CITY January 2026

2 CITY

DECEMBER 2025

JANUARY 2026 | Vol. 54 No. 5

Inside

BEST OF ROCHESTER 7

FOOD BEST

16 DRINK BEST

22 SHOPPING BEST

& SERVICES

34 RECREATION BEST

44 ENTERTAINMENT BEST

53 WORST ANSWERS

ARTS. MUSIC. CULTURE. 280 State Street Rochester, New York 14614 feedback@rochester-citynews.com phone (585) 244-3329 roccitymag.com PUBLISHER Rochester Area Media Partners LLC, Chris Hastings, chairman FOUNDERS Bill and Mary Anna Towler EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ryan Williamson EDITORIAL Editor: Leah Stacy Arts reporter: Patrick Hosken Multimedia reporter: Roberto Felipe Lagares Contributors: Kellen Beck, Sydney Burrows, Katie Epner, Leah Joy, Johanna Lester, Hannah Maier, Scott Pukos, Mona Seghatoleslami, Meili Shepard, Katherine Varga CREATIVE Art director: Jacob Walsh ADVERTISING David White ads@rochester-citynews.com 585-730-2666 CITY is available free of charge. Additional copies of the current issue may be purchased by calling 585-784-3503. CITY may be distributed only by authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of CITY, take more than one copy of each monthly issue. CITY (ISSN 1551-3262) is published monthly 12 times per year by Rochester Area Media Partners, a subsidiary of WXXI Public Broadcasting. Periodical postage paid at Rochester, NY (USPS 022-138). Address changes: CITY, 280 State Street, Rochester, NY 14614. Member of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia and the New York Press Association. Copyright by Rochester Area Media Partners LLC, 2026 - all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system without permission of the copyright owner.

On the cover: Design by Jacob Walsh

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The novelty of tradition EDITOR'S LETTER

BY LEAH STACY LEAH@ROCCITYMAG.COM

M

y family holds a gingerbread person decorating contest every year on Christmas. The accidental tradition began more than a decade ago, when my sister was working at a bakery and decided to make a batch of cookies for us to decorate over the holidays. At some point, a winning pot began (meaning everyone threw in a dollar or two). The stakes got higher when someone else suggested posting the finished cookies online for other people to weigh in. If you follow me on social media, you know exactly to what I’m referring — it’s become our family phenomenon of sorts. Last year, we didn’t decorate on Christmas because several of us were sick and the public nearly rioted. But as you read this, the 2025 votes have likely been counted and a new (or reigning) champion named. We don’t even throw in money anymore; the votes of the people are enough for each year’s winner. Best Of Rochester is a bit like that: a competitive tradition that started many years ago, with winners chosen by the people. The prize is pride (and a nice little press bump). When I began at CITY in 2023, we decided to change up the Best Of Rochester awards — pre-pandemic, it had always been an invite-only event for nominees and contributors. We made it a bigger party at Radio Social, accessible to all. And this year, we tried another new concept: a more official awards show. For the first time ever, we added a ticket price of $15, because throwing a party like this requires time and energy and resources. If you’re reading this, the party is probably happening (or has very recently). If you bought a ticket to support local media, I extend my sincere thanks on behalf of my team, CITY and WXXI.

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JANUARY 2026

Top, the 2024 cookies, bottom, the first competition in 2014. PHOTOS BY LEAH STACY

This year — 2026 — marks 55 years of CITY, from its days as CITY Newspaper under the pioneering Bill and Mary Anna Towler to now, under WXXI

ownership. Rochester and the media landscape have changed greatly since then. There are very few local media outlets remaining, and the newsroom populations are scarce

at best. Supporting local media these days is just as important as shopping and eating local. It’s a delicate ecosystem, and we must all contribute if it’s going to last. A friend recently texted, “Do you think tradition means more to you or novelty?” What a timely question. Rochester is rich with tradition, from our annual festivals to our cultural celebrations. But novelty — something new, exciting, different — can be harder to pull off when people are set in their ways. When they hold on for dear life to the “way things have always been.” Like so many of the region’s festivals and annual to-dos, Best Of Rochester has become a tradition. But change is necessary from generation to generation — and honestly, it’s been a long time coming. Maybe Best Of Rochester will look even different next time around. Here’s to the novelty of new traditions. L

CITY'S HOPES FOR 2026 My hope is that we, as a society, stop saying we’re “cooked” or “chopped” when it comes to AI and actually do something about it. Collectively, we realize how dangerous it is in the generative sense. Its role in spreading misinformation and taking advantage of the vulnerable is no longer a “potential” issue, it’s here and growing. When you talk to real humans in the real world, the consensus is largely the same: most people don’t like where AI is headed. This isn’t to shame those that use it as a tool. But that’s the keyword, isn't it? Tool? The writer who uses a computer to spellcheck isn't the same as AI generating full-length novels. I’ll gladly do a task the “hard way” if it means the people in my life stop consuming misleading propaganda and sharing things like fake photos of celebrities doing “charitable” work. AI also has known environmental costs, with large data centers using up to five million gallons of water per day. But even if you don't care about the earth, AI is blurring the lines of reality and truth at the expense of generating slop (so prevalent it’s the Merriam-Webster 2025 word of the year, defined as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.”). Is that AI slop video of yourself as an action movie character really worth it? I hope not. —-ROBERTO FELIPE LAGARES I hope rising sea levels cause AI data centers to flood, rendering the slop machines waterlogged and useless. —PATRICK HOSKEN My hope for 2026 is for folks to find a way to tap into the endless creativity that exists inside of them. For a good chunk of my life, I thought I was only creative in one way. My experience of living showed me that I was actually creative in two ways (at least). Now, as the years go by and I take some giant steps into my 30s, I find more and more small ways to be creative, to practice that creativity and to add to the bag — an infinite vessel that belongs only to me. I think the endlessness and formlessness that characterize creativity can be daunting to someone just playing with the idea of creating something — I certainly feel daunted by the prospect of creativity a lot of the time. But in the face of hyperconsumerism, hyperindividualism and fascistic political thinking (plus whatever other challenging shit that you, reader, may be going through in your personal life, no doubt), it can feel good to bake a loaf of bread, tie-dye a shirt, or play with a synthesizer — and then share that with someone. Sending my love. —JACOB WALSH

I typically diffuse serious questions like, “what is your hope for the year?” with humor and smartassery™. But this year I’m going to (try to) get in my feels after finishing a two-week jury duty stint for a murder trial. I hope we continue to hope. I hope we progress and grow as a city. I hope violence and death are replaced with compassion and love. I hope moms don't have to bury their children because of gang violence. I hope misled youth are able to find strong role models in their communities. I hope drugs release their stranglehold on our more vulnerable populations in Rochester. I hope the leaders of this city make the right choices to focus and invest in those in need and not those who already have so much. It’s a lot to hope for, but hope is abundant and free — and for some, all they have. —RYAN WILLIAMSON If you’ve been on the internet at all in the past two months, you may have seen a viral-ish YouTube video about Rochester in which I was interviewed. The short version is that a 20-something and 30-something from a NYC-based media company visited Rochester on a Saturday in July and produced a very specific narrative as part of a series on rustbelt cities. (I’ll save the story of the few hours I spent with them for another time.) Back to hope: I want to reiterate something I said in the video. First, yes, we are a rustbelt city. A former boomtown. But beyond the legacy of the Big Three, this is a region rich with history and working toward a bright future. (Read that again.) Do we believe it? Rochester has such an underdog mentality — and like I said in the video, we haven’t totally reinvented ourselves beyond the ghosts of Kodak. We haven’t quite written (or told) our comeback story the way other rustbelt cities have. We haven’t solved many, many problems in our school system and our redlined neighborhoods and our economic health. It will take time, effort and people who are committed to changemaking. So my simple hope for 2026 is that next time we — you and I, people who call this city home — are tempted to say something negative about Rochester, pause. Reflect on what’s going right. Reflect on how we can help other areas get better. It will take all of us to write and tell the comeback story. —LEAH STACY

DECEMBER 2025

BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT

Han Noodle Bar FINALISTS Szechuan Opera Seasoning Thai Bistro Chen Garden

PHOTO BY LEAH STACY

BEST BAGEL

Balsam Bagels FINALISTS Bagel Land The Bagel Shop by Fox's Brownstein's

BEST BAKERY

Flour City Bread Company

PHOTO BY EATLIVEROC

FINALISTS Butterjoy jensArtisan Goodman Bakes

BEST BARBECUE

Dinosaur BBQ FINALISTS Good Smoke BBQ Texas BBQ Joint

BEST BREAKFAST SANDWICH

Pearson’s FINALISTS Bookeater Cafe Sasso Hydra Coffeehouse

BEST BRUNCH

Voula’s FINALISTS The Mad Hatter Radio Social Angelina's

BEST BURGER

Swillburger FINALISTS Good Luck The Gate House Jack’s Extra Fancy

BEST UNDER-THE-RADAR RESTAURANT

Chortke

If there’s been one singular story on my radar for the past two years, it’s Chortke: an unassuming storefront restaurant in Village Gate that pivoted from fast casual counter service to upscale dining and has been thriving ever since. When it opened in 2018, Chortke was known for its customizable, generous portions of rice or salad topped with kabobs like spicy joojeh (saffron chicken), blistered tomatoes and tzatziki on the side. The restaurant pivoted to fine dining — a contemporary take on Persian cuisine with an emphasis on steak — in 2023, with a completely renovated interior designed by Rana Rezaei, an industrial designer who graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology and also happens to be married to Chortke owner Yasha Aghdasi. The space is stunning, and once guests are inside it’s nearly impossible to believe there’s a busy parking lot just beyond the natural, Moroccan-and-beyond-inspired decor. While Chortke doesn’t serve cocktails, there’s an extensive wine list featuring selections from the Finger Lakes to Italy. The dinner menu incorporates an array of Middle Eastern flavors with dishes like khachapuri (a Georgian cheese and egg flatbread) and the ever-popular, stunning kataifi (a Mediterranean dessert of shredded, crisped phyllo dough soaked in sweet syrup and layered here with raspberries, pistachios and cardamom cream). There’s a large steak section on the menu as well. The bill here can get pricey fast, but it’s worth the splurge. Pro tip: go with a friend, order a few plates and split ‘em so you can try more. And don’t even dream of skipping dessert. chortkegrill.com —LEAH STACY

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BEST CANDY SHOP

Stever’s Candies FINALISTS Hedonist Artisan Chocolates Laughing Gull Chocolates Andy’s Candies

BEST CATERER

Farmhouse Table PHOTOS BY ROBERTO F. LAGARES

BEST INTROVERT’S NIGHT OUT

Manzara Cafe

No disrespect to the clubs, but “normal” nightlife is not for me. When I go out after dark, I prefer not to deal with loud noises, and I’ll take Perry’s ice cream over alcohol any time of year. If you’re also like me, your ideal evening out might involve chatting with friends over a chocolate-drizzled and pistachio-topped Dubai waffle, dreamily doodling in your journal while sipping a hot beverage or maybe even working on a pitch for your favorite local arts magazine while munching on a panini. This year, I have been delighted by Manzara Café on Monroe Avenue, which was opened in early 2025 by first-time business owner Huseyin Sula. Both atmospheric and affordable, the Turkish café comes with many reasons to recommend it — sufficiently close and free parking, some of the best-priced freshly brewed tea in Rochester (a cup for $1.50? Are we in the ‘90s?), a mix of savory and sweet treats ranging from beef borek to baklava, a bathroom that, due its proximity to the kitchen, sometimes smells like pastries. It’s open every day past sunset but not past your bedtime, closing at 9 p.m. (11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). The casual, cozy setting is rounded out by an eclectic wall of books and games, including a shelf of James Patterson hardcovers (dads are welcome here) and a few Rubrik's Cubes. The radio plays Turkish music for those days when Rochester is extra gloomy and you want to pretend for a moment that you’re anywhere else. But how gloomy, truly, can a city be when it offers a bright, relaxing café with a freakishly good smelling bathroom? instagram.com/manzaracaferoc —KATHERINE VARGA

