This place markets itself as an "18+ nightclub," but that's about the only honest thing in the description. The music was painfully loud yet somehow still bad, the drinks were wildly overpriced and watered down, and the crowd felt more chaotic than fun. Security acted like they were annoyed customers even existed, and the bartenders clearly prioritized speed over basic courtesy or accuracy. The vibe was off from the moment we walked in: sticky floors, cramped space, and an overall feeling that no one in charge actually cares about the experience. It felt less like a nightclub and more like a poorly supervised house party with a cover charge. If you're looking for a fun night out in the city, there are far better options. This place isn't worth the money, the wait, or the headache afterward. read more

This place is seriously gross. The floors are sticky, the bathrooms are dirty, and the ceiling leaks. I wouldn't want to know what this place looks like when the lights are turned on. To make matters worse, they nickel and dime you all night. Vinyl has a cover, a paid coat check, and bathroom attendants who demand tips. I'm a good tipper. I always have been. So I decided to save my tip for the end of the night. But as soon as I leave the bathroom, the attendant hands me a paper towel (what a load off my mind!) and points to the tip jar asking for "a little love." Really? Here, have a dollar. read more

Horrible place. No atmosphere, terrible DJ, rude bathroom attendants. Absolute dump, nothing here worth a damn.

This place is a disgrace, it needs to be shut down immediately. I don't know how it stays in business, shame on the owners for calling this a nightclub. The security guards are rude and looking to start a fight as soon as you walk up to the door, at that point you should turn around and leave. You can hear them fighting and being nasty to everyone else before you. They pick fights with guests just to start trouble. Inside the place is dirty and has health violations and more rude staff. Do yourself a favor and find a better place to hang out, this is a real dump. read more

My son's wallet was stolen in this club, while he was looking for his wallet and trying to get the assistance of a useless Security Guard, he was getting text messages alerts from his bank of charges from the club's bar in the moment!!!!! HE told the Bartender and the Police officers outside that someone was in the club right in that moment using his card....... No one helped him! Imagine you are in a bar, missing your debt card and at that very moment get alerts that someone is using your card. This is not over!!!!! I will write a letter every day, please believe EVERYDAY.....when i say everyday i mean EVERYDAY!!!!!!! until something happens. So apparently you only hire security guards to beat kids up not to help with theft! I'm sure you are serving liquor to minors. We will find out! Club Vinyl (What does that name mean anyway) We accept credit cards and debt cards, even stolen ones!!!!! read more

This place deserves a negative rating....someone steals a wallet, the owner of the wallet alerts several staff members that the card is being used to make purchases and no one in this establishment cares to pursue the matter even when there's proof! Why wouldn't your bartender check this out? Maybe he/she would receive a big tip from the bogus charges! Could that be it? Why wouldn't your security personnel at least try and listen and help? After all security is there to protect right? Or maybe they will get a piece of the pie too?!!! Establishment such as this one deserves a closer look! What else is not being acknowledged? Checking ID? Clearly not enough or at all!!! Train your staff to care enough about your patrons, if not for them there would be no Club Vinyl! We will continue to pursue this theft matter until the appropriate action is taken!!! read more

4 stars only because my wallet was stolen here. however, giving it the best review possible because security was so incredible. went outside in the freezing cold with me looking everywhere for it. i have a tracker for my wallet on my phone so they were helping me look at the tracker and try to figure out where it might be. huge thank you to all security working tonight, everyone was seriously so on top of it. read more

Fun it was lit went there for my birthday and the bartenders are nice and the bouncers are nice and they play lit music

I went on a Saturday night. Cover charge and drinks weren't too expensive but the music and atmosphere was total crap. I felt like I was dancing in a crappy wooden attic and yet the bathrooms had an attendant for some reason? Dunno who the dj was but it was totally not my scene. I would never go again. I suppose on the plus side my wallet did not get stolen. read more

Seedy, law and order svu crime scene ready. True story I haven't been to this local in years, but I remember having some fun, I remember a dimly lit but well stocked and frequented place. I'm not sure what these owner have in mind other than running it into the ground. We went in search of fun music but there was none, it was slow base pumping swill. Disgusting, run out of toilet paper? I don't think they bother to stock that or soap. read more

