Love the Old Toad. Such a great authentic place in the middle of Rochester. They are awesome in participating in local events and festivals too. I have tried so many of their brews in the Old Toad and out in the Rochester community. The OT20 Double IPA is awesome. I have had their fish and chips numerous times, and their stilton burger...the beer with the food just makes it even better. The staff is fab. There was little hiccup there a few weeks ago with their draft system and they were totally accommodating to the situation. Also, one time I wasn't crazy about one of the beers I had and the waitress just replaced it without a problem. That was great. Come chill here with some friends, the outdoor seating is a must in the summer. read more

The selection of beer was overwhelming, but the waiter was very knowledgable and helped us pick something good. I really did enjoy my drink. I didn't try the food but the chips (fries) my friend let me have a taste of were good. The only reason for the -1 star is the slightly slow service. We waited a long time for our order to be taken and we actually had to ask for the check after waiting for a pretty long time with empty drinks in front of us. There also weren't enough drink menus for all of us, and when we asked for more the waiter only brought us one or two. We had to share menus, which was kind of inconvenient. Parking in that area is a nightmare, which isn't the bar's fault, just something to keep in mind when planning your night out. read more

Recently went here for the first time and the food is delicious. Great beer selection as well. A dinner guest I was with let me try a bite of their "Scotch" egg and it tasted like a delicious egg croquette. That is recommended for sure if you go. For an entree I had the OT Gourmet Stilton Burger along with the suggested OT20 Double IPA. Burger was perfectly cooked and burger-beer pairing was amazing. The food and the service are on the level...so please if you get a chance...do yourself a favor and go have a bite to eat and sip to drink at the Old Toad. read more

The Old Toad - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

The Old Toad is a very unique British pub in Rochester. The food list accordingly contains British pub food, and I think that the chef does a great job of sticking as closely to the right cooking style for this type of food. The ambiance is also perfect for a pub, and seating is plentiful. All of the waiters are nice, and most have British accents, which is pretty fun! I was surprised to find that The Old Toad is also kid-friendly, and that our kiddo actually loved coming here. The best part is the beer list, which makes this location a go-to for my husband. read more

I must admit that I've never had the food here. I used to come here with some frequency in college and I remember it being better. They had more British beers and it wasn't as rowdy. This time it seemed to be some kind of tap takeover by Sierra Nevada and they only had one British beer on tap. Come on, isn't that kind of the point of this place? They could use a serious floor cleaning, I almost lost a shoe. The Old Toad doesn't feel particularly British either. It just looks like a bar. I'm sure there are bars in the UK that look like this, but if I'm going to a "British" pub stateside, I want the tacky full experience. I know all the above sounds fairly negative, but I still like this place. The beer is cheap (compared to New England) and they have a good selection. read more

The Good: Good selection of brews and food that is really pretty good; just remember it's still British food. They also import real Brits to make the whole experience that much more authentic. The Bad: It's still British comfort food. I like this sort of thing every once in a while, but its not usually something I'm dying to eat. Times I've Gone: ~15 I Usually Order: Shepherds Pie read more

This pub is one of the most phenomenal places I have ever been. Not only is their beer menu second to none, but they provide beer flights (which I have provided a photo of.) Additionally, their service is amazing: ask for Jared, a newly minted but exquisitely talented waiter, who provided us with nothing only sublime service but witty banter. And, GoT devotees, there is a poster above the restrooms that you will adore. I believe that is all that is required of a devine watering hole. read more

Transport yourself to the London pub scene, ok maybe the ceilings are a smidge to high for the real vibe but otherwise they are doing it right. The old toad give the feel of being in England stopping in the pub for a pint and a bite or in the adjacent room a family outing. They offer both a traditional and modern beer selection as well as an wide variety of whiskey and some wines. Their food is great, ok I have only have the fish and chips, and it's great, served with mushy or garden peas, either an excellent choice. This last time an osso buco was on special and one of our friends ordered that...he wasn't impressed but he is also a very fussy individual. This place is great o stop in after work or to spend a little more time at during the weekend. The venue, service, food and vibe are all on point. read more

