The decorated tiki bar at Easy Sailor has a large red octopus wall sculpture, vintage-style paintings, rustic wood walls, and nautical decor.
A bowl of ramen with sliced pork, halved soft-boiled eggs, chopped green onions, spinach, seaweed, and noodles in broth from Public Provisions in Rochester.
A band performing on stage with blue and red curtains, three musicians are visible: one singing and playing guitar, one playing bass, and a drummer in the background. The scene is lit with colorful stage lights at the 5 Spot in Nashville, TN.
Colorful sculpture of a one-eyed monster with purple arms and a pizza body, surrounded by a pizza-themed backdrop and blue curtains at Denver's Meow Wolf.
Filipino food plate with rice, fried egg, diced beef stir-fry, and spring rolls from Pinoy Boy in Buffalo, New York.
A stage decorated with candles and white drapery, with a person dressed in dark clothing performing under blue lighting, at an event called the Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy.
A pour over coffee from AM:FM Coffee in Rochester, NY
Senojfromtheroc performing at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Arts
Music
Culture
Cuisine
Drink

The Underrated Vibes

Rochester Is Becoming an Exceptional Coffee First City
Culture, Drink, Rochester Andy Gold Culture, Drink, Rochester Andy Gold

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.

Read More
Relax at this Posh New Coffee Shop and Cocktail Lounge in Syracuse
Drink, Culture, Cuisine, Syracuse Andy Gold Drink, Culture, Cuisine, Syracuse Andy Gold

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.

Read More
A Quiet Reset at Recess Coffee on Montgomery St.
Drink, Cuisine, Syracuse Andy Gold Drink, Cuisine, Syracuse Andy Gold

A Quiet Reset at Recess Coffee on Montgomery St.

I have always loved sitting down in a warm café with a cortado get a sense of the ambiance, the people, and the flow of the city. Recently, I stumbled upon Recess Coffee on Montgomery St. in Downtown Syracuse. It was a hot day strolling around town, and the high temperatures were catching up with me. This felt like an opportunistic moment to sit down, hang out, and try a local roast.

Read More
Montgomery Court Coffee is Elevating the Scene on Park & Colby
Cuisine, Drink, Rochester Andy Gold Cuisine, Drink, Rochester Andy Gold

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. 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.

Read More

More Underrated Highlights Right to You

Stay connected with the Underrated Guide’s bimonthly updates on new city launches, featured articles about hip bars and restaurants, and cultural exploration in underrated cities.