Rochester, NY

Rochester is a really nice city full of fantastic food & drinks!

ROC Tips: 

Adventures & Ales Top Recommendations: 

  • Fifth Frame Brewing: A killer brewery located in downtown Rochester. Their beers are absolutely fantastic. Their tap list is Sour heavy, but each style of beer I tried was delicious. They also have a small food menu and some outdoor seating.

  • Strangebird Brewery: A fantastic brewery with a wide variety of beers and specializing in Farmhouse Ales. They also have a full food menu with delicious, locally sourced and seasonal options. Their taproom is beautiful and they also have an outdoor patio.

  • Living Roots Urban Winery: An adorable winery with delicious wine and food and the nicest team! They have a great patio and a cute indoor space as well. Living Roots offers flights of wine, 3oz pours, 6oz pours, glasses and bottles. The small food menu has the perfect snacks to accompany wine including a great cheese board. Reservations are recommended but you can also walk in. They also have a location in the Finger Lakes.

  • Mortalis Brewing Company: A great Sour and Stout brewery in south Rochester. Their taproom has very limited hours so be sure to plan ahead to visit.

  • R.O.C. Brewing: A nice brewery downtown with solid beers and a lovely patio. F.L.X. Weinery shares the space with the brewery so you can get hot dogs, burgers, fries and more with your beers.

  • Black Button Distilling: A fun distillery right near the market with a super nice team and tasty spirits. Their Bourbon Cream is their top seller, but they have a wide variety of spirits to choose from. They use all natural and local ingredients and aren’t afraid to go against the norm, such as with their award-winning citrus-forward Gin. They also make their own syrups, create canned cocktails, and host classes.

Strangebird Brewing

Touristy Things in Rochester Worth Doing:

  • Genesee Brew House: This historic brewery is a must visit in Rochester. Downstairs they have a tasting room, gift shop and to-go beer selection. Upstairs they have a restaurant-style setup with a full food menu, a balcony with views of High Falls, and a rooftop terrace. They generally make light, easy-drinking beers and their Cream Ale is what they are famous for.

  • High Falls: A large waterfall in the heart of downtown. Walk out on the bridge for the best views of the falls.

  • Rochester Public Market: A massive market with indoor and outdoor sections full of food and drinks. A lot of booths are cash only so be prepared. Don’t miss Juan and Maria’s Empanada Stop inside and Flour City Bread Company along the perimeter.

  • Irondequoit Bay State Marine Park: Check out this state park with access to Lake Ontario, a pier, fishing, a beach and the Lakeside Trail. Located 15 minutes north of downtown Rochester.

  • Sam Patch Erie Canal Boat Cruise: This 1.5 hour canal cruise takes you down the Erie Canal and through Lock 32 with history along the way. There are snacks and drinks available on the boat and it launches from Pittsford which is 15 minutes from downtown Rochester. There are also walking and biking trails that run along the canal.

Living Roots

Other rochester things to do:​​​

  • Sager Beer Works: A solid brewery right behind Living Roots. They have a full food menu, a small patio, and frequent events. Sager focuses on classic, easy-drinking beers with a neighborhood pub vibe.

  • Swiftwater Brewing Company: An average brewery with an IPA heavy tap list and a small food menu.

  • Copper Leaf Brewing: Located in Pittsford, a 5 minute walk from the Sam Patch canal cruise. This is a small brewery with solid beers.

  • Lock 32 Brewing: Another brewery in Pittsford, right behind the Sam Patch canal cruise.

  • Stay at the Courtyard by Marriott: This hotel is a great base for exploring Rochester. It is right downtown with clean and modern rooms. They also have a full restaurant and bar.

  • Melo Coffee and Kitchen: A cute coffee shop with a food menu and outdoor seating options.

  • Hop on a shared bike or scooter with HOPR