Rochester's arts-and-indie-dining district, stretching along South Avenue and Gregory Street south of downtown. Home to Swiftwater Brewing, Lux Lounge, The Owl House, and a concentration of craft-beer bars. Dog-friendly patios and weekend farmer markets define the neighborhood's food culture.
Swillburger at The Playhouse on S. Clinton Ave serves smash burgers and bar games in the South Wedge, named Best Burger in Best of Rochester 2025.
Signature: Smash burger, Pub fries, Milkshakes
Order: The double smash burger with American cheese and the house-cut fries.
Tip: Bar games open until 01:00 on Friday and Saturday. Kitchen closes before the bar; come early if you want food.
The Owl House on Marshall St in Rochester serves American food with a large vegetarian and vegan selection, named Best Gluten-Free in Best of Rochester 2025.
Signature: Seasonal vegetarian plates, Brunch dishes, Weekend specials
Order: The seasonal vegetarian entree and the weekend brunch menu.
Tip: Free parking at the end of Marshall Street. Reservations on Tock. Brunch Saturday and Sunday 10:30-14:30.
Swillburger at The Playhouse on S. Clinton Ave combines smash burgers, bar games, and a cocktail program in a South Wedge space popular with locals.
Signature: Double smash burger, House pub fries, Milkshake
Order: The double smash burger with American cheese and house fries.
Tip: Bar games available all evening. Kitchen closes before bar. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Boulder Coffee Co on Alexander St in Rochester is a South Wedge institution since 2005, with an arts-forward lounge and extended evening hours weekdays.
Tip: Extended weekday evening hours make it a reliable work or study spot. South Wedge neighborhood feel with rotating local art on the walls.
Boulder Coffee Co on Alexander St has anchored the South Wedge since 2005, running in-house roasting alongside an arts-forward lounge and reliable espresso.
Tip: Late evening hours make Boulder a reliable work spot through midweek. The rotating pour-over selection reflects their roasting calendar.
Lux Lounge on South Ave in Rochester is the South Wedge dive bar with a dog-friendly backyard, fire pit, pool table, vinyl DJs on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Tip: No phone; walk-in only. Backyard fire pit stays lit on cold evenings. DJ nights Thursday and Saturday. Cash or card.
Strangebird Brewing on Marshall St in Rochester runs a craft beer bar alongside its brewing operation, with food and a patio in the South Wedge.
Tip: The French fry game at Strangebird is the best in Rochester according to Best of Rochester 2025. Kitchen closes at 21:00; bar stays open until 23:00.
Swiftwater Brewing on Mount Hope Ave in Rochester is a South Wedge farm brewery and brewpub with bar bites and a rotating tap list in a garage-style space.
Tip: Trivia on Tuesday evenings. Kitchen closes 30 minutes before taproom. Walk-ins only; no reservations.
Swiftwater Brewing on Mount Hope Ave in Rochester is a South Wedge farm brewery and brewpub, known for hop-forward ales and notoriously good bar bites.
Tip: Trivia nights on Tuesdays. Kitchen closes 30 minutes before taproom closing. No reservations; walk-in only.
Strangebird Brewing on Marshall St in Rochester brews craft ales, hazy IPAs, and sours in the South Wedge, with a food program named best fries in 2025.
Tip: Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Kitchen closes at 21:00; bar stays open until 23:00. The hazy IPA lineup is the house specialty.
South Wedge Farmers Market serves the South Wedge community with local produce, artisan foods, and prepared items from small-scale regional producers.
Tip: A smaller, more neighborhood-focused alternative to the Rochester Public Market. Good for organic produce and specialty items from local farms.
The Owl House on Marshall St runs a vegetarian weekend brunch with housemade pastries, egg dishes, and cocktails for plant-based diners in the South Wedge.
Tip: Best brunch for plant-based diners. The back patio is the prime seat in summer. Weekend brunch only; dinner service is separate. Reservations not taken; walk-in only.
Lux Lounge on South Ave in the South Wedge is open until 02:00 nightly, a dog-friendly dive with a fire pit, pinball, pool, and DJ vinyl nights weekly.
Tip: No phone; walk-in only. Open until 02:00. The backyard fire pit is lit year-round. DJ on Thursday and Saturday. Most food-adjacent late-night option is the beer and bar snacks at the adjacent venues.
Lux Lounge on South Ave in Rochester is the South Wedge's inclusive dive bar with a historically welcoming LGBTQ following, featuring DJ nights, fire pit, pool table, and a dog-friendly backyard.
Tip: No phone; walk-in only. DJ on Thursdays and Saturdays. The backyard is the main draw in summer. No dress code; notoriously unpretentious.
Lux Lounge on South Ave in Rochester is the South Wedge dive bar with a big backyard, fire pit, and pool table, open until 02:00 every night for the neighborhood's late-night regulars.
Tip: No phone; walk-in only. The cheapest drinks on the South Wedge. Fire pit runs year-round. No food service; just drinks and good company.