If you thought Water Street was starting to look a little cozy, check out the Southern hospitality and comfort-food fare at Biscuits & Bourbon.

Originally announced as an “urban lounge” with live entertainment, the homey breakfast-and-barbecue joint next door to Mojave Brewing Company shifted to the “social kitchen” tag when it opened in late summer. The reclaimed wood designs on the wall and industrial-chic vibe give the new space a lived-in feel, as if someone with a killer biscuit recipe took over your favorite downtown bar.

Those biscuits ($1.50) are the place to start, whether you’re having weekend breakfast, a leisurely weekday lunch or sharing smoky meats for dinner. Try a butter and jam flight with the tender-crisp beauties, or fill them with eggs, gravy, cheese, sausage or other favorites as a biscuit cup ($1-$1.50). Fried chicken and waffles with apple-bacon syrup ($10), brisket potato hash ($13), cinnamon French toast ($8) and a trifecta of skillet bennies ($10-$12) round out the breakfast offerings.

Later, when a respectable bourbon selection and signature cocktails like the Smoke Wagon Mule ($10) and apple cider punch ($9) come into play, it’s time to get your ’cue on. Start with smoked chicken wings with B&B’s signature Alabama-style white sauce ($13) before diving into pulled pork, St. Louis-style spareribs, 10-hour beef brisket or pork belly burnt ends, available by the pound or on multi-meat platters ($18-$49). There are four other house-made barbecue sauces to sample, something for every taste: ancho-sage vinegar, golden mustard, bourbon honey and desert heat. A creamy kale coleslaw and Goldfish-topped mac and cheese complete the feast.

With the recent opening of Lifeguard Arena on Water Street, this steadily blossoming downtown stretch is sure to be catapulted into the spotlight. You might want to get a taste of B&B before it’s discovered by the masses.

BISCUITS & BOURBON 109 S. Water St., 702-986-0307. Wednesday-Friday, noon-10 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.