Pride in July? The Backstory of Pride and Why Rochester Celebrates in July
Rochester’s Pride march and celebration occur annually around the second or third weekend of July. For many residents and visitors to Roc Pride, there is a sense of bewilderment that seeks to answer the question, Why is Pride in July in Rochester, New York?
The FLX, Keuka Lake, and Living Roots Wine & Co.
While there are many wineries worth mentioning across the Finger Lakes, there is one winery that is raising the bar and producing some phenomenal vintages both regionally and internationally. Living Roots is a local and internationally acclaimed winery with roots stemming from the Adelaide Hills region in South Australia, to their tasting rooms in Rochester, NY, and on Keuka Lake in the FLX.
Raise a Glass to Happy Hour at Farmhouse Table Midtown
Farmhouse Table Midtown’s happy hour game is magnificent. It runs from Wednesday to Friday, 5 pm to 8 pm. They feature a robust cocktail menu and serve dishes that bring the farm-to-table quality. If you’re a fan of bourbon, try the Boulevardier, think Negroni, but with bourbon rather than the traditional gin. However, the real star of the show is the Cubano Sliders on the happy hour menu. They are made with roasted and tender pork belly, Dijon mustard, dill pickles, and ham, all packed between fluffy-buttery and slightly crisp buns made in Roc.
El Sazón Restaurant Brings Good Spanish Eats to the Little Italy Historic District On Lyell Ave
Community is still very centric on Lyell Ave. Like most communities, food is the element that brings us together. It shapes our perspectives and shared heritage, and is passed on through the richness of ingredients across generations. In a big way, El Sazón Restaurant does all of these things. The space is ordinary, with tables, chairs, white walls, and a few trash cans that pile up quickly with empty plates and recycled bottles of Goya or cans of Tropi-Cola. However, like the old saying goes, “It’s what’s on the inside that counts.” In this case, the inside is the heart of the food prepared and served at this subtle eatery.
ROC The Casbah: A Stage Dive Into The 585’s Rising Music Scene, Part 1
For the past few years, locals of the region have eagerly demanded a more vibrant music scene. From reminiscing on the heydays to advocating for an end to the deprivation of major touring artists an unfortunate effect elevated by the 2019 pandemic. It seems that some of those voices have finally been heard. Today, the ‘585’ music scene is once again a rising star paving the pathway forward to send sound waves across the Upstate New York sky.
Never a Bad Time at Bar Bad Ending
In many ways, Bar Bad Ending pays tribute to thirsty night owls and uplifts the fringes of the local music scene. It’s underrated but glorified, it is edgy but warm and welcoming because at its core, it is a community space where members gather over a few drinks, a few laughs, great food, and live to jam the night away.
Montgomery Court Coffee is Elevating the Scene on Park & Colby
Montgomery Court Coffee is flooded with natural light and accented with lush, thoughtfully placed plants that make you want to stay a long while. It’s equal parts cozy and modern, the kind of place where mornings feel intentional. The art and murals on the walls give the space an artistic presence. It is a coffee shop that invites you to stare at the walls every time you visit and you’ll still find something new to explore.
Por Mar y Tierra: A Brief Look at El Kapitan on Park Ave
Today, a real pairing of authenticity and modernity is being brought from kitchen to table at El Kapitan on Park Ave, a Modern Mexican Street Food restaurant in Downtown Roc. From the bright acidic citrus flavor of lime to the deep, rich, and complex sweetness and spices of Mole, El Kapitan is elevating the Mexican cuisine experience in Rochester, NY. Surely, the restaurant is delivering an experience that has been largely underrepresented to some degree, but has gained traction over the past few years with new kitchens opening up across the city.
Clownboy Coffee Rocks — No Joke!
Clownboy Coffee is a third-wave queer-owned coffee shop that focuses on using vegan-friendly alternative milks for drinks and some delectable roasts for espresso. This includes alt-milk from Minor Figures and Califia Farms, and roasts by Sightseer Coffee, a women-grown and owned coffee roaster from Austin, Texas, and Blind Tiger Coffee originating out of Old Town, Maine.
Anthology is F**KING Back, Baby!
When Anthology closed its doors in the summer of 2022, it left a void in the hearts of music lovers across the city, especially those in the East End neighborhood just off of East Avenue on Lawrence Street, where the venue stands. For years, locals and weary travelers walked past the venue, watching and waiting for the day that the magnificent proverbial factory lights would turn on, and the rhythmic cadence of music would echo out to the world from behind the glass doors of the forsaken building. All hope felt lost. But, the tides are turning and Anthology is once again bringing the joy of live music to Downtown, Rochester, NY!