OFFICIAL BROCHURE 2024
June comes around kinda quick.
That’s how it feels, the team pulling this thing together, the bars planning their events, the bartenders tweaking their drink recipes. Eighty events in seven days, a whirlwind of a week! Justin coined: a cocktail is the sum of its parts, RCR is the sum of its parties — this year dinners, Hemingway, gardens, arm wrestling, promenades, watercolors and a Battle Royale.
We have an amazing program planned, all showcasing the talent and ingenuity that drive hospitality and craft amongst the 30 bars hosting Rochester Cocktail Revival 2024. It’s the eleventh time we’re raising a glass to our City, to Gilda’s Club, to Cocktails, and we know you’re sti11 with us. Thank you, Rochester. Here we go!
Chuck Cerankosky
Director, Rochester Cocktail Revival
2024 RCR CREW
Chuck Cerankosky
Founder and
Leah Stacy
Associate
Archer
Special
Thank You
Black Button Distilling
Brian Haak
Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club Rochester
Cat + The Coyote CineStill
City Blue
CITY Magazine
City of Rochester
Courtyard by Marriott
Dan George
David Kaplan
Fee Brothers
Fever Tree
George Conboy
George Eastman Museum
HypeBooth
HopWTR
Imbibe
Jackrabbit Club
Just Juice 4 Life
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Nicholas Grunert-Loud
Patrick Dutton
Rochester Institute of Technology
RocNet Supply
Rumble + Stir
The Little Theatre
The Nathaniel
Tiny Fish Printing
Visit Rochester
HIGH SCORE HOEDOWN
3PM - Playhouse
820 South Clinton Ave.
Saddle up, partner! Join us for a rootin’ tootin’ good time on the first night of RCR. Dust off your cowboy boots and grab your best western attire for a night of arcade games, great cocktails and country fun. Show off your gaming skills on our vintage arcade machines and challenge your friends to some friendly competition. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable night of high scores and hoedown fun at Playhouse// Swillburger!
Redd Goes Dive!
5PM - Redd
24 Winthrop St.
Who doesn’t love a good dive bar? From the jukebox to the “selection” of spirits, each dive has its own unique charm. Join us Monday, June 3 for our take on elevated dive bar food paired with Heaven Hill brands. Watch us create one-of-a-kind dive bar cocktail classics reimagined as only we know how!
Speakeasy Prohibition Class AND Cocktail Hour
6PM - Black Button Distilling 1344 University Avenue
Step back in time to the era of Prohibition with our immersive Speakeasy-themed class. Explore the fascinating history behind this transformative period in American culture as we delve into the rise of clandestine bars and the enforcement of temperance laws. Whether you’re a history buff, a cocktail enthusiast, or simply curious about the secrets of the speakeasy, join us for an unforgettable journey through the prohibition era. During our cocktail hour, you’ll enjoy two meticulously crafted cocktails inspired by the clandestine concoctions of the 1920s. Sip on expertly mixed libations that pay homage to the creativity and resourcefulness of speakeasy bartenders. Accompanying these delectable drinks will be a selection of hors d’oeuvres designed to complement the flavors and ambiance of the evening.
Kick off RCR 2024 with a party dedicated to spirits making their Rochester debut. Nine booze brands — Nàdar Gin, Fosforo Mezcal, Tierra de Ensueño Tequila, Widow Jane Baby Jane, Hendrick’s Cabaret, Albany Distilling, Hard Truth, Lake Hour and Barry’s Irish Cream — are teaming up with RCR bartenders for a live showcase of cocktails created with their brand new spirits. Rock to the sounds of the Honey Smugglers, and be ready to vote for your favorite new hooch! Snacks from the El Kapitan food truck will be available; nine tastings included with each ticket. Must be 21+ and show ID for entry. The sixth and final Ziggy’s daiquiri competition will follow this event at Essex beginning at 10p.
