Friends from Albany recommended The Daily Refresher as a cocktail bar to visit, and I'm glad we followed up on their suggestion. The bar has what I look for - interesting crafted cocktails (including specials), a good liquor selection, and fun people behind the bar with whom to engage. I can understand why my friends liked the place. We did have some food here, but I'm more enamored with the drinks. We ordered hummus, which was supposed to come with bread (they say naan, I think it was pita, but that's fine) and veggies. It did come out with the bread. When we asked about the veggies, we were given 2 different answers by 2 different people. One implied folks didn't always want them, another said the chef forgot and apologized. The hummus had an unexpected flavor, and when I checked the fine print on the menu it says, "chefs choice flavor." We didn't order anything else here, but we saw several orders of wings go by, and they looked really good too. On a Saturday afternoon, get here early, because if can fill up quickly. read more

The Daily Refresher - Splice The Mainbrace - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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This bar advertises as a high-end whiskey bar. This is a lie. They have a menu listing all of their whiskeys, except they actually have maybe 10% of what they list. 90% of what I have ordered from their menu they tell me they do not have. I understand running out of supplies every now and then. But when your bar's identity is based on whiskey, and you have a list of all these wonderful whiskeys on your menu, it is very frustrating that my first 3-5 selections are not available. How hard is it to keep your menu updated? read more

This is a great place to sit down with a cocktail and stay a while. It is an adorable nook with twinkle lights, inventive cocktails, velvet settees, and a Victorian charm. My fave place to visit when I'm in Rochester for an annual conference. Bartenders are friendly and super knowledgable, and can create something inventive for you, even if it's not on the menu. read more

This has changed so much over the years, as I used to live directly across the street. The atmosphere is very cozy and relaxed with small candles and a warm ambiance. We were out front and ordered from the libations menu. It was our first time here and honestly would have received all 5 stars..... but.... the one thing no one tells you is that server after server will whiz by you and just blankly stare right through you, but it's up to the customer to know that they must go order at the bar in the second room and take a table number to have the food delivered to the table. The charcuterie board was magnificent though, and I would definitely return. read more

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Great location and seemingly decent crowd upon entering. Super underwhelming, otherwise. The bartender was for the entire bar/restaurant apparently - although two others were behind the bar for only beer and wine. The bartender was completely uninterested in serving vs talking. No need to ever return here. read more

Updated review. Came here again and also stayed only in the downstairs place. We sat at a corner table and ordered food and drinks at the bar. Drinks are small and a bit pricey, but fun. I did enjoy the food - the fried chicken bites were delicious, sliders were a great deal and really enjoyed the garlic parmesan fries. Cute casual place to meet up with a small group for bites and/or drinks. read more

Unfortunately I deleted this review I've been here a few times. It's a very cool spot.. and upstairs and first floor seating area and bars. They make some lovely cocktails and mock tails. Vic the Head Bartender and another staff member will not steer you wrong with libations or some nibbles. Bring your ID THEY CARD. If it's busy be advised you will wait it is what it is.. Cheers Street parking or Uber I'll be back! read more

The Daily Refresher - Grow A Pear - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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We stopped in ant the bartender was in the process of creating a new drink for Halloween. It looked beautiful, had a delectable mix of alcohol and so I asked to try it. I'm so thankful that she allowed me to buy one. It had something got do with green tea and mandarin-fabulous! Hopefully it it despised favorable upon and becomes a regular specialty drink. Creamy, well balanced - well done all around. For a bite, we ordered the bourbon wings and those were something worth coming back for as well! The sauce they serve is a mild blue cheese ranch that was a lovely balance to the sweetness of the wings! Well done! Highly recommend coming in. read more

This is by far my favorite cocktail bar in Rochester and it is not particularly close. The atmosphere here is second to none, with roughly five different spaces throughout that each have a different vibe. My favorite area is definitely at the upstairs bar, but the also have a bar on the first floor, a separate seating area near the bar, an upstairs deck, and even a huge patio out back that sometimes has a food truck. And don't worry, the place also has great drinks. The menu changes frequently, but my favorite has been a Smores-themed whiskey and amaro drink that was so good that we got the ingredients to make at home. If you have not been here yet and you like a good cocktail, you have to check out this spot. Do note, prices are a little high for Rochester, but I think they are worth it. read more

The Daily Refresher - Smores drink was incredible - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Ordered two Manhattans (Templeton Rye) yesterday at the Daily Refresher. Total bill was $48. This included $12 for "you know ... the stuff that makes a Manhattan." Do not recommend. read more

