Quite possibly the best cocktail bar in Rochester if you are looking for classic cocktails using the best possible ingredients. Easily by far the best selection of top shelf hard to find spirits and some of the best bar tending available for classic cocktails with attention to detail, technique, ingredients (including decent ice - ice being a chronic problem in Rochester) yet able to deliver a cocktail quickly and with a smile. Would have given them 5 stars except for some minor faults that most people would not notice in an otherwise very impressive bar. read more

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My favorite place in Rochester to get a drink. Their cocktails are consistently good -- I don't think that I've ever had a bad drink here. Their bartenders really know what they are doing. It can get crowded as there is somewhat limited seating, but if you go at the right time, it can be a great spot for quiet conversation. It never gets as loud as places like the Daily Refresher on popular nights. To get to Cheshire, walk into the wine bar, and head upstairs. read more

Cheshire is my favorite cocktail bar in Rochester, despite being relatively new. Located above Solera Wine Bar (you must enter through here), it is has a classy, intimate, and vintage vibe. I'm always impressed by the well-dressed/groomed men behind the bar. The cocktails are well mixed and strong with unique ingredients. Reasonably priced, too. A great place for a date. Can't wait to return again. read more

Cheshire - Custom creation with green chartreuse, Old Ransom gin, sweet vermouth, and a lemon twist. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

Cheshire is a great hidden speakeasy and bar in Rochester. I had 3 drinks which tasted great! They were strong but you couldn't taste the alcohol. I had the blackberry punch, stormy morning and the ninotchka. The first two were my favorite. The ninotchka wasn't much to my liking, but that's just because I'm not a vodka drinker. My boyfriend liked it. read more

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After other glowing reviews this jumped out to me during my Rochester trip. I am happy I did as the atmosphere was great with this being tucked away over a wine bar. The bartender Julian was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. He introduced me to a few cocktails and spirits I had not tried before and will make sure this is a visit on all future trips! read more

This is my favorite bar in the whole rochester area!! So when I signed up yelp, it's the first bar I went and checked in (well, technically, I checked in Solera first, because it's downstairs, the owners are same persons anyway and love Solera too!!) The cocktails are all so good. The bartenders know very well what they are doing. And they use measurement every time they make cocktails, so the taste and quality are consistent. Tom, Charlie, Jeremy, they are awesome!! They are friendly and have patience for your random questions. And their cocktail-making skills are not confined by the menu. They make good cocktails beyond the menu too. I'm a whiskey drinker, so the old fashioned is my fav. Stormy morning is awesome too. Recently I'm discovering their virgin drinks. I had two glasses of egg juice in a row this time, just because it's awesome and I can't stop drinking. Cucumber cooler is awesome too. read more

Cheshire - Metropolitan delight - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Katie Fox, bartender extraordinare, saved my marriage. She specialized and catered to our whims. She is a hero. My wife presently considers her our patron saint. Indeed the whole staff is delightful and helpful and will try to make what you think you want, even if you're requesting something like black pepper and tequila. The menu cocktails are great, and the sandwiches are a nice touch. My mom recommends the old fashioned because it is is just right. read more

Highly recommended by a trusty drinker friend person (the best kind), I came in the hopes to have "the perfect Moscow Mule". My expectations were met. A smoother and more refreshing mule does not exist in this area code. The place itself does have a speakeasy feel, which I've heard time and time again. The guys working the bar are very personable and passionate about what they do. I was expecting an "eye roll" when I placed my order. Kinda like *sigh* "here comes the green munchkin' hiding the basic-ness of her ways". No way! These guys will hook you up! I can say with confidence that there wasn't a drink they served without pride being the secret ingredient. Impatiently waiting to go back 8-) read more