Shepherd's Pie. Chips and Gravy. Pub Quiz. Cask Beer. Be happy. read more

I stopped by today after work not sure what to expect other then my usual yelp research lol. it was relatively early and still pretty empty, so I ended up being served by the bartender over at my table. I decided to play it safe and go with the large fish and chips with mushy peas and a sample tray of beer...the fish pretty good sized, nice crispy batter and tastes great, the tartar sauce wasn't quite to my liking, but unless I make it, it usually isn't lol the mushy peas were surprisingly good, wasn't sure what to expect, but I love peas, and these seem to simply be mashed peas and butter, nothing exotic, just never had them before...and lastly, the chips, wow, not sure if this how they do them on the "other side of the pond", but they might be the best fries I've ever had, nice and crisp on the outside (without looking it) and soft inside...all in all, a good experience, could probably knock a half star for having the bartender as my server, but I'm sure during regular meal time hours it's different, I'll definitely be back, even just for beer and to hear women with British accents, oh myyyy lol read more

The Old Toad - mmm...large fish and chips - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Shepards pie is awesome here! Good premium beer selection. It is an unique environment. read more

The Old Toad - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

This is my one of my favorite bars in Rochester. They have a great beer and scotch selection, and especially nice drafts which change frequently. I also love their French fries, and have tried some of their other food (including vegetarian versions!) and been quite pleased. I've never tried them, but I hear the mushy peas are excellent. One of my favorite things about this place is that it isn't too loud! I really hate loud bars, so this is the perfect one for me. Not super cheap, but I'm willing to pay for a nice atmosphere and great drink selection. read more

Yikes! It's been a while since we ate at the Old Toad. The menu is smaller & the food is only fair at best. The fish & chips was kind of a greasy looking mess. My corned beef has was just ok. The squeeky, sticky restroom floors are gross & it smells! At leas the beers are still great, but will find out if we get headaches from un-cleaned tap lines tomorrow LOL Too bad, that place used to be an awesome place for great beer & a cheap meal. read more

The man wearing a top knot (didn't catch his name) was quite unhelpful. Came in to pick up a takeout order. He sent me to the bar with a minimal level of customer service. After waiting at the bar for over ten minutes without anyone acknowledging me, the same person then came behind the bar to chat with the bartender. When I finally was helped, I asked for the takeout order, which was ready and probably had been for some time. The food was good, although a little too salty. The service was not. read more

I wish I had discovered the Old Toad earlier before I left Rochester. The service was friendly and accommodating when tackling the decision of beers to try. Good selection of beers, so everyone should be able to find something that suits their taste. My favorite is the Old Toad Nut Brown Ale. The food here is hearty and warm. English pub fare done decently well. Definitely a nice change of the typical dining experience in restaurants. read more

I've spent my entire time since I moved to San Jose, CA looking for a bar like the Old Toad but to no avail. It is a unique and spectacular place that I miss dearly from my 5 nights a week time when I lived down the street. The monday night trivia contest is not to be missed. read more

The place is run by british university students so you've got a legit british pub on your hands! This is a nice little get-away from the usual bar scene. Or if you're a Homesick Brit, this'll be the place to go! The food is your typical crap british food. a little bland but hearty and filling. you've got your classic Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, Shepherds pie and... dare I say it? YORKSHIRE PUDDING! and PORK PIE! The Yorkshire pudding was served differently than I'm used to. It's served flattened instead of puffy and hollow. The waiter says they make a massive one and cut off pieces of it to serve which explains why it's like that. The pork pie was pretty much like a cold hard pate. It's good! Their beer selection is fantastic! They've got light wimpy cider and ales as well as your dark english porters. You should find something u like. The service is a little inconsistent. Mind you these are uni students running the place so they tend to get distracted, forget or sometimes shy to come check up on you. So you'll have to be un-british (aka a little rude) to get their attention. They're all good kids, nothing bad to say about any of them. read more

Since I grew up in Rochester and lived there most of my life I will backtrack and start with businesses I know and love from my hometown, and this establishment is one of my absolute favorites! The Old Toad is by far one of the coolest British pubs I've ever frequented.. from its decor which is rich in colors of red, green, and dark wood and booths throughout, to the food which is a combination of traditional British and usual pub grub. I always get the curry which is good but on the milder side. They even offer vegetarian food for our animal loving friends. The atmosphere is very chill with mostly an age range of (attractive) 20's and 30 somethings. But the real goods is their beer selection :) which is downright heavenly... you can get everything from oatmeal stout, chocolate stout, Belgium whites, nut brown ale, trappist, lambic, local brews, international brews, and everything in-between. Not only do they have a wide selection but the quality of the beers they serve are just plain divine. Let's not forget one of my favorite things about this place and one of the main reasons I come here... ALL of their staff, yes ALL are imported from England... from the cute bartenders, to the cooks, waiters/waitresses, etc. and this is a real treat for an accent fetishist such as myself. How cool is that?! You really feel like you've landed in a little slice of England once you step foot in here. Great place to hang with friends to have a good meal and of course good ale. Pop by on Monday night trivia for a little added fun. I'll end it with a little fact taken from their website: The Old Toad was the first pub to sell cask conditioned real ale in America, originally brought up from New York City. This place is top notch! If you ever come to Rochester for the cold weather be sure to stop by here to warm up! read more