A friend of mine's wallet was stolen. He gets pings on his phone when there are charges being made. So after his wallet was stolen while he was visiting Club Vinyl he started getting pings about activity on his debit card at the bar. He alerted security, a couple of bartenders and a manager and no one would help him, at bear minimum retrieve his card which obviously was being used to run a tab. What type of establishment does that? No one would help. Needless to say we will not be back. Plus the music was lame, the bathrooms disgusting and the drinks watered down. read more

Vinyl is the old Alexander St. Pub. The difference between the two is light fixtures from Ikea and some booths around the "dance floor." Their music is typical bad "party hits" music that you would find on your local cable television music channels. Examples included Sisqo's "Thong Song" and a selection from the Spice Girls. Their bartenders look bored, because the night I went there it was dead, except for the requisite bachelorette party in the middle of the dance floor. My girlfriend and I took in the sights as we sipped on our vodka drinks served in classy plastic tumblers. We made note of the "security" detail zipping around the place with shirts and ties on. Looking important, eh? Long Story Short: The place is just as much of a pit as it was back in the A-Pub days. read more

It's hot and crowded here after midnight on the weekends, just what we were hoping for on the night of my friend's bachelorette. Plenty of slimy, single guys to dance with, Loud music, regular bachelorette shenanigans. Drinks are expensive and it can be hard to get the attention of the bar tenders. Colleen, one of the bar tenders on this evening, was fantastic! It's a good idea to run downstairs to the lower level to get your drinks faster! read more

I went to Vinyl over this past weekend after having not been there in several years. As expected with a bar in the East and Alexander area it was nearly impossible to get a drink, and what I got was the weakest "double" I've been poured in ages. This is all par for the course, and not the basis for this bad review. What has angered me the most, and what will keep myself and my friends from going back ever again was that for the one drink that I got while there I paid with my credit card, and left a cash tip. I know this because I save my receipts and always write down what I tipped, and whether it was cash or on the card. Apparently the $2 I left the bartender wasn't enough for the, once again, ONE DRINK I ordered (totaling $10.80--I'm looking at the receipt presently) because as I look at my bank statement online I see I've been charged $14.80. Rather than deal with the hassle of disputing an erroneous tip for a clearly greedy and unethical bartender, I'm contenting myself with ensuring that as many people learn about this kind of conduct as possible on as many different forums and review sites as I can find. If you decide to go to Vinyl, be sure to pay in cash. Otherwise you could be losing far more than just your time. read more

More fun to go to if you're young. There tends to be weird guys that hang around and try to come up behind you and dance so make sure you've got friends that have your back. Bathroom attendants demand tips just for handing you some paper towels, security isn't strict at all though. Outside area is nice but it does get extremely hot inside after people dancing around for hours. read more

Where do I even start. I went here with my sister and our dates to have a fun night. We met up and immediately the bouncers at the front door were so rude. They were rude to the people in front of me and myself. It almost seemed as if they were discriminating against people for how they looked, very sad. And if they say there's a dress code that is a complete joke. We were all dressed very nice but they were giving the group in front of us a very hard time. The girl in front of us had camo shorts on and they made her take them off... her shirt barley covered her butt. I was appalled. This is the crustiest club I've ever been to in my entire life. It's like going into an abandoned basement with underage kids getting hammered. When we entered the club I was first honestly grossed out this place is nasty. We go to the bar and my boyfriend orders some drinks. We were at the bar for about 10 minutes. After a few minutes being there a friend came over to say hi, I set my wallet on the bar and I turn around and it was GONE. I asked the owner to please help me. He said "we looked at video tapes and it looks like you did not even come in with a Wallet." At that point I almost lost it. How would I have gotten in if I didn't have my wallet which had my ID in it ? As we kept going back and fourth for days I made a police report but still nothing was done and the officers told me the chances were slim to none of getting my belongings back. Please never go here unless you are asking for trouble!!!!! read more

Do not leave your tab open when you're here... was charged an additional $40.00 worth of drinks that I did not order, and was told it was cancelled. When I checked the bank statement that following Monday, I noticed I was not only charged the wrong amount and changed amount, but also a third amount, that did not happen! Careful here. The management was kind, but the bartenders are sketchy. read more