Cheshire is one of the coolest little spots in Rochester. A hidden gem, reminiscent of how bars used to be without all of the technology that has inundated the scene. The cocktails are completely unique and signature, something that bars normally don't seem to see the benefit it. The bartenders are real bartenders, those that add flair and excitement into every drink they make. They use fresh, high quality ingredients for every drink, and they use actually real glassware, which was a great touch. We stopped in on a Saturday night for a friends birthday, and it was perfect. Normally, bars are inundated with heavy drinkers on Saturday nights, but Cheshire was very relaxed and spacious. We did not have to jostle for space at the bar, we found seats for everyone, and had a super relaxing experience. The decor and lighting is dim, but it adds to the feel up the upstairs location. Again, the staff is fantastic. We ordered 2 of the blackberry punch (which is amazing, by the way) and the bartender had a slight uneven pour. I really mean slight, maybe an half an ounce, and we didn't even really notice. She immediately took it upon herself to pour us a few shots of Whiskey to make up the discrepancy, which she absolutely did not need to do. The drinks can be a bit pricey, but in my opinion, well worth the experience. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a unique, speakeasy experience. read more

This is one of the best bars in Rochester. I can't speak to the weekend scene yet, but on weeknights it makes a for great chill, upscale cocktail bar. They have a unique liquor selection, super friendly bartenders, and generous pours. You won't be disappointed! read more

Cheshire - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

The drinks are amazing, and the bartender is so friendly and nice. I really like the vibe here. Very fitting for a chill evening!

Hidden away up the stairs at the back of Solera, Cheshire is a true (not-so-secret) gem. Great for everything from a first date to a girl's night to a work Happy Hour, the bartenders here know how to craft always-perfect traditional and signature cocktails. Don't be surprised if you get an eensy-weensy beverage, but do be surprised if you go home sober -- these delicious little suckers pack a wallop. If you love all things sweet, there's no better bet then the French 75, a champagne cocktail I couldn't stop sipping. There was something about the flavor that kept nagging at me, like watching a movie with an actor I couldn't place. And then it hit me -- grapefruit. Grapefruit and little bits of nectar-flavored heaven. My Ramos Gin Fizz was a good deal tarter. It was in that perfect middle category that you'd describe as neither "sweet" nor "bitter" -- but that doesn't mean it was devoid of taste. The egg created the perfect frothy drink, and the cream mellowed out the gin immensely (I'm not a huge fan of extra ginny-gin). Another solid would-order-again drink. Mike's Bamboo, on the other hand, I gave one sip and was glad to be done with. He adored it, so this is definitely a matter of taste, but I thought it was overstrong, very tart, and overwhelmed by the one olive (which we hadn't originally seen on the menu -- not entirely sure whether it's there or not). If other people like this, then go for it -- but it's not something I'd recommend. Yes, the drinks will run you $8 or $9 apiece, but you get what you pay for. I'll take one of these over two well drinks any day, night, or morning. I can't wait to go back ... and try literally every single other cocktail on the menu. read more

Answer: Cheshire. Questions: 1. Where might I find myself sipping fancy cocktails? 2. Where can I find an upscale ambiance that takes me back to the Prohibition Era? 3. Where can I find a sippalicious Old Fashioned? 4. Where can I take a date for drinks? 5. Where do I find the coolest, most dapper looking bartenders who know their way around cocktails? 6. Where can I take my friends who are visiting from out of town? 7. Oh you want to dress nice for a change? I think I have exactly the place! Seriously, if this doesn't sell you on Cheshire, I don't know what will. read more

I have zero complaints about this place - such a fun, cool spot to spend a Friday night with friends. I also think it would be awesome for a date night. All the drinks are fresh and delicious, the servers are friendly but not too attentive, and the vibe/decor is of course super sleek. There's no sign outside, you need to go into Solara and head straight upstairs. The area is intimate and very dark, we waited around for about 10-15 minutes for a corner table to open up at 9 PM. I got the Stormy Morning which seemed to be one of the most popular choices, also enjoyed the Kentucky Mule and my DD enjoyed the Faux cocktails as well. Check this place out for a fun, elegant night out near downtown! read more

