It was indeed a Good Friday at the March 21 opening of new downtown bar, Abilene. The saffron yellow door opens into a space with burlap-textured walls painted olive green, and a gently curved bar. Behind the bar hang mirrors framed by tiles, and in the center is a brightly colored papier-mâché deer head. Fun and funny. At the far end of the bar is a large mirror that gives the illusion of more space, but also of more friends. It's welcoming.

Past the bar on the left is a Cosmic Blast jukebox filled with owner Danny Deutsch's favorite tunes. Walk past the juke and you might feel you've walked into a dining room - not a stuffy formal affair, but the kind you'd find in a loving family's home. A single long, wooden table is surrounded by chairs, creating a perfect little gathering space. Adorning the walls are paintings of outdoor scenes. What makes them special, even a bit hokey, is that they are all paint-by-number paintings.

Across the way is a pool table with the most wonderful spearmint-colored vinyl chairs to sit on while awaiting your turn. The walls are dotted with music posters featuring the likes of Neko Case and Hank Williams. "Some may say that his [Danny's] taste in music is impeccable, but it is evidenced by the posters on the walls," gushed patron Tim Brown.

Outside is a long pergola, about a third of it covered, surrounded by a 6' picket fence. There's a surprisingly wide view of the Rochester skyline. Rumor has it music will be performed out there during the summer. Did anyone else think this looked like a perfect place for one of Uncle Ralph's Steak-Outs?

It's fun to go to the women's room. These words greet you, written on the steps of the burnt red and saffron stairway:

dim lights

thick smoke,

and loud,

loud, music

is the only

kinda life

you'll ever

understand.

Inside, the room is large and bright, with a vintage art deco curtain and old black-and-white photos. I know I'll be back many times. Along with the "60 bottled beers & 1 fantastic draft" (per the menu), there's a beer with my name on it: Oskar Dale's Pale Ale. Yum!

Next up: Look-ah-Hookah