I love this place. I dont drink so i dont know about that or bar tenders but the food is amazing!! I always get the Philly steak/brisket sandwich (they keep changing the menu and the name of this lol) and WINGS! It is also a very lovely place at night! So romantic Unfortunately most of the time it is full tho Also-Being iD read more

I've come a couple of times now, yet somehow I always miss when the upstairs is open, which is a shame since i hear it's quieter. If you come right after work, it's not so busy/loud, but around 7, I noticed the music volume pick up to compete with the talking noise, which I did not love. The bartenders and servers are really nice, and they have decent happy hour deals, including a delicious weekly cocktail that is cheaper (10 bucks?) than the ones on the menu (13ish)(which rotates seasonally I believe). Will not become a regular haunt for me, but it's worth checking out! read more

On a weekend trip in Rochester, my wife and I decided to dine one evening at The Daily Refresher since it was down the street from the AirBnB that we stayed in. It had a relaxed, cool, atmosphere, and we were really happy to have chosen this place from the moment we walked in. The music was slightly loud for a space the size it was, but other than that it was great! My wife ordered a fried chicken sandwich, and I ordered the slider trio. Both were delicious! And SO FILLING! You will not leave here hungry! The martini that I ordered was also delicious. Readers of my posts know that I am a martini purist -- gin and vermouth -- but the martini here came with a splash of another yellowish liqueur that I am now forgetting, and it was awesome. When we arrived at around 6:15 or so, there were only a couple of other customers in the place. By the time we left, the place was hopping. Our server was incredibly nice, and the guys working the bar upstairs -- which we went up to see after eating -- were also really nice. So, if you're in Rochester and want some really tasty food and drink in a really cool place, check out The Daily Refresher! If I lived there, it would be on my list of regular places to eat. read more

Didn't know you had to order at bar though they did know we were there for first time. Ordered a drink and food. Smoked wings meh. Fried chicken sandwich was too salty and greasy either overcooked or old grease or both. No napkins given to us. Why do you expect people to understand your processes when you don't say or write it in a menu or sign.. Water is self serve...had to find out that one too.. Staff was more concerned about clearing things off your table than helping you. It was not busy. So sad I wanted to like the place and staff but they couldn't care less or maybe they do care but no one leads them. read more

I'd guess that most people come here for the ambiance and absolutely adorable decor. I came with a fried to get a fun cocktail before a night out. The cocktails were great though definitely priced like a speciality cocktail so they better be. We had a late lunch and not a lot of food before going out so we wanted something to eat. We ordered the brussel sprouts and they were truly the WORST brussel sprouts I have ever had. They were in desperate need of salt and pepper and hadn't been seasoned at all. The young waiter who dropped them off said that he had burned them the first time then hurried to get out this second batch. He must have forgotten to salt and pepper them. They tasted bitter and weirdly sweet? Either they really messed up this one time or their recipe itself is very off. Definitely a cute place with amazing vibes. It feels like you're entering a new world when you step off the street and into the establishment. The cocktails were great and the wait staff was really nice. A bit overpriced and the food was awful. Go for the ambiance not the food, I guess. read more

The Daily Refresher - the brussels - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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A friend suggested I give this bar a try, saying it seemed like the ideal bar I was looking for - he was right! The decor is what I like to describe as upscale hipster - with eclectic furnishings and decor, dim lighting and a early 1900's feel. It is in an old house they redid perfectly for a nice relaxed bar. It is two stories with bars on both floors making it pretty spacious and not over crowded. The drink menu is OUTSTANDING and also decently priced. The Flaming lips cocktail is by far the best cocktail I have ever had :D I think what makes this place better than others though is the staff - super knowledgeable and engaged with their drink goers. The Manager Cam will talk to and drink with you and get to know you and want to hear your opinions. And Brooke the bartender besides crafting the greatest drinks and knowing her stuff is a sweetheart. New favorite spot! read more

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The environment in this bar is so fun. Great ambiance. The food was okay. Some good flavors, somethings hit and miss. The drinks are good and strong. And the staff are very nice and accommodating. read more

Great food, great drinks, fabulous (romantic) atmosphere. I wish I lived next door. By the way, check with them if their listing here says they are closed: they are definitely open on Sundays (2-10) because I am there now! Especially love their creative mixed drinks, pork sliders, The Mediterranean Cruise and Autumn Salad. Very attentive folk behind the bar! read more

Love this place! The food and drinks were both great. Great ambiance and service as well. The smoked wings and chili were awesome. The cocktails are great and the whiskey menu is extensive while also having very reasonable prices. They offer half price pours on select whiskey on Wednesdays! read more

