The Underrated Vibes
The Unspoken Power of High-Speed Rail in the Empire State
A high-speed rail from Rochester to Syracuse, or Rochester to Buffalo would shift the commute times from about 80-minutes to around 25-30 minutes since the city of Rochester is located in-between these two metros. By connecting these three metro regions through HSR, you effectively bridge a megametro of about 4 to 5 million people. Connect that metro to NYC, and now you’ve expanded it to a population of 12+ million people, and with max commute times at 3.5 to 4.5 hours. This is the unspoken power of high-speed rail in the Empire State, the ability to connect millions of people to jobs, housing, the Great Lakes, beaches, waterfalls, wineries, and all of the wonders of New York State.
AM:FM Coffee Celebrates 2-Years in Downtown Rochester
Founded in September 2024, by Eric Nagle, AM:FM Coffee, Cocktails, Vinyl brought premium espresso drinks, unique and exquisite pour overs, and a scratch kitchen to the city. What should be noted is that the shop makes some delicious breakfast sandwiches, savory and filling breakfast burritos, gourmet breakfast burgers, and other brunch items like Lemon Blueberry Pancakes and Espresso Glazed French Toast. They are an exciting place to have around downtown which makes their two-year anniversary worth celebrating!
The Best Pop-Up Holiday Village in Upstate New York Returns This November
The Roc Holiday Village is a wonderful seasonal experience where families, friends, locals, and tourists gather to listen to live jazz bands and sing along to holiday carols, ice skate, eat foods from local and regional vendors, sit by warm and cozy fire-pits, shop for goods made by local artisans, and cozy up inside warm winter igloos. It is a wintery holiday village that you can spend hours at, and even visit several times throughout the month beginning Friday, November 27 to Sunday, December 20, 2026.
Aker Club: A European-Inspired Grocery Store Is Opening in Downtown
Aker Club is preparing to open a high-tech European-inspired grocery store in downtown Rochester, and the shelves are already started to be stocked. The clubs concept will implement a membership-based model at Sibley Square, a historic building at 252 East Main Street that is also home to a plethora of new tech companies, the Mercantile on Main food court, and office spaces used by Monroe Community College.
From Toronto to Roc: Rosie Nepalese & Indian Cuisine Enriches the Rochester Food Scene
After moving to Toronto to pursue a career in the culinary world, Chef Raju Thapa began his journey at The Host, a white-linen table service restaurant where he honed his craft for decades and worked his way up to head chef. In 2016, Thapa opened his own restaurant in Toronto called, Amma Roti House, and after making a move to the Rochester region, opened Rosie Nepalese & Indian Cuisine in 2023 which brought an outstanding offering of authentic and traditional South Asian flavors to the city.
Kindred Fare Is Still Elevating the Gourmet Experience in the FLX
From Downtown Rochester, @kindredfare is roughly a 50-minute drive. Between this excellent restaurant, and the numerous wineries around Seneca Lake, a day trip to Geneva is worthwhile. There you can immerse yourself into one of the greatest wine regions in the United States, and satisfy the senses at a lovely establishment that offers an elevated dining experience.
The Vibes Are Upbeat at No Fun Lo-Fi Bar
No Fun Lo-Fi bar is unique in its size, in the vibes its putting out, and as a great third space for anyone looking to drop by an open set night where you can spin your own vinyl. It is also a great place to gather with friends to enjoy a nice warm evening out, or a warm sunny day.
Still Standing: The Rochester Building Where ‘The North Star’ Began
The Talman Building that stands today at 25 E. Main St was once home to The North Star, an anti-slavery publication by Frederick Douglass that ran from 1847 to 1851. It was also a site on the Underground Railroad, an honorable site worth stopping by for a glance and a moment of reverence.
The Best Gourmet City You’re Not Talking About…Yet
Often times, I hear talk of various gourmet food scenes, and one always gets left out of the conversation. Rochester, New York has one of the best gourmet food and drink scenes in the entire nation. However, it unfortunately often falls under the radar for cities recognized as gourmet food cities.
Farrin at WXXI: A Gathering of Shared Stories
On July 23, WXXI hosted an event at one of its television studios and transformed it into an intimate gathering space for Caribbean Currents: A Rochester Film Experience, a fundraiser supporting Farrin, a Jamaican coming-of-age film that explores themes of migration, identity, belonging, and the difficult choices that shape who we become.
Filipino Festival Brings An Impressive Turn Out to Celebrate Filipino Heritage
The 2026 Filipino Festival drew hundreds of families, friends, artists, dancers, performers, karaoke singers, cultural pageant winners, vendors, and a community of people coming together to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines.
Filipino Culture & Community Bloom at Coffee Sarap
Coffee Sarap is a Filipino-inspired and women-owned, third-wave coffee shop that connects tasty baked goods with flavorful specialty espresso drinks and a passion for uplifting the culture and community.