Apogee is a fantastic gem of a place in a quiet spot on Park Ave, far from the crowds and traffic and heavily perfumed masses. It feels like a hidden locals-only joint where you can grab a glass of your fave from a thoughtfully curated list of delicious options, and settle in with your better half, besties or a group of friends and just chill. We've been to Apogee a number of times before and 'after' covid, in colder months when we've been lucky to snag a window table, and in warmer times, like tonight, when we can sit outside and enjoy the flickering fireflies along with our sparkling rosè. Besides the pleasant atmosphere, Apogee has a beautifully appointed interior space, clean bathrooms, and a menu with cheese plates, cake, and more wines than you could taste in a summer. All of that plus super knowledgable 'bar tenders' (more like wine sommeliers) who can take your possibly clumsy description of what you think you want and offer up several perfect options, and you have the makings of a very pleasant evening. Book mark this place and plan to spend at least an hour enjoying an outside table! read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Street-side drinking with the fireflies - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

See all

Apogee was our baby shower venue. While people don't normally associate wine bar with baby shower, we made it work and Apogee was the perfect venue that met all of our needs. As a special events venue, Apogee was flexible with outside food and also with decorations. There was no additional venue rental/site fee, just a minimum spend amount (which we were confident that we would exceed). The venue is cozy and intimate, but has high ceilings so it did not feel claustrophobic at all, even with 30+ guests at one point. I'm a wine snob myself, so I was a bit skeptical initially when I saw their wine list. Most of the wines they serve retail for $10-20. They do have some bottles that are more expensive (retail ~$30). However, after tasting some of their entry level wines (Ancient Peaks Zinfandel & Gouguenheim Malbec), my worries vanished. Everything I tasted was excellent and drank better than their actual price point. Steve was a great host. He was laid back, but still friendly and attentive to all of our guests. He made sure everybody's drink needs were satisfied. He was also flexible with letting us in the venue early to set up and also staying late to clean up. I also liked the fact that they allowed us to bring our own wine, for a $15 per bottle corkage fee, which is fair. Anyways, Apogee is a great venue for a small party. They are flexible and reasonable. I would definitely recommend them as a wine bar and for hosting a private event (especially on a Sunday). read more

Apogee Wine Bar - a welcome sign and flowers - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity of Rochester, NY Held A Wine & Cheese Tasting At The Awesome (Black-Owned) Establishment. Perfectly Nestled Center City, Park Ave. The Sommeliers - Owner & General Manager; Facilitated an Exceptional Presentation of Their Extensive Wine Collection Paired with Premium Aged Cheeses and Cured Meats. By Far an Outstanding Event, Venue, and Service. The Atmosphere and In This Space Is Very Chic and Quaint W/ Vintage Accents. If You Have Yet to Visit This Venue, Do Yourself A Huge Favor and Pay Them A Visit. I'm So Glad I Did! read more

See all

An expertly curated wine list. We had an amazing experience in a relaxed and stylish environment that we are excited to come back to. Julie was a gracious host that made us feel at home and her descriptions of the wines were spot on. Five stars, check it out when u r in the neighborhood! read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

One of my go-to spots for drinks with friends and some serious unwinding. They have a wonderful wine by the glass list (everything is priced at $10) and an extensive bottle list as well, at a wide range of price points. Their menu changes fairly frequently, but last night I tried a pinotage that absolutely hit the spot. If you're craving a sweet treat, they have rotating cakes from Scratch that are always tasty and a great wine accompaniment. Steve at the bar is super knowledgeable and will answer any and all questions you have about the offerings. They do some wine excursions (they go to Italy next week!) and offer occasional brunch pop ups partnered with Avvino, and some other unique paired dinners. I look forward to many more years of Apogee serving up delicious pours on Park Ave, and I SO MISS living a stone's throw away and drinking there every week. Cheers! read more

Chocolate truffles and wine. Need I say more? I think everyone enjoy eatings decadent chocolate truffles while drinking wine. A group of us visited here for the first time and I wish I had come sooner! The sommelier was very knowledgeable and did a heat job recommending some additional wines to try based on our preferences. They also have cake and some charcuterie options to go with the wine. read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Closest was my sparkling Pinot noir rose. First round of drinks and we all loved it. - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

