Guidebook for Rochester
Food Scene
Plum House
686 Monroe AveThe Cub Room
739 S Clinton AveSpecializing in contemporary American fare, The Owl House is known throughout Rochester for its creative plates, craft beers and cozy, bohemian vibe. Sited in a charming wooden house, The Owl House’s homely, inviting interior sets the perfect rustic scene in which to enjoy imaginative small plates like roasted pork shoulder and ricotta meatballs as well as heartier dishes like seared sea scallops with braised lentils, maple chipotle vinaigrette and a fennel-apple-cabbage slaw. With plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, diners will not leave disappointed. The Owl House’s lively bar is great for sampling any craft beers and artisan cocktails.
The Owl House, 71 Marshall Street, R
33 moradores locais recomendam
The Owl House
75 Marshall StSpecializing in contemporary American fare, The Owl House is known throughout Rochester for its creative plates, craft beers and cozy, bohemian vibe. Sited in a charming wooden house, The Owl House’s homely, inviting interior sets the perfect rustic scene in which to enjoy imaginative small plates like roasted pork shoulder and ricotta meatballs as well as heartier dishes like seared sea scallops with braised lentils, maple chipotle vinaigrette and a fennel-apple-cabbage slaw. With plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, diners will not leave disappointed. The Owl House’s lively bar is great for sampling any craft beers and artisan cocktails.
The Owl House, 71 Marshall Street, R
The Revelry offers an American menu that combines the traditional and the contemporary, taking inspiration from the cuisine of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Spacious, lofty dining rooms are where guests eat creative fare like blackened catfish with frogmore stew, tomato chutney and puffed Carolina gold rice, or oysters on the half shell with cocktail sauce and truffle mignonette. All the while a lively bar serves craft cocktails and beer. The Revelry’s traditional southern Sunday brunch featuring shrimp and grits or biscuits and red eye gravy is also very popular.
32 moradores locais recomendam
The Revelry
1290 University AveThe Revelry offers an American menu that combines the traditional and the contemporary, taking inspiration from the cuisine of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Spacious, lofty dining rooms are where guests eat creative fare like blackened catfish with frogmore stew, tomato chutney and puffed Carolina gold rice, or oysters on the half shell with cocktail sauce and truffle mignonette. All the while a lively bar serves craft cocktails and beer. The Revelry’s traditional southern Sunday brunch featuring shrimp and grits or biscuits and red eye gravy is also very popular.
One of the city’s most beloved destinations for delicious yet casual eats, Sticky Lips BBQ serves, as its slogan says, ‘smokin’ good barbeque.’ First opened in 2004 in a former automobile showroom, this barbecue joint has gained a loyal following. Not least due to its two story space, decked out with retro signs and vintage photographs, is regularly packed with BBQ fans feasting on Sticky Lips’ fare. The menu features all the usual suspects, from Memphis-style pit-smoked BBQ ribs, pulled pork and Texas beef brisket to burgers, sandwiches and even vegetarian options like smoked BBQ tofu.
12 moradores locais recomendam
Sticky Lips BBQ City Music Hall
625 Culver RdOne of the city’s most beloved destinations for delicious yet casual eats, Sticky Lips BBQ serves, as its slogan says, ‘smokin’ good barbeque.’ First opened in 2004 in a former automobile showroom, this barbecue joint has gained a loyal following. Not least due to its two story space, decked out with retro signs and vintage photographs, is regularly packed with BBQ fans feasting on Sticky Lips’ fare. The menu features all the usual suspects, from Memphis-style pit-smoked BBQ ribs, pulled pork and Texas beef brisket to burgers, sandwiches and even vegetarian options like smoked BBQ tofu.
