Rochester’s food and drink scene is worthy of national recognition, which is why it’s great that USA Today publishes an annual Bars of the Year list, a companion to its annual Restaurants of the Year list.
While other “best of” lists involve writers visiting cities for a night or two, the reporters who nominate establishments for the USA Today list live in the communities they cover. They spend nights out on the town and hear the buzz. That’s why the list features everything from humble dives to high-end cocktail bars.
Last year’s lists featured two relatively new Rochester establishments: REDD and Radio Social, and both remain at the top of their games.
This year, the lists recognized some of Rochester’s iconic institutions that have stood the test of time. Rocky’s was named to the Restaurant of the Year list, and Marge’s Lakeside Inn made the bar list for being an indelible part of summertime in Rochester for the past 65 years.
The downside to this kind of project is that not every bar can make the list. As is to be expected, they generate a fair amount of healthy debate. Generally, I’m looking for places that get the drinks, food and service right, but also are unique enough that you wouldn’t find a similar place in other cities.
Here’s my short list of a dozen of the other Rochester-area bars deserving of national recognition. What places am I missing that I should consider for next year’s nominations? Drop me an email at tracys@gannett.com and make your case for why your favorite bar or restaurant deserves a spot on the national stage.
Abilene Bar & Lounge
A tucked-away 1940s Greek Revival home downtown has served as a brothel, apartment house, cocktail lounge, piano bar and home to charitable organizations, including the original site of AIDS Rochester Inc. In 2008, it became Abilene Bar and Lounge, a cozy bar and music venue with a Roots/Americana theme. It has a great secluded backyard patio for hanging out in the summertime.
The Daily Refresher
The Daily Refresher, 293 Alexander St., has a retro vibe that straddles Victorian, steampunk and speakeasy. It makes great craft cocktails utilizing more than 300 whiskeys and a huge assortment of other spirits. It also offers local craft brews and has a casual food menu with an especially good fried chicken sandwich. It holds cocktail classes and special events in its attic-type space upstairs. The lighting is soft with lots of tables for two.
Grace & Disgrace
Grace & Disgrace, 17 Richmond St. downtown, is an intimate, old timey craft cocktail lounge with room for just 15 people: 6 at the bar, and the remainder at small tables and a couch. It offers a concise menu of inventive craft cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails, wine, beer and small bites. Reservations are required.
Jack’s Extra Fancy
Jack’s Extra Fancy, 825 Atlantic Ave., opened in the longtime home to iconic Irish bar Jack Ryan’s, and managed to thread the needle between paying homage to its predecessor and updating the concept of a neighborhood bar. Its approach to food and drink is just plain fun. The cocktails are stellar but if you’re a beer drinker order a side pull of Genny. During Happy Hour you can get a shot of malort and a Utica Club for six bucks. Its smash burger is arguably the best burger in town. There’s a nice patio for hanging out.
ROAR
The LGBTQ-friendly nightclub Roar, 621 Culver Road, draws crowds for its full calendar of drag entertainment, which includes trivia, karaoke, bingo, painting classes, dinner shows, brunches, live bands, comedy and club nights. It serves casual dinner fare Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Happy hours from 5 to 7 p.m. feature $2 off drinks.
Strangebird Brewery
Strangebird, 62 Marshall St., is a brewery that’s dominated by a giant bar. There’s a great assortment of beer as well as cocktails, mocktails and craft sodas. The menu has well-made bar fare including wood-fired pizzas, a smash burger, chicken sandwich and salads. It’s a large, fantastically popular spot where you’ll find a range of ages including families. It can feel a little chaotic; there are no hosts or servers, you order drinks by squeezing between patrons at the bar and then order food at another window (it’s delivered to your table). But it generally seems to work.
Carnegie Cellars Wine Bar & Kitchen
Carnegie Cellars, at 247 N. Goodman St., is an inviting wine bar that features a constantly changing selection of wines, beers and shared plates. Its seasonal menu incorporates products sourced from local farmers. Its burger and chicken cutlet are perpetual customer favorites, but it always offers options that are fresh and interesting. It has outdoor seating in the summer. It is in close proximity to both the Memorial Art Gallery and the Auditorium Theatre.
Apogee Wine Bar
Apogee Wine Bar, at 151 Park Ave., is an chic, intimate wine bar with a central bar, two window booths that look out over the quieter end of Park Avenue, a few tables along the wall and a couple of Victorian sofas in back. You’ll find tables on the sidewalk in summers. It offers an interesting selection of wines by the glass and bottle and a few beers. Wine slushies, made with real fruit puree and organic agave, are a refreshing option in the summer. Nibble on charcuterie, truffles or slices of cake.
The Playhouse / Swillburger
The Playhouse / Swillburger is a combination craft cocktail bar, arcade with vintage games and a burger joint, making it a popular destination for first dates and family outings (at least early in the evening; it’s 21+ after 10 p.m.). It serves a casual menu of thin pressed burgers, fries, tots and milkshakes, with vegan and vegetarian items, including one of the best veggie burgers in town. It also has a gluten-free fryer and section of the grill.
Mullers Cider House
These days you can find a hard cider or two at most bars. At Mullers Cider House, 1344 University Ave., you can choose from 24 on draft; the lineup changes frequently. The most fun way to sample them is in flights of four. You’ll also find beers, apple-based cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks. It has a playful food menu including an addictive chicken wing dip; it also serves brunch. It’s a fun spot for trivia on Wednesdays.
Iron Smoke Distilling
Iron Smoke Distillery, 111 Parce Ave. in Fairport, is a cavernous bar that still has the bones of its former American Can Co. factory origins. It is accented with a 36-foot mahogany bar, Victorian-style furnishings and of course, its own whiskey barrels. The bar showcases its own booze as well as a selection of beers. It has a full calendar of bands and other entertainment, including karaoke with a live band.
Living Roots Wine & Co
Living Roots Wine & Co., 1255 University Ave., has a large, airy tasting room that’s bathed in natural light during the day and softly lit at night. It has a small bar and a compact patio in the summer. The husband-and-wife team of Colleen and Sebastian Hardy offer wines from both the Finger Lakes region (where Colleen grew up) and Australia (Sebastian’s home turf). The tasting room serves nibbles to accompany the wines; share a jar of marinated cheese from Meredith Dairy.
Tracy Schuhmacher is food and drink reporter for the D&C. Email her at TracyS@Gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 12 Rochester bars we wish made USA TODAY’s bars of the year list
Reporting by Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