Cute little wine bar on Park Avenue. Great spot for a date night or to head out with the girls... A couple of tables outside as well as two booths in the front windows, a cool retro sofa in the back and great seating at the bar Good selection of wines and light nibbles available. Service was friendly parking not too bad read more

See all

I came here on a Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. I was surprised how easy it was to find parking! I usually avoid places on Park Ave for that reason, so I was impressed when I easily found parking. It is also bigger and nicer inside than you would think from the outside. I had the sparkling rose, and it was very good. It could have been colder for me personally, but it's probably "proper" to drink it warmer, lol. I'm really not a wine snob and mostly drink sparkling wines and other sweet wines that I think will taste good. This one was definitely good and I would drink it again. I really wanted to try one of their cake slices, but unfortunately they had run out on Friday night. :( I only had one glass because I needed to drive home, but I'd love to Uber here sometime and try more of what they have. Or if you're in the area for dinner, stop here before for a glass of wine. read more

See all

I visited Apogee for the first time this past weekend. The wine selection is quite impressive. I had the wine slushy which was delicious!!! The wine bar is decorated nicely and even has outdoor seating. Our server, Daniel was really nice. He didn't hover over or rush us. But, he did keep our glasses full. read more

Was out Park Ave so we decided to make the trek to Apogee. This was my first time there and I enjoyed it! It's a small wine bar near the Alexander end of Park Ave. The bar area is nice! Limited seating outside and a little more inside. The Bartender we had was very knowledgeable and quite friendly! He's a wine sommelier so he knows his stuff. They have a nice selection and the wines are not "common"... it's nice to try different regions too! They're happy to give you a small taste to help you decide :) They do have a cheese board and a different "cake of the week" dessert. Yesterday's offering was caramel apple. Very good, but the frosting was a touch too sweet for me. (Of course that didn't stop me from eating it!!) Put this on your list of Park Ave stops. You won't be dissapointed! read more

See all

Cool place. We went after dinner and it's open later than most places durring covid. The ancient peaks zinfandel was great, especially for the price. Highway 12 cabernet was also great for the price. Cool atmosphere. Smaller but we'll appointed and cozy. They dispense the wine through a special system to keep the wine fresh and chilled perfectly. Nice touch. They have a few smaller things on the menu (need to buy food due to covid rules) . They were unfortunately out of cake and truffles when we went. I would like to come back and try the charcuterie. We had already eaten so we didn't get the chance. read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

See all

Amazing Wine Bar in the heart of Park Ave! I was so excited for my friend, Simone Boone, when she opened this spot almost 5 years ago! Today it's amazing (yet not surprising) how successful it has become! They have a wonderful selection of wines, each one handpicked by her. They have a small food menu to please your palette and compliment your wine choice. On the first Saturday of every month, they host DJ Sight who plays every one of your favorite jams from growing up to the latest hits! This place is a MUST SEE! read more

Apogee Wine Bar - The crew with the fabulous owner, Simone Boone! - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

See all

Small bar seating, small lounge area in back and a couple two tops make it a pretty intimate atmosphere. However to me it didn't feel cozy. The cheese board was tasty, as was the port. read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Winter 2019 offerings - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

I visited Apogee for the first time yesterday and had a great time catching up with some friends here. The charcuterie board was delicious and the red wine I tried from Lebanon was great. The bartender, Alex, was very friendly. Would definitely be back! read more

Popped in with some girlfriends on Friday night to catch up. We sat in one of the window seats. We've been here a bunch of times and have made it our usual spot when we have had a long day at work or need a good venting session. This small and cozy wine bar has an extremely knowledgeable staff when it comes to wines. They have a nice selection, though not extensive. There are food options, small plates of cheeses and meats which go nicely with some wine selections (ask the staff what is the best pairing). They also have Scratch Bakeshop cake made especially for them... it is to die for!!! One of my girlfriends got a slice of strawberry honey to go and it was gone as soon as we got home! Can't go wrong if you're looking for a quiet night out. read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Girls night out on this beautiful Friday night! - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