Ten to One Daiquiri Contest: Upstate Finale
10PM - ESSEX
1048 University Ave.
Come one, come all! There have been (8) daiquiri contests leading up to this moment throughout the year. Dozens of bartenders have tried their might to make the best daiquiri in all of Rochester — and in one evening, all (8) previous winners will compete once again for a chance to be the Upstate New York Daiquiri Contest Champion. Speed, taste, technique and cleanliness: who has what it takes to win it all? [Event immediately follows the RCR Launchpad Party, no ticket required for Daiq Contest only.]
INDUSTRY KNIGHT
10PM - Martine
647 South Ave., Rochester NY 14620
A late-night industry party to kick off the week! Limited wristbands and (very) limited run Martine x RCR tees for the first arrivals. Music by Discolobos.
Cream of the Crop: A Bitter Bar Takeover
4PM - Bitter Honey
127 Railroad St.
Celebrate cornhole, corny spirits and a cornucopia of crazy cocktails featuring Tequila Ocho, Mezcal Vago and Widow Jane featuring their latest heirloom corn whiskey release: Baby Jane!
Meet Your Maker:
Ten To One Rum’s Marc Farrell
hands-on hospitality: sign Language in the Service Industry
12PM - Jackrabbit Club
40 Anderson Ave
To help bridge communication gaps in the bar and restaurant industry, this lively workshop for FOH and BOH staff will teach basic ASL bar vocabulary — along with some dos-and-don’ts of interacting with the Rochester area Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community. Profoundly Deaf since birth, Marissa Woodruff (MBA, BS Hospitality and Tourism Management) is a dedicated advocate for the Deaf community and is highly proficient in American Sign Language and Deaf culture. Marissa holds a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management and an MBA from the Saunders College of Business at the Rochester Institute of Technology where she serves as the Assistant Director of RIT/ NTID Alumni Relations. Marissa is active in the Rochester community, presenting on Deaf language and culture, playing volleyball, and finding new adventures. Jackrabbit Club will provide a complimentary lunch buffet for attendees on Tues-Thurs-Fri.; RCR seminars are sponsored by Haus Alpenz.
LAUNCHING
YOUR
OWN PROJECT: BUILDING BARS AND BRANDS FROM THE GROUND UP
1:30PM - Jackrabbit Club
40 Anderson Ave
Entrepreneurs Naama Tamir of Lighthouse Brooklyn and Eamon Rockey of Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur give you the advice and insights they wish they had before starting their respective businesses. Jackrabbit Club will provide a complimentary lunch buffet for attendees on Tues-Thurs-Fri.; RCR seminars are sponsored by Haus Alpenz.
5PM - Ziggy’s
127 Railroad St.
Hang at Ziggy’s for a special event featuring Marc Farrell, the CEO of RCR back bar spirit Ten To One Rum. Get your bottles signed and savor delicious Ten To One cocktails in a fun, lively atmosphere filled with good vibes and a chance to meet the man behind Ten To One Rum.
Duende at Haus Owl
5PM - The Owl House
45 Marshall St.
Summer night patio vibes with Continentalinspired small plates, traditional punch from Lisbon, rich wines and fortified elixirs.
Camp Tiny Fish
5PM - Tiny Fish Printing featuring Rhum JM and Chairman’s Reserve portfolios.
258 Hayward Ave
Break out the bucket hats and high socks and kick off summer at Camp Tiny Fish! Sip tasty canned craft cocktails – care of FLX buds Lake Hour – and bond with friends old and new under the guidance of Camp Director Jake Cornfield of Game Night Rochester. Games, prizes, Petit Poutinerie, a s’mores bar, friendship bracelets, and a camp movie screening are just the start of what you’ll write home about (postcards and stamps provided)!
The Truth About Hard Truth
6PM - Daily Refresher
293 Alexander St.
Four whiskeys and one rum from independent Indiana-based distillery Hard Truth, with tasting notes and an instruction seminar led by their brand ambassador. Cocktail recipes included and happy hour to follow!