Cheshire has a fabulous cocktail selection. While offering the traditional cocktails, they also have amazing unique concoctions. It's a cozy prohibition-style speak easy. Dark wood and small space. Although it's small, I've never waited for a table or a spot at the bar. The bartenders are the best - we of course had them join in our conversations like we were all out together. I recently ordered their Moscow Mule, served in a standard copper mug. Perfect balanced cocktail - I'm in love with the ginger beer + vodka. This is one of my top spots to go out with the girls or bring out-of-towners. read more

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Such a unique little bar in the South Wedge. When you first walk in it says, Solera wine bar which is downstairs. Go upstairs, and that is Cheshire. I asked the bartender what was the most popular drink, he said it was the Stormy Morning. Even watching it be made was beautiful! My roommate got the Paloma. I don't even like tequila but you couldn't even taste it in her drink. I am looking forward to going back to try something new. read more

Cheshire - Stormy Morning - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

Great atmosphere and staff. This place is the definition of cozy. Highly recommend their cocktails and virgin drinks!

Chesire is a very trendy spot in the South Wedge to get a craft cocktail. I was a little taken aback with the narrow stairs up from Solera, and the big hub of people standing in front of the bar, but the crowd moved pretty quickly. We got drinks and seats within 10 minutes at prime time (9:30 p.mish) on a Friday night. I don't know if that was a fluke, but I was impressed. Most cocktails are in the $9-$11 dollar range. I wanted something fun with tequila, and the man behind the bar was very helpful in creating something delicious, flavorful, and not pink/too sweet. The service was good. They had two beer options, one being a dark porter. The low lighting with candles and speakeasy environment make it a fun place for first/beginning to date situations, or just an intimate night with a small group of friends. read more

This was my first visit and I was thoroughly impressed. The ambiance is perfect for a date, or if you want good conversation with a friend. I suggest getting there on the early side to grab a table. I loved how dark it was on the inside and the general feel of the place. Our bartender Jeremy was fantastic. I had no idea what to order and he was great about suggesting drinks for me. Each one was wonderful. I had a lions tale, and then a stormy morning. Even the virgin drinks were amazing. The bartenders were very dapper, conversational and took pride in taking care of their customers. Far more than your typical bartender that slings crappy over priced drinks at you in other parts of town. The experience was perfect from beginning to end. I will be going back. This is my new favorite place to go! read more

Cheshire - Slow Gin Fizz & Stormy Morning - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Cocktails = Yes We had three cocktails, all delicious. He made me a moscow mule with burbon instead of voldka. Deeeeeee-lish. As were they all. The bartender was extremely friendly, down-to-earth, and helpful. The space is gorgeous, too. We will be back often! read more

Came here with my son, 23. I brought my son here to show him how a real bar operated back in the day, before bars began letting WiFi and women in. Dark days, but surprisingly cheap drinks. Can't say the same of this place, but the staff were courteous if somewhat antagonistic in their dress. Is this a hair salon or a bar? However, lots of thanks to Jack for his assistance in locating my Samsung Galaxy S3 which I left atop the urinal. A bar like this needs to stop serving drinks in copper mugs and serve them in pint glasses. And none of that 16oz nonsense either. 5 stars. read more

First off - I want to give a huge shoutout to the staff. Even on the most packed of nights, you can tell the bartenders really care about their craft, and making sure everyone is having a good time. Second - the drinks are simply amazing. There's a good mix of revived classics, old stand-by's and remixed / reimagined fare. I had a hard time choosing the other evening and Julius took the time to figure out what spirits I like, what I was looking for etc. and mixed me an amazing drink, even though it wasn't currently on the menu. His suggestion was spot on, and I truly believe that he, or any of the other awesome bartenders will do the same for any of their guests. It's not the cheapest place to get a drink in Rochester, but I haven't had a better cocktail or better bar service anywhere in the city. read more

Two words: Stormy morning. Delicious. Definitely Worth coming back for. Cool atmosphere, candlelit, dark and personal. Bartenders were on their game. However bar space itself is small which makes it hard to order if the people sitting there aren't willing to make any space..... a touch Pricey at 10$ a drink, which can get away from you, but for this level of quality i would say it's worth it. read more