FINALISTS Madeline’s Catering Root Catering Susan Plunkett’s Fabulous Foods

BEST CHEF

Nate Stahl, Strangebird FINALISTS Richard Reddington, REDD Cruz Nieves, Shell Steven Lara, Angelina’s

BEST CHICKEN FRENCH

Mr. Dominic’s FINALISTS Agatina’s Proietti’s Phillips European

BEST COMFORT FOOD

Dogtown FINALISTS Chick’n Out Red Fern Angelina's

BEST DESSERT

Cheesy Eddie’s FINALISTS Pittsford Dairy Phillips European Red Fern

BEST DINER

Highland Park Diner FINALISTS Jines Jim’s on Main South Wedge Diner 8 CITY

JANUARY 2026

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10 CITY DECEMBER 2025

BEST DONUTS

Ridge Donuts FINALISTS Schutt's Donuts Delite Golden Harvest Bakery & Cafe

BEST FOOD TRUCK

Neno’s

FINALISTS Roc City Sammich Mad Potatoes Freddie’s Wood Fired Pizzas

BEST FRENCH FRIES

Strangebird FINALISTS The Playhouse// Swillburger Good Luck Roux

BEST GLOBAL FOODS MARKET

Rubino’s

BEST COOKIE I ATE THIS YEAR

Chocolate espresso rye from Wild Flour Bakery It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman in possession of a good fortune (slash regular paycheck) must be in want of a baked good. It’s me, I’m that woman, and I’m once again proselytizing about a cookie: the chocolate espresso rye from Wild Flour Bakery (not to be confused with the similarly named restaurant on Winton Road.) After one particularly long week this summer, I was gifted the cookie of note from my sister. (Is it also the best gift I received this year?) This may be the actual, literal way to my heart. A generously sized, gorgeously marbled cookie, caramelized from the outside in and oozing dark chocolate, with the rye flour giving it a touch of welcomed earthy bitterness (who among us). It’s about as well-balanced a bite as you could dream up — pairing perfectly with an afternoon cup of (Irish) coffee. This cookie is proof that we all have the potential for greatness.

While they don’t yet have a brick-andmortar, Wild Flour Bakery — founded in 2022 by owner and baker Miranda DelVecchio — is at the Irondequoit Farmers Market from late May to early October every year. Keep an eye on their Instagram and turn on text alerts to learn about pre-orders (including popular items like a crispy chili oil, cheddar and honey focaccia and a sea salt, rosemary and olive oil sourdough loaf) and where else they might pop up around town. But be quick: once they hit the proverbial shelf, these cookies don’t last. instagram.com/ wildflourbakery585 —JOHANNA LESTER

PHOTO BY LEAH STACY

FINALISTS Asia Food Market International Food Market (Henrietta) Olindo's

BEST GLUTEN-FREE MENU OPTIONS

The Owl House FINALISTS Red Fern Salena’s Mexican Restaurant Alter Ego Eatery

BEST ICE CREAM

Pittsford Farms Dairy FINALISTS Abbott’s Hedonist Ice Cream Countertop Creamery

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

Thali of India FINALISTS Tandoor of India Hyderabad Biryani House Royal of India

BEST CURE FOR THE SUNDAY SCARIES

Spoonful of Sugar Sweets cinnamon roll Imagine with me: waking up naturally to sun rays spilling in through the blinds, no jarring alarm sound within earshot. It’s Saturday, and the Sunday scaries still await on the other side of midnight — at that moment, I am basking in the Disney princess-like magical morning bliss. Wafting through the air in the distance (metaphorically speaking, of course) is the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon and brown sugar caressing my nostrils’ memory glands — not to be confused with mammary glands (don’t look it up). This sensory recall points me to Spoonful of Sugar Sweets, a bricklined, bespoke bakery in the heart of the village of Churchville. Though the menu offers an assortment of decadence, the star of the show on a Saturday morning is the cinnamon roll. If your circadian rhythm fails to get you out of bed before the first batch of iced, flaky, rotund pastries have risen, you may want to reconsider going to bed sans alarm.

My yearning to find the perfect cinnamon roll is a quest I’ve been burdened with my entire existence. I’m seeking a balance of cinnamon sugar filling, dough that doesn't lean into the “is this fully cooked?” category and an icing that doesn't send me to the dentist by Monday. The hypnotic swirl at Spoonful of Sugar Sweets is a marriage of all the right things. How do I know? The scientific method is that you’ll regret ordering just one. My method: try having the first bite without immediately closing your eyes and saying something that my 4-year-old nephew shouldn’t repeat. Take that, Sunday scaries. spoonfulofsugarsweets.com —ROBERTO FELIPE LAGARES

PHOTO PROVIDED roccitymag.com CITY 11

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Fiorella FINALISTS Vern’s Mamma G’s Rocco

BEST LATE-NIGHT EATS (PAST 11 P.M.)

Angry Goat FINALISTS Jack’s Extra Fancy Marshall Street Bar & Grill Vasko's

BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

Aladdin's Natural Eatery FINALISTS Cedar Voula's Sinbad’s

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Neno’s

FINALISTS Tavos Peach Blossom Taqueria Monterrey

BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED BETWEEN OCT. ‘24 - SEPT. 25)

Patron Saint FINALISTS Redd Wood Shell Carmella's Wine Bar

BEST OUTDOOR DINING

The Owl House FINALISTS Vern's REDD Salena’s Mexican Restaurant

BEST PIZZA

Pizza Wizard FINALISTS Peels on Wheels Forno Tony Strangebird 12 CITY JANUARY 2026

PHOTO BY FRED MCCOY

BEST MIDNIGHT MUNCHIES MENU

Bar Bad Ending

The art of the bar crawl post-game is, ideally, developed in your 20s. No more college dorms, fewer house parties and a need for transportation requires careful planning. For me, that time period began 20 years ago: in a world where rideshares didn’t yet exist (but we all had a phone number for that one late night taxi driver in town) and Thursday night Shakedown at the Bug Jar ended (reluctantly) at 2 a.m., followed by diner “breakfast” at Gitsis or plates at Mark’s Texas Hots. If we were on the other side of town — East and Alex — the late night line for a slice at Cam’s was a given. A moment of silence for those golden years. CITY’s best late night eats category has faltered in recent years, inundated with submissions of Dogtown when they haven’t been open past 11 p.m. since the pandemic. In my 30s, we did stumble into Dogtown, Marshall Street or my alltime fave, Swan Dive. (I’ll think fondly of those face-sized pepp slices and huge, gooey mozz sticks for the rest of my life. RIP to a legendary spot.) So who’s carrying the baton now? To be honest, very few. Most kitchens close by 11 p.m., even on weekends. Food trucks aren’t roaming the streets anymore. McDonald’s and Taco Bell are open late, sometimes, but that’ll be an hourlong wait in the drive-thru. Enter Bar Bad Ending: a spot opened by married duo Fred McCoy and Melissa Feldman in late 2023. It’s since become a go-to spot for hospitality industry folks as well as a thriving live music and weekly karaoke destination. Since industry folks tend to work late, the kitchen stays open for them ‘til midnight, featuring booze-soaking bangers like the poutine-adjacent disco fries (a mix of three spud varieties) topped with gravy and cheese. There’s also a hefty beef on weck, a chopped chicken caesar wrap, diner breakfast classics like a short stack of pancakes and, for the sweet tooth, Oreos deep fried in said pancake batter. If you’re not a late night or barfly type, they offer carryout starting at 5 p.m. every day. Bad Ending, good night. barbadending.com —LEAH STACY

roccitymag.com CITY 13

BEST PLATE

Dogtown FINALISTS Nick Tahou’s Charlie's Red Fern

BEST RESTAURANT

Good Luck FINALISTS REDD Angelina's Carmella’s Wine Bar

BEST RESTAURANT TO DINE SOLO

Strangebird FINALISTS Vern’s Roux Angelina’s

PHOTO BY JOHANNA LESTER

BEST WAY TO SPEND $2 (THAT IS NOT A COSTCO HOT DOG)

Mini sundae at Orbaker’s Drive-In

I am not the type of person to ever suggest that less ice cream is better than more ice cream. Or that we should be depriving ourselves of goodness and treats and any matter of self-care balms at this precise moment in time. However. Perhaps, after a seemingly endless afternoon filled with meetings or while you’re driving home from an especially taxing visit to the dermatologist, you may just need a little ice cream. To take the edge off. To soothe and heal and coax whatever remaining joy you can out of the rest of your day or night. Enter the $2 mini sundae at Orbaker’s Drive-In Restaurant in Williamson. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like if the McDonald’s ice cream machine grew a conscience, this sundae is for you. Featuring Orbaker’s vanilla soft serve and one topping (pineapple and strawberry are among the offerings, but hot fudge is the way to go, without question), the mini sundae will both fit in your car’s cup holder and repair your soul. Going strong since 1932 and under new ownership since 2023, Orbaker’s has an extensive menu ranging from a blue cheese burger to zucchini sticks. But, regardless of my order, I’m always capping it off with the mini sundae. I don’t even have to save room. orbakers104.com —JOHANNA LESTER

BEST SERVER

JJ Cutaia, Good Luck FINALISTS Marisa Dobbs, Angelina’s Jaime Brennan, Vern’s Kethry Bruce, Jack’s Extra Fancy

BEST SUSHI

Poké Sushi FINALISTS Keep it Rollin’ Sushi Bar Shema Sushi Shiki

BEST VEGAN MENU OPTIONS

Red Fern

FINALISTS The Owl House Voula’s Keep it Rollin’ Sushi Bar

BEST WINGS

Jeremiah’s Tavern FINALISTS Bar-Bill Tavern Windjammers Strangebird

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DECEMBER 2025

BEST BAR TO DRINK SOLO

Lux Lounge FINALISTS Living Roots Wine & Co. Flight Wine Bar Unwine’d

BEST BARISTA

Mariah Quinzi, Cafe Sasso FINALISTS Tina Sciarratta, Hydra Coffeehouse Becca Reeves, FairPour Josiah Ball, AM:FM

BEST BARTENDER

Sim Sergent, LUX FINALISTS Megan Callahan, The Daily Refresher Sherwin Bethel, ROAR Kim Brozic, Angelina’s

BEST BREWER

Ellyn Gooch, Strangebird FINALISTS Micah Krichinsky, Strangebird Jon Mervine, Fifth Frame Chris Uhlein, Fifth Frame

BEST CIDERY (ALCOHOLIC)

Blue Barn FINALISTS OSB Ciderworks Mullers Cider House Oak & Apple Cidery

BEST COCKTAIL BAR

The Daily Refresher FINALISTS Martine Cheshire Carmella's Wine Bar

BEST COFFEE SHOP

Ugly Duck Coffee FINALISTS Cafe Sasso Mercury Coffee Co. FairPour Coffee Roasters roccitymag.com CITY 17

BEST BAR STOOL FOR A YAP SESSION

Shell Restaurant

The story goes that you are either a dining room person or a bar person when visiting restaurants. The bar offers unprecedented access to the bartender, intimate proximity to neighboring patrons and — at least, in the case of Shell Restaurant on Pleasant Street — complimentary aromas that spill over from the kitchen. In most cases, these positives are at the mercy of the barstool beneath you. Too often the bar seat (though undoubtedly a certified vibe) suffers from an Achilles heel of sorts, comfort in longevity. The bar innately lends itself to prolonged conversation, the spilling of tea, the ‘yap center,’ if you will. Endurance is required socially, but the cushion beneath you can be the difference between your cheeks hurting from laughter and your other cheeks following suit from discomfort. Lining the asymmetrical (and undeniably visually striking) bar at Shell are bar stools that solve this conundrum, providing exceptional caboose luxury. The back rests are suitable for that slow lean back as your friend tells you she “can fix him” for the third time. The Italian leather is soft and breathable for when things get heated as the stranger next to you makes their case as to why the hate on Nickelback is “overblown.” Whether you’re taking these seats for a multicourse ride or a simple nightcap, they're in for the long haul. shell-restaurant.com —ROBERTO FELIPE LAGARES

