I'm so excited that there's an NA bar option in Rochester now! AltBar was a fun experience…read more My fiance and I sat at the bar and looked over the cocktail options. The bartenders working that evening were so friendly and informative! It really added to our experience to sit and chat with friendly staff who could talk us through our choices since we were basically completely new to NA cocktails. I tried The Pear Necessities, which was very bright, full, and fruity. My fiance tried the Dark Crystal, which has NA mezcal and bitters -- he really enjoyed it but those flavors are super overwhelming for me, but that just goes to show they have something for everyone flavor profile-wise. We were also super curious about the different types of NA spirits, so we talked to the bartenders about the differences in "functional" spirits, like nootropics and adaptogens. We were offered a few small samples of some of the lions mane derived spirits, which prompted us to buy a few small bottles off their shelf selection to take home. Which, speaking of bottles, they had plenty to choose from. I also loved that AltBar had such a full and engaging event calendar. I'm keeping an eye on their social media pages for their updates for March, it seems like such a great community gathering space and Rochester is fortunate to have this business added to our landscape.

This was my first time visiting the store front of alt bar. Before they had a store front I…read moreattended a couple of their pop up events aroundrochester at coffee shops and festivals. I loved their pop up events but so happy they were able to make a store front. Coming here is like "going out" but without any crazy bar scene or or wasted people. Everyone is sober drinking to delicious cocktails/mocktails (anything non alcohol) and boy are their drinks are delicious!! They have many fun events I am excited to try in the new year! if you are looking for sober fun this is definitely the place to visit!!

Hit up Turcott's for the first time after an event this weekend, and am so sad I didn't know about…read morethis gem prior to now! Best part? Completely dog friendly inside! This is the best for folks who like to bring their pups everywhere and I wish I had known sooner. I also heard they have a rockin' weeknight karaoke, and I know my partner and I will be hitting that up at some point in the near future. This is your standard Monroe Ave dive (not the diviest there is but divey nevertheless) and it fits in great with the rest of the Monroe scene. I went with a raspberry vodka soda and it was perfectly strong, made by a super friendly bartender who was attentive to everyone seated. I will for sure be back for drinks with friends when I am in the area (and to try some food!)

As a fan of Lola's, I was VERY excited to come back under the name Turcott's Taproom, which pays…read morehomage to the late owner who died battling cancer. Word is out that the original Chef is now back to make the great food the bistro once served. On my first visit I had the wings, which are the same they make for JD Oxford's...but this time with the house sauce, which is the same tangy-smoky bbq meets hot sauce mix that has been adapted by many restaurants. And naturally they cooked them to my specifications :-) I paired them with genny's salted caramel vanilla porter...or w/e it's called. On my second visit, my buddy and I shared the Turcott's poutine and instantly became my fave. Hardly greasy and hardly salty without sacrificing the good balance of flavors As you have guessed by now, I've been back twice under the new name. The first time was on Turkey day eve. They had yet to have the new menu available, but their beer list was good to go. The place underwent a hell of a face lift -- inside and out! Remember the wobbling tables? NO MORE! All the wood benches/booths are now nice and cushioned. The rear top half level is now carpeted and as great for group as it once used to be.. The bar is very shiny and beauteous. Other additions to the bar is a second flat screen, a juke box and a dart board machine. They new improvements is much more like a bar while maintaining the coziness and low key socializing vibe that its predecessor built a reputation for. Monroe is full of rowdy joints. This is a very exciting return to neighborhood. Cocktail menu is coming soon...and hopefully some happy hour specials!

Didn't get a chance to go the weekend they had a bunch of bands (fell sick) but anyone hosting TST…read moreRelated events is awesome in MY book! ESPECIALLY when it's for a Worthy Cause.

If you like *really* divey bars, the California Brew Haus may be the place for you. I almost can't…read morebelieve that I've lived in Rochester my whole life without coming here, as it's been there forever. I went to see a friend's band play, and it wasn't the worst place ever, but I would not hurry back. Pros -Cheap drinks ($3 beers) -Games including pool, darts, and virtual bowling -Big free parking lot -Cool old signs, some from Rochester's past -Nice big area for live music Cons -The ceiling and walls are just insulation and black plastic bags in some parts, making it look like someone's basement -No locks on bathroom stalls -No paper towel in the ladies room -At one point, no toilet paper in the ladies room -Everything kinda looks like it hasn't been cleaned in 40 years -Security pepper sprayed some rowdy patrons and I spent the rest of my time there sneezing and coughing

Fun spot, Friendly locals vibe. Couple of adorable older…read moreguys not afraid to spark their minds. Just awesome folks. The girl behind the bar was just as nice as can be - this place is really welcoming. Ladies RR upstairs, generous on soap and paper towels. Sounds really weird, I know but as a traveler, IYKYK. ATM inside. Didn't try the food here, just popped in for a beer. Didn't see any other type of menu- But did notice chips, nuts, and Cheetos (maybe Fritos) on a couple of clip strips at the end of the bar.

