Craft Beer Bar$$south-wedgeTue 18:00-22:00, Wed-Sat 12:00-22:00, Sun 16:00-22:00
Swiftwater Brewing on Mount Hope Ave in Rochester is a South Wedge farm brewery and brewpub with bar bites and a rotating tap list in a garage-style space.
Tip: Trivia on Tuesday evenings. Kitchen closes 30 minutes before taproom. Walk-ins only; no reservations.
Brewpub$$downtownSun-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00
Genesee Brew House on Cataract St is the pilot taproom of Genesee Brewing (est. 1878), with pub food, pilot batch beers, and river views from the dining room.
Tip: The second-floor dining room overlooks the Genesee River. The pilot batch section is the most interesting part of the tap list. Museum displays cover the brewery's history since 1878.
Cocktail Bar$$notaTue-Thu 16:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 16:00-02:00, Sun 11:00-14:30
The Revelry on University Ave in Rochester runs late-night bar hours in the arts district on weekends, with a cocktail and wine program and seasonal kitchen.
Tip: Best late-night option in the Arts district. Bar stays open until 02:00 Friday and Saturday. Sunday brunch is the quieter side of the same space.
Cocktail Bar$$$downtownWed-Sat 16:30-23:00
Good Luck on Anderson Ave in Rochester has one of the city's strongest cocktail programs in a converted industrial space with a seasonal kitchen.
Tip: The bar seats are the easiest walk-in option. Order what the bartender is excited about; the cocktail menu rotates with the kitchen.
Dive Bar$south-wedgeMon-Fri 16:00-02:00, Sat 16:00-02:00
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.
BBQ and Blues Bar$$downtownMon-Thu 11:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-00:00, Sun 12:00-22:00
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on Court St in Rochester has a full bar in a 1905 railroad station, with live blues on weekends and Genesee River views from the rail.
Tip: Best bar seat is on the second-floor mezzanine overlooking the main floor. Live blues Friday and Saturday evenings. Craft and regional beers on draft.