PHOTOS BY ROBERTO F. LAGARES

BEST SOLO DATE WITH A BOOK

Living Roots in winter, The Richmond in summer Nothing hits like a solo date. Of course, I adore friend gatherings where we giggle our faces off, and romantic dates where we flirt and maybe choreograph a dance routine together (you know, classic date stuff). But sometimes you just need that social time… alone. I may have lost a few of you on this one, but others will be nodding along. I’ve always enjoyed reading in public, whether it’s my own little picnic on the Memorial Art Gallery lawn or on a bench in the Rochester Museum and Science Center’s garden of fragrance, but leveling up to bar reading has been a gamechanger. During the winter, Living Roots on University Avenue is my spot. It checks all the boxes — cozy vibes, good lighting, prime seating at the bar or at a table in the corner and the noise levels aren’t too loud. Maybe most importantly, I feel classy sipping on my wine flight as I tear through pages. There’s a sophistication to this option that I enjoy (as I read my sci-fi book featuring a sassy talking cat). For summer, The Richmond on Richmond

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Street is the choice. Their outdoor deck area is a hidden gem. There’s lots of space, sunshine and the drinks are beyond tasty. Mortalis beers on tap (yeah, I’m a hazy IPA, fruited sour, pastry stout guy — being basic never tasted so good) and delicious cocktails, plus a solid selection of mocktails (drinking zero proof beverages while bar reading is a pro move). My final tip: Read what you want! Don’t be embarrassed by the books you love — if anyone even thinks to try to shame you, well, they suck and are wrong. Chances are someone may even politely strike a conversation because of a shared interest in genres. Remember, solo dates are all about what makes you happy. See you out there, fellow readers! —SCOTT PUKOS

PHOTO BY LEAH STACY

BEST CRAFT BREWERY

Strangebird FINALISTS Three Heads Brewing Swiftwater Brewing Fifth Frame

BEST DISTILLERY (ROC OR FLX)

Iron Smoke FINALISTS Black Button Distilling Hollerhorn Distilling Finger Lakes Distilling

BEST DIVE BAR

LUX Lounge FINALISTS Dicky's Marshall Street Bar & Grill Bar Bad Ending

BEST JUICE BAR

Just Juice 4 Life FINALISTS Refresh Breathe Body Fuel

BEST LGBTQ BAR

ROAR

FINALISTS LUX Lounge The Avenue Pub Bachelor Forum

BEST LOCAL WINE LIST

Carnegie Cellars FINALISTS Apogee Flight Wine Bar Angelina’s

BEST NEW BAR (OPENED IN 2025)

Easy Sailor Tiki FINALISTS Vanni’s Jazz Lounge Carmella’s Wine Bar Parlays Inn

BEST SOMMELIER

Shomari Smoak, Living Roots Wine & Co. FINALISTS JJ Cutaia, Good Luck Alise Kilmer, Horizon’s Restaurant Brian Hillier, Cecil’s Wine and Whiskey Bar

BEST SPORTS BAR

Ziggy’s

FINALISTS Jeremiah’s Tavern Marshall Street Bar & Grill Tin Cup Social

BEST WINE BAR

Living Roots Wine & Co. FINALISTS Apogee Flight Wine Bar Carmella's Wine Bar

BEST WINERY (ROC OR FLX)

Living Roots Wine & Co.

FINALISTS Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard & Winery Weis Vineyards

PHOTO BY LEAH STACY

BEST ZERO PROOF DRINK FOR THE HATERS

The Tangerine Dream at Radio Social

It’s no secret that we are somewhat spoiled in our city by both the variety and exceptional quality of cocktails. (If ever forgotten, it usually takes just one trip out of town to jog your memory.) The zero proof scene here is also high quality, but special mention must be made when a concoction reaches a level of reverence that can alter the journey of even the most dedicated booze-bound patron. Created by Cat Archer, the Tangerine Dream at Radio Social is something special. Personified, this drink is a locker room guy. A teamplayer, the type of friend you tell people you knew before they made it big. To the simple palate, the Tangerine Dream is a creamsicle popsicle-turned-elevated zero proof drink. To those familiar with its game (i.e., my wife) this muddled orange, oat milk and vanilla seltzer triple threat is the pro move at happy hour, Thor's hammer for the designated driver (have a seat, Diet Coke) and, in some cases, a brief escape to a warmer climate — even if only mentally. Witness accounts have reported those who “aren’t a fan of creamsicles” (me) order these in succession on the down low. radio-social.com —ROBERTO FELIPE LAGARES

roccitymag.com CITY 19

BEST ICE COLD MARTINI SERVICE

PS Martini at Patron Saint It was a visit to Bemelmans Bar on the Upper East Side of Manhattan that really ruined me for all other martinis. The bar, founded in 1947, is located in the Carlyle Hotel and named for Ludwig Bemelman, the Austrian-American creator of the “Madeline” books, which follow a little redheaded girl in a Parisian boarding school. (“12 little girls in two straight lines…” Yes, that one.) The bar is lush and dimly lit and the artist’s murals depicting Central Park cover the walls. After happy hour most nights, there’s a pianist playing the baby grand in the middle of the floor. But the real star at Bemelmans is the martini: stirred, strong and served with a side carafe nestled in a vessel of sparkling ice to keep each sip perfectly chilled. (They also give a trio of complimentary salty snacks, but I’ll save the bar snack rant for another Best Of year.) I’ve long bemoaned the fact that we a) don’t have a piano bar downtown when we have one of the world’s best music schools right here, and b) that most bars do not attempt to keep your martini ice cold. I ask you this: why call it a freezer martini if it’s really going to become a bathwater martini within 10 minutes? I’m not slugging a martini. I’m sipping, savoring and siphoning that out because it’s mostly booze and my tolerance would embarrass my Irish ancestors. Hat tip to the crews at Good Luck and Cure, who have absolutely swapped my martini glass out for a frosty one before I’m finished — a lovely touch. But if a bar gets busy or I’m sitting at a table, the ice sidecar is the move for everyone. When Patron Saint opened last year, the first thing I noticed in photos (and what got me there quickly, tbh) was that the PS Martini is served Bemelmans-style, with a side carafe on ice. It’s also very customizable, almost like a personality quiz: I’m a gin martini, straight up with orange brine or light olive brine with an olive (hold the blue cheese) kinda gal. Now they just need a piano… My real hope in writing any of this, though, is that it will simply start a citywide trend. Icy martini carafes (and pianos) for all! —LEAH STACY

PHOTO BY ABBY QUATRO

BEST PLACE TO BE A WINEMAKER (OR A WINE)

The Finger Lakes region

FILE PHOTOS

20 CITY JANUARY 2026

In October, the Finger Lakes region was named 2025 American Wine Region of the Year by “Wine Enthusiast” as part of the magazine’s annual Wine Star Awards. In November, the VinePair “50 Best Wines of 2025” included Finger Lakes wineries Little Clover for their Cayuga White 2018 and Apollo’s Praise for The Knoll Dry Riesling 2024. In December, “Wine Enthusiast” once again turned the spotlight on the Finger Lakes, including five regional wines in “The Enthusiast 100: The Best Wines of 2025.” Forbes also had Finger Lakes mentions in two December articles, including “Stop Gifting Boring Bottles: The Best Small-Production Wines And Spirits To Gift This Holiday Season.” And according to Airbnb’s 2026 Travel Predictions Report, the Finger Lakes is a top five destination for culinary travel — specifically wine — alongside cities in France, India, Michigan and Australia. Gen Z’s interest in wine is on the uptick as they seek experiences like vineyard tours, flight pairings and community-building events like book clubs in tasting rooms. So, is the secret of the Finger Lakes finally out? Or has it been quietly there all along? (Since I get to be first-person biased here: it’s the latter.) As CITY contributor Maiah Johnson Dunn wrote in our November issue, “Different faces are breathing new life into the Finger Lakes. Perhaps the reset is needed.” Longtime wineries like Glenora and Bagley’s are changing hands as millennial winemakers — many of them young married couples, as in the case of Apollo’s Praise, Living Roots and Ria’s Wines — take over and bring in sustainable, climate-conscious practices. It’s an exciting era, and one that promises to continue growing in 2026. —LEAH STACY

roccitymag.com CITY 21

DECEMBER 2025

BEST ANTIQUE SHOP/DEALER

Ontario Mall Antiques FINALISTS Rochester Greenovation Historic Houseparts MidCentury585

BEST BIKE SHOP

Towpath Bike FINALISTS R Community Bikes Full Moon Vista Bert’s Bikes

BEST BOUTIQUE

Parkleigh FINALISTS Peppermint Boutique Second Look Boutique Mescolata

BEST BRIDAL SHOP

Heart to Heart Bridal

BEST WAY TO GIVE BACK WITH GIFTS

One World Goods

In a world filled with seemingly endless gift-giving and consumerism, it can be hard to find a business worth spending money on. Enter One Worlds Goods, a pint-size shop located in Pittsford Plaza on Monroe Avenue. Nestled between big conglomerate shops such as TJ Maxx and Trader Joe’s, it’s easily overlooked. But for those who find it, One World Goods presents a unique shopping experience unlike any other in Rochester. One World Goods is Rochester’s only non-for-profit, fair trade gift shop. This means that all products sold are made by international adult artisans who are fairly compensated for their labor. One World Goods is committed to upholding Fair Trade Principles as defined by the World Fair Trade Organization — including no child or forced labor, good working conditions, non-discrimination and ensuring a fair price for items. By adhering to these principles, One World Goods is able to highlight the culture and stories of their artisans and promote equal opportunity for artists of all genders, backgrounds and identities. Beyond spotlighting artisans from over 38 countries, One World Goods is committed to sustainability, a practice often disregarded or mislabeled in today’s material-centric society. Many items sold are made from sustainable and recycled material. Next time you’re in need of a gift, skip the chain department stores (and materialism guilt), and stop into One World Goods to find something crafted with passion and care. oneworldgoods.org —MEILI SHEPARD

FINALISTS Stella’s Silk

BEST CHARITY/NONPROFIT

Lollypop Farm

FINALISTS Foodlink SewGreen Rochester Breast Cancer Coalition of Greater Rochester

BEST CORNER STORE

R's Market FINALISTS Henry's 999 Market Starlight Market

BEST DAY SPA

The Spa at the Del Monte FINALISTS Ape + Canary Woodcliff Hotel & Spa Tranquility Now

PHOTO BY RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ roccitymag.com CITY 23

PHOTOS BY RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ

BEST HYGGE HOBBY STORE

Lift Bridge Yarns

Lift Bridge Yarns is the kind of shop that feels like it’s been part of Fairport forever — warm, colorful and buzzing with quiet productivity. Nestled in the village inside the old Trolley Station, the storefront offers high-quality yarns, classes and a slate of community events that draw everyone from lifelong knitters to folks who just woke up craving a new hobby. I cycled through various yarn-related obsessions as a youngster: knitting, crocheting, the occasional cross-stitch — all offering a cozy, productive feeling that is hard to replicate. My skills plateaued at scarves and basic hats, but my grandmother is a knitting connoisseur. Thanks to her (and her continuous requests for just “one quick stop”), I’ve spent many afternoons curiously inspecting fibers at Lift Bridge Yarn. Winter is only intensifying my urge to reconnect with that inner-grandmother energy, and this shop makes it easy. The shelves are stacked with local and specialty yarns alongside learn-to-crochet kits, tools and patterns. But the heartbeat of the store is the large communal table in the back — a gathering spot for weekly classes, drop-in help sessions and the beloved “sit and stitch.” The staff is patient and wildly knowledgeable, there to troubleshoot anything from a tangled first project to complex pattern deciphering. Whether you’re learning how to thread a knitting needle or tackling a detailed sweater, someone is always ready to cheer you on. No matter your skill level, Lift Bridge Yarns is the perfect place to get spinning. liftbridgeyarns.com —SYDNEY BURROWS

