Hey guys heading up for a few days to deliver some promotional material for my brother. I'll be staying at the comfort suites off Henrietta. Looking at the directory I saw ajs and the corner store for beer. I'll have entry of downtime tomorrow, and Thursday and during the nights but looking for a place to pick Up a few bottles I can't get in Florida and just some hotel beer as I'll be spending Most if my time there. If anyone can recommend which stores are the best and if there are any restaurants/brewpubs That are can't miss, I would appreciate any recommendations!
Well, you already know the best stores, aj's and Nathaniel square haha. Beers of the world as a last resort. Best beer bars are tap and mallet, old toad, rochester tap room, owl house, lovin cup, johnnys, acme. Don't go to macgregors. Plenty of good restaurants, just depends on what cuisine/fanciness you'd like.
AJ's is definitely the place to stop for bottles. They're close by, have a fantastic selection (still a good deal of Stone Enjoy By as of just a few minutes ago), and the staff are extremely friendly in case you have any questions. Nathaniel Square Corner Store is also good, but in all honesty, I would be surprised if you found something there that you wouldn't find at AJ's. That said, they're less than a mile from Tap & Mallet (see below), so worth stopping in if you choose that place for lunch. I'm not sure there's really a "can't miss" brewpub in the area, but if you're looking for a good menu, Tap & Mallet is a great option and only about 10-15 minutes away. Also near the Corner Store: John's Tex Mex. Not a beer destination, but great burritos. Also in the area is the Old Toad, a British Pub. Closer to where you're staying, there's MacGregor's, which has an extensive tap list and pretty respectable food (I like their burgers and the make your own sandwich options). Some people seem to hate the place - years ago, they did a terrible job with cleaning tap lines. That seems to be a problem of the past, though. Worst case: they're really close to you, so stop in and at least ask for a sample or two and decide for yourself. Lovin' Cup is close by as well, and while not a huge place with a massive selection, what they do carry is good. Acme is great if you want a hole-in-the-wall pizza and beer joint. It's actually kind of a diamond in the rough, though it's been a couple years since I've gone. Oh, and if you're looking for BBQ: Sticky Lips. Dinosaur BBQ used to be the unquestioned king, but take a poll of natives, and you'll hear Sticky Lips come up a lot. There's one within a five minute drive of your hotel.
Thanks a bunch for your respective opinion! I'll be hitting AJs tomorrow as soon as I land and cTch a cab as it's only 2 miles from hotel. I will take your recommendations on the BBQ place. I wish I had better timing. I would have brought some beer to trade or share with some of you guys up there!
Any sports bars that will have the march madness games on tonight? Looking to watch the gator game. Hit up Buffalo Wild Wings last night only to be disappointed I. Everything about it. Horrible beer horrible food and mediocre service. Looking to stay close to Henrietta tha. Downtown Rochester.
By the way The way thank you guys for recommendations. AJs was top notch service. The owner showed me through the beer cooler and gave me recommendations for beer I can't get in Florida. I have had flower power, chill wave and double crooked tree all week! Thanks for the tips guys. Lmk if u need anything from Florida! Cheers, Greg
I'll talk a case of that Cigar City beer that people keep fighting over... I kid, I kid. Glad you were able to enjoy some good beer while you were in town. Hope you got to bring some back with you! Did you have a favorite out of the ones you listed above?
I've had flower power before. I think I prefer it over the other doubles I tried. And I've had plead the 5th before too but damn is it a good beer. Due to location from hotel I went to machregors for dinner and I was absolutely impressed. I wished I went there the night before. Bourbon county stout and barley wine on tap plus hopslam big john and many others. I couldn't believe it. And the chipotle BBQ wings were insane good. I ordered another set of those and got the hot pastrami sandwich. Should have only eaten half but it was so damn tasty I plowed right through it. I would kill for a place like this in Florida although the great beers wouldn't be on draft for long down here!
This is what always throws me about MacGregors. You can frequently go in and get something like Edmund Fitzgerald for $3.50 - for a 20 ounce mug. BCBS? $9 for a 6oz flute. I mean...if you've never had the chance to try it before and don't like to go bottle hunting or trade, it's an option. But dang, that is one pricey pour.
Hey everyone! So I'm heading back to Rochester tomorrow and should be arriving Wednesday and will be staying in the vicinity from Rochester to Albany. Any new shops open up or beer I should look for thah may be worth picking up, outside the regulars? Thanks again for any input as I will be headi f up. Also I plan on bringing a couple bottles with me to share d anyone is interested! Cheers!
Swiftwater Brewing is fairly new, and is located in the city, and they're putting out some cool stuff. I'd check it out if you get the chance. No food, but you can get takeout and eat it there. It might be a slight trek (25-30 minutes from Rochester) but Stoneyard Brewing in Brockport is putting out, hands down, the best beer in the Rochester area at the moment. If you get the chance at all, make the trek out there. Oz is a crazy talented brewer. The food there is also quite awesome- the poutine is nuts. Where exactly are you staying?
Haven't booked hotel yet but pretty sure I'll be staying in Henrietta at the best western bear AJs beer house. I'll have most Friday and all Sunday to hang out as well as nights obviously. Definitely don't mind driving for good beer or food especially since I can expense it