The Old Toad is a standby in the Rochester pub and craft beer scene. They have 3 or 4 cask selections. The tap section is always interesting and constantly rotating, and even being a beer geek, and I always find at least one thing that I want to try. The advantage to having 15 lines is that any one beer is never on long enough to get stale. They also do a very good job keeping their tap lines clean - I've never had a beer that I suspected was off due to dirty tap lines. The Old Toad is one of those places that Rochestarians take for granted. When I first visited Chicago in 2005, the locals were bragging about this place that had ONE cask line. They were dumbfounded when I told them that we had a place in Rochester that always had (at the time) three! The food has always ranged from very good to very average. I've had some great meals at the Toad, and have had a couple very disappointing ones as well. Thankfully the good experiences far outweigh the bad, but when I am grabbing some food in addition to a couple of beers, I still sometimes go elsewhere because I'm just not wiling to take the chance. I must also say that in my experience, they have been far more consistent as of late. The Bangers & Mash, Yorkshire pudding, and the Westminster and Bond Street sandwiches are some of my faves.. I second Hope's evaluation of the service, it is a bit rough when the new crop of exchange students hit - but it is never from lack of effort and the servers are always pleasant, it's just that they are learning, so I give them the benefit of the doubt in that respect. A pleasant demeanor and visible effort goes a long way in my book. Yeah, the carpets and sofas can get a little rank, but either I have just grown accustomed to it or they have addressed the issue, because I really haven't noticed it the past few months. Parking can be tough at times, but it's worth the walk. read more

I've been visiting The Old Toad since the late 80's when Mex was an amazing pastry joint and Pranks was around the corner. This was when you were tired of dancing at Club Zero and needed a breather before the natural flocking to Nick Tahou's. I can assure you that The Old Toad has not changed much in all these years. I fell in love with my wife at The Old Toad. Enough about me. The beer selection is well thought out. Don't stop here for Budweiser. Not gonna happen I've had great luck with the food over the years. Went for lunch once back in '98 and we all ordered bangers and mash. An hour later we asked our server what was taking so long and their reply was "well it takes awhile to boil the potatoes". That was one of the funniest things I've ever heard even though they were telling the truth. Who the hell makes bangers and mash to order? That lunch almost got an entire department fired after we returned 3 hours later. The place is a gem. I hope it's around forever. One of the most pleasant places to enjoy a very good classic British meal and delicious beer. Thanks for being there for us. read more

This Roc classic spot is legit. They serve authentic British pub fare in a cutesy atmosphere and the predominantly (exclusively?) UK-raised staff are always friendly. It's a very laid back spot that my husband and I like to visit when we want homestyle food and a particularly delicious British dessert (Sticky Toffee Pudding). We like getting the Fish Fry and the Cheddar Soup. My husband has also really enjoyed some of the Britishy favorites like Shepherd's Pie and Bangers & Mash. Their selection of beers & Scotches is also great. Overall it's a nice spot to have a relaxing meal. Service is always prompt, friendly and un-fussy. read more

Quaint little spot located right down Alexander near the downtown bar area. Most of the inside has an old time feel reminiscent of a darkly-lit Perkins due to the carpet and booth ensemble until you get to the back of the restaurant which beholds a dark wood-finish cagey bar area--usually with a true Brit on staff, knowledgeable enough to both pour you and educate you on the intricacies of your beverage. I haven't had much food here, but I must say the shepards pie was excellent. Usually a quiet little spot, so if you like dark beers and English food this is the place to chill. read more

The Old Toad - Shepards Pie - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