By no means do I frequent East End, but I think every girl has some desire to dance with her best girlfriends every once in a while. The only place I actually enjoy visiting when that time comes semi-annually is Vinyl. You can sing and dance to your fave 90s songs mixed in with Top 40 hits. They'll occasionally throw in some 80s jams - Journey "Don't Stop Believing" is a standard now. I think it's also required that you have a solid buzz on when you walk in so everything is a little hazy and it doesn't matter that they ran out of toilet paper in the bathroom. Regardless, have some drinks, get your dance on. I also like their little patio for some fresh air when marathon dancing has got the best of you. read more

I came here on a Friday night for a friends work Christmas outing. Huge mistake. I've been a part of the nightlife scene (worked at various venues, frequent shows, etc) for 10+ years now and have never been treated with the disrespect that I was at this place. We arrived at about 10:30 or so and there was no line. I was at the front of line and trying to organize it so that I would be able to pay for half of our group. From the minute we stepped up, security was super unwelcoming/unfriendly. If we were acting super sloppy or loud, I would understand as they have to deal with that kind of thing on the regular. But, none of the above applied. Show my id, and naturally try to pay the next person that's standing there.Only to be brusquely told that I was wrong and that I was to pay the door girl, so I do. It's pretty empty when we get there, maybe 30-40 people (if that), but it's still early so we go with it anyway. We're upstairs and I have a bottle with me (yes, I bring my own juice out because bars generally don't offer sugar free anything. I've taken this many places and never had a problem). Security sees me with it, points and stomps over. I politely explain this to him, and tell him he can smell it and if that isn't an option I'll go with him to throw it away. Well, neither of those were an option, as he grabs it and storms off. In the process, some other friends were still coming in and this security guy basically shoves my friend who's coming in the door. My friend wasn't pleased, was a bit taken aback, and expressed as such. Security took this as him being confrontational, which only upset him even more and led to them basically throwing him out of the door of the club. All he did was walk in, which led to all of this? My friend and I try to speak to what appeared to be the head security guy, who was extremely rude to us and wouldn't let us get a word in edgewise. His reply "I'm the only one in this group that hasn't had any alcohol so why don't you let me talk". We had just come from dinner, and the most any of us had had to drink was one drink. Again, if we were being rude or coming off as sloppy maybe this would've been warranted. I would've also been a little more understanding if it was a busier night and they had already had to deal with a lot of nonsense that evening. Also not the case though. We left after this, and the only good thing that happened here was that they did refund our door fee. The door girl apologized for the whole situation, so at least they seem to have one polite person working here. I'll never go back, I prefer to go to places where I feel welcomed. Not ones that I'm treated like a delinquent the minute I walk through the door. read more

Rochester doesn't have an actual club like most other cities do. Vinyl isn't the greatest place in the world, but if you want to dance, this is the place to go. They do live shows once in a while and that is always a good time. The drinks are expensive and not that strong - but since the clientele is mostly younger people that isn't at all shocking. The music is normally great and if you are looking to dance then this is one of the few options in Rochester. read more

Worst club to go to. It's so dead and they charge way too much. I literally had the worst time here. The music sucks and it's all old crappy music. It wasn't worth the money. If anything go to tilt, it's totally worth the money. They should close this place down. Also not charge 10 bucks. Never coming back read more

Good Lord. This place. World's most useless security guards. I asked two for help while my friend was being put into an ambulance only to be met with a thousand expletives. Thankfully, the DJ was very helpful. That's right - the DJ is more helpful than the security guards. As for the rest of the bar? I don't think I've ever read a better description than "SVU Ready". I should also note that the dance floor is covered in a half inch of spilled drink slime at all times. I really did like the DJ though. read more

Something is really wrong when you can have proof of theft in this establishment and nothing is done about it. Wallet stolen inside the club and advised the security and management staff that getting text alerts that someone was in the club using credit card and nothing at all was done. What's the purpose of having security and management if they are not providing customer service? I am sure if you are not helping the kids you are probably hurting them (serving liquor to minors). Concerned citizens will be watching. read more

I definitely recommend going to Vinyl if you want to enjoy some epic 90s and early 2000s music in a club that allows for safe space dancing. Vinyl is the perfect place to go with a group of ladies with a big age range (21 years to 58 years)... every one is able to dance to music they enjoy. Vinyl is a great place to go for bottle service as well. They offer bottle service packages that are reasonable in cost. Additionally, the staff and service of Vinyl was excellent. They were very attentive to our needs and willing to go above and beyond with any request we asked. Anyone that is in the process of organizing a bachelorette party/ladies night that is looking for a safe place to dance then make sure to add Vinyl to your list! read more

