It's Monday.

There are five days between you and some well-deserved Labor Day R&R.

But that's absolutely no reason why we can't get to the beer and barbecue a bit early.

Which brings us to Hardwood Bar & Smokery, the meaty dream of two friends coming from Wayfare Tavern, Lord George and Gary Danko, now open in the Design District.

Come in after work. True to name, you'll see the entire back wall planked over with wood and serious hardwood for fueling their pricey smoker. It won't be long before you forget trifling Harriett from marketing spoiling the Game of Thrones finale.

Anyway, you'll sidle up to one of the high bar tables and choose among things like beef brisket sliders with pickled red onion and BBQ aioli. Or the housemade SlimJim called "The Woody", all of which will be served on trays stamped with their beaver mascot. Go ahead, make jokes.

You'll want to wash those down with a cocktail designed specifically to pair with barbecue. Like the Hootie Hoo that combines vodka, blackberry liqueur, bianco vermouth and brut champagne. It arrives in a giant brass owl.

And makes you say "hootie hoo" when you order it.