24 CITY JANUARY 2026

BEST WELCOME WAGON

Visit Rochester at the airport

I love airports because they're nobody’s home base. Everyone is neutral; no one feels comfortable. You see people at their most vulnerable, no matter how confident they may be in their day-to-day life. But what if there was a small, intentional gesture to make you feel just a little bit more comfortable as you traveled through foreign territory? Aside from their lush welcome kiosk full of colorful brochures touting the region's must-dos and must-sees, Visit Rochester offers a brief, but meaningful welcome liaison at the intersection of the security exit and the baggage claim at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. The greetings range from “Hope you brought a coat!” and “Southwest baggage claim is to your right,” to “Rideshare pickup is to the right!” While I understand this type of personalized guide might not work in a larger airport like JFK or O’Hare, the simple act of anticipating travelers’ unease about next steps goes so much further than a sea of signs directing you this way and that. If the Visit Rochester ambassador isn’t at their post, you can always stop by their welcome center to grab a map or flyer for next steps (or the newest copy of CITY, of course.) —RYAN WILLIAMSON

roccitymag.com CITY 25

BEST DISPENSARY

Good Life

FINALISTS RISE Dispensary MJ’s Finger Lakes Cannabis Co

BEST FITNESS CENTER

YMCA

FINALISTS Vault Shogun Martial Arts GymRx

BEST FLORIST

Stacy K Floral FINALISTS Kittelberger Florist & Gifts Arena's Wisteria

BEST GARDEN CENTER

The Garden Factory FINALISTS Sunscape Farms Genrich’s Sara’s

BEST HOBBY STORE

Dan's Crafts and Things FINALISTS Millennium Games SewGreen

BEST HOTEL

Strathallan FINALISTS The Lake House Woodcliff The Del Monte

BEST INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLER

The Unreliable Narrator FINALISTS Bookeater Hipocampo Archivist Books

BEST LIBRARY

Pittsford Community Library FINALISTS Rundel Public LIbrary Brighton Library Winton Branch Library

26 CITY JANUARY 2026

PHOTOS CLEARLY BY ROBERTO F. LAGARES

BEST Y2K TYPE VIBE

The Digicam renaissance

Everything has a peak. The height of the ascension varies but a descent, or at least a plateau, is inevitable; such is life. Less predictable is the resurgence, or the comeback. Photography has undergone an evolution — as cameras became more widely available, technology became better, smaller, faster (that sentence is best read as a Daft Punk lyric) and we reached what could be argued as a peak. Everything is so good, it’s too good. Thus, the revival of film photography, likely for its warmth and charm. The same rings true for the digicam, or, as some may recall, the digital camera. The trend of pocketing a digicamera like the ‘00s again has grown rapidly. The results are arguably worse than what can be achieved on a phone, but have a unique aesthetic. Digicams are a snapshot (pun intended) in time of a particular point in technology, when high dynamic range and pixel peepers were limited. A time where companies had more to worry about than simply image processing and resolution. The images invoke a time where the colors of film were the expectations and the conveniences of functional design were revolutionary. What once was a ubiquitous family camera and then rapidly replaced by the smartphone has resurfaced as a way to distinguish oneself from the over-processed HDR plague. —ROBERTO FELIPE LAGARES

BEST LOCAL CHILDREN’S BOOK FOR ADULTS

BEST LOCAL MEDIA PERSONALITY (RADIO/ TV/ONLINE/PRINT)

“We don’t say goodbye… we say GO BILLS!”

Evan Dawson, WXXI FINALISTS Scott Hetsko, 13WHAM Breezy, 98PXY Brother Wease, iHeart

What happens when a Rochester-based storyteller and writer moves to Toronto? He writes a children’s book about the Buffalo Bills, of course — a team that seems to lay claim on heavy fanbases throughout all three cities. In September 2025, Kislingbury Publishing released “We don’t say goodbye… we say GO BILLS!” by Rochester native Dylan Toombs, with original illustrations by Ukrainian artist Karina Nechval. The glossy 50-page book follows two best friends in Buffalo on a mission to stop one friend’s family from moving away. They call the plan “operation circle the wagons,” and the book is filled with similar nods to Bills mafia and IYKYK Buffalo knowledge. It’s a perfect gift for that tiny Bills mafia-in-training in your life (and parents, who read the bedtime stories anyway). Heck, wrap it up with a four-foot folding table and some Buffalo wings (blue cheese only). Start ‘em young. Oh, and Dylan? You should probably send Josh a copy of the book for that new baby. —LEAH STACY

BEST MUSIC SCHOOL

Eastman Community Music School FINALISTS Hochstein School of Music ROC Star Academy The Submarine School of Music

BEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE

House of Guitars FINALISTS Bernunzio Uptown Music Sound Source Atlas Music

PHOTO PROVIDED roccitymag.com CITY 27

INSIDE WXXI PUBLIC MEDIA

A podcast about navigating life with a disability.

WXXI-TV/PBS | WXXI NEWS/NPR | WXXI CLASSICAL THE ROUTE 88.5 | THE LITTLE THEATRE

Self-advocacy is more than individual empowerment. It’s about civil rights, dignity, and equality. Hosted by Noelle E. C. Evans

Six-episode series launching January 6! Visit: MoveToInclude.org

January 12 - 18, 2026 One in four Americans has a disability, yet only 3.1% of characters in the media do. Dialogue on Disability, WXXI’s annual initiative with Al Sigl Community of Agencies, aims to change that by showcasing stories of people with disabilities and sparking conversations about inclusion.

Explore programs airing during Dialogue on Disability week at WXXI.org/dod — and know that this work continues year-round through WXXI’s Move to Include™ initiative, promoting representation and accessibility in public media.

Dialogue on Disability is part of the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community Series and is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from the Golisano Foundation.

Support is provided by: Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities

This podcast is produced by

PODCAST

in partnership with the Golisano Foundation

Connections with Evan Dawson Throughout the week (12/12-16) at 1 p.m. on WXXI News (FM 105.9) and streaming on WXXINews.org Throughout the week, Evan Dawson will have several guests from member agencies and affiliates from Al Sigl Community of Agencies. Visit WXXInews.org/Connection for specific dates.

American Experience “Change, Not Charity: The Americans Disability Act” Wednesday, January 14 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV Tells the emotional and dramatic story of the decades-long push for equality and accessibility that culminated in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. Photo credit: Tom Olin

Musicians of All Abilities Throughout the week (12/12-16) on WXXI Classical & on-demand at WXXIClassical.org WXXI Classical presents vignettes that highlight composers with disabilities.

I AM disABLED

The Ride Ahead Screening & Panel Discussion Tuesday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. at The Little Theatre Join WXXI, Al Sigl Community of Agencies, and The Golisano Foundation for a special screening and panel discussion on transitioning to adulthood for people with disabilities. In this film, you’ll meet Samuel Habib, a typical 21-year-old, itching to move out, 28 CITY 2025 start a career,DECEMBER and find love. But no

one tells you how to be an adult, let alone an adult with a disability. Can a community of disability activists help him follow his dreams? The film will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by WXXI News’ Noelle E.C. Evans. To learn more and to register for this free event, visit WXXI.org/dod.

Monday, January 12 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV Highlights the challenges and triumphs of students with disabilities and their families, focusing on their abilities and similarities. Photo Provided by PBS

RIT Shorts Thursday, January 15 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV WXXI puts a spotlight on the work of Rochester Institute of Technology film and animation students by presenting a series of shorts biannually. This edition features four pieces — three animated and one live-action — all centered on disability themes.

240 East Ave thelittle.org

FOR THE KIDS All week long, WXXI will air special PBS Kids programs that deal with disability issues. Below are three in the line-up, but you can find the full schedule at WXXI.org/dod. Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood “Snowflake Day”

Sesame Street “The Sign Language ABCs”

1/12 at 9 a.m. on WXXI-TV “Snowflake Day brings everyone to the Enchanted Garden for music, food, and fun. Daniel learns each snowflake is unique — just like people, each one special.

1/13 at 10 a.m. on WXXI-TV At Alphabet Day, Elmo sings the ABC song, and his friend Mathis signs the alphabet using American Sign Language.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood © 2012 The Fred Rogers Company)

Donkey Hodie 1/16 at 11 a..m. on WXXI-TV Jeff Mouse, Donkey, and Panda search for a hard-to-find moth all over Someplace Else. Will Jeff get a photo of it to add to his scrapbook? Jeff is a character is inspired by Jeff Erlanger and his iconic 1981 visit to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood where he talked about his electric wheel chair.

THE LINEUP: Friday, January 9: The House with Laughing Windows (4K restoration) Stefano is commissioned to save a controversial mural located in the church of a small, isolated village, whose original artist is rumored to be a madman who tortured his subjects. Thursday, January 15: Alice, Sweet Alice (35mm screening) In 1961, divorced Catholics Dom and Catherine’s lives are upended when their teenage daughter is suspected of brutally murdering her younger sister during her First Holy Communion.

Friday, January 23: Felidae A cat must investigate a series of grisly crimes in this rarely-seen 1994 German animated murder-mystery film. Thursday, January 29: Tenebrae (dir. Dario Argento) An American novelist promoting his latest book in Rome is stalked and harassed by an obsessed fan who is committing a string of murders that appear to be tributes to his work.

January Giallo is co-presented by Cinematic Void and Anomaly – The Rochester Genre Film Festival.

We encourage parents and caregivers to take the opportunity to use these PBS KIDS programs as a springboard to talk to their kids about disabilities, which helps children embrace their own differences and accept others. These conversations build self-esteem, kindness, and inclusion. Here are some tips:

Tips provided by

“Giallo” refers to a style of Italianproduced mystery-thriller films which rose to popularity in the 60s and 70s. Filled with atmosphere, suspense, crime, as well as eroticism, psychological horror, and slasher violence, classic and contemporary Giallo films — from Italy and beyond — continue to surprise and terrify.

All screenings start at 7:30pm; tickets available at thelittle.org

Talking to Kids About Disability

Set The Example • Show respect and patience toward everyone, regardless of ability—kids notice your actions. • Speak positively about differences, including your child’s. • Fill your home with books and media with positive disability representation. Encourage Curiosity • Questions show kids care. Answer honestly and simply. • If you don’t know, research together or ask someone.

January Giallo returns in 2026

BLACK CINEMA SERIES:

Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round Use Clear, Positive Language • Avoid outdated or hurtful terms like “crippled” or “handicapped.” • Children are curious and notice differences and ask questions. Take the opportunity to teach them that disability is a normal part of life. • Express empathy, not pity. Focus on what supports help someone succeed rather than what they “can’t” do. Other Tips • Some disabilities aren’t visible, like learning differences or chronic conditions. • Ask before touching items like wheelchairs or service dogs. • Building friendships may take time. Be patient and keep trying. • Silence doesn’t mean someone isn’t listening; allow extra time for responses.

Sunday, Jan. 25 at 6pm; tickets at thelittle.org When five Howard University students sat on a segregated Maryland carousel in 1960, the arrests made headlines. When the largely Jewish community near Glen Echo Amusement Park joined the Black students in picketing, the first organized interracial civil rights protest in US history was born.