Velvet Belly x Iron Smoke x Fee Brothers Pairing DinneR
6PM - Velvet Belly 3 Public Market
Join us for a six-course pairing dinner featuring cocktail pairings from Iron Smoke Distillery and Fee Bros. Bitters.
Tastes of Tiki Pairing Dinner
6PM - Jack’s Extra Fancy
825 Atlantic Ave
Join Jack’s Extra Fancy as Chef Kelly McDonald and Bartender Dan Herzog take you on an adventure through four Tiki climates highlighting different styles of Tiki cocktails paired with tropical eats. The four-course event will focus on classic 1950s American Tiki, Polynesian Tiki, Yaki Tiki, and French Creole movements while
Kentucky Straight: A Cocktail Pairing Dinner with Yellowstone Bourbon
6PM - Good Luck
50 Anderson Ave.
Perhaps the spirits most fundamental to cocktail history — bourbon and gin — will be the focal points of this meal. Join us for a cocktail dinner with Yellowstone whiskeys and Bowling and Burch Gin, alongside five courses from the Good Luck kitchen.
Carnival de Samba
6PM - Nosh
47 Russell Street
A Brazilian carnival-themed night to showcase Novo Fogo in partnership with Sazerac and 375 Park Ave Spirits. Craft cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a free tasting of the Novo Fogo Cachaça will kick off RCR with a lively night of Samba, dancing, and Brazilian-
style barbecue. Costumes not required, but encouraged!
Rhinestone Kowboy Kocktails
7PM - Martine 647 South Ave.
MF DOOM NIGHT! Kocktails featuring Pinhook Whiskey and a supervillian listening party.
Life’s a Beach
8pm - lucky’s 728 n. winton rd.
Aloha! Take a vacation at Lucky’s with tropical cocktails featuring Rockey’s Liqueur, beach vibes and island-themed trivia from Game Night Roc. Reservations guarantee a table in the dining room for you and your team to enjoy bar snacks, drinks, and trivia.
Paradiso on the Patio
11aM - Vern’s 696 Park Ave.
Conjure an escape to the Italian islands with summer sips and bites at your favorite Italian-American spot on Park Ave…We’re taking inspiration from the beautiful Italy coast and welcoming you to a casual RCR Aperitivo (lunch!) hour with bright, sunny offerings from Palm Bay and the Vern’s kitchen. No passport necessary, and there may even be a Sardinian sonata on guitar… Reservations recommended!
Lee’s x Yola: Women at the Head Seat
2PM - Leonore’s 703 Park Ave
Join Leonore’s and Yola Mezcal as we celebrate amazingly talented local female chefs, bartenders, artists, horticulturists and musicians. A free art show and accompanying
outdoor market will highlight numerous creatives and makers.Weather permitting, this will be held in the Alley, with food pairings from Lee’s and cocktails by womanowned and operated Yola Mezcal.
Bourbon and Brushstrokes
4:30 PM - Radio Social 20 Carlson Rd.
Roll through for a happy hour featuring Yellowstone Bourbon cocktails, a silent auction featuring the work of the late renowned artist Roslyn C. Bliss and plenty of gaming options from Game Night Roc. A portion of proceeds will benefit a local community garden in honor of Bliss. Make a dinner resi and spend the evening being (Radio) social!
Winner Winner, Bourbon Dinner
5PM - Lucky’s 628 N. Winton Rd.
Bonnie & Clyde... peanut butter & jelly... Drake & Kendrick... BOURBON & FRIED CHICKEN! No better a pairing, no more delicious a meal — join us for a four-part dinner pairing Starlight Bourbon cocktails with a
Lucky’s fried chicken feast.
Bourbon et FrEres: Cocktail Dinner
5PM - Cure
50 Public Market
$95
Brother’s Bond Bourbon and Brandon the Bartender, c’est beau! Five courses of Cure cuisine will highlight the emerging produce of spring and pair with bourbon cocktails crafted from Brother’s Bond Bourbon. Ticket includes a five-course dinner, cocktail and spirit pairings.