Providing Rochester diners with delicious fusion dishes inspired by global flavors, Tapas 177 Lounge is a must go dining destinations for guests with eclectic palates. A street-level bar welcomes guests as they enter, and serves what the restaurant assures are the best Martinis in town. On descending to Tapas 177’s lower floor, a gorgeous dining room decked in rustic, warm colors awaits customers and leads them to a beautiful, secluded courtyard where live music entertains guests in warmer months. Must try tapas dishes include the Korean bulgogi BBQ beef, curried chicken empanadas and the game sausage plate featuring spicy elk and wild boar chorizo as well as venison-blueberry-Merlot sausage
27 moradores locais recomendam
Tapas 177
177 St Paul StProviding Rochester diners with delicious fusion dishes inspired by global flavors, Tapas 177 Lounge is a must go dining destinations for guests with eclectic palates. A street-level bar welcomes guests as they enter, and serves what the restaurant assures are the best Martinis in town. On descending to Tapas 177’s lower floor, a gorgeous dining room decked in rustic, warm colors awaits customers and leads them to a beautiful, secluded courtyard where live music entertains guests in warmer months. Must try tapas dishes include the Korean bulgogi BBQ beef, curried chicken empanadas and the game sausage plate featuring spicy elk and wild boar chorizo as well as venison-blueberry-Merlot sausage
Stever's Candies ~ CLOSED FOR THE MONTH OF JULY
623 Park AveThe smallest and feistiest of coffee shops, Fuego roared to life in 2013. With about half a dozen stools at the bar, and a couch and coffee table just inside the door, Fuego is small but mighty. The baristas are friendly and engaging, happy to prepare your beverage to suit your personal quirks. Like the best bartenders, they're good at recommending new drinks. Coffee is meticulously brewed by hand, using Aeropress, Chemex and Clever devices. An array of black, green and herbal teas is available. There are baked goods and snacks, too.
17 moradores locais recomendam
Fuego Coffee Roasters
1 Woodbury BlvdThe smallest and feistiest of coffee shops, Fuego roared to life in 2013. With about half a dozen stools at the bar, and a couch and coffee table just inside the door, Fuego is small but mighty. The baristas are friendly and engaging, happy to prepare your beverage to suit your personal quirks. Like the best bartenders, they're good at recommending new drinks. Coffee is meticulously brewed by hand, using Aeropress, Chemex and Clever devices. An array of black, green and herbal teas is available. There are baked goods and snacks, too.
Yes, another coffee bar. But this one, on the north edge of Rochester's East End, is more like an old-school coffeehouse, really. The kind of place where you'd expect to find a skeptically friendly barista, one who'd just moved back to town after a year in Alaska, sounding relieved to be home. Press offers straight-ahead coffee options, including French press, and compelling pastries and snacks. Press is three rooms of cool, with eclectic art and furnishings. Not shabby chic, just alternately ... shabby and chic. Until you get to the grand piano in the far room. Complete with a stack of concerto scores -- Mozart, Scriabin, Beethoven -- and a pad of blank manuscript paper. Right next to it, a
15 moradores locais recomendam
Press Coffee Bar
257 Wayne AveYes, another coffee bar. But this one, on the north edge of Rochester's East End, is more like an old-school coffeehouse, really. The kind of place where you'd expect to find a skeptically friendly barista, one who'd just moved back to town after a year in Alaska, sounding relieved to be home. Press offers straight-ahead coffee options, including French press, and compelling pastries and snacks. Press is three rooms of cool, with eclectic art and furnishings. Not shabby chic, just alternately ... shabby and chic. Until you get to the grand piano in the far room. Complete with a stack of concerto scores -- Mozart, Scriabin, Beethoven -- and a pad of blank manuscript paper. Right next to it, a
Drinks & Nightlife
An eclectic, gritty music club featuring local and regional acts and often catering to punk and hardcore rock.
11 moradores locais recomendam
The Bug Jar
219 Monroe AveAn eclectic, gritty music club featuring local and regional acts and often catering to punk and hardcore rock.
Located in the basement of a downtown bar, Dub Land is as underground as it comes and features bands from throughout Rochester and Upstate New York.
315 Alexander St
315 Alexander StreetLocated in the basement of a downtown bar, Dub Land is as underground as it comes and features bands from throughout Rochester and Upstate New York.
The bistro and brewpub features trivia, open mics and live music every night of the week, concluding with jazz shows every Sunday.
8 moradores locais recomendam
Lovin' Cup
300 Park Point DrThe bistro and brewpub features trivia, open mics and live music every night of the week, concluding with jazz shows every Sunday.
Club Vinyl
1082 BroadwayThe downtown club features Top 40 and 90s dance music.
The nightclub at ONE is divided into two floors -- one with VIP sections, fireplaces and low lighting and the other (upstairs) with a bumping dance floor and raging electro-house music.
8 moradores locais recomendam
Love Nightclub
1 Ryan AlleyThe nightclub at ONE is divided into two floors -- one with VIP sections, fireplaces and low lighting and the other (upstairs) with a bumping dance floor and raging electro-house music.