WXXI CLASSICAL PRESENTS:

The Choral Opens Jan. 16 Special screening and panel discussion: 3pm Saturday, Jan. 17; tickets at thelittle.org Yorkshire, 1916. A choral society’s male members enlist in World War I, leaving the demanding Dr. Guthrie to recruit teenagers. Together, they experience the joy of singing while the young men grapple with their impending conscription.

roccitymag.com CITY 29

30 CITY DECEMBER 2025

BEST OUTDOOR MARKET

Rochester Public Market FINALISTS Brighton Farmers Market Rochester Night Market Westside Farmers Market

BEST PET ADOPTION SERVICES

Lollypop Farm FINALISTS Verona Street Operation Freedom Ride Pet Pride

PHOTOS BY RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ

BEST PLACE TO BUY KITSCH

Record Archive FINALISTS Archimage Parkleigh Rochester Greenovation

BEST RECORD STORE

Record Archive FINALISTS House of Guitars Bop Shop Records Needle Drop Records

BEST SALON/BARBERSHOP

Rock Paper Scissors FINALISTS Gallery Salon NOTA Beauty Co. Surface Salon

BEST SMOKE SHOP

Good Life FINALISTS Mad Hatter Elab Smokers Boutique Regime Vape & Smoke

BEST DEEP STASH OF MUSIC KNOWLEDGE

Chili Public Library

Call it the “Deliver Me from Nowhere” effect: I can’t stop reading musician biographies. Writer Warren Zanes’ probe into the making of Bruce Springsteen's “Nebraska” is much better than the recent film that adapted it; the same goes for Elijah Wald’s “Dylan Goes Electric!” and its subsequent Oscar-bait cash-in, “A Complete Unknown.” The words are simply made for the music. But who can afford a shelf full of glossy new, richly reported books about popular tunes? The answer is all of us who have library cards — and the knowledge that Chili Public Library holds some absolute treasures on its adult nonfiction shelves. There’s no shortage of defining pop-culture histories in the stacks, like Patti Smith’s memoir “Just Kids” and Kim Gordon’s “Girl in a Band.” But Chili’s collection notably contains the emerging documents of our modern musical landscape as well. Check out Jason Lipshutz’s recent chronicling of Linkin Park, “It Starts With One,” and Chris Payne’s definitive oral history of emo, “Where Are Your Boys Tonight?”, to start. And then there’s the 33 1/3 series, better known as those pocket-sized books about important albums. They’re fun to collect, but they’re even better to grab by the half dozen from the library; Chili’s stash contains key titles about LPs by the Pixies, Neil Young, Janelle Monáe, Kendrick Lamar and more. If your laptop still has a CD drive, Chili’s offerings are likewise stunning in that department. There’s a theoretically infinite archive of musical wisdom to be gleaned from reading the work of the researchers and writers who’ve spent long hours digging for the best stuff. But where to begin? Here’s a foolproof plan: find a song you like, ask yourself, “Where did this come from?” and make a list of what you find. Better yet, ask your local librarian. chililibrary. org —PATRICK HOSKEN

roccitymag.com CITY 31

32 CITY JANUARY 2026

BEST SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT

BEST WEDDING/EVENT VENUE

FINALISTS @daytrippingroc @innerloopblog @hikeandstrollrochester

FINALISTS Arbor Loft The Highline Artisanworks

BEST TATTOO PARLOR

BEST WINE/LIQUOR STORE

FINALISTS Steady Hand Tattoo Old Friends Tattoo Legacy Tattoo Collective

FINALISTS BayTowne Wine & Spirits Pinnacle Euphoria Liquor

BEST VINTAGE/SECONDHAND STORE

BEST YOGA STUDIO

FINALISTS Second Look Boutique Staple Vintage MidCentury585

FINALISTS Breathe YogaVibe 585 Vault

@rocgonemad

Have Hope Tattoo

The Op Shop

ARTISANworks

Marketview Liquor

Tru Yoga

roccitymag.com CITY 33

DECEMBER 2025

BEST PLAYGROUND

BEST DAY HIKE

FINALISTS Rothfuss Park (Penfield) Shadow Pines Park (Penfield) Hilton-Parma Town Hall

FINALISTS Chimney Bluffs Corbetts Glen Mendon Ponds Park

BEST BIKING TRAIL

BEST DOG PARK

Lilac Adventure Zone (Highland Park)

Erie Canal FINALISTS Genesee Riverway Trail Tryon Lehigh Valley

BEST BOWLING

Radio Social FINALISTS L&M Lanes Okay Beer Co. at West Main Lanes Bowl-A-Roll Lanes

BEST CAMP FOR KIDS

Rochester Museum and Science Center FINALISTS Camp Arrowhead MAG Creative Workshops Magical Journey Thru Stages

BEST CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Mendon Ponds Park FINALIST Durand Eastman Park

Letchworth State Park

Ellison Dog Park FINALISTS Cobbs Hilll Spring Lake Woofs Canine Club & Indoor Dog Park

BEST FAMILY DAY TRIP

Letchworth

PHOTOS BY KATIE EPNER

FINALISTS Seabreeze Corning Museum of Glass Niagara Falls

BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY ATTRACTION

Strong Museum of Play FINALISTS Seneca Park Zoo Seabreeze Amusement Park Rochester Museum & Science Center

BEST GUIDED TOUR

Mount Hope Cemetery FINALISTS Rochester Public Library history walking tours DeTours at MAG Local History walking tours (RPL)

BEST WAY TO BURST A SOCIAL BUBBLE

Rochester Pool League

It happens. You wake up one day and realize you’ve been hanging around the same people, listening to the same music in the same places for the past five years or more. Comfort is rarely exciting. Enter: Pool league. The great equalizer. One week, you’re facing off against a musicologist from Eastman and the next you’re congratulating an RTS bus driver on a match wellplayed. There is no single characteristic that fits all 700 (give or take) registered league players in Monroe County, other than a shared love for the game. Given that as a base, one’s social bubble is bound to burst. And thanks to the marvel that is handicaps (this writer is not a golfer), even a seasoned vet has reason to fear a well-practiced novice. Like travel baseball, minus the driving, hotels, bourgeois disillusionment and expense, league moves you around the city into establishments you may have never before considered, discovering micro cultures that only exist outside of one’s normal routine. In this environment, intersectionality is innate and insularity is impossible; something that all of our bubbles could benefit from. rochesterpool.org —KATIE EPNER

roccitymag.com CITY 35

BEST IDEA FOR THE FUTURE

Reject fascism FINALISTS High Falls State Park High speed rail system Expanded public transit

BEST KARAOKE NIGHT

LUX Lounge PHOTO BY SCOTT PUKOS

BEST WINTER FORT

Lamberton Conservatory at Highland Park

There used to be a duck named Lucky at Lamberton Conservatory. Lucky was — as you might expect — an icon. She wouldn’t just walk around the space, no, she would strut. Need some spunk? Need some sass? Lucky was your mallard. I’ve been to the botanical garden, located in Highland Park, many times post-Lucky, but each visit to the cozy confines reminds me of the special duck. My lede is full of nostalgia, because, well, that’s what I feel when I visit Lamberton — nostalgia for simpler times. And coziness. Lots of coziness. As I’m typing this, it’s snowing ... a lot (an evergreen statement that will sometimes leave me in awe of winter’s beauty, and other times will irk me with its relentlessness). So, it’s important to note just how toasty it is inside the conservatory. The temperature isn’t ideal in summer, but it’s glorious in the winter. It’s the best snow fort around — one with turtles and cacti and flowers and buttonquails and whimsy and magic. It’s truly an elite spot for lollygagging. Here’s my typical Lamberton agenda:

1. Tell my secrets to the turtles. If you don’t trust the turtles, that’s a you problem. 2. Take a selfie in the garden of cacti and caption it “just a couple of pricks!” 3. Name the quails as they skedaddle around the place. Doug is a good name. So is Gertrude. 4. I don’t just take one lap around Lamberton, no, I need at least three trips around to capture all the beauty. 5. Sit on the bench under the twisty arch of branches and practice my yearning. 6. VISIT SHELLVILLE (the real name for a sandbox where majestic shelled creatures roam). 7. Take SO MANY photos so I can look back at them and swoon over the memories. The Conservatory is open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. monroecounty. gov/parks-conservatory —SCOTT PUKOS

36 CITY JANUARY 2026

FINALISTS ROAR Firehouse Saloon Bar Bad Ending

BEST LOCAL LANDMARK

Mount Hope Cemetery FINALISTS Highland Park High Falls Susan B. Anthony House

BEST LOCAL SPORTS TEAM

Rochester Red Wings FINALISTS Rochester Amerks Roc City Roller Derby Rochester Knighthawks

BEST OUTDOOR SWIMMING

Hamlin Beach FINALISTS Durand Eastman Beach Ontario Beach Park Genesee Valley Park

BEST PICK-UP BASKETBALL

Cobbs Hill FINALISTS YMCA Pineway Ponds

BEST PICKLEBALL COURTS

Fairport Pickleball Club FINALISTS Dinkers Pickleball Campus, East Rochester Greece Community Center Fellows Road Park

BEST CLASS SERIES FOR FREELANCE DANCERS

Movement and Community

Technique classes are baked into full-time company positions, but freelancers have a different challenge — if you want class, you have to carve out the time (and dime), and hope the class feels worth it. As a freelance performer, I’ve struggled for years to find a dance class that fits what I’m looking for in-studio (rigorous, affordable and originally creative training). Movement and Community, a dance training program housed in The Auguste Roost on Cumberland Street, entered the Rochester dance space this past fall with a rare solution: free, weekly, professional-level classes. The program, which is grant-funded and thoughtfully curated, also offers modern dance and dance-injury prevention — two areas freelancers tend to need most and are able to access least. Saturday afternoons offer injury prevention taught by Elyssia Primus, a local dancer and physical therapist whose approach is grounded and accessible. Each month centers on a different anatomical focus — think feet and ankles, core stability or shoulder mechanics — and Primus leads dancers through targeted warmups and circuits designed for longevity. The movements are practical and repeatable, the kind you can add onto a rehearsal or do in your living room to stay performance-ready. The weekly modern class rotates teachers each month, giving Rochester dancers a chance to sample fresh artistic perspectives, from improvisation-heavy explorations to more traditional technique classes that leave attendees sweaty and sore in the best way. A warm communal atmosphere also fills the gap many part-time performers feel (especially when our 9-5 is outside the arts). With programming slated to run through May 2026, Movement and Community feels a bit like a love letter to local dancers; an investment in keeping artists moving, healthy and connected. Freelancers, don’t sleep on this one. rochaha.com/mnc —SYDNEY BURROWS

PHOTOS BY RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ roccitymag.com CITY 37

BEST PLACE TO CUT LOOSE

Improv classes at the Focus Theater

Before an improv show, there’s a thing we do. We go up to each teammate, pat them on the back and say, “got your back.” It’s a simple gesture, but it means a lot. It’s a sign of support and trust. It means we’re going to “yes, and...” our hearts out together. While improv can be performed anywhere, The Focus Theater (located in the Sibley Building on East Main Street) is the spot that has your back. It's a location where Rochester’s improv community grows. The Focus Theater offers seasonal eight-week classes for beginners (Improv I), long-time performers (Improv IV) and everything in-between (Improv II and III, if you can believe it). Aside from improv, they also offer a sketch comedy writing class (my personal favorite), stand-up comedy classes, workshops and even some fun, creative oneoffs (like a Dungeons & Dragons improv class). The instructors are knowledgeable and supportive, and taking a class (or two, or all of them) is a TOP-TIER way to make new friends. Witty friends who are excellent listeners, by the way (the best kind of friend). If you’re on the fence and need a pitch, here it is: Improv is essentially play for adults. It’s a small window where you can truly and fully embrace your silly side. You can be a goofy little weirdo (complimentary), you can create fun characters, you can forget for a few hours that there are a lot of things in our world that suck (too many things, one may argue)! How often do we get the chance to be a certified chucklehead (again, complimentary)? I say, seize this opportunity. focus.theater —SCOTT PUKOS

PHOTO BY KAT KUO

38 CITY JANUARY 2026

PHOTO BY ROBERTO LAGARES

BEST NEWS FOR LOCAL MOVIEGOERS:

70mm projection at Cinemark Tinseltown

Discussing the theatrical experience often feels like grasping onto a rapidly fading memory. It’s not something you want to see disappear, but the way movies are consumed has been changing for a long time and theaters never truly rebounded after 2020. In the aftermath of the pandemic, Rochester lost a handful of theaters which seemed to spell doom for our city’s moviegoing options. It was a refreshing — and unexpected — surprise when Cinemark Tinseltown announced it will add 70mm projection next year (timed with the release of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” in July). The 70mm format has become an in-demand way to see movies (in 2025, “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” sold out 70mm screens around the country) and its recent uptick in popularity has breathed new life into theaters. What’s especially exciting for Rochester is people will travel from Buffalo or Syracuse — if not further — to see Nolan’s upcoming movie in 70mm format. The capability to play this larger format remains limited (Tinseltown will be only one of 33 theaters in the world with 70mm projection), which will make Rochester a hotspot for fans of the format. It’s sad when any theater has to close their doors; Rochester had it happen too many times in the past five years. But to now see our city become a destination for 70mm projection is heartening for fans and supporters of the Rochester theatrical experience. I just need to remind myself of that instead of yelling at the Fandango app when it’s difficult to secure a ticket. cinemark.com —MATT PASSANTINO

roccitymag.com CITY 39

BEST PICNIC SPOT

Highland Park FINALISTS Mendon Ponds Park Cobbs Hill Mount Hope Cemetery

BEST PLACE TO DANCE

ROAR LUX Lounge Vertex Lux Lounge

PHOTO BY ROBERTO F. LAGARES

BEST '90S RELIC:

