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.
Hotel Wine and Cocktail Bar$$$park-avenueMon-Fri 11:30-00:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-00:00
Char Bar at the Strathallan Hotel on East Ave holds the 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, the only such honor in greater Rochester, with a deep cellar.
Tip: The full wine list runs hundreds of references. Hattie's sushi operates in the same space Thursday through Saturday. Open for lunch and late evening beyond kitchen service.
New American with Wine Program$$$downtownWed-Sat 16:30-23:00
Good Luck on Anderson Ave in Rochester runs a curated wine list alongside one of the city's strongest cocktail programs and a seasonal kitchen.
Tip: The bar team does both cocktails and wines with equal care. Ask the bartender for a wine recommendation with whatever is on the seasonal food board.
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.