A bit outside of downtown, the underground club hosts frequent special event nights with deejays and a slew of wild themes.
Vertex Club of Rochester
169 N Chestnut StA bit outside of downtown, the underground club hosts frequent special event nights with deejays and a slew of wild themes.
Weekly parties, deejays and theme nights at the club off the Inner Loop.
6 moradores locais recomendam
Tilt Nightclub
444 Central AveWeekly parties, deejays and theme nights at the club off the Inner Loop.
Entertainment & Activities
Geva is a professional theater whose 10,000 season subscribers make it the largest entertainment organization in Rochester.
51 moradores locais recomendam
Geva Theatre Center
75 Woodbury BlvdGeva is a professional theater whose 10,000 season subscribers make it the largest entertainment organization in Rochester.
Arts & Culture
A professional theatre company, DCT primarily features musicals and comedies and puts on plays year round.
11 moradores locais recomendam
Downstairs Cabaret Theatre
20 Windsor StA professional theatre company, DCT primarily features musicals and comedies and puts on plays year round.
Blackfriar is a mid-sized professional theatre company that features area actors and actresses. The company produces six plays each year.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Blackfriars Theatre
795 E Main StBlackfriar is a mid-sized professional theatre company that features area actors and actresses. The company produces six plays each year.
The Memorial Art Gallery dates back to 1913 when it first opened and you will find an impressive 12,000 items here that include anything from contemporary art objects to foreign pieces from all over the world.
The art gallery sits on 14 acres of land and was created to offer the local community the chance to enjoy art from the region as well as further afield.
To this day the gallery is dedicated to showcasing some of the best art in the country, and you will find rotating exhibitions and galleries here as well as other diverse event
101 moradores locais recomendam
Memorial Art Gallery
500 University AveThe Memorial Art Gallery dates back to 1913 when it first opened and you will find an impressive 12,000 items here that include anything from contemporary art objects to foreign pieces from all over the world.
The art gallery sits on 14 acres of land and was created to offer the local community the chance to enjoy art from the region as well as further afield.
To this day the gallery is dedicated to showcasing some of the best art in the country, and you will find rotating exhibitions and galleries here as well as other diverse event
For anyone who wants to know more about the night sky, the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium is the place to come, particularly thanks to their amazing shows that take you on a tour of the solar system.
The star shows here are legendary in the area and use a projector to show you exactly where the stars and planets are located.
There are also vibrant showcases such as the laser performances where you can watch lasers dancing along to music, and there are also interactive exhibits that let you explore space on your own.
Telescopes set up at the planetarium are open for public use, and there are also educational films screened here regularly.
119 moradores locais recomendam
Rochester Museum & Science Center
657 East AveFor anyone who wants to know more about the night sky, the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium is the place to come, particularly thanks to their amazing shows that take you on a tour of the solar system.
The star shows here are legendary in the area and use a projector to show you exactly where the stars and planets are located.
There are also vibrant showcases such as the laser performances where you can watch lasers dancing along to music, and there are also interactive exhibits that let you explore space on your own.
Telescopes set up at the planetarium are open for public use, and there are also educational films screened here regularly.
Artisanworks
565 Blossom RdIf you are travelling with younger visitors then don’t miss the chance to check out The Strong, a 150,000 square foot museum that showcases the best of children’s toys and board games.
If you do make it here, expect to find galleries dedicated to all your childhood favorites like Monopoly, the Wizard of Oz, and Sesame Street.
In addition to the galleries there are other special features here such as a carousel that is over a hundred years old, and the only indoor butterfly garden in the region, so you definitely won’t be bored during a visit and even adults can enjoy the fun.
198 moradores locais recomendam
The Strong Museum
1 Manhattan Square DrIf you are travelling with younger visitors then don’t miss the chance to check out The Strong, a 150,000 square foot museum that showcases the best of children’s toys and board games.
If you do make it here, expect to find galleries dedicated to all your childhood favorites like Monopoly, the Wizard of Oz, and Sesame Street.
In addition to the galleries there are other special features here such as a carousel that is over a hundred years old, and the only indoor butterfly garden in the region, so you definitely won’t be bored during a visit and even adults can enjoy the fun.
Parks & Nature
Highland Park
180 Reservoir AveParque da Praia de Ontario
50 Beach Ave