Back in the day - in the late 1970's and early 1980's, when Richmond's was Schatzees and Scorgies was still around - Danny Deutsch managed the latter and bartended at the former. He never really dreamed of owning his own bar or club, but when the right opportunity came along, he couldn't resist.

Deutsch closed the deal on what will be Abilene (153 Liberty Pole Way) in October of last year. He's hard at work on the two-floor, multi-room establishment (the former home to Tara Cocktail Lounge) that is what he calls a "hidden gem" in downtown Rochester.

It was the outdoor patio that sold him. Walk past what will soon be the smoking area and there's a great open space with a small garden at the end. Look up, and you see the buildings of Rochester's downtown loom large against the sky. Picture the lights of those buildings twinkling at night. To Deustch, a self-proclaimed downtown man, it's just what this section of the city needs: a spot where you can sit, drink in hand, under the shadow of the old Sibley's.

"The location is phenomenal," Deustch says. Though Liberty Pole Way seems like an island to some people, he continues, it's actually central to everything.

"It's three minutes from Tapas, eight minutes from Salinger's and my friends at Temple," Deustch says. It's right across from the Harro East Ballroom, and around the corner from the St. Paul Quarter. 

"If you can get here once," Deustch says, "you can get here again."

He anticipates questions about the theme of the bar and his ideal clientele, and heads them off. "I'm not re-inventing the wheel," Deutsch says. He suggests Abilene might draw workers from downtown offices or concert-goers as they leave Harro East. But then he mentions the phrase "corner saloon" while describing the bar, and the picture crystallizes. Abilene is meant to be a neighborhood hangout. Deutsch is simply going to offer the basics - great drinks and great music - and see what happens.

Abilene is named after a song by Dave Alvin, a hint at the central role music will play in the overall scheme of the bar. A brand new sound system has been installed, and the tunes will come from a 100-disc CD jukebox and a behind-the-bar iPod loaded with songs by acts like Wilco, Neko Case, The Blasters, The Hi-Risers, and a general mix of alt-country, blues, and alternative. Live music may follow in the summer months.

The second part of the nothing-new, keep-it-simple scheme is great drinks. Deutsch plans to offer 60 to 70 types of American craft bottled beers as well as a single rotating draft brought in by Rohrbach's.

Paninis, soups, and salads will be served once the patio opens - probably in May, Deutsch says - and the upstairs portion of the club will open, first as a lounge, then possibly with a second bar, once the first floor is firmly established.

Right now the venue is being re-painted, furniture is being installed, and Deutsch is preparing to hang some artwork - a mix of outsider art, folk art, and Americana, as he describes it - on the walls. Then, once the liquor license comes through, Abilene will open. Deutsch is aiming for late February or early March.

Check back with rochestercitynewspaper.com/nightlife for updates.

Do you have a tip for our Nightlife column? E-mail eric@rochester-citynews.com.