Cheshire is so much fun. It feels like you're in a 1920's speakeasy. The entrance is tucked way in the back corner and up the stairs inside Solera. You'd never know it was there, which adds to the whole prohibition vibe. The only thing they're missing is the doorman asking for the password upon entry. Drinks are tasty but the real fun is watching the barkeeps mix them up. It's a real craft at Cheshire but bring a rich friend because most drinks are $9. You have to check it out at least once just for the experience. read more

I love this little bar! With craft cocktails and a speakeasy type vibe, you can't go wrong for meeting up with a friend or for date night. Chesire resides above Solera (also a nice wine bar). It is cozy and intimate which is nice but at times it can get a tad crowded. The bartenders are knowledgeable (I hear they spend close to $1,000 training each one) and they've clearly spent a lot of time refining the menu. Cocktails average around $10 or so. I've never had a bad experience here and will continue to return. read more

I went to Cheshire last evening with a few friends and all I have to say is wow! Rochester really does have some "hidden gems." From what I gather, there is no website or Facebook page, so you get those that stumble into solera and find their way upstairs or some regulars and those who have heard by word of mouth. Warm and inviting! I had heard some pretty amazing things about Cheshire, from it's speakeasy hidden style above Solera to the expansive cocktail menu. Something that really stood out to me was the warm atmosphere and helpful bartenders, more like cocktail gods if you ask me. They were extremely friendly and welcomed suggestions based on our preferred liquor. I went with the French 75 for a lighter evening--excellent. The gin was superb as was the champagne with just the right combination of lemon and sugar. Not too sweet, not too tart. read more

Above Solera - pre-prohibition bar outfitted in antique decor with a solid old-fashioned cocktail menu. It's just one of those perfect spots that you hope will sustain the magic beyond the newbie hype. Only open on Fridays and Saturdays for now, they may add Thursdays soon. read more

Cheshire - Cheshire - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Rochester, New York

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I love Manhattans. When I have the urge to go out for a Manhattan, Cheshire generally tops my list. The Manhattans here are excellent. Additionally, the maraschino cherries Cheshire uses are cool and unique (and I can't find anything like them at Wegmans!). The drinks are $9 each, expensive for some, but actually on par with other local cocktail establishments. I love bringing friends here who haven't been before as the vibe is very cool, think 1920's speakeasy or Prohibition-era cocktail lounge (entrance is unmarked and upstairs through the wine bar Solera). Just like its smart sister, Solera Wine Bar, Cheshire really brought a change to the cocktail scene in Rochester (which others are now emulating). It can get crowded sometimes, but the atmosphere is moderately seductive. read more

The first time i went to Cheshire, I literally felt like i was walking into a different era. The decor, bartenders and drinks are not like anything you normally find in a rochester bar. This little drinking haven is hidden up the dark wooden stairs in the back of Solera. I remember walking up the stairs hoping I wouldn't fall and trying to figure out what to expect. You can expect great drinks, friendly staff and a good time. My go to drink there is the Moscow Mule. Served in a copper glass, gin is perfectly mixed with other tasty treats and served chilled to perfection! I drank about 5 of these, I was knocking' em back like they were water! The only reason why I give this place 4 starts is because the drinks are pretty pricey. I am a girl on a budget most of the time, I didn't expect $2 beers, but I guess when you start order drink number 7 and 8, at $8- $9 a pop, it can be a bit pricey. Over all, it was a great experience and it is some place I will always recommend to someone that wants to try something new. read more