Two stars because of the amazing security staff. DJ terribly inexperienced. Some ransoms were trying to charge us but no one stopped them. Won't return read more

First off... Customer service. We were a bachelorette party that was about to spend a lot of money. The bouncer said he has no idea about the deal with our limo company and wasn't going to help us out. He was rude, so was a blond woman who was working at the door. Even If our limo company messed up our deal, be nice help us out and let us in without a cover. That is good business and we would have spent a lot more money with you. But instead they were rude, awful and I will tell anyone I know never to go here. And the only person on the dance floor was a 55 year old woman. Avoid if possible. Way to take an opportunity and lose it. read more

I saw a bouncer yelling at a young woman last night. She was barely over 5 ft and not belligerent in any way. He put his hands on her shoulders to try to pull her away from the dance floor and out of the club. This was beyond disrespectful. I will not go to this club again, and would advise other women to be aware of how the club treats you. There are plenty of other good bars around Alexander and East, and this one is not worth it. I used to like Vinyl a lot, but after seeing this, I'm disgusted. read more

Terrible experience.. No help from staff.... friends wallet was stolen.... Thief was still in the location using credit card... Security and staff at bar laughed and was no help.. guess they don't check ID read more

The prior review claims that Vinyl plays 90's music clips mixed in with trance. This portion of the review is inaccurate. Trance music is far from what Vinyl plays. Vinyl plays a mix of 80's and 90's hits, some of which are remixed with a 4/4 kick drum beat. This beat is added to increase "danceability," and in no way constitutes "trance music." Many songs are left as is (Vinyl features some of Michael Jackson's hits, always includes "Livin on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi, and usually "Summer of '69." Vinyl features two bars; one upstairs and one down. The upstairs bar is a more high-class bar near the dance floor, while the downstairs bar is set up to look more like a sports bar, complete with pool, darts, and a modern-style jukebox. Both floors have separate bathrooms that are indeed on the small side. read more

Day after a night out and still offended that this place has the audacity to charge a $5 cover. This place used to be fun years ago, but has taken a turn for the worse since then. The carpet in the lounge area smells like puke, the downstairs bathroom was disgusting and didn't have soap or paper towel, and in the much smaller bathroom upstairs they have a bathroom attendant who is basically there to take up space. The whole place smells musty. Vinyl needs some cleaning and updating and should not be charging covers until they get their shit together. read more

I love this bar/dance club! Its definetly not for the 22 and under,you need a little bit of maturity to get its purpose! Everytime my girls and i go there we have a blast dancing to the songs we use to love back in the day! You dont get groped and you can move around the dance floor. Most of the dance clubs in rochester are in favor of people who use the dance floor as foreplay for later in the evening! LOL! I have never had a bad time....bathrooms( i could care less) bartenders (i could care less) Im there to have fun not to pee and begin friendships with the bartenders!!! read more

I've only been to Vinyl twice. The reason I went a few weeks ago was because a band was playing that my girlfriend really liked. I went with her, and I was pleased with what I saw. The place is kind of small, especially for a live music show, but there was enough room to move around and not be constantly bumping into people. One area had a couple tables and chairs for people to sit down while having a drink, and another area had 4 couches for people to have a seat and rest up. The band was good and there was room to dance. When it got too hot, there were 2 doors at different parts of the club to step outside onto a balcony and grab some fresh air. I don't know if this is a regular occurrence, but when I went they were doing a buy one get one on all mix drinks until 11PM. Overall, I had a very pleasant experience. The worst part of my night was trying to find a parking space. There is no parking lot (unless you want to pay to park), so you have to be lucky enough to find a spot on the street close to the bar or be willing to walk a couple blocks to get there. read more