Had heard a wine bar had opened on Park Ave but forgot about that until a friend mentioned it as we drove by on our way to the opening at the MAG. Afterward we decided to check this place out. The big downside in winter is finding parking anywhere near this place - this end of Park Ave is tougher to find parking - a big a hassle if you don't live within walking distance. The four of us entered the warm and inviting space and tucked into one of the two window booths. Two of us opted for that night's special, a Spanish Rioja rose wine - it was very good. The chardonnay ordered by the third member of our group was un-oaked and proclaimed to be excellent. We were disappointed that they did not have any chocolates on their menu just cheese... oh well, a missed opportunity given all of the great indie chocolate shops in town. The prices seemed fair. Perhaps we will be back when the weather is warmer and we can walk to this end of Park Ave without having to search for parking. read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Rose on a frosty night - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

Went to Apogee Wine Bar with Emma Romell - she's legal! - for a Yelp Rochester event. What a great place on Park Ave. they did a popcorn and wine pairing with Popcorn Charlie's Gourmet Popcorn. I NEVER would have imagined that I'd like dill pickle popcorn but it was great! The owner and bartender are sommeliers and know their stuff- not wines you'll likely find on the wine lists locally or at your local liquor store- nice wines from places you might not otherwise have tried! read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

See all

Adorable space, great ambiance, super friendly sommelier, and delicious wine. Sit in the front window for good people watching! Can't wait to go back and try out more wines. read more

I've passed by this place time in and time out. I always say I'm going to try it! Well I finally did, last night. I went out to dinner and was being taunted by a S'mores cake featured at Apogee by Scratch Bakeshop. I needed this cake. The inside was freezing so we sat outside. I had the cava which I believe paired well with the dessert. I also had an espresso and of course, CAKE. I'm not a huge wine-o meaning I love wine... although I'm not educated enough to tell you about tannins and complexity. The wine selection seemed ample and compelling. The inside of the building is so cute, dark and modern. The paintings on the wall were super fun and the bar itself was beautiful. Very unique little spot on Park Ave! read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

Still fabulous and my go to spot locally (I can walk here) for a fabulous glass or two of wine and great charcuterie. Staff is always on point and in warmer weather outdoor seating and pop ups too. Street parking or Uber/Lyft kids read more

Intimate wine bar located right in Park Ave, within walking distance to Alexander Street. With several wines on tap, you can choose from a variety of options. Though, I noticed most seem to be on the drier side. The menu also includes the option for a charcuterie with your choices of cheese, meats, fruits, and nuts. The bartender was very friendly and helped answer some questions regarding the wine options. Great spot for after dinner or a date where you don't want to do a full meal. read more

Apogee is a small and quaint wine bar. The decor is elegant and the wine matches the vibe. A nice place to have a glass of wine with a friend. Their selection of wine is probably the best part of Apogee though. read more

See all

Went in for some Wine and cake, asked to try a bit of the red wine I wanted, was straight poured and over air rated full glads of spoiled wine. Ask for some dessert, it never came. I went to pay the bill, and wasn't given a bill or my change, the barman just pocket my 20. Walked 2 blocks to Roam instead to recover my evening. Don't go here ever.... read more

What a cute wine bar this is! It was a Thursday night when my friend and I stopped in so it wasn't too crowded. The place is small but well decorated. There are 2 cozy booths that looks out the window, a small bar area, some high tables and a couch for lounging in the back. The wine selection is not too big and I'm not a wine expert by any means but what I had was delicious. I had a Riesling dessert wine. It was sweet and refreshing. I love ice wine so naturally I gravitated towards this haha. We also got the olives to munch on with our wine. They were so delicious! Apparently the bartender marinated them himself. They had a nice bite and so much flavor, I'd go back just for the olives lol. I can't wait to stop back to try more wine since I only had one on this visit! And I will definitely be trying that chocolate cake too! read more

See all

Good ambiance for a drink, and the wine selection is well appointed. Love to sit by the window, and the back seating area is good for a small group of friends. The food selection is limited, and it makes me needed to gulp my wine and find somewhere else to get a bite. Maybe include a little munchie to help get the wine down? read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

VERY nice atmosphere! Relaxed and inviting, Apogee offers a great place to enjoy company before or after dinner. The drinks are great. They have a small food menu to accompany any drink you get should you wish. I got the cheese and meat board as well as their sinfully delicious cake! I need to go back. Really nice to catch up and chat with a girlfriend of mine. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is because the food is only "while supplies last". I came in around 6:45pm and already he didn't have much cheese and meat left to make my board. I had to just eat what he had available. read more