Unfortunately the only positives of this restaurant are the food quality and selection of alcoholic beverages available. After waiting over an hour for food (we were a table of 10 adults and a child) we finally asked the waiter the reason of the hold up. We were rudely told "the kitchens backed up." With no apology or promises as per when the food would come. The server unfortunately did not return to refill any of our drinks until we had to get their attention. Also kind of odd an entire staff in Rochester, NY would all be British but hey, maybe fake accents are supposed to add to the ambiance of a traditional, sticky floored, British pub? read more

The Old Toad is the type of place that gives support for the need to be able to rate establishments on different elements. So I'll just do that on my own. Food: 1-2 stars Service: 3 stars Beer: 5 stars Atmosphere: 5 stars I've been a customer since they first opened in, what was that, 1990? Sometime around then anyhow. I had been going with some regularity for many years and then for a 2 year period I went multiple times a week and got to be on a first name basis with some of the staff. After another year or so I slowly reduced my visits until 2008. Since then I've only gone once every 2-3 years. Food used to be good, really pretty good. The Sunday Roast dinners were always a treat and the classic British fare was always well made. The last 8 years it's been from just OK to sometimes bad. So I don't order food when I go anymore. Service was always on the slow side which works for me. I like a laid back atmosphere in a bar and up to the point when the place was half full, service was great. But once the place filled in, service would become really far too slow. After the front dining room was added, it seems they were never able to increase their staffing levels sufficiently for the additional number of customers. Even though the number of seats more than doubled, the number of staff didn't. It's not that they weren't doing their jobs or ignoring customers. Everyone who worked there were busting their asses. But there just weren't enough staff. I started having to flag down someone when my glass was just under half full so there was a chance I would get a refill within a reasonable period of time after I'd emptied it. Eventually I just got in the habit of getting up and going to the bar to get my refills. Waiting 15 minutes for a refill when my and my (typically 1-2) companions glasses were all empty became far too regular an experience. In 2008 I gave up on going with any regularity. It got so bad that on two different occasions I walked in the door and sat at a table for 20 minutes and then walked back out without any service at all. (Not even a hello or offer of a menu.) Beer and atmosphere: It's great here. I really don't have anything to complain about. Well, I do but I won't take away points. I miss the back door to the building, but it's not the bar's fault it's not there anymore. I got used to the old shaky/unstable tables and the sticky upholstery and carpets (which thankfully were replaced). It almost turned into a game to try and remember to grab your beer glass so it wouldn't spill because the tables would practically fall over anytime anyone wanted to get up, sit down or shift positions. I miss going to Sunday night trivia. That was always a blast. Do they still even do that? I love that they have 3 cask lines. It's so nice to drink beer that isn't force-carbonated. The biggest problem is it goes down way too easily and way too fast! I love the idea of the long bench seats along the walls which encourage conversation between tables of strangers. It's just as easy not to engage with the people sitting next to you, but it's very nice that the openness of the seating makes it easier. Other than one visit when it was packed and I had no choice but to sit in the dining room, and a couple occasions when I sat in the nook, I make a point to sit in the main bar room. It's just a wonderful experience to hang out there. I should add that I rarely stay past 9pm. The character of the crowd changes around that time of night as the neighborhood bar district kicks into gear. read more

I've only been here once but it was a good experience and the first time I had Hoegaarden (good stuff). I ordered some kind of cheese filled/stuffed bread and it delicious and way better than I expected bread and cheese to be. Actually, the guy forgot to put my order in so I got a free Hoegaarden and only had to wait a few extra minutes for my cheesey deliciousness. read more

Solid 4. If they had let me customize my appetizer they would be a 5. Even my waiter was an authentic British expat that reminded me of a member of One Direction. I got the vegetarian bangers and mash. It's not pretty to look at but the flavor is fantastic. Loaded with spinach. Walnuts, and craisins. It was also craft beet week and World Cup so the place was jumping. read more

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Bring money. If you love British accents and beer, then you probably already know about this place. If you love one of these, but not the other, then you'll be out of place here. The onion rings were decent, and you learn something new everytime you go. Also, don't forget trivia night. read more

My favorite place in Rochester to escape American silliness. Many fine menu choices. Banger and mash have always been spot on. Trivia night is fun! read more

The food can be hit or miss, but the beer's always good, with a great selection and THREE cask ales on tap at all times. The staff is friendly. I only always sit at or near the bar where it's easy to get noticed when the pint is finished, so as far as I can tell, the service is good. As for the food, I always go with the Covent Garden. Tasty sausage sandwich with bacon and an over-easy fried egg... oh yes and a slice of fresh tomato. Get 'em with the 'chips' but make sure to ask for them hot and fresh. Yum! read more