Awww... what a cute, classy hole in the wall. This place is located above Solera Wine Bar in Southwedge and they have a doorman who opens the velvet rope so you can go up the stairs. So very fun. It's suuuuper, duuuuper teeny but very quaint and cute! Which means you may have to wait to get in because it reaches max capacity quickly. The drinks are all hand-crafted meticulously and quite pricy, but it's a fabulous environment and perfect for a chat with friends over a lovingly caressed into potency cocktail. Seriously - they take like 5 minutes to make one drink, it's quite the process. Think whipped egg whites, lime mousse things, and several ingredients per cocktail. This isn' the type of place you can hang out all night unless you're a millionaire but it's a great date spot or place to pop in for a drink before going out. It's a fun vibe and they use St. Germaine so I'm sold. read more

Cheshire is part of Rochester's nice craft cocktail scene. It is located in the trendy South Wedge above Solera Wine Bar, which you have to walk through to get in. The focus at Cheshire is on making drinks well (read: not quickly). They make the best Old Fashioned in town and the best Moscow Mule! They also from time to time have themed beverage choices. So on Mad Men night they have the Sterling Cooper. Even the liquors they carry are of the craft variety and they don't generally have your bar standards (so please don't ask for Jose or JD). They only carry two beers, a porter and a basic lager but if you want more the bar downstairs has a few more plus a great selection of wine. I only have two complaints: The speed and the size. If it's a busy night, you're going to have to wait a while for you beverages or you may have to take your drinks downstairs. These are the reasons for a four star rating. read more

I love Cheshire and its delicious drinks and vested bartenders. Sometimes it gets really really crowded in here and you wish there was more space, but really its part of the charm. Plus, it lasts for a brief amount of time before other patrons head to whatever their next drinking destination is. I highly recommend the Moscow Mule and the French 75, but everything is really delicious. Try a raw egg drink at least once! So foamy! read more

Loved it! Seriously awesome watching the bartenders create our drinks. Not the typical bottle tossing/ glass slamming mixing that you see at the average bar- they took their time measuring, cutting fresh fruit from a stocked fruit bowl, stirring and shaking like they cared. We ordered 3 drinks but I'm having trouble remembering their unusual names. They were something like: 1. Pimms Cup 2. Cosmopolitan-something 3. Something with numbers after it, like 77, or 44, or 74... I'll fix this when I go back and get the real names. But they were all delicious. The full drink menu was pretty long and really creative. Another standout part of the experience was the "Snack" that we ordered off of the menu. 6 inch-ish baguette cut lengthwise with prosciutto, honey and truffle oil- oh my gosh the truffle oil! Mouthwatering. This was so dang good and such a great compliment to our drinks. OK, I'll admit it, I ordered another one for the road before I left... The bartenders were very attentive and really kind. (I dont know, this just stood out to me). Relaxing moody lighting and gothic/glam style decor. Cheshire will definitely be a regular check-in for me. read more

Visited Cheshire last night with some friends and got the Georgia Peach Tea. It was a little sweeter than what the bartender indicated but overall pretty good. My friends got the Dark Stormy and Cosmopolitan drink on the menu. Both were delicious. The atmosphere was pretty cool too - definitely very speakeasy feeling, and I loved the size. Perfect for a chill night where you want dress up and get drinks without getting too crazy! read more

Cheshire is an elegant and chic cocktail, wine and spirits bar in the heart of Rochester's trendy South Wedge neighborhood. With a dim and sensuous atmosphere reminiscent of an 1920s speakeasy combined with an 19th-century artist's salon, this place is well-equipped for a good time. The fact that it's right upstairs from Solera, a fantastic wine bar in its own right that offers better seating both indoors and outdoors, doesn't hurt at all. There are two main things to recommend Cheshire: the ambience and the menu. In a city full of bars that either heavily cater to the "millennial chic vibes in a reclaimed industrial space" aesthetic, or are so expensive and pretentious as to be unenjoyable, Cheshire perfectly walks the line between artful and fun. The layout of the place encourages congregation around the bar, which is one of the finest in Rochester; you can tell these people really know what they're doing. The beverages I've tried here include the Black Walnut Toronto (perfectly smooth and delicious, one of the best whisky cocktails I've ever tasted), the Moscow Mule (expertly done) and a few of the non-alcoholic beverages which include some interesting experiments with eggs. Everything about the bar area exudes attention to detail, craftsmanship and pride in their work. In addition to the excellent drinks, Cheshire has a great social ambience; it's not uncommon to see people talking to people they didn't know before arriving, but it's not a loud and rowdy bar scene. All in all, Cheshire is a great way to kick off an evening in Rochester's South Wedge, particularly if you plan to go to Lux afterward. It definitely won't hurt if you dress to the nines, so if you're open to that kind of vibe (and at a more affordable price than some "fancy" bars- most of the cocktails are $10), Cheshire has what you're looking for. read more