I came in tonight with a couple of my friends and immediately started laughing. Sly, the bartender,…read moreis punny, knowledgeable and considerate. So glad he was working tonight! #tuesdayswithsly P.s. Madison is another amazing bartender

Missing Lux at 8:42am on a Tuesday morning, and writing this review to ease the pain! I haven't…read morebeen to Lux since the pandemic started, and honestly don't think I had been at all this year prior to that either. Which is a SHAME, because Lux is a special place. Where else can you eat midnight bagels to accompany your vodka soda? Where else can you get overly frustrated at the "get the circle onto the post" game outside? The answer is NOWHERE. Lux has a special vibe about it that is welcoming, inclusive, divey and strange all at the same time. The South Wedge location is perfect and there's usually ample street parking if you're DD-ing or planning to leave your car. I can't wait to get back here post-pandemic and enjoy a game with friends and a seat out on the patio.

Lux is a different experience every night depending on what is going and who is DJ. Some things…read morestay the same regardless of when you go: great vibes, quick bar service, cheap drinks, and a long bathroom line. Definitely more a hole in the wall in terms of charm, but you'll have a good night there regardless.

My first review on Google has reached tens of thousands as this infamous frank has become a late…read morenight beacon. I returned to validate the exquisite and treasured Joey's Hot Dog, and it continues to deliver. So unsuspecting, yet mighty and fulfilling. Bravo.

Take out pans with red sauce are very dry very minimal red sauce disappointing. Be sure to have…read morethem include a quart of red sauce when ordering two pans or more of red sauce selections or add much more sauce in the bottom and top of pan meals. Take out pan selections are good but little or no sauce.

First visit here and was quite impressed. Tastefully appointed and the staff were all friendly and…read morehelpful. You need to know the secret to getting past the gatekeeper as this is a speakeasy setting. (Figure it out on your own, that's half the fun)!!! Once inside there was a smooth jazz group performing. The music was a lovely backdrop to the setting and not overwhelmingly loud that I would be screaming to be heard. You can have a normal level conversation and still enjoy the music. There were comfortable cushioned chairs with pub sized tables for seating. We sat at the bar as all table s were taken. The energetic bartenders filled up in on all the idiosyncrasies of the place and happily answered all of our many questions. They told us that it was quiet for a Thursday night and that the weekends were much larger crowds which would not appeal to me as I'm not looking for a club scene atmosphere. I was happily comfortable. The drinks are creative and include interesting combinations of ingredients. We shared three appetizers, the sliders (my favorite), spring rolls (the side sauce was great), and the tacos with a tasty crema drizzled over them. The staff let us tour the dining room, basically a Ramon Santiago gallery. (The angel was my favorite). We went to see the ballroom as well as I had attended a wedding there 37 years ago while it was still the University Club!!! It was the same lovely room I remember and brought back wonderful memories. My friend was staying there while she is having some work done at her home so got to see the guest room she was in. As expected from a historic building large windows overlooking downtown Rochester, a gas fireplace, and soaker tub. Beautiful space. Some logistic issues with heat and fan not working so this was her second room that hopefully the new owner will address. We ran into their new executive chef and they have done a great job in hiring him. He told us about future ideas they have for putting their thumb print on things and they sound quite exciting. I thanked him for the time he spent speaking with us and appreciated his enthusiasm and forward thinking. All in all a most enjoyable time at the Inn and would recommend a visit by anyone of any age. So glad we have a community that cares for its historic buildings and their importance to our identity

Love this intimate space. Perfect respite from the busy-ness of Jazz Fest. Enjoyed the friendly…read moreservice from Josh, the bartender the two nights we stopped in. And I must say, a much better Manhattan than I got at Max's.

This place is a real hidden gem. I drive by it all the time, but never expected the beauty within…read more The prices are incredible, for both food and drinks. The bartenders are very friendly and welcoming + There is a pool table, dart board, and comedy shows on Wednesdays! The interior design is also impeccable! Give the landing strip a visit and you won't be disappointed

My friends and I were looking for a good dive bar to grab a bite to eat and have a few drinks…read more Based on the reviews we saw here, we decided to give The Landing Strip a try. As soon as we walked in the smell of smoke (both stale and fresh) overwhelmed us. We decided to go to another place. If it wasn't for the smell, we would have stayed to try the food. Everything else was as I expected. Regulars at the bar, weird decor.....typical dive bar.