"Watching Jeremy design this space has been amazing," Smith says. "This project has been his baby, and he has created a space that allows for unique areas where small groups or couples can have comfortable spaces to hang out, imbibe and indulge in some delicious bites."

The lounge will launch with a small plate menu, inspired by the pinxtos of Spain's Basque regions. Smith has plans to add entrées later; for now, guests can expect options like Cajun fried oysters, paella arancini and lobster roll sliders, as well as a large shellfish selection from the restaurant's raw bar.

Smith calls Swift Lounge's drink offerings "a high-quality take on your favorite classic cocktail." For example, a pink guava cosmo is made with pineapple vodka, dry curaçao, guava, cranberry and lime. "I like to substitute the vodka for Del Maguey Vida Puebla mezcal," he says. "Not everything needs to be riffed, but sometimes I can't help it.

"With Swift Lounge, we're trying to achieve a more casual balance from Masō," Smith continues. "It's a great place to swing through before or after a meal at Masō, but it's also a place where you could slide in and get some light bites and shareable stuff as your regular hangout."

Swift Lounge opens today at 5 p.m. at 2881 Clark Road.  For more information, call (941) 315-7011, or click here.