Hot Spots bar re-opens

Hot Spots Entertainment Restaurant
2210 N. 10th St., McAllen
(956) 686-6400
Hours: Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. 

On the Web: www.myspace.com/hotspots6400
Rating: 3 stars 

By Miriam Ramirez
mramirez@themonitor.com 

A little piece of McAllen nostalgia has been reborn.  

For bargoers in in the early to mid 90s, Hot Spots was the place to be. On weekends, the northside bar would burst at the seams with live music, huge crowds and great drinks. The night spot stirred up excitement in what was then a relatively sleepy corner of the city. Hot Spots shut its doors around 1998, then became Club Collage and is now home to Fast Eddie's.

Flash forward to 2008, when owner Nano Ramirez decides to give the Nolana landmark another try.

Location: This time around, Hot Spots moved the party down the road (where the now-defunct Mr. Cotton's Grill used to be), midway between La Vista and Tamarack on 10th Street. The bar sits in the same plaza as Sun Harvest and across the street from Green Beret. Although not generally a spot known for a lot of afterhours action, let's hope Hot Spots will generate enough traffic to get things buzzing further down 10th. From this location, folks have the option of taking a short drive north to Buffalo Wild Wings, Fast Eddie's or Thirsty Monkey, all of which share the same laidback vibe.

Atmosphere: The building hasn't undergone a massive transformation since the Mr. Cotton days. Still quite roomy, the front half remains a restaurant, with tiffany lamps hanging over the tables in the dining area and the booths that line the walls. The rear of the bar is dimly lit, which creates a great a more intimate, setting especially while seated at the marble tables facing the stage. Hot Spots only bar top offers plenty of seating for bar flies or for smaller groups. 

Price: Although bar goers can take advantage of drink specials every night Monday's and Thursday's are the days to watch for. On Monday, domestics are, $2 . Thursday's, margaritas will set you back, $3, Royal F $3 and long necks, $2.75. Happy hour runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Who goes: At this bar you're likely to run into a lot of familiar faces. The McAllen bar scene is only so big; you're always in the presence of some sort of acquaintance, which makes it a lot less of a drag if you decide to hit up the bar alone. It's a casual atmosphere with no real dress code (another plus). Some nights are much more quiet than the next, but once the word gets out about this plac,e expect the turnout to go up in numbers.

The Verdict: Hot Spots can be pegged as another version of Newman's. Several nights out of the week, the night kicks off after 10 p.m.,a with some of the most popular names in local talent taking the stage. From rock bands, comedy, international bands and DJs. Hot Spots is one of those places where you can let loose and hang with a group of friends. My only suggestion would be the volume of the live music (although I don't know who it's up to). On one specific night it was rather difficult to carry on a conversation the entire night with the music so painfully loud. Overall, Hot Spots is a great place to kick back, listen to some great cover bands and forget about anything beyond the front door.

Miriam Ramirez covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4468.