Was looking for some daily refreshing so this spot fit the bill nicely. The Daily has a cozy charm to it as soon as you walk in the door. We showed up at around 7 on a Friday night and it wasn't busy at all yet. Very laid back, "sit anywhere you'd like" type vibe upon entry. The bar was so charming we grabbed 2 seats, there were about 12 bar stools total. We ordered the Senorita and Ruby Splash and both were tasty, but the Senorita was superior. I ordered the Gold School next and that was definitely tied with best drink. The reason for 4 stars is based on the limited menu. We ordered a burger, loaded fries and Cuban sandwich. All were tasty but I'd probably just get drinks and the fries next time. The bill was also quite large for what we got. But overall a lovely time and can't wait to come back for drinks with friends next time! Refreshing, indeed! read more

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We absolutely love this place! We came here on a whim after having dinner at a local diner, looking for some drinks. We came at about 8pm on a Wednesday, wasn't too busy but the place is amazing!! The decor is beautiful and unique, the ambiance is so beautiful. A candle on each table, upbeat music playing without being too loud. Our servers were wonderful and attentive. We ordered some desserts, the cookies came warm and we're perfect. We also ordered the s'mores, which provided a unique experience where you go to the back yard area and roast them yourself using an old iron stove!! The backyard was beautiful, lights hanging down and picnic tables to sit at. We loved it so much that my fiancé and I are considering holding our rehearsal dinner in their event space!! We will be back!! read more

The Daily Refresher - Drinks - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

My first visit last night, and I can say I'm impressed. We were there early so it wasn't crowded (yet!). The bartender - wait - mixologist! upstairs was great! Friendly and a great crafter! He asks what you like (flavors, what liquor, etc.) and creates a yummy drink! I had champagne, vodka and grapefruit.... amazing! We also ordered a fireside - which had rum and cinnamon sticks. They actually "set fire" to one of the cinnamon sticks and when it sizzles out, you can smell the aroma while you drink. Very interesting concept! The upstairs is cozy, with sofas and chairs. There is another bar downstairs but I prefer the atmosphere upstairs. Haven't eaten here but would come back to try! read more

The Daily Refresher - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Ok peeps, back up in ROC for a visit... missed the weather (NOT). Anyway, we were out last night celebrating a birthday in the family and stopped by this place?? Not not was this likely the best sour I've had in a while, the cookies were hot out of the oven and everyone NEEDS to try the s'mores?? They let you roast them in this antique wood stove in a courtyard out back... don't miss this gem of a place! read more

The Daily Refresher - Whiskey Sour - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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For those of us who are looking for a high quality cocktail bar where reading inside would be appropriate, look no further. Props to whoever handled the interior design for this space because the aesthetic is seriously ~100~ Safe to say the cocktails are delicious as well and the whiskey list is pages long. This bar is truly a masterfully curated space and i cannot emphasize that enough. I sincerely can't wait to become a regular customer. read more

The Daily Refresher - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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I plan on coming back to try the food. It smelled delicious . I just came for a late night drink though. The drink was ok. I loved the ambiance . It was so dark that my phone was unable to scan the menu without turning the flashlight on. I thought a few of the customers were inconsiderate and rude but that has nothing to do with the location itself . I can't wait to come back and try the food ! read more

Attended the Rochester Brainery event. "Irish coffee with flower city drinksmiths". It was amazing these guys were very knowledgeable and funny at the same time. 4 drinks were featured and everyone had a choice of 2 drinks to make. The space was great for the amount of people in attendance. On a regular night the bartenders very knowledgeable and are willing to find the right drink for you. They have a huge selection of whiskeys if you are into this. Love the fact that the food truck is available all year round and the food is great. If you are a beer drinker, there are a few beers on tap. read more

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This was our second stop on a Friday evening. When we came in the waiters greeted us. It felt friendly and welcoming. It was just a little bit after 7:00 and there were a few groups in the backyard. It was a beautiful evening so we sat outside. I got the jungle bird and my friend got the spring Negroni which is like a white Negroni and a little bit on the savory side because it has dill in it. We were content with our drinks and we shared a garlic fries. We wanted to order the loaded fries but the pork wasn't ready. Anyway we finished the fries and our drinks. Our waiter was attentive and refilled our water frequently. I feel like this is a nice place to grab a drink have some food with friends. I think I'll come back again! Also they were doing two beers and a burger for a fixe price? I don't remember the exact price but check their Instagram if you're interested. read more

