NEW BARS: Rhythm & Brews

The owners built Rhythm & Brews with their bare hands - sort of.

Owners Jose Acosta and Marcos Quintanilla started developing this smokehouse and blues bar in June.

They picked a thick, solid wood exterior, and they put in on themselves. Then they decided to leave exposed brick and install a massive central bar. And they wanted the whole thing tinged with a blues feel.

It took some hot and sweaty June construction, but the two guys pulled it off. Then they hired contractors to finish it all up.

The two McAllen business owners next headed to Austin for a restaurant exposition. At night, they visited the capitol city's booming entertainment district on 6th Street.

They saw bars that looked exactly like the one they'd just built.

"We didn't plan it like that," Quintanilla said.

The guys will open Rhythm and Brews the first week of December. It serves up Texas-style barbecue, steaks and blues music.

It will also feature black and white historical photographs of Downtown McAllen.

Basically, it'll feel like Austin - McAllen style.

Rhythm & Brews
214 S. 17th St.
(956) 457-1413

Slogan: Smokin' the Rio and rocking your hearts

Projected opening date: Dec. 1 for the bar, four or five days later for the kitchen

Formerly: Juanita's Flower Shop

Style: Smokehouse and bar

Musical style: Blues, classic rock and jazz

Live music: Owners plan to bring down Austin musicians. They've already booked Austin bluesman Sonny Wolfe to play Dec. 13.

What's the R & B 25?: The bar is working to develop 25 different shots for patrons. The manager has brought in an experienced drink mixer from Florida to develop shots not usually found in the Valley.

Manager's recommendation: Sirloin fajitas and brisket

Recipe Willie B's Barbecue x Boiler Room + brighter lighting

One year outlook: Solid. The Valley offers several barbecue options. But none downtown. And none with this much energy sunk into the bar and music selection. Plus, Rhythm and Brews fills the long-standing absence of a blues joint.

Typical patron: Probably about 30, dressed pretty nice. Lots of people who dig the blues bars on 6th Street will come here for a fix.

Interesting note: Check out the beautiful wood exterior. Owners Jose Acosta and Marcos Quintanilla spent some hot summer nights working on that. They chipped off the old paint, put on the wood and prepared it themselves. They've literally sunk blood, sweat and tears into the place. 

Owner Jose Acosta on coming up with the joint's clever name, "We were just thinking of ideas. And that happens better with brews.'"