Apogee, you just might be my favorite new wine bar. It's quaint, bright, and the staff is so welcoming. The owner is a sommelier and opened Apogee to fulfill a lifelong dream if hers. It's nice to see her passion realized. The wines on the list are top notch -- most glasses between $8-10. I tried a sparkling white that was so well balanced and not too dry. Many of the wines on the list are new to me so I'm looking forward to exploring the selection here. I'm no wine expert so I need all the help I can get. They also have some light food options -- cheese and charcuterie. We opted for three cheeses (~$12) -- a hearty plate, which is good to share and paired with bread. The options they had available when we were there: goat cheese, aged white cheddar, and Gouda. All wonderful! I'd eat that cheddar all day. We sat in the cozy window seats -- good for a group of 4-5. They have bar seating, and more 2-seaters in the cozy space. Dried flowers hang from the ceiling and gilded mismatched mirrors are the focus of the main wall opposite the slick wine case covering the wall behind the bar. The space is bright white and airy. The ideal environment to enjoy wine with friends after work. read more

See all

I've been meaning to go to Apogee for a while now. So happy I finally gave it a visit! Now that I have, I will be visiting more. The atmosphere is perfect. Dim lighting, a nicely decorated space, and the music isn't too loud. I tried out three different wines on my visit and a cheese plate. There was a special on a dry rose and it was the best rose I've ever had. Not too sweet, not too dry. I would probably want a full bottle (or two) of that to myself. I'm not too much of a fan of red wine. The bartender helped us find a red that had a nice full-bodied taste that wasn't too overwhelming (Gouguenheim Malbec). I also split a drier white wine that had a great fruity aroma (Chenin Blanc). I really enjoyed all three wines that I tried and it wouldn't have been possible without the bartender. She was personable, knowledgeable, and made me comfortable while asking a million questions. The cheese plate was also incredible. You can also get a choice of meat with it but we opted not to. The cheeses we tried were an aged Gouda and a firm goat cheese. Both were great and were served with a jalapeño jam and fresh bread. If you haven't had a chance to visit Apogee yet, the time is now. read more

See all

This place is cozy chic. I really love the ambiance when you first walk in. They turned this place over quickly, and it looks gorgeous with the counter tops, lighting fixtures, and little nooks for intimate parties. The wines on the list are amazing, I love going to a place that has delicious, high quality wines that are reasonably priced for a glass, and aren't something I have had at a million other places. Recently, Bre held an event here and the owners were very friendly. The cheese spread was delicious, and the wines that were selected for tasting were great. I had to write the names down for further consumption... This will be a perfect place for a cozy winter date, post-work happy hour, or intimate holiday get together with friends. read more

Spent a fun evening with some of our younger cohorts here... snug little wine bar with a fairly deep variety of wines. As a reformed oenophile, I was amused to listen to the bartender (wine steward? Cellar teller?) describe one varietal as having hay overtones after rolling around in a barnyard. Curious, I asked him what his major was in college... and he told me trumpet performance. Anyway, if you're looking for a snug place to get cozy with a glass, dig Apogee. If your company isn't keeping you occupied you could always trade metaphors with the bartender (cork manager?). read more

We love Apogee. The owner Simone has crafted a fantastic menu by the glass or bottle an with small plates to nosh on, it's a match made in heaven. The knowledge of the staff on everything from wine build to pairing is absolutely outstanding and a breath of fresh air here in Rochester where that can be very tough to find. In my experience the restaurant can be a little chilly due its very intimate and cozy size but the seating is comfortable, the lighting is perfect and the music is FABULOUS. You may want to bring a jacket. This place is perfect for small groups, ladies night and intimate conversation. Their prices are absolutely reasonable and for a first date you couldn't go wrong here. It's one of the best kept secrets in the city. read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Love their window tables! Such a great view! - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

Apogee is a quaint little wine bar near the Alexander-end of Park Ave. Some don't realize it is there, but once you know, you'll add it to your list of go-to spots for a before dinner glass of wine, or dessert. There is a decent wine selection and the bartenders are knowledgeable and can always recommend something good. They also have a different cake dessert every week from a local bakery along with cheese board options on their menu. There are a couple of tables outside for when the weather is nice. Check it out! read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