The Daily Refresher - Bird in hand and spring Negroni - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Just celebrating its 10th anniversary as a Rochester institution. There are distinct seating areas, and each is cozy and unique. The upstairs lounge is particularly inviting, and the outdoor area is really fun if the weather cooperates. The selection of booze is staggering, and the number of ways you can be prepared and served equally overwhelming. Classic cocktails are especially well done. There is a small menu of little bites, making this a great place to hang out for a few hours with friends. read more

This bar is a welcomed addition on the Alexander strip. Dark but homey with an array of fine furnishings, wooden bars, and exquisite spirits makes you comfortable around friends and strangers alike. One busy nights it can take quite a bit of time to get your drink order taken but I guarantee it's worth the wait. I prefer to hang out at the upstairs area but I situate myself wherever Matthew Pawloski is slinging drinks. He's my go-to for my favorite Dark and Stormy cocktail! I'm a huge fan of the pepperoni pizza here. It's loaded with cheese, has decently thick but crispy crust, and the small cup pepperonis with crispy edges that cradle my favorite meat oil. Screw diets, I'll wash it down with another Dark & Stormy! Whenever I see their food truck I have to partake in food there as well. The staff is always friendly and my orders come out quick. I'm also very bias towards their take on chicken and waffles. Their savory drumstick inside is covered with a crispy waffle batter on the outside. Just pour a little maple syrup on there and dig in! Who needs to mess around with a fork and knife anyways? I want food in my mouth with as little steps as possible, and this place does it right. With great drinks, small plates, outdoor activities, patio seating and a food truck, you really can't come here and feel like this bar is lacking something. Daily definitely stands out from the usual trend of bars on East and Alexander, and it's certainly appreciated and refreshing to see. No pun intended. read more

The Daily Refresher - Old Fashioned next to a Dark and Stormy! - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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I came in for a quick dinner on a Thursday and was awed by the quaint, English tavern look. The Victorian couches upstairs added a nice touch to the ambiance. From there, my first experience gradually went downhill. We were two customers out of the total five that were there so it was shocking that the service was slow. The food took quite some time to come out and when served, we were not told that they ran out of the side of chips. When asked about only getting the sandwich, we were just told, 'oh, we ran out', without being offered any other accommodations and charged the full price of the meals. No biggie - it's just chips and about $1-$2 savings, however to me, it's not only the food, but also the customer service that is a part of the experience. Even though we were the only customers upstairs, it felt like it was packed given the lack of service received. The only time we were waited on was when the bartender took our order, the server gave us our food, and when asked for napkins and refills of our drinks. Food wise, we ordered the pulled pork and the daily sandwiches and they were just mediocre, nothing special. I was surprised since I heard good things about the food truck. Truly disappointed, especially because this would be a fitting place to get away and travel to a different era. read more

The Daily Refresher - The daily and pulled pork sandwiches. - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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I've come around to The Daily Refresher. To be completely honest, when I first visited it was not my favorite bar. I appreciated it for what it was and could understand how it would be popular, but I felt the cocktails and vibe were a little too trendy for me. That being said, I enjoy this place because of their food! Their garlic parm fries are TO. DIE. FOR and only $4 for a heaping portion. They're shoestring, perfectly fried, and chock full of garlic flavor. Don't eat them if you plan on kissing your date later, but do eat them if you want amazing fries. I ordered them in a delivery order with the Cuban Sandwich tonight. The sandwich was also delicious -- pulled pork, bacon, pickles, cheddar, and dijon. I could have gone with a little less dijon, but it was not a huge problem, I just scraped a little off the top of the bun. The pork was great and I loved the bacon and pickles. I probably won't be a regular at The Daily Refresher, but it is a cool place to hang out, especially in the warmer months when you can enjoy the outdoor area. I definitely *will* be a regular customer for to-go food orders, though, since I've really enjoyed everything I've gotten from their kitchen. read more

I'm surprised I haven't already reviewed Daily Refresher! This is easily one of my favorite bars in Rochester, hands-down. Perfect place to kick off the night, wind it down or keep it going. Pro tip for an Alexander Street night of fun: start at Lanai or Locals Only for dinner, sidle on down to Daily Refresher to keep the drinks going, then end up at Swan Dive for possible dancing and a lively feel - or switch the order of Swan Dive and Daily Refresher, and wind down your vibrant Swan Dive buzz with a stately nightcap at Daily. To further explain the charms of Daily Refresher, it features a rustic, elegant old-fashioned interior including lounge sofas and armchairs (across two floors, each with their own bar), great groovy jazzy music, outdoor picnic tables and an elevated deck, and maybe best of all, a food truck in the back that serves up delicious fries to order. The staff, particularly on the top floor, is classy, accommodating and knowledgable. As far as drinks go, they do a great job with anything with Japanese whisky - their website indicates that the Time Traveller is back on the menu, and they had a great one called Liquid Swords for a while. The drinks really shine with their herbal/fruit garnishes and their attention to really sophisticated and appealing flavor combinations. This is definitely a bar that exudes sophistication without being too pretentious, and a true highlight of the bar scene in Rochester. (The drinks are also not expensive by the standards of the craft cocktail scene in Rochester - Good Luck and Cure are both a bit more expensive, whereas the cocktails at Daily Refresher are truly quality and will generally run you $10.) I've probably been here around 10 times, and plan to keep going back, whether it's with friends, the Meetup group that initially got me excited about this place, a date, or some other possibility entirely. Check it out - you won't regret it! read more

