The former West Pensacola dive bar, Gene’s Lounge at 3810 W. Navy Blvd., is now unrecognizable after business owner Reddy Kandala’s transformed it into the swanky new sports bar, Whiskey Barrel.

The iconic whiskey barrel facade in Logan Circle dates back to the 1940s when the storefront was home to Sammy’s Barrel House liquor store. The booze business moved next door in 2015, and in more ...