The exit and entrance signs for the Mt. Read Blockbuster

Stonehenge, the Pyramids of Giza, Machu Picchu and the Roman Coliseum — this is just a small list of some ancient ruins existing in the modern world, each with their own jaw-dropping glory. A marker of what once was, they carry stories passed down from generation to generation. But did you know our city has ruins of its own? Just across from Mt. Read Wegmans in the town of Greece, two columns greet patrons by the roadside as they pass by or through. Blink and you might miss ‘em: a pair of exit and entrance signs in the shape of a strangely familiar ticket stub. These are the only remnants of what was once a Blockbuster. The building’s history has been mostly scrubbed as it is now home to a wine and liquor store (a different kind of Friday night stop), but the signs have lasted, a reminder of the video rental titan that brought entertainment to our living rooms before the streaming era. A lasting symbol that, for those who remember, signifies a night roaming blue carpeted aisles searching white shelves lined with new releases and curated classics. The unmatched joy of seeing an available copy behind the movie's placeholder, the snack assortment tempting you in line before checkout and — at least, in my family's case — the ill-timed late fee balance on your account. This entire experience has largely become extinct, save for the last lone standing Blockbuster storefront in Bend, Oregon. For us Rochester locals, the two-foot signage structures that guard this plaza are a reminder of a simpler time before the “open app, doomscroll, search, exit and repeat’” pipeline of exhaustion that ultimately ends with watching nothing or renting a movie that isn’t on any of your 10 subscription services. —ROBERTO FELIPE LAGARES

40 CITY JANUARY 2026

BEST PLACE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS

LUX Lounge FINALISTS Wegmans Flight Wine Bar Unwine’d

BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH

Rochester Public Market FINALISTS Park Avenue Wegmans LUX Lounge

BEST PLACE TO PLAY POOL

Marshall Street Bar & Grill FINALISTS Dicky’s LUX Lounge Java’s

BEST PLACE TO TAKE A FIRST DATE

The Playhouse// Swillburger FINALISTS The Little Theatre Unwine’d Lux Lounge

BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE

Durand Eastman FINALISTS Ravenwood Genesee Valley Park Greystone

BEST PUBLIC PARK

BEST TRIVIA NIGHT

FINALISTS Mendon Ponds Park Durand Eastman Cobbs Hill Park

FINALISTS Rising Storm at the Mill Rochester Pub Trivia at Marshall Street LUX Lounge

BEST SLEDDING HILL

BEST WEEKEND GETAWAY (WITHIN 3 HOURS)

FINALISTS Ellison Park Highland Park Mendon Ponds Park

FINALISTS Toronto Ithaca Niagara Falls

BEST STARGAZING SPOT

BEST-KEPT SECRET

FINALISTS Webster Park Cobbs Hill Mendon Ponds

FINALISTS Flight Wine Bar Eden's Coven

Highland Park

Cobbs Hill

Durand Eastman Beach

Game Night ROC (various locations)

Finger Lakes

Cobbs Hill Water Towers

BEST WALK ‘N’ TALK SPOT

Mount Hope Cemetery

Some days (weeks/months/years) warrant a walk with a good friend to sage the toxic vibes or just catch up the good ol’ fashioned way: in person, no screens, breathing fresh air the way nature intended. In addition to giving you a reason to yap, walking is one of the best exercises for a body: it sheds pounds, strengthens bones and muscles, improves cardio health and increases blood flow. (I can personally promise you will sleep better and have an improved outlook on life after a brisk walk, too.) Hands down, the best place I walked with a friend this fall was Mount Hope Cemetery. Throw on a pair of good hiking (right now, snow) boots or sneakers for the hilly terrain, bring a water bottle (whatever you fill it with is between you and god) and park somewhere nearby (I always find a spot on Robinson Drive, just across Mt. Hope Avenue). As the city website accurately states, Mount Hope is “more than a cemetery. It's a peaceful park, a wildlife sanctuary, and an outdoor museum.” Founded in 1838, it’s a massive 196 acres that I haven’t managed to walk in entirety yet. The grave markers alone are endlessly fascinating, not to mention you can visit the resting places of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony (but hopefully you knew that, and already have). One last note: It’s peaceful. So respect that peace if you visit. One friend asked if it felt morbid to wander through Rochester’s past lives. But rather than morbidity, it’s a welcome reminder. There’s a gravity and refocus in knowing that, in the end, death comes to us all. Someone, someday may walk by your grave discussing the week’s trivialities with a trusted friend. They may remember that we all live and die, and now is the time to make the most of it. The cycle continues. Mount Hope Cemetery is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 31, and until 8 p.m. beginning April 1. —LEAH STACY

PHOTO BY LEAH STACY roccitymag.com CITY 41

CITY’S YEAR IN (MUSIC) REVIEW LOCAL SONGS AND ALBUMS WE LOVED IN 2025 Year-end lists condition people like me to think that there must be One Best Album to rule over all others. This is simply not true. My favorite 2025 music was made by several diverse artists that I love equally: ambient instrumentalist Walt McClements, New York City band Geese, local improvisational duo Wren Cove — more than I could highlight here.

But that’s a champagne problem. With so much great music made from across the geographic and musical spectrum, it’s a fool’s errand to declare supremacy. Instead, CITY has compiled the Rochester/Finger Lakes music from 2025 that we loved, in addition to what moved us, what mattered and what remains, even into the new year. —PATRICK HOSKEN

‘WASAW,’ BY WREN COVE, FROM “MOVEMENT”

‘SPARROWS,’ BY LUXURY SUITE, FROM “SPARROWS”

In Wren Cove’s improvised musical world, the cello takes on the role of a lead vocalist. Melissa Davies’ string melodies fill in the space around Andrew Cloninger’s guitar and tape loops, leading to compositions that feel lush and considered, even as they came to life ad hoc in producer Ben Morey’s studio. On “Warsaw,” a sparse and lovely standout from the group’s “Movement” album, a shuffling drum beat and ambient electronics wrap the song in a decorative bow as Davies’ cello performs an unforgettable aria. —PATRICK HOSKEN

‘VALVE,’ BY MILO, FROM “VALVE/WHATEVER” The first release from Rochester band Milo pulls off a delicate balancing act. As much as propulsive rocker “Valve” traffics in tried-andtrue indie-rock traditions, it stands on its own merits. Beginning with a single snare hit and concluding with a shouted refrain, the song follows a journey of binaries: two vocalists and alternately loud and quiet guitars. Plus, it rocks. And the emo-tinged lyrics of nights in October and November hit even harder when the sun sets at 4:30 p.m. —PATRICK HOSKEN

42 CITY DECEMBER 2025

As far as three-minute gems songs go, Luxury Suite is proving hard to beat. The quartet, featuring members of former local bands Sports and Pleistocene, released its first two songs in late 2025, including “Sparrows,” an undeniable entry into the canon of pastel post-punk. With reverb for miles and sprinkles of New Wave in the guitar leads, the tune scratches the itch for ‘80s-inspired indie-pop that simply moves. Will subsequent releases capture the same relentless spirit? The smart money is on yes. —PATRICK HOSKEN

‘DANCE,’ BY MOUNTAIN RIVER TRAVELER, FROM “THE AVANT GARDE A CLUE COMPANION” Take Chinese folk music, add in hard rock and then make it dance — and you at least start to unpack what makes this exciting new band one of the most joyful experiences to hit the scene in 2025. In recorded form, we just have this one single, but good news everyone: they’ve been in the studio recording a full album, so we’ve got some more awesomeness to look forward to in 2026. —MONA SEGHATOLESLAMI

“FLIGHT MANIFEST” BY EINSTEIN’S DREAMS

“MADE UP MY MIND” BY CORAL MOONS

I experienced some of the most transcendent musical moments of the past year sitting on the floor of The Bop Shop, surrounded by fellow listeners/dreamers caught up in the spell of a live performance of this album. (This classical song cycle? Jazz, folk, indie-what?) Whatever you call it, there’s beauty here to make your heart ache in the best way as you listen to this all-star cast drawn together by Eric Heveron-Smith. —MONA SEGHATOLESLAMI

2025 has been one of the best years I have seen in Rochester for local up-and-coming bands. Indie, rock, country and everything in between has flourished this year in a scene with great musicians and people who support us all — local band Coral Moons is no exception. Carly Kraft’s beautiful songwriting and indie pop styles make the songs catchy and unforgettable, and I think “Made Up My Mind” has only just begun its journey climbing the charts. I’m looking forward to seeing more from Coral Moons (and from all of our amazing local bands) in 2026. —HANNAH MAIER

“WALK WITH ME, MY JOY” BY DANIEL PESCA There has been SO MUCH good music coming out from the Rochester area this year in all genres, especially new classical music. One nexus of this creative flourishing is composer-pianist Daniel Pesca. He has returned to Rochester as a professor at the Eastman School of Music, and he’s been writing new works for groups including the Irondequoit Community Orchestra and some of his Eastman colleagues. His intelligent, open-hearted chamber music continues to capture my imagination on repeated listens. —MONA SEGHATOLESLAMI

“MUSCLE MEMORY” BY MOSTLY GHOSTS Local band Mostly Ghosts is, in fact, mostly ghosts nowadays, having broken up shortly after the release of their EP, “Muscle Memory,” back in July. Regardless of the split, the quartet has left us with something unforgettable in the EP’s title track “Muscle Memory,” a powerful, emotional song for those who either feel nostalgic for old school emo or love the post-hardcore genre. The sweet vocals of Laura Wolanin guide listeners through the heavy and soulful instrumentals, her desperate-yet-gentle melody amidst the passion creating an earworm, in the best way. —LEAH JOY

“SOLSTICE” BY LUMINOUS SHADE & HARNESS THE ABYSS As someone who, by nature, spends a lot of time moving, thinking, worrying, etc., I’ve had to find specific, intentional ways to slow my life down and be still. Ambient music is an incomparable salve without which I would no doubt go nuts. I find massive value in music that doesn’t demand my undivided attention (that’s part of the thesis statement of the relatively-young ambient genre), and I’ll often reach for long compositions like Luminous Shade’s “Solistice,” released as a full-length ambient album but handily compiled into a 53 minute “song” at the end of the tracklist. This textural ambient composition is synthesizer-forward, featuring no shortage of soaring vocal moments and swells that conjure — in a good way — new age muzak and many trademark sounds of 20th century yoga culture that would later be mined to create vaporwave. — JACOB WALSH

“REAL ESTATE AGENT” BY KITCHEN Screeching feedback introducing a perfect riff — that is what I’m looking for. Kitchen, fronted by James Keegan, has been around for a long-ass time and has no shortage of songs that tell you exactly who they are. You can trace the evolution from their earlier “lo-fi indie” music recorded directly to a cassette tape to a more balanced & produced sound on their most recent release “Blue Heeler in Ugly Snowlight, Grey on Gray on Gray on White,” which was hard to choose a favorite track from. Listen to the whole thing from beginning to end, but remember that Jake sent you to Real Estate Agent, a bonafide ripper from one of our city’s best songwriters. — JACOB WALSH

roccitymag.com CITY 43

DECEMBER 2025

BEST ACTOR

Madisen Zabawa FINALISTS Daniel Mejak Kiyomi Oliver Carl Del Buono

BEST ART GALLERY

The Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) FINALISTS ARTISANworks Rochester Contemporary Art Center Behind the Glass

BEST ARTIST

Shawn Dunwoody FINALISTS Sarah Rutherford John "Magnus" Champlin Danielle Del Plato

BEST ARTS + CULTURE COMMUNITY LEADER

Shawn Dunwoody FINALISTS Thomas Warfield Bleu Cease John "Magnus" Champlin

BEST ARTS EVENT

ESL Rochester Fringe Festival FINALISTS Corn Hill Arts Festival M&T Bank Clothesline Arts Festival RoCo 6x6

