Nightlife in Rochester

19 clubs, live music venues and late-night spots in Rochester.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Drink
Boulder Coffee Company
An independently owned coffee shop with regular live music. Their web page lists upcoming acts. Drinks and snacks are typical coffee shop prices. Free WiFi on the premises.
Mon-Thu 7AM-11PM, Fri 7AM-midnight, Sat 8AM-midnight, Sun 8AM-11PM
Drink
Comedy @ the Carlson
The only dedicated comedy club in Rochester at the moment, tucked in behind Radio Social in an old manufacturing facility. Strong lineup of comedians, including occasional well-known national figures.
Do
Kodak Center
Theatre on the Ridge
Part of the sprawling industrial complex once known as Kodak Park, Kodak Center is a live performing arts, event, and conference center featuring a 1,978-seat main theater with the biggest stage in Rochester, 180-seat Studio Theater, 48-seat Club Theater, conference rooms, a gymnasium, and many other spaces. Numerous musical, stand-up comedy, and dramatic acts are featured throughout the year. The center also hosts the Kodak Visitor Center where visitors can learn about the history of Kodak. There is a 1,000+ spot parking lot located across the street for patrons and a 30 minute visitor lot directly next to the theater.
Eat
Lovin' Cup
This is a hip little cafe with lively staff; an inventive menu of salads, bowls, burgers, and sandwiches; an extensive bar menu; and regular live music events, including weekly open mics. Some evening concerts may have a cover charge or even require advance tickets, so check the schedule before you decide to roll in at 7 or 8 for dinner.
Mon-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat noon-11PM$18-25
Do
Montage Music Hall
A longstanding music club, it's an intimate venue but some great bands come through. The drinks aren't anything to write home about, but folks don't come here for the drinks.
Mon-Fri 10:30AM-5:30PM, Sat Sun 7PM-1AM
Do
Nerdvana
If Dice Versa is a gaming lounge with food, Nerdvana is a restaurant and bar with games. When you check in for a meal, you'll be asked "Nintendo, Xbox, or PlayStation?" and be seated at a table with your chosen video game console attached to a built-in screen and loaded with a variety of games. Play all you want while you wait for your food (or while you eat, they don't judge). They also have a big selection of board games (only somewhat smaller than Dice Versa's library) if that's more your speed. And don't worry—you can also play at the bar. The food menu is varied and includes some nice twists, and the cocktail menu is equally good.
Sun-Thu noon-10PM, Fri Sat noon-11PM
Buy
The Bop Shop
The legendary Bop Shop made its name at the Village Gate but has been at this larger location on Monroe Avenue since 2012. The shop is still crammed to overflowing with vinyl records, cassette tapes, and compact discs covering every era and every style. True music-lovers can spend hours pawing through the racks and uncovering treasure after treasure—albums they either never knew existed, or haven't seen in decades. The staff are all highly knowledgeable collectors and they love to talk music with customers. Often hosts jazz concerts; see web site for schedule.
Wed Sun noon-5PM, Thu-Sat 11AM-6PM, Mon Tue closed$0.50-20 and up
Do
The Little Theatre
Run by local public broadcaster WXXI, the historic Little shows a wide variety of foreign, independent and classic films in five theatres. There is also a cafe bakery (serves a full dinner menu along with wine and beer), sometimes with live music.
Evenings $11, matinees $9, seniors/students/military $7, Monday screenings $8
Drink
Vertex
Goth/alternative dance club with a distinct no-judgement atmosphere. Come as you are, as long as how you are is ready to move on the dance floor. Generally a safe place for people who might get some side-eye out on the street.
Thu-Sat 10PM-2PM
Do
Water Street Music Hall
Long the most popular music club in the area, the venerable Water Street is back after several years in somewhat different forms. The main hall has room for 1,000 revelers, and the venue is careful with its booking to avoid some of the capacity and rowdiness problems of the past. There are not many places like it in Rochester. Jack's on Water Street is an attached restaurant and occasional (smaller) performance venue.
Do Not mapped
Clarissa Street Reunion
Many years ago, Clarissa Street was known as "Rochester's Broadway", home to the best jazz clubs in the city. Urban renewal in the 1960s and 70s left its unfortunate mark on this neighborhood, but every August people come back for one day to celebrate the place it used to be. Live music is the main draw, but you'll also find a parade and other typical festival fare.
3rd Sat in Aug, 10AM-9:30PMFree
Do Not mapped
Harborfest
Ontario Beach Park likes to kick off the summer beach season with Harborfest weekend, a great excuse to visit the park and enjoy the amenities. In addition to the usual carousel rides and beach activities, you'll find a sand sculpture contest, a beach volleyball tournament, a classic car show, live music and food trucks. Saturday night sees a boat parade of lights. Charlotte businesses offer specials all weekend.
late Jun (Fri-Sun)Free
Do Not mapped
Rochester Cocktail Revival
Modern and classic cocktails are making a comeback, even in often-staid Rochester. Rochester's bars and bartenders get together to share cocktail culture, ideas, and recipes with each other and with the general public. Six days of events at venues throughout the city, and (of course) drink specials at more than 30 cocktail and spirits bars around town.
early JunPrices vary
Do Not mapped
Rochester International Jazz Festival
Founded in 2002, the RIJF quickly became the centerpiece of Rochester's festival schedule. Held in almost two dozen venues, all within walking distance of each other, the nine-day festival offers a mix of free and ticketed events for people of all ages. It attracts fans from the U.S. and around the world who come to hear one of the most multidimensional, international, and diverse artist lineups presented at a major music festival.
late JunOutdoor shows free; club passes $210-360; club shows $30-35; headliner concerts vary
Do Not mapped
Zoo Brew
Enjoy live music, drink beer and wine, socialize, and enjoy other activities among the animals of the zoo. Ages 21 and up only.
5:30PM-9PM, various dates in summer (and ZooBRRRew in winter)$10 advance, $15 gate, $50 VIP
Do
Durand-Eastman Golf Club (public)
1200 N Kings Hwy, Irondequoit
9 holes: $16 walk/$26 ride; 18 holes: $20/$38; add $1 on weekends
Do
Genesee Valley Golf Club (public)
1000 East River Rd
9 holes: $16 walk/$26 ride; 18 holes: $20/$38; $2 less for South course; add $1 on weekends
Do
Lake Shore Country Club (semi-private)
1165 Greenleaf Rd, Greece
Do
Photo City Music Hall
500-person capacity live music venue with drink specials.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Rochester (CC BY-SA 4.0).