The Rim Shopping Center has been an evolving project since its inception. And a new bar is looking to indoctrinate its denizen into the realm of world-class cocktails.
Bar veteran Don Marsh, most well-known for Southtown’s Bar 1919 at the Blue Star Art Complex, is heading straight up I-10 to open Rock and Rye, a new craft cocktail spot set for late 2019 named after the barroom staple that adds hard candy to young rye to mellow out the sting.
The plan was always to open another concept up north, said Don, who shared details of the new bar over a bowl of noodles at a neighboring restaurant. “I wanted to bring what's going on in Downtown and SouthTown up north, and always, always wanted to come up to The Rim,” said Don. “This is the new central part of San Antonio.”
Though Rock and Rye will rely on the magic that made Bar 1919 a great speakeasy — Don’s signature love of dark wood and old grandeur — bar-goers can also expect a sprawling patio to greet them for the night.
Inside, the 3,500-square-foot space will feature 10 four-top tables along the side wall, and three large community tables that will accommodate up to 10 guests each. In other words, get ready to make some new bar friends.
Rock and Rye’s size will also allow for twice as many bottles and then some with Don hoping to eventually reach 3,000 on display, and this will, of course, include Kinsman Rakia. The pièce de résistance? A 12-foot backbar complete with sliding ladders. Classic cocktails from Bar 1919 will make the trek, as well as a 20-tap craft beer system with four HighWheel brews.
“I get that question a lot, “Do you support local?,” said Don. “ Yeah, if they're good.”
As to who will frequent Rock and Rye, Don says regulars will visit, but the built-in clientele afforded by The Rim and its neighboring apartment complexes will become the bulk of bar-goers looking for a new cocktail experience.
“There is so much traffic around here,” Don said. “Rock and Rye will be a grown-up’s playground!”
Like Bar 1919 did with neighboring SouthTown bars, Rock and Rye will elevate the drinking scene when it hits the Rim this winter.
“I love analogies … when a bunch of dogs get together for the first time, they're stressed out, you know why? They don't know who the alpha is. Once they find out, “Cool, you're in charge, I’m good,” said Don. “We're the alpha. We're going to show guests what they're drinking.”
Get ready to Rock (and Rye) from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday this next shopping season.