This is a great place for craft cocktails. They are a bit pricey at $8-10 each, but so so worth it. They aren't just making a jack and coke and then charging you through the nose for it. They actually make good quality cocktails. This was the first place that I had an old fashioned and I haven't been able to find any place that makes a comparable one. Someone recommend the daily refresher on Alexander, but their old fashioned was terrible by comparison. I've never had a drink here that wasn't very good. Positives: Good atmosphere Great drinks Friendly bartenders that will make conversation or leave you alone if you want Negatives: Maybe price? Really though, it is definitely worth the money. read more

Great place for awesome drinks. $10 per drink but u get what u pay for! Friendly bartenders. Love how they use fresh fruit and other ingredients everyday, also love how they keep the fruit on the bar counter instead of hidden. It is small but every time I've gone it wasn't that crowded where it would b uncomfortable. Fancy cocktails upstairs awesome wine bar on the first floor read more

A classy place to have a unique, tasty cocktail. Take a trip back in time to this speakeasy. A perfect place for a chill evening out, date night. The kind of bar you could take your folks to if you really wanted. I recommend the shattic or the stormy morning! read more

Ok, as always I'm gonna say this, I'm a transplant from Chicago... Home of Three Dots and a Dash, The Violet Hour, Billy Sunday. These are a certain kinds of cocktail bar or not so much a bar a place to have a really good drink. Hand made spirits, juiced fruits and homemade bitters. Guess what this place is it.. It's only open three or four days a week. It's upstairs from Solara downstairs. It has an old school vibe from after prohibition or late 1920's- early 30's. The bartenders actually wear ties, they look put together and when they make a cocktail holy hell they get it. This is no crap mixed drinks made with stuff you don't know. It's fresh and the cocktails some as I've been told by friends can be strong. When you go up the stairs you see this huge long bar all made of wood, with bar seats, behind is windows but also a few mirrors and liquors sitting up as well. The bartenders/mixologists are friendly and accommodating they give you a menu. Look at it.. Everyone is all about the Stormy Morning, I rate a bar on two drinks a French 75 and a Pimms Cup, HOLY CRAP AWESOME. This is not a big place you can stand/sit by the long bar, they have maybe a dozen tables and chairs. You can get food. They have wrapped sandwiches available but if you want a cheese plate or what not guess what you gotta go downstairs to order. If you need to go to the bathroom your in luck they have one on the floor of this bar. The vibe of this place is dark, warm and old school. Yes it's got a chandelier. Go and go often bring your friends, or ones who will appreciate it, don't go to this place with a baseball hat on, respect yourself and the place. Cheers. I'll be back! read more

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This place stands out as the best cocktail bar in Rochester. With some stiff competition from Good Luck and The Daily Refresher, this place squeaks past with pristine classic cocktails prepared exactly how they should be. Don't get me wrong, this place has issues. The space itself is awkward (too long, bar isn't wide enough), it can get really crowded on a Friday or Saturday night, and there's probably not enough seating, but if you want some great cocktails, this is the place to get them. I've tried most of the menu and think the whiskey over easy, negroni and mint juleps are probably the best, though I'm always jealous of anyone holding their copper-cupped Moscow mule. Bartenders here are great and very talented, and drinks are not cheap ($9 for a cocktail), but it is well worth it. Check it out, non-weekend nights are better so you can grab a seat. read more