BEST COMEDIAN/COMEDY TROUPE

Kai Von Doom FINALISTS Chris Thompson Dario Joseph Cindy Arena

BEST FEEL-GOOD MUSIC STORY

Music for Veterans

Dr. Roy Ernst founded Rochester’s New Horizons program in 1991, allowing beginner musicians of all ages to start their journeys playing an instrument for the first time. The cognitive benefits are profound and can improve memory, confidence and mental wellbeing — plus folks get to jam out, which rocks. This year, Ernst helped get a new endeavor off the ground, this time to help veterans in the Finger Lakes area. Music for Veterans Rochester (ROCVETS) meets on Saturdays at Marketplace Mall. The basics are simple. There are classes for chorus, guitar, wind instruments and others, and no prior experience with an instrument is needed. The seminars are free and open to veterans of all ilks. In a year marked by significant cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the simple act of communing through music is already having a great impact. ROCVETS executive director Judy Rose said nearly 50 people showed up for the group’s earliest rehearsals in June. Since then, the program has grown in earnest. And instrument donations are always welcome to help keep the classes going. Ernst’s bona fides, in addition to launching New Horizons, include being professor emeritus at the Eastman School of Music. As such, he brings his many musical connections to this latest initiative, which is the third music program for veterans by the Music for Veterans National Association. The nonprofit has similar enterprises in Columbia, South Carolina and San Antonio, Texas. “Music connects people to life,” Ernst said in WXXI’s Connections earlier this year. “It connects people to the past, the present, the future and other people.” rocvets.org —PATRICK HOSKEN

BEST COMMUNITY THEATER COMPANY

Blackfriars Theatre FINALISTS OFC Creations Rochester Community Players The Company Theatre

roccitymag.com CITY 45

PHOTOS BY MIKE GERARD

BEST PLACE TO SPOT BROADWAY AND OPERA STARS

The Lotte Lenya Competition

Metropolitan opera tickets can cost over a hundred dollars, and even that price tag makes some Broadway shows look cheap. But once a year at the Eastman School of Music, you can watch four hours of equally high-caliber young vocalists from all over the world perform — for free. The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music hosts the annual Lotte Lenya Competition, founded by Eastman professor and Foundation president Kim Kowalke to honor the Austrian-American singer/actor Lenya (married to Weill), who was known for her ability to act through singing. This means contestants are expected to not only sing ridiculously well (think “classically trained Eastman” well), but act ridiculously well (think “I don’t even know German but I feel what this singer feels” well). Every spring, 12 finalists compete back-to-back in Kilbourn Hall. Each singer has 15 minutes to perform character-driven songs chosen from Kurt Weill, an opera, a Golden Age musical and a contemporary musical. The day ends with an evening concert and the awards ceremony, where these absurdly talented young people following their artistic dreams get awarded, cumulatively, over $80,000 in prizes. The contestants, who range in age from 19 to 32, often already have impressive international tour, Broadway and opera credits. Even more impressive are the judges, who include the likes of Tony Award winner Victoria Clark, Broadway producer Ted Chapin and stage and screen star Mary Beth Peil. I’m still reeling from when composer Jeanine Tesori judged and a contestant performed a song from her musical adaptation of “Shrek.” How often do you get to hear a Broadway song while sitting within several feet of its composer? If you can’t wait for this year’s competition on May 9, catch previous years on YouTube — though nothing beats the thrill of being in the room where it happens. kwf.org/lotte-lenya-competition —KATHERINE VARGA

46 CITY JANUARY 2026

BEST COVER OR TRIBUTE BAND

Cut Me Up Genny FINALISTS Cruel Summer BB Dang The Jackson Cavalier Tribute Band

BEST DJ

DJ Darkwave FINALISTS Brian Buttlett Chreath Ben Frazier

BEST DANCE COMPANY

Garth Fagan Dance FINALISTS Push Physical Theatre CAT + THE COYOTE BIODANCE

BEST DRAG PERFORMER

Mrs. Kasha Davis FINALISTS Aggie Dune Aphrodite Fawna

BEST FESTIVAL

Rochester International Jazz Festival FINALISTS Lilac Festival ESL Rochester Fringe Festival Corn Hill Arts Festival

BEST FILM FESTIVAL

Rochester International Film Fest FINALISTS ImageOUT Witness Palestine Film Festival Anomaly

BEST FILMMAKER

Jackie McGriff FINALISTS Martin Hawk Roy Hogan

PHOTO PROVIDED

BEST DINNER-AND-A-MAGIC-SHOW

Chris ‘The Magic Guy’ Wilkinson at Salvatore’s

We all know when it comes to pizza, the Wizard rules. Yet what is a wizard if not a magician who's been trained in the dark culinary arts of things that shouldn’t be made into a pizza? And what better way to enjoy a couple slices than with a magic show? You can find Chris ‘The Magic Guy’ Wilkinson at multiple Salvatore’s pizza shops twisting up balloon animals, setting his wallet on fire and making you gasp in between bites of your buffalo chicken slice. When I walked in with my kids this past fall, Chris saw us coming a mile away and the show was on. I ordered our to-go pie with the biggest grin as my girls giggled and told the mustachioed magic man their favorite animals, then we all watched in amazement as he twisted up a cat that looked surprisingly like a balloon dog and an axolotl that looked surprisingly like a balloon dog. He begged us to stay, but alas, we had other plans. I imagine he entertained the absolute sauce off of everyone in the restaurant that evening. Who knew we would get a show while stopping in for a quick dinner. imthemagicguy.com —RYAN WILLIAMSON

roccitymag.com CITY 47

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE (500 & UNDER) BEST NEW DOCUMENTARY WITH LOCAL TIES

Mike Bradley’s “This Land”

In 2022, Mike Bradley and his partner, Julie, went camping in the Adirondacks. Near their campsite, they found a historic marker detailing “the summer camp for wealthy girls that stood there for much of the 20th century,” as Bradley wrote on Instagram. Also on the sign was just one sentence about the Mohawk people who “occupied the site for three years in the 1970s, demanding the return of their ancestral lands.” It was the kind of buried story that made Bradley, a documentarian, wonder why it hadn’t been told before. So he decided to tell it — or rather, he turned his camera on the folks who could. The resulting short documentary, “This Land,” chronicles the tale of those involved with establishing Ganienkeh, the Mohawk community that assembled in Eagle Bay, New York during that time. They were fed up with reservation life near Plattsburgh and sought a return to a more traditional way of living. The ensuing standoff between the Mohawks, the local community and the state lasted three years and was marked by constant police presence. Eventually, as “This Land” showcases, an agreement was reached. “They called us militants,” one subject says with a laugh in the film’s trailer. “I guess we were.” Bradley has previously worked as a photojournalist for clients like “The New York Times” and “The Wall Street Journal,” but “This Land” marks a big moment for the Rochester native. The documentary has been screened at the Tribeca Film Festival as well as at fests in cities like Los Angeles, Boston, Indianapolis and Kansas City. For Bradley, it all comes back to the story. “The whole purpose of making ‘This Land’ was to bring the story of Ganienkeh to more people,” he wrote on social media. Thislandfilm.mov —PATRICK HOSKEN

Bug Jar

FINALISTS Abilene Three Heads Brewing Photo City Music Hall

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE (500+ CAPACITY)

CMAC

FINALISTS Anthology Kodak Center Water Street Music Hall

BEST MOVIE THEATER

The Little Theatre FINALISTS Vintage Drive-in Theatre Roc Cinema Dryden Theater

BEST MURAL OR PUBLIC ART EXHIBIT (2025)

Mini Mystery Art Machine FINALISTS The Power of Reading by Tenderchomps at Avenue D R-Center Seabreeze Bowl mural by Kaitlin Roney Ghost of Roseland by Benji Carr

BEST MUSEUM

Strong Museum of Play FINALISTS The Memorial Art Gallery Rochester Museum and Science Center The George Eastman Museum

BEST ORIGINAL BAND

JOYWAVE FINALISTS Some Ska Band Side Eye CATATAC

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

Jim Montanus DOCUMENTARY STILLS PROVIDED 48 CITY JANUARY 2026

FINALISTS Aaron Winters Gerry Szymanski Quajay Donnell Richard B. Colon

roccitymag.com CITY 49

BEST PODCAST

The Inner Loop FINALISTS The Crime Dawg Podcast Your Authentic Life Getting Real with BOSSY

BEST PROFESSIONAL THEATER COMPANY

Geva Theatre

FINALISTS Rochester Broadway Theatre League Blackfriars Theatre OFC Creations

BEST PUBLISHED LITERARY WORK OF 2025

Day Trips Around Rochester by Debi Bower FINALIST In This Moment by Various

BEST VOCALIST

Danielle Ponder FINALISTS Teagan Ward Cammy Enaharo Alyssa Coco

BEST BUCKET LIST SCREENING

“Eyes Wide Shut” at Dryden Theatre

Here’s a question to pose to the avid moviegoer in your life: “If you could go back in time and see a movie on the big screen for the first time, what would it be?” Every moviegoer has their dream list of films they want to see on the big screen. For instance, who wouldn’t have wanted to be in New York City in June 1960 to experience “Psycho” in a movie theater for the first time? Luckily, in Rochester we have theaters that take great pride in their repertory screenings. In July 2025, when the multiplexes were polluting screens with disposable green screen dependent movies, The Dryden Theatre allowed me the chance to check off a real bucket list item when they screened “Eyes Wide Shut,” Stanley Kubrick’s controversial final movie. Though I’ve seen “Eyes Wide Shut” a handful of times, it has always been one that begged for the big screen, from the iconic imagery to the haunting score. And as part of their Kubrick series, The Dryden was able to make that happen, including an added treat for the audience — it was announced in the film’s introduction that the 35mm print was an international one from Martin Scorsese’s own collection. (A sea of excited gasps echoed through the Dryden auditorium.) The haunting psychosexual drama, which collected a great deal of controversy in the summer of 1999, is not an easy movie to get down to science and no one should spend the time trying. As thrilling as it was to see the movie projected on 35mm film, it was even better to hash it out in the parking lot after with friends. —MATT PASSANTINO

PHOTOS PROVIDED

50 CITY JANUARY 2026

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS PUZZLE ON PAGE 54. NO PEEKING!

