Taprooms, brewpubs and the local beer scene in Rochester worth taking a tram to.

Where to drink local

Genesee Brew House ★ 4.1

BrewpubCraft and pilot batches, core lagers$$downtownSun-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00Sun-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00

Genesee Brew House on Cataract St is the pilot taproom for Genesee Brewing (est. 1878), America's oldest continuously operating brewery, with river views.

Tip: Second-floor dining room has the best river view. The pilot batch section of the tap list changes weekly. Museum space covers the brewery's history since 1878.

25 Cataract St, Rochester, NY 14605

Rohrbach Beer Hall and Brewery ★ 4.2

BrewpubGerman-influenced ales and lagers$$public-marketWed-Fri 16:00-22:00, Sat 10:00-22:00Wed-Fri 16:00-22:00, Sat 10:00-22:00

Rohrbach Beer Hall on Railroad St opened 1991 as Rochester's first craft brewery, with a wood-fired pizza kitchen and rotating German-influenced ales.

Tip: The Buffalo Road brewpub at 3859 Buffalo Rd runs German and American pub fare daily, complementing the Public Market Beer Hall. Visit Saturday for market proximity.

97 Railroad St, Rochester, NY 14609

Three Heads Brewing ★ 4.2

BreweryCraft IPAs, seasonals$$notaTue-Wed 15:00-21:00, Thu 15:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-00:00, Sun 12:00-17:00Tue-Sun, see hours

Three Heads Brewing on Atlantic Ave in Rochester runs a Neighborhood of the Arts taproom with rotating IPAs, sours, and seasonal releases, plus a beer garden.

Tip: Beer garden is the best patio in the neighborhood. Friday and Saturday open until midnight. The IPA lineup rotates; check Untappd before going.

186 Atlantic Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

Swiftwater Brewing ★ 4.2

BreweryFarm brewery, hop-forward ales$$south-wedgeTue 18:00-22:00, Wed-Sat 12:00-22:00, Sun 16:00-22:00Tue-Sun, see hours

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.

378 Mount Hope Ave, Rochester, NY 14620

Strangebird Brewing ★ 4.3

BreweryCraft ales, hazy IPAs, sours$$south-wedgeThu-Mon 12:00-23:00Thu-Mon 12:00-23:00

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.

62 Marshall St, Rochester, NY 14607
← Back to Rochester food guide