I have to laugh at some nuggets family & friends posting about a wallet. With all due respect; I really wonder if he got booted & thus was upset lol? But First im from pittsford & no place is immune silly. Rochester is now one of the worst crime cities per capita in the usa nuggets. So wake up to that fact (hello). Truth hurts I know - i dont trust anyone with S#$T in ROC / so be responsible! Id be a little smarter with my wallet, money & credit cards etc. Not anyone elses job to baby-sit your stuff right? Thats on you! Get real with such a complaint & dont embarrass yourself with silliness.. No place in the country will shut down business to search for your wallet goof. If its turned in then of course it will safely retained as found.... Set them up; try a test & video tape it... And no place has a tool to then trace & track your card silly... So be an intelligent adult & cancel it ASAP OR place a hold on it dork :) nicely *Not rocket science. Ive lost a card & telling officers & security wouldnt do a thing for you; even at Disney lol. Wow. Kind of a dillusional post below. Lastly i can guarantee you if in 10 years there are just a couple of negative posts here; such a ratio is outstanding & speaks volumes to the good job done; otherwise it would be closed by now. As many other places have had happen; many times over down there.... In fact by comparison its one of the safest late night places around & often gets many off duty officer family & friends as a result. So make no mistake; if you have an issue speak with managers & it will be handled. In fact videotape the interaction to validate the outcome OR stupidity as proof if you CLAIM some incompetance - but be careful thats not YOURs lol... (This Ill luv to see lol)... The mission there is keep it safe fun & yes again "safe". One of the few places with dance music for all ages & you might see people 21-61 years old there which is kind if fun & cool with bachelorette parties & more. Adds to the FUN... As for IDs you should see the stack "captured" weekly. And thats a choice each business can make (give ID back or turn them into law enforcement) it is after all a mis demeanor OR fellony depending... And in the rare event an ID is very good, undetected or someones sibling - the establishment can not be held accountable :) no place on the planet uses a DNA test kit at the door lol. So many people get nabbed & at some places a few may breach the system... Happens :) but at $15 an hour & sober / the licensed nys security enforcement officers working must keep it safe from dumbasses, drunks, loud mouths, trouble makers, instigaters, scammers & more! Thus at times tollerance will be low for those who cant handle their alcohol & simply just blend in kindly with everyone else who is normal & having fun. None of this is rocket science. Have fun, be safe, be SMART & one can probably enjoy themselves any place they go. And some of us hope its just busy & fun & the dumbasses who lack common sense & resoect for others; just stay home - please :) lol. Do everyone a solid lol. Good day... read more

The wait times are ridiculous for drinks and to use the bathroom. The drinks are expensive and they almost always have a cover charge. It's very hot inside and crowded. Everyone is pushing and shoving to move around and your shoes stick to the floor. Not enough seating or a large enough dance floor. The security guards aren't pleasant. Not a great club experience what so ever. The other bars around East /Alexander are much better. Don't waste your money. read more

I GIVE THIS PLACE BAD REVIEWS ACROSS THE BOARD!!!!!!This establishment has serious issues. How can you totally ignore someone who has proof of credit fraud while in the club? A customer's wallet was stolen in this club and constant credit alerts were being sent via text message from their bank. What kind of place doesn't check identification before any card usage?This is UNACCEPTABLE AND UNJUST!Assistance was asked by the awful Security and nothing was done. What kind of buisness leaves a customer helpless when in need of proper customer service? Also, the bartender and Police were notified that usage of their card was happening at the moment and no one helped! Management should of took this straight to the police who are supposed to be responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order.But, they failed to attempt their duties while on the job. They let crime happen without any consideration that this is stealing! When you ask the law and management for help you are supposed to expect justice. This is not a good enviornment for anyone because if you can't recieve reinforcement then this place should not be open to the public! read more

I am not a frequent East End-er these days but braved the crowds to celebrate my friends birthday this past Saturday. Last time I went (which was quite a long time ago) the same woman was there (bathroom attendant) I told her I was sick and had only come out to support my friend and I had no money on me. She smiled and handed me my paper towel (which she was holding making it impossible to get it for yourself) By the fourth time I was leaving the bathroom (Yes, I have a small bladder) I wiped my hands on my pants so I could leave without a fuss. She says to me "Now you've been in here four times, you need to start paying". I smiled and walked out. When I pay a cover charge to get into a club I'm not about to pay someone to hand me a paper towel or dispense soap in my hand or POINT me to the stall. I think I can see a stall directly in front of my face, thank you. This isn't a high-scale hotel or restaurant where a service of this level would be appropriate for most people. (I do not see a reason for this kind of a service in the first place). Anywho... I do not appreciate paying to get into a club, expected to pay high priced drinks and be expected to pay someone who squirts soap into my hand every time I go to the restroom. I felt hassled by this woman and feel I shouldn't be expected to pay someone for what I am completely capable of doing (and what I manage to do allll by myself everyday, allday) Rant over. read more