A Rochester institution for good reason, and a place you allllllways end up leaving with a few…read morestories to take home with you. I hadn't been back since 2016ish and forgot some of the magical elements of the Bug Jar. Living room on the ceiling, the flying bug, great staff, electric environment, and super welcoming to everyone, to name a few. My (large, strong) vodka soda was $7 and I sipped while leaning against the wall in the "venue side" of the space. The room itself is truly so small and a 'lil awkward in terms of where to stand, etc. I wasn't there on a particularly crowded evening but I imagine, as other reviewers have said, it doesn't hurt to arrive early if it is a band you truly care about. This venue does so much to support local musicians and the whole scene in Rochester. Getting out and supporting the local scene is more critical now than it has been, and I am sad I had done such a terrible job practicing what I preach post-pandemic. Get ye to a Bug Jar show if it has been a minute and enjoy a great night with great stories!

I've been to this awesome dive bar a couple of times for specific bands. Whenever I go I always…read morethink to myself why don't I go here more? Then I remember. I'm old. And less ok with what looks like dust and general debris strewn about. And what do you expect? Half the place is on the ceiling. But, if I were younger and less tired, I would spend more time at the Bug Jar

Tonight's jazz performers were amazing. We ordered the duck lollipops, lobster caviar set, and the…read moresweet potato hummus. All dishes were delicious and decadent. I would say the sweet potato hummus was my favorite. Atmosphere is absolutely on point with the mood, dim lighting, inviting servers and all the furniture is elegant and comfy. Would come back again for any occasion!

Vanni's Jazz Lounge makes for a fun evening out in Rochester. Our group had a great time visiting…read moreduring the first set of live jazz music from 5pm-8pm. Vanni's is located in The Inn on Broadway and upon entering you will see an elegantly decorated lobby; walk down the stair to find a book case which may contain a secret entrance to the lounge. I don't want to spoil the gimmick, but it's very charming and our group had fun with this detail. The lounge is spacious with a select amount of table seating and couches. We chose the bar in case the music was loud. The decor and lighting helped make for an immersive setting. The design features stood out and we loved the look of the lounge. The performers we saw were enjoyable, though we were hoping for something a little more lively. I ordered The University Club cocktail. The drink was delicious and picture perfect. The bartenders made us feel at ease and were fun to chat with. We didn't try any of the small plates on our visit, but this is an option. Plenty of free parking is available. If you want to have a unique night out in Rochester give Vanni's a try.

Now THIS is what an indoor venue should be like. I was bummed when I heard they closed, but they've…read moreopened up, and it's just as good as I remembered. Friendly staff, security, and patrons. The live sound is the best out of any indoor venue I've been to. If any bands see this, please pay Anthology!

Anthology is music venue that has a history of hosting a wide range of musical acts, from indie…read morebands to metal legends. It initially opened in September 2015, closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reopened by new management company, SCN Hospitalty. The venue is known for its capacity of around 1,000 people and its ability to accommodate diverse musical genres. Recently went to my first concert here. Nice space, nicely decorated up top. Great sound quality, lighting was great. However, I'd probably never come here again during the summer months. It was 96 degrees outside, this is an indoor venue, it was a sold out show of over 700 people, and there is no A/C in the venue. People were absolutely miserable, I watched multiple people leave the show early because they passed out or were having some other medical issue from the intense heat. It was difficult to even breathe during the event. 3 bands went on stage and every one of them mentioned how ridiculously hot it was. How this is even allowed and not a health risk is crazy to me. Wasn't enough bar staff to keep up with the amount of people, especially cause everyone wanted/needed water, merch stands were set up in spots that made it even more difficult to move around the space. Just poorly set up. Only a few tables and chairs, so people who were having issues with the heat either needed to go downstairs to where the bathrooms were or leave the venue just to get some relief. It's too bad cause it really is a nice venue, but there's no way I'd go again during the warm months.

Everytime I go to Sal's I wonder why I don't go more often. The service is fast and no BS, the…read moreprices are beyond reasonable, and the vibe is divey but eclectic. Eastman students, art purveyors, kickball teams, and many many more groups have found an alcohol & popcorn filled oasis in Salinger's. I went this past weekend and enjoyed a quieter atmosphere on Friday around 8:30pm. My double vodka soda was $5ish, and my partner and I grabbed a table and settled in. We enjoyed watching folks play games (pool, basketball, skee ball, and many many more all available here), and our beverages before moving on for the evening. The bartenders are used to high volume and take care of everyone at the bar quickly. It can get pretty busy in the later hours of the night, after concerts, and on weekends, but it is always homey feeling and a great way to start or end the night. All of the best things about dive bars come together at Sal's, and I can't wait for my next trip!

