BBQ Bar$$downtownMon-Thu 11:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-00:00, Sun 12:00-22:00
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on Court St in Rochester has a strong bar program alongside its BBQ kitchen in a 1905 railroad station with river views and live blues.
Tip: The bar occupies the original railroad waiting room. Beer list focuses on craft and regional pours. Live blues on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Cocktail and Wine Bar$$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 a cocktail and wine program alongside its seasonal kitchen, open until 02:00 on weekends in the arts district.
Tip: Friday and Saturday are late-night bar destinations. Sunday brunch a more relaxed option. Good Finger Lakes wine selection by the glass.
Italian Wine Bar$$downtownTue-Thu 11:30-21:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00
Branca Midtown on E. Broad St in Rochester has a focused Italian wine list with Neapolitan pizza and pasta, the bar staying open after kitchen close.
Tip: Bar stays open past kitchen closing hours. The Italian wine list is one of the more focused in the city. Aperitivo cocktails a good start to an evening.
Urban Winery$$notaTue-Fri 16:00-22:00, Sat 12:00-22:00, Sun 12:00-18:00
Living Roots Wine and Co on University Ave is Rochester's only urban winery and won Best Wine Bar in Best of Rochester 2025, making Finger Lakes wines.
Tip: Bar stools are first-come only; reserve a high-top for groups via Tock. Kitchen closes 1 hour before bar close; drinks until 30 minutes prior.
Wine Bar$$$downtownWed-Thu 15:00-22:00, Fri 14:00-23:00, Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-18:00
Carnegie Cellars Wine Bar and Kitchen on W. Main St won Best Local Wine List in Best of Rochester 2025, with global wines and a seasonal kitchen.
Tip: The wine flights are the easiest way to sample the list. Kitchen closes an hour before the bar.
Wine Bar$$north-rochesterMon 12:00-23:00, Tue 17:00-23:00, Thu 17:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-23:00
Vine and Tap on Lake Ave in Rochester pours a rotating selection of Finger Lakes and Upstate New York wines and beers in a neighborhood bar near Charlotte.
Tip: The Finger Lakes wine selection rotates frequently. Food-friendly pours from small Upstate producers. Check their social media for the current bottle list.