The Underrated Vibes
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.
RCR: 13 Years of Spotlighting Rochester’s Finest Cocktail Experiences
There is no doubt that as a mid-sized metro, Rochester’s rise as a craft cocktail-rich playground has been greatly shaped by the RCR’s presence, leadership, and community-driven efforts to unite novice and expert mixologists. It is the collaborative efforts that raise the bar for all and inspire new generations of bartenders to aspire towards greatness in the art of craft cocktails.
Rochester Is Becoming an Exceptional Coffee First City
What makes Rochester an exceptional coffee first city is the fact that you can walk into most coffee shops, and find a well-balanced single origin espresso, a shop that uses natural ingredients to produce seasonal syrups for specialty drinks, and importantly baristas that understand the appropriate measurements required for the specific coffee drink you’re searching for and who enthusiastically put care, love, and attention to locking in on each drink they make.
Seize the Night at this Petite Goth Bar in Buffalo
The Merry Shelley on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo’s North Park neighborhood is perhaps one of the city’s most intriguing bars. It is an eclectic space that pays homage to its namesake, the famed 18th-century English author Mary Shelley, best known for her iconic gothic novel, Frankenstein.
Unwind at this Stylish Enomatic Wine Bar in Downtown Rochester
Unwine’d at the Grove in Downtown Rochester is truly a gem in the center of the city. The space is beautiful with comfortable and inviting seats, an energetic, yet relaxing ambiance with a trending playlist that sets the mood. If you visit the wine bar on weekends, you’ll find that the room is alive with energy, and guests in stylish apparel.
Modern Love: From Nashville With Love
On a winter trip to Nashville, I found myself wandering downtown for a bite to eat before I departed the Music City for my life back in Rochester, New York. It was my last stop on a 4-day trip. I decided to stop for some coffee and brunch at a 1960s-style cafe, bar and eatery, Modern Love.
Flow & the Spotted Octopus: A Brewery Tale
Spotted Octopus Brewing Co. was founded in Buffalo, New York, and opened its second location in Rochester in March 2025. This opening brought joy to those who had long awaited the new brewery. The closure of Roc Brewing left a void in the East End community. For many, it was the end of an era that few were ready for. If you’ve had the pleasure of tasting the Spotted Octopus’ craft brews, then you are aware of the quality and creativity that goes into each fresh new batch.
A Great Escape Awaits at Rochester’s Coolest Tiki Bar
From elevated rum-based cocktails to a curated selection of dishes with Caribbean, Chinese, African, and Pacific Island-inspired flavors, Easy Sailor is shifting the way Rochesterians and visitors alike experience a night out in the city. A visit to this sensational tiki bar will undoubtedly involve some sparks and flames, a dash of lively energy, and be full of flavor and exciting memories. For those who take the voyage, a great escape awaits.
Relax at this Posh New Coffee Shop and Cocktail Lounge in Syracuse
Pausa is a small escape when traveling through Syracuse. In a way, it is a portal to a relaxing time, alluring and full of elegance. This is truly a lounge where locals are spending time out with friends, and savoring the moment. If you find yourself in need of an espresso or just want a cool lounge to hang out at with a nice craft cocktail, Pause Coffee is the place to be.
The Salt City Market is a Promise of a Better Tomorrow
Deep in the heart of downtown Syracuse, where South Salina meets West Onondaga, is a great food hall that combines the diverse and rich delicacies of Syracuse’s numerous cultural identities under one bazaar-style marketplace. The Salt City Market is a transformative community space that provides sustenance in the form of food and beverages, affordable housing, a coffee shop and bar, a cooperative grocery store, and the promise of a better tomorrow.
Bad Bunny Brunch Kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month in Midtown Roc
‘Bad Bunny Brunch’ is the first of a series of community-driven brunch events occurring at Farmhouse Table at South Clinton and E. Broad Street throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, 2025.
Fool’s Gold Saloon in Downtown Rochester Pays Tribute to the Old Wild West
Formerly occupied by Masons on Alexander, a new western-themed bar Fool’s Gold Saloon, has reimagined the space with a makeover from a classic dive bar to a watering hole that pays tribute to the old Wild West.