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BEST RAISED SEAT IN TOWN

The Company Theatre

In July of this year, The Company Theatre announced that it had found a new home and would be establishing all operations at 28 Lawn Street, on the Christ Church campus. Because of that fortuitous timing, the company was able to kick off its 2025–26 season in its new digs, staging a sizzling production of “Venus in Fur” in late September. Formerly home to Blackfriars Theatre, the space on Lawn Street lends itself perfectly to the modestly cast, yet boldly executed productions The Company Theatre has become known for. Roughly 100 seats make up the house, the dramatic rake of which ensures that nary a compromised sight line is to be had. Perhaps most importantly, by resurfacing a found space, the organization, which was founded in 2021, digs its roots deeper into the community, recently launching a $100,000 capital campaign for revitalization efforts and an endowed fellowship. As prospective audience members, we are all the better for it. The company — led by artistic director and founder Carl Del Buono, technical director Brodie McPherson and its dedicated board — has big plans for the space, both functional (enhancements to lighting and sound capabilities as well as accessibility features) and cosmetic (new paint, carpet, the works). Here, the play is actually the thing, and the current season offers several opportunities to grab a seat and settle in: the remaining shows of the 2025-26 season, “Julius Caesar” and “A Streetcar Named Desire,” open in March and June, respectively. thecompanytheatreroc.org —JOHANNA LESTER

roccitymag.com CITY 51

BEST NEW REHEARSAL SPACE FOR ARTISTS

The Auguste Roost

There’s something undeniably enchanting about the old post office building on Cumberland Street. And the Auguste Roost, tucked inside the building’s maze of echoing hallways, feels like one of those only-in-Rochester places in the heart of the city — slightly eerie, unexpectedly warm and pulsing with potential. Over the years, a handful of studios have cycled through its upper floors, but the newest incarnation is opening its doors wider than ever, welcoming not just dance students but working artists in need of space. Ask any independent choreographer or performing artist: finding rehearsal space can be a full-time job. In college, I was spoiled as a dance major with studios that were almost always free, plus the occasional racquetball court or dorm hallway for the times creativity sparked late at night. Adult artist life is a different game. Space costs money, and it’s often hard to find. That’s why the Auguste Roost feels like a breath of fresh air. With two spacious studios, free parking and ample restrooms (key for those full-day rehearsals), the Roost has quickly become a promising hub for artists who need room to work. But it’s not just a rental venue. Local artists teach dance, physical theater and clowning classes throughout the week, bringing a rotation of movement styles. Contact improvisation jams and coworking sessions contribute to a collaborative, playful energy. The studios feel like a safe space where ideas can be tested without pressure or judgement. The Auguste Roost is still growing into itself, but its potential is already clear. For Rochester’s performing artists — especially those without easy access to dance studios or dependable rehearsal space — it’s an essential new resource. rochaha.com/theroost —SYDNEY BURROWS

PHOTOS BY RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ

BEST MILLENNIAL EMO REVIVAL

Gym Class Heroes inducted into Rochester Music Hall of Fame

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROCHESTER MUSIC HALL OF FAME

52 CITY JANUARY 2026

It’s been nearly 30 years since Travie McCoy and Matt McGinley started up Gym Class Heroes in Geneva. Given that the emo genre’s commercial peak — of which the band was a notable part — was only 20 years ago, the band’s work ethic is clear. They made music for a decade before Pete Wentz, Gabe Saporta and anyone in the national emo conversation caught on. In the greater Rochester region, the Gym Class Heroes roots run deep. That’s why it felt very special when, in April, McCoy returned to the area to be inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. The honor was also extended to original members (and area natives) McGinley, Milo Bonnacci and Ryan Geise, and even came with a performance by McCoy on stage at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. In a time when emo cover bands can pack music venues and blockbuster festivals like When We Were Young keep the genre’s flame burning, Gym Class Heroes stand out perhaps even more than they did in the 2000s. A rock group with a Supertramp sample fronted by a rapper was not quite in step with the typical homogenized emo aesthetic, but all it took was one listen to McCoy’s point of view to understand the group’s appeal. Those differences made them singular. Ahead of the induction ceremony, McCoy told CITY that getting famous was a trip he might not have been ready for. “I got so sick of telling the same tour stories that I started bringing my friends out so they can tell their own,” he said. Being enshrined in the same hallowed hall as Lou Gramm, Cab Calloway and Chuck Mangione means that McCoy and co. will never have to worry about those stories getting old. rochestermusic.org —PATRICK HOSKEN

YOU SURE ‘BOUT THAT? A few of our favorite write-in submissions. WAKE UP, RIP VAN WINKLE Best New Bar (Opened in 2025):

Vern’s

CALL ME AN UBER Best Cocktail Bar

Black and Blur

POV: YOU’RE ORDERING AT JAVA’S CIRCA 2006 Best Barista

Chuck Cerankosky

LIQUID LUNCH Best Gluten-Free Menu:

ME-OW. Best Media Personality:

BOIL ‘EM, MASH ‘EM, STICK ‘EM IN A STEW Best Food Truck:

WHY’D YOU HAVE TO GO AND BE SO SPECIFIC? Best Cover or Tribute Band:

a Mai Tai at Easy Sailor

Find the spud rocket one PSA, DOGTOWN ISN’T OPEN PAST 11 P.M. ANYMORE Best Late Night Eats (after 11 p.m.):

This still exists in Rochester??

EMOJIS ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS Best Bagel:

ERROR 404 Best Outdoor Dining:

CUT TO BLACK, CUE “DON’T STOP BELIEVIN” Best Breakfast Sammie:

LOST MEATBALL HOT SAUCE WOULD GO SO HARD Best Plate:

😳🐁🐀

RIP the Gabagool from Bodega nothing compares to it and I can't in good conscience nominate anything else LET IT RIP Best Chef:

Carmy from “The Bear” CLICK.. ER… CHICKBAIT (WE COULDN’T CHOOSE JUST ONE) Best Chicken French:

• • • • • • •

Um- actually the best chickens are from Catalonia There is no best chicken French. Ugh Rochester and it's Chicken French. So 1970 No Chicken French is the BEST Chicken French It's Chicken Francaiseyou uncultured swine GARLIC France

Inside any restaurant

The Lost Meatball

WHOLESOME CONTENT Best Server:

The wonderful woman @ Pizza Hut on Dewey — she’s worked there since the 1970s! And she’s ALWAYS the sweetest. CUTE. (THAT GIVES US AN IDEA…) Best Art Gallery:

CITY Magazine

…BUT NO CIGAR Best Arts Event:

Close Line

Leah Stacy’s cat

When Garden of Evil Doers covers “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne SOUNDS WILDE Best DJ:

Dorian Gray

Best idea for the future: • • • • • • • •

SO PURE Best Mural or Public Art Exhibit (2024):

When you find art from a child on the sidewalk NO LIES DETECTED Best Place to Make New Friends:

• •

Any women's bathroom in a bar

• •

PREVIOUSLY ON “YOU”… Best Place to Take a First Date:

•

A dark trail — on a night when clouds shroud the moon — and the air is deathly still

TOUGH ON THESE STREETS Best-Kept Secret:

Knowing how to drive

COMPOST AND COMPOST PLATES Best Garden Center:

Red Fern

NO ROOM @ THE INN Best Hotel:

• •

High Falls State Park Fast Ferry Reject fascism A bagel shop in the Wedge Affordable housing Community-run utilities Everyone do one kind act a day Buffalo-Roc-CuseAlb-NYC highspeed rail — move NYC commuters upstate Magnus massive scavenger hunts Pedestrian mall on Park Avenue closed to traffic Plant native plants Protected bike lanes Red Wings lookalike contest To have one Women rule everything!

Top 5 most voted-for finalist categories • • • • •

Best Festival Best Ice Cream Best Museum Best Dessert Best Movie Theater

I live here I don’t stay in hotels here

roccitymag.com CITY 53

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Answers to this puzzle can be found on page 51

Split hairs PUZZLE

1

2

3

4

5

6

BY S.J. AUSTIN & J. REYNOLDS

23

24

ACROSS

27

28

1. Closest evolutionary relative of a whale, for short 10. Trove 15. Influence 19. 1980s show that made Mr. T famous 20. Swiss-born contemporary of Kandinsky 21. “And a partridge in ____ tree” 22. Croft of the “Tomb Raider” franchise 23. ** Non-motorized recreational aircraft

32 37

38

28. Letters on an ambulance 29. Like London fog 31. Tom Sawyer or Oliver Twist 32. Got rid (of) 35. Guitar support 37. Sad news

47. Espy, Shakespeare-style

93

48. _____ glance 49. Metal that literally means “goblin ore” 51. 1990s outfielder Ron with back-to-back 30 home run/30 stolen base seasons 52. _____ et labora (pray and work: Lat.)

66 73

67

110

96

125

82

84

85

123

124

70

97

98 103

104

109

112

113

119

120 127

126

46

92

102

118

45

83

91

108

117

44

76

90

101

116

18

63 69

81

89

111

17

51

62

75

107

16

57

68

74

95

106

115

56 61

88

100

105

50

80

94

99

43

49

79 87

15

36

42

55

72

86

14

26

35

60

78

13

31

41

54

65 71

12

22

34

59

64

11

30

40

53

58

114

29

48

40. Move in waves 43. 19th century religion practiced by Rainn Wilson and Dizzy Gillespie

10

25

39

52

77

9

21

33

47

25. ** Horror series featuring Doug Bradley as Pinhead 27. The “A” of SATB

8

20

19

6. Many a J.V. athlete

7

128

121

122

129

130

131

132

133

134

135

136

137

53. ** Dining room seat where one might be served pureed apricots 56. League of _____ (multiplayer online battle arena game) 58. Mediterranean coastal region in France and Italy 60. “WandaVision” star Dennings

76. Desktop PC touted by Apple as being only 11.5mm thick 77. Where to find a book title? 79. Opened up, as for a doctor

98. Kung _____ chicken

121. Lab safety org.?

99. Early smartphone made by Palm

125. ** Sibling with a different mother, perhaps

100. “Attention!” follower 103. Nail the test

127. Focus on petty distinctions… or what happens in each of the answers to the starred clues

83. Conn. neighbor

105. Fictional swordsman, or “fox” in Spanish

130. Bibliographic abbreviation

65. Buffoon

86. Teacher’s favorite

107. Stress

131. Like seven games for Nolan Ryan

67. German city where a titular European republic drafted its constitution in the early 1900s

87. 1922 Nobelist Bohr

109. Oscar and Tony, for two

132. Slippery swimmers

89. “Boom, _____, Bop” (start of a TikTok catchphrase)

110. Throat ailment, briefly

133. “Coffee _____?”

112. The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, for example

134. Lots 136. Super quick tot in “The Incredibles”

117. Assists criminally

137. German steel city

61. “Would you like to see _____?” 63. Rep.’s opponent

81. Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party until 1976

64. Trip hazards in a playroom

69. Plant akin to licorice 71. Clown accessory

91. One way to go into things

102. Polymeric messenger molecule

73. Suffix with morph-

93. Crime that often requires obtaining someone’s SSN

114. Fla. vacation spot

75. DHS grp. sometimes accused of practicing security theater

95. ** Gluten free beer alternative at a trendy bar

120. Palindromic constellation

54 CITY JANUARY 2026

135. “Funny Girl” composer Jule

DOWN

57. Unincorporated US territory in Micronesia

1. Word that the “face with tears of joy” emoji might replace

59. Currently has the stage

2. Typological slant (abbr.) 3. Cooped (up) 4. Buddhist temples 5. Egad, to a texter 6. Over-economize 7. Slavery-reliant geographical region 8. Urinate, colloquially 9. Steered a group of animals 10. Lyricist Sammy with four Oscars 11. Bonobos, e.g. 12. So-called “bell piano” featured in “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” 13. Villainous computer in a classic space film 14. Blunder by a shortstop 15. In finance, the difference between estimated transaction costs and the amount actually paid 16. Launder 17. Basic geometry calculation 18. Supply for a fiber artist 24. Suffix with Congo

62. Polite term of address 66. “Kiss From A Rose” singer 68. “_____ to Be You” 70. First answer written on an exam 72. Philosopher Descartes 74. Accident 76. Actress Skye 77. 1972 Olympics sensation Mark 78. Hall of Fame Pitcher Martinez 79. Piece of parlor furniture 80. Side by side 82. Verdi opera 84. Steady and serious 85. Attempts in hockey 88. “_____ tree falls in the woods…” 90. On again, off again fast-food sandwich 92. Southern twang 94. Large biting insect with predacious larvae 96. Wood for a baseball bat 97. Loads, as an app

26. Resident of 54-Down

101. “The opposite of spiritual meanness,” according to Barbara Kingsolver

30. Instruct

104. Ancient Roman rulers

33. “_____ Only One” (Melissa Etheridge hit)

106. Baseballers Mel and Ed

34. One who looks delicious and cute, per Urban Dictionary

108. Figured (out)

36. Typically silent magician with a legal mononym 37. Of _____ (somewhat) 38. Antonymous prefix with -comic 39. ** Formidable contender 41. French law 42. Co-creator of “Felicity” and “Lost” 44. ** Vegas odds setter 45. Longest continental mountain range in the world

109. Elephantine machine in the “Star Wars” films 111. Bridle straps 113. Like Oscar Wilde and James Joyce 114. Son of Noah 115. “Toodles!” 116. Prepare 118. Hippie happening 119. Art Deco icon 122. Peach stones

46. Unhelpful response to “Who is it?”

123. First Nations tribe

48. “Money! It’s _____” (Pink Floyd lyric)

124. Simile words

50. Debut Pearl Jam album

126. Drunk

54. Persia

128. Cafeteria ammo

55. Hemmed counterpart

129. Gardening implement

roccitymag.com CITY 55