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.
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.
Mosaic Foundation Brings a Message of Unity to Three Heads Brewing in NOTA
Mosaic Foundation is a remarkable band whose music revolves around syncopated rhythms and beats that match perfectly with a lively keyboardist and skilled guitarist. Mosaic Foundation’s music is powerful. The group’s style lures the crowd to the dance floor, keeps the audience engaged, and keeps the room flowing with a calming yet energetic and upbeat presence.
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!
Que Chévere is Bringing Authentic and Traditional Puerto Rican Dishes to Culver and Atlantic
Que Chévere, a casual Puerto Rican restaurant, is bringing flavorful and authentic dishes to the up-and-coming neighborhood. The restaurant is next to local gems like Roar Nightclub, Taqueria Monterrey, a casual Mexican restaurant, and Heroes Brewing Company.
Enjoying the Immaculate Vibes at Fattey Beer Company
Fattey Beer Company is a sanctuary for craft beer lovers that pours some of the most delectable craft brews in Downtown Rochester, NY. Located across the way from the Strong National Museum of Play, Fattey brings some of the chillest vibes to the city. It is a great place to meet up with friends for a drink, listen to eclectic music, and enjoy the lovely views of a thriving side of downtown.
Celebrate the Full Moon at The Spirit Room
Decorated with antiquated furniture, sideshow-esque memorabilia, and an extravagant sculpted elephant bust (tusks and all), the Spirit Room is a rallying place for generations of music enthusiasts, talented actors, singers, artists, and craft cocktail connoisseurs.
Capri Wine Bar & Restaurant on East Avenue
Capri Wine Bar and Restaurant is an oasis in the heart of the East End that offers a subtle escape for travelers and locals alike. Their dinner specials boast Italian cuisine and uniquely curated dishes that pair well with the array of wines provided.
How RIT’s City Art Space is Bridging Creativity and Community in Downtown Roc
Located in downtown Rochester, New York, the Rochester Institute of Technology’s City Art Space is a free community space that brings artistic creations crafted by RIT students, faculty, and local Rochester artists to all who visit.
Book Eater: An Ode to the Book Lovers of Our Generation
Opening their doors in June of 2023, Bookeater, a cafe and bookstore located at 836 S. Clinton Ave, has been satisfying the community’s craving for literature with a mixture of good reads and cozy vibes.
The 420 Friendly Flower City
In the Flower City and the greater Rochester metropolitan region, new dispensaries have entered the scene, delivering high-quality products for all tastes of consumption and preferences.
Sorry We’re Open: Vibin’ with The Richmond on Richmond
The Richmond by Mortalis Brewing has been a local gem in the East End for years. It is a bar that has endured, even through the pandemic years, when it changed hands a couple of times before the owners of Mortalis purchased the space, renovated it, and elevated the restaurant-bar to the absolute beauty it is today.
The Old Toad, Still Bringing The Authentic English Pub Experience to the East End
The Old Toad features a robust menu, the fish and chips with a side of mushy peas are a must-try, but so is the creamy, savory, and perfectly tender Chicken Korma, which also comes in a vegan option. The Toad is the gold standard of a relaxed, older traditional-style British pub at the location in the East End of Downtown Rochester, New York. A spot it has called home to for many years.
Ardor Park: The Sensational Artisanal Pizzeria on Park
Ardor Park Artisanal Pizza has been a hit since day one of opening. There is no denying the quality and care that this small artisanal pizzeria places into ingredients, dough, sauce, and carefully chopped and diced ingredients for their delectable Neapolitan-style pies.
A Walk Through the MAG’s ‘Centennial Sculpture Garden’
Since its opening in 2023, the Centennial Sculpture Garden has brought a renewed sense of enjoyment for an evening stroll and expanded the democratization of arts in the NOTA neighborhood in Rochester, NY.
Swillburg’s Refreshing Northern Chinese Cafe, ‘Crepe and Go’
From the street side on Clinton, Crepe and Go may appear as a clandestine storefront, unassuming, and easy to miss. However, a side entrance that allows for easy access from the parking lot, and is somewhat reminiscent of similarly clandestine Chinese restaurants in Chinatown, L.A. A more adventurous eater who enjoys authentic and affordable Chinese cuisine will leave this artsy cafe-style restaurant thrilled and satiated.