one of my favorite bars, great regular and non-alcoholic drinks and the food is amazing!

Came here after an awards ceremony downtown. We came on a mission, for the food truck! Let me tell you something, if it's late and you're hungry for some genuinely delicious comfort food, you have to head to the Daily Refresher, walk around the building to the backyard and line on up. What do I recommend? The French fries and an order of the chicken and waffles! It's not normal chicken and waffles, the fried chicken is actually coated in waffle batter and then fried. You can choose what kind of syrup you want to finish them off with. If you have a happy full belly after your food truck experience, then head on in to get a drink at their prohibition style bar. Really friendly staff, couches are hot or miss with comfort, drinks are good and the food is delicious. Never a bad experience. read more

The Daily Refresher - Enjoying the last warm nights in Rochester before it gets chilly again! Thank you for the delicious food - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Disclaimer: I have not had the pleasure to eat at the Daily Refresher, but since they have opened, I have dabbled in many of their drink options. The downstairs has a few couches, tables, high top tables, and a full bar. This place can get pretty packed, especially when they are participating in events like bar crawl. It would be a great spot to meet up for a drink during the week, or for a date. If you are looking for intimate conversation on a Friday night, I'd come here earlier before all the seating is gone, and it gets loud. The upstairs has all of these Victorian style couches with pops of color, and marble top coffee tables. The lighting is warm, with gorgeous chandeliers over the bar. Now for the main focus: the drinks. Craft beer is downstairs, but the cocktails are the shining star. I love the specials they have around Christmas, with charming little sprigs of Rosemary. They have a very impressive selection of liquor, and upstairs they incorporate the bottles into their display. I recently ordered a French 75, and a paloma. Both were made perfectly. The bar tenders enjoy whipping up specials using bitters and fresh squeezed chartreuse. Stop in for a date, or a refined night cap. read more

The Daily Refresher - French 75 - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

The amaretto sour... perfection! Most places I get nervous experimenting with different cocktails incase they're too strong or not good, but every drink I've gotten here has been good and they take their time to make it well. It also has a nice ambiance with low lighting and calm energy. I went to their outdoor game night once and was super neat but unsure if that's only seasonal during warm months. read more

Originally Reviewed January 2019. Decor is meant to look like a prohibition era establishment. It comes somewhat close but isn't as upscale as the prices would suggest. Drinks are expensive here. If you want something complicated, made by a real bartender, or something rare...then it's probably worth it. If you are getting beer, scotch, or standard cocktails then it really isn't worth the money. They have a huge selection of whiskey, bourbon and scotch. all the high end bottles are here. You will pay for them though. Interestingly, some of the Bourbons are priced really high for what they are. A 4 roses small batch is probably 30 or less for a bottle locally yet it's 20 if you order it neat. They have a few van winkles but be prepared to pOay. I think they were 75 and 100 an ounce. No stagg but they had stagg jr for 10 or 12 an ounce which is reasonable. The well gin was recipe 21. It basically ruins everything you make with it. Wonder why they picked that specific gin as their well...might want to change that read more

Everyone was so nice. Very heavy handed on the garlic. Like- chest pain. But other than that, 10/10 highly recommend

Having lived my entire life in New York City, I can say with some authority that I know a good cocktail bar when I visit one. And this is one of the best I've ever been to and THE best in western New York. Spot on with every drink I have ordered (and I've ordered a lot!), and great staff. Come in on Friday night when Luke is behind the bar and you will not be disappointed. He is the best bartender I've met up here, although there are an amazing number of great ones up here! Do not kiss out on this place! read more

Hip, friendly, warm & welcoming... we've met up with old friends here from time to time and have always enjoyed ourselves here. Why three stars? While it's cool to offer food (cooked outside in their food truck)... it needs to be edible. On our last trip their we split something that claimed to be a Bahn Mi but was instead overcooked pork on a burnt roll. Big meh. If you're going there for drinks only, add a star. read more

The Daily Refresher - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York