More than a sports bar

This is the first week of 2007, and probably the last thing on your mind is going out. The previous week's festivities may have left you with a cold from the mass influx of relatives or the inconceivable intake of alcohol. If you played it smart, you're ready to go. Here are a few things to look forward to this year:

The Distillery is opening its third location in Brighton this March, not long after opening the doors on its second location in Greece this past July. The original Distillery over at Mt. Hope has been standing since 1980 and continues to pride itself on more than 30 large-screen televisions and great bar food: wings, burgers, and not to mention salads, steaks, pastas, and seafood. This place is more than just a sports bar; it's a Rochester staple. However, it will be interesting to see how The Distillery will do with multiple locations. It's a great feat for one sports bar to last almost three decades, but a chain? Without getting all nostalgic about the original location, check out the new digs in Greece and Brighton. If anything you'll get the same experience and save on gas. 1142 Mt. Hope Avenue; 300 Paddy Creek Circle, Greece; and, in March, 3010 S. Winton Road, Henrietta. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday, noon-1 a.m. Check out the website at www.thedistillery.com.

And to whet your taste buds, drum roll please... People in the bar industry are whispering, there's talk of re-openings, closings, and the youthful glow of new bars and venues considered dead again and again, but apparently with nine lives to spend. One place is getting the most buzz of all: HighFalls, 2007 will be an interesting year. Stay tuned.