See all

I love this wine bar, and that's coming from someone that isn't very knowledgeable about wine. This is a great place to stop before or after dinner, especially if your kids are spending the night somewhere and you don't want you date night to end too soon. The ambiance of the bar is very hip, with a couple of booths flanking the entrance, a long and narrow wine bar with high tables for two along the wall, and a comfy sitting area in the back. When it's really busy, I think that this place would feel claustrophobic to some people. Every time I have come in, the bar is vibrant. The bartenders are always friendly and knowledgeable, offering great wine suggestions for our party. Their specials have allowed me to learn about some great wines that I am now quite fond of, and we have never left this place with a negative impression. read more

Nice wine bar in the Park Avenue neighborhood. The staff is very friendly and helpful. My friend and I weren't sure which wine we should get and our server made great suggestions and let us sample a few before ordering. The wines by the glass list is a little short for a wine bar. There were many options for wine by the bottle. They have some food options too. The cake slice was delicious (from a local bakery). It is small here. I wish the seating was more comfortable. The bar stools are really high. If you are just getting wine then the couch option would probably be nice, but I didn't want to balance a plate on my lap while eating cake. The atmosphere here was pretty good. At first it was some nice ambience music and people having conversations (myself included). They brought in a DJ around 8:30 or so and then the music was too loud to talk over. My friend and I would probably have stayed longer if we could have heard each other over the music. read more

I'm just making sure I remember to come back here and order the pie or cake being offered by partner bakeries that work with this bar. The actual wine bar was cool, but nothing completely out of the ordinary. But coming in for a glass of champagne or wine AND getting a blowout piece of cake for $6? Yeah, I'll be back. read more

I read that Apogee was created in the hopes of blending a big-city wine bar with a neighborhood watering hole, and I think this place has found the perfect balance. It's small but intimate, with chic decor, clean lines, and a vast wine selection. We were pleased to discover that it was 20% of bottles on the night we visited, and the knowledgeable bartender offered a few suggestions, along with a complimentary tasting. We settled on the Le Ferme Saint Pierre, and thoroughly enjoyed the bottle. We also sampled the house-marinated olives that had the pleasant addition of citrus, which made them unique and delicious. We also tasted three different cheeses with bread, dried fruit and a jalapeño I jam. I'll definitely be back! read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

See all

I was at Apogee last night with a two girlfriends. I am pretty pumped to see a wine bar this close to my apartment! I don't really know anything about wines, but I do know that the 2 I tried tasted delicious! The atmosphere in there is great! I love love love the counter tops! I want my kitchen counter tops to be like that! Simone is great and since it was a quiet night we got to chat with her and a few other people that were in there. It was like we were sitting in our kitchen tasting great wine and having great convos! I will definitely be coming back and next time I will get a cheese board! read more

What a great wine bar!! I don't know why I don't go here more often! And they've got Scratch Bake Shop CAKE!! Wine is reasonably priced, and the red wines are chilled to the correct temp. Nothing I hate more than drinking a glass of red wine that's as warm as blood. The cake was a coconut with raspberry. I'm not a huge sweet fan, as I've said before, but it was pretty good. My boyfriend and the other couple devoured theirs. Apogee... I will be back!! Cheers read more

In the heart of a quaint neighborhood in Rochester, NY, Apogee is just what I was looking for on a walk to find a place to sit, have a glass, enjoy the perfect weather and a new city. The alcoves for tables and the dried bouquets hanging from the ceiling caught my eye first. I love the simplicity of this place. And the wine of course. read more

Apogee Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

I am not a huge wine enthusiast, I actually don't drink a lot of wine at all. I went here for the Yelp wine tasting and brought a date with me. I can't say enough good things about this place. The owner was great. After we tasted all of the wines that were offered we sat down at the bar and had a couple (several) more glasses of wine. Since I know absolutely nothing about wine except that I am not a fan of incredibly dry wines, she let me try out a bunch more and I found a couple that I liked enough to drink an entire glass. The prices were in line with what I would expect at a small wine bar and the staff was incredible. Its a nice cozy atmosphere, definitely a great place to take a date. read more