I came to watch the World Cup, it was packed that day but they did have ample amount of staff to assist with serving everyone. I ordered the fish and chips which is their staple. It was yummy. The fish was so hot and fresh and it came with fries as well. They have a huge selection of beer for all the beer drinkers out there. I knocked them some points when the employee was kind of rude because I wanted to order some food. read more

The Old Toad is a must-go to place in Rochester when you're here. It's themed as an authentic British pub, complete with bartenders from england serving you beer. The beer choices are incredible, numerous drafts to pick from and if you don't seem something you like on tap, just look in the cooler for their craft beer selection. The manager, Kevin is extremely friendly and incredibly involved in making his customers as well as his staff happy. Moving on to the food, I sampled two things while there, the chips and dip as well as the cheesy garlic baguette, both incredible. The cheesy garlic baguette is the perfect shootin' the breeze kind of food that you don't have to rush to eat to enjoy it. The chips & dip also have probably some of the best chicken tenders I've ever tasted. Overall the Old Toad does things right, the first time, every time. I'd recommend this place to everyone and anyone. read more

I was super disapointed by my last trip to the Old Toad. When I lived near this pub I used to frequent it a lot and had a great experience. A few weeks ago we stopped in for a drink with some out of town family. The online hours said they were open until midnight-but apparently they closed at 11pm. One of the staff members was very unpleasant about it and kept asking us when we were going to leave (this started at about 10:45pm). We only had about half of our drinks left and assured him we would go when we finished our round. We let him know the discrepency from the online listing and the bars actual hours that night. It was a very uncomfortable interaction and we did not feel welcome at all. This was not consistent with my past experiences and I hope this isn't how things are moving forward. read more

English service, aka slow (staff are mostly from England working here for school) Great selection of good beers on tap, if you are willing to pay a price for them. Great food as well, traditional English fare. Steel tip darts are located in the bar. read more

I adore the Old Toad. They serve legitimate pub food and have real cask ales. It may well be my favorite pub. I wish I lived closer. I'll update this with more details later on. read more

I went to The Old Toad for the first time yesterday, 3 January. My sister used to go there a lot and enjoyed it greatly, so my boyfriend and I popped in. Our server was cheerful and polite, as was the bartender who greeted us. It was a Thursday evening, so it wasn't crowded. Our food took a little while to get there (two small fish and chips), but it was worth the wait! The fish was cooked perfectly, chips well seasoned, and I don't know what they do to their mushy peas, but I want the recipe! The Guinness we ordered was perfectly poured and at the perfect temperature. I'll definitely be back! read more

We both got the shepards pie and it was fabulous! I love a calm, quiet atmosphere and so does Matt. We will definitely be back!

Amazing takeout tonight. Shepard's pie was perfect and the carrots that came as the side were delicious. My husband had the Fish and chips and this also was delicious. Sooo good!!!!! read more

Excellent bar to sit down and enjoy yourself with a good group of friends. Doesn't get too loud so conversations can be easily had, and the drink selection is phenomonal. Food is good (for British food), and the Shepards Pie is arguably the best in Rochester. Great bar, get there early with a group of friends to get a table and enjoy a great night. read more

I was new to the area when I first tried The Old Toad. I had moved from Britain and this was a welcome return when I was feeling homesick. The Staff were very nice and they were great to have a chin wag with! The beer list could use a look at as most of it is not available in the UK but it is nice all the same. The Scotch list is good, Some of it is deemed as rare when it isn't but they have at least chosen the ones that are worth trying - They need a Laphroaig 18 Year Old.... The food is reasonably authentic and very tasty. The menu is rather outdated when comparing it to a UK pub but that is not really a problem as the 'Old Classics' are not a problem. Overall, I very much like this pub. It reminds me of a English social club in the 70s... which is a good thing. Keep it up read more

My friends and I ended up going to the Old Toad after being given a near 2 hour wait at another local restaurant. Even being that it was a second option, I wish it was our first! The Old Toad gives a great, homey vibe and smells incredible. Decorations are a little outdated, but I believe that's what they're going for (old English style.) I give 4 stars because there we're light errors with the order and things on the menu that were out of stock, but altogether it was a great experience and I would suggest it to anyone! The food is delicious and tastes truly home cooked. read more