Well now THAT was a good time! My friend and I dropped into Salinger's on a whim during our visit…read moreto Rochester. We felt comfortable and welcome in this dive bar. The bartenders were a lot of fun with great personalities !

Great food, bartenders are lovely, and the staff is incredibly friendly. 50/10, definitely coming…read moreback here whenever I can, it's such a welcoming and supportive environment!

came here for my friends 21st birthday and the owner was extremely rude. the second we stepped foot…read moreinto the building, after paying, he kicked us out bc our friend was getting an anxiety attack. Then proceeds to tell us that what was going on with her "wasn't anxiety." bye I will never be coming here again. Never refunded any of us either even tho he saw us step foot into the building for not even 2 mins. Thought this was supposed to be a welcoming fun bar, but I guess not. Will be telling everyone not to go here

If a dive bar and nightclub were to have a child, Vertex would be it. I love it here . It's known…read moreas a goth club, but everyone is welcomed. Wear whatever you want, yes even that baseball cap and hoodie, and no one will say a word. People are super welcoming, and the more you come the more you start to realize that it becomes your own little family. Admission is $5 for 21+ and $8 for 18-21. They also only accept cash at the bar, so be prepared. Depending on what night you go, the music can range from industrial, edm, to 80's awesomeness. Friday nights are usually reserved for the "poppier" stuff like 80's new wave and the dancier stuff. Saturday nights are the more gritty, darker stuff. They do have a small parking lot, but it can get pretty tricky getting in and out of there. If you have a bigger car/truck you may be better off trying to park somewhere else nearby. The club is actually 2 floors. When you walk in, there's a bar on the first floor and an area with a pool table and dart board. Take one of the stairwells up and you'll hit the dance area, where's there also another bar (gotta love the convenience of not having to trek down/up stairs for another cocktail). The sound and lights aren't super epic, so if you're looking for that shiny, "big city" nightclub experience, you may want to save Vertex for another night. The basement/bottom floor is where the bathrooms reside, and where the more interesting conversation seems to take place. There's also a pretty large outdoor patio area with a bar. Though, not 100% sure if they serve drinks there, but I have seen times where they serve food (hot dogs and whatnot). Drink prices are pretty on par with what one would expect from a "dive" bar. They make them nice and strong too, so be prepared for a fun night. I would highly recommend trying a Red Death. It's a great way to get the evening started. If you're into the nightlife scene, and haven't checked out Vertex yet I would highly recommend adding it to your "things to do" list.

In a booth in the back in the corner in the dark. This place rocks good cheap drinks good musicread more

I mean a dive bar with a beach on Lake Ontario...this includes a vinyl jukebox, some sawdust…read morebowling, and even a real pay phone. Vodka for 9 bucks is fine...and some decent live music later one.

Excellent vibes! Love the live music and the views right on the lake are hard to beat. There's QR…read morecodes at each Barrel table so you can order directly, which I recommend. Make sure you bring your beach shoes as it is literally on the beach. The only downside is the inside is a bit small so sometimes hard to navigate through if you're ordering inside or walking in and out

I just love Skylark. Friendly no bullshit bartenders, the best meatball sliders and sauces, strong…read moredrinks, dingy but fun atmosphere. All in a crazy convenient and ever-changing location. At $3 per meatball slider, you can leave here completely full for under $10. I typically add on a double orange vodka soda and settle in at one of the back booths or tables to enjoy. There's a bunch of games over on the stage side of the bar, in addition to the back. I believe they have an outdoor space but I have never ventured back there. I've been coming here for about five years and have to say that Skylark gives you the best view of an ever changing city-scape. I've seen it go from urban roadway to construction to now luxury apartments. Skylark has been and will (hopefully/must be) continue to be around through it all. Don't let the interior fool you - this is a great no frills bar with a strange energy and delicious eats.

Skylark lounge in downtown Rochester, NY is the best place to see a live show, dance to a DJ or…read morejust hang and have a drink. (Local rotating artists for purchase, too.) Great back patio, and overall fab vibes.