Grace AND Disgrace presents:
The Samson AND Surrey Sessions
6PM - Grace AND Disgrace 17 Richmond St.
A one night-only peek inside Grace & Disgrace presented by and through the lovely lens of renowned Sasmon & Surrey spirits. Enjoy a casual cocktail party with friends and familiars as we sip fancy cocktails and celebrate the Revival!
A Sampling of Sazerac
6PM - Daily Refresher
293 Alexander St.
A comparative tasting of Sazerac brands from across the world. Enjoy tastes from each hemisphere and classic cocktail staples paired with food.
Clarified Cocktail Class
6PM - Black Button Distilling 1344 University Ave.
Join us for a unique opportunity to delve into the art of clarified cocktails. Participants will discover the fascinating process behind creating these refined libations and watch our master bartender craft two clarified cocktails for you to indulge in. Throughout the session, you’ll learn the techniques, ingredients, and equipment needed to achieve clarity in cocktails, transforming them into elegant concoctions. What is clarification: Cocktail clarification is a technique used in mixology to remove solids and impurities from cocktail ingredients, resulting in a clear and visually appealing beverage. This process not only improves the aesthetic appeal of a drink but can also enhance its texture and flavor profile. Clarified cocktails are often smoother and more refined than their unclarified counterparts, offering a unique experience both in terms of flavor and presentation. They are particularly popular in high-end bars and among cocktail enthusiasts seeking to elevate their drink-making craft.
Perfect Ten: A Cocktail Dinner with Ten To One Rum
6PM - Good Luck 50 Anderson Ave.
Rum: a spirit so central to a fantastic diaspora of cultures and culinary traditions. Cuisine at this dinner will fold into myriad showings of cocktails featuring Ten to One Rum.
Cirque du Branca
6PM - branca midtown
280 e. broad st.
Carnival-themed bar party featuring Fernet Branca and Caffe Borghetti! Games, prizes, raffles, live performances, outdoor bar
(weather permitting), food and cocktail sp specials.
Apres Shot Ski
6PM - Jack’s Extra Fancy
825 Atlantic Ave.
Snow bunnies rejoice! Skip the slopes and head straight for the bar for an epic night of ice cold debauchery with our friends from Jägermeister. Giant Jäger shotskis. A Jäger hydrant. Jäger Sno-Cones. $5 Jägeritas. Did we mention this was a Jägermeister party? Sexy slope attire is happily encouraged. Bring your ride-or-die. We’ll be sliding down a mountain of Jäger in no time.
The George Eastman Museum’s Terrace Garden provides a lush setting for guests to sip botanical cocktail creations and escape to a charming bygone era. Enjoy Southerninspired appetizers by Root Catering, listen to the folksy tunes of A Girl Named Genny, commission a custom poem from J.R. Taylor, pose for a Hypebooth photo, make a zoetrope with the Eastman Museum staff, and play croquet on the east lawn. Break out your finest seersucker, gingham, floral + linen attire and top with a hat that would make the Kentucky Derby proud! Limited VIP tickets include a 5:30 p.m. pre-event tour of the grounds with the Museum’s master gardener. Three cocktails included with each ticket. 21+ only. Sponsored by Heaven Hill.
Redeem Your Youth: Emo Night with Cut Me Up Genny
7pM - Swan Dive
289 Alexander St.
Emo night at Dive featuring local band Cut Me Up Genny covering your old favorites and specialty libations featuring Redemption bourbon and rye. Heavy eyeliner and skinny jeans strongly encouraged. Doors at 7p, music at 8p. $10 cover.
7PM - Martine
647 South Ave.
An Italian disco party with DJ Delano! Enjoy cocktails featuring a selection of Winebow spirits and food from Forno Tony. Spritzer hour early; Italo disco late.
SECOND ANNUAL ARM WRESTLING TOURNAMENT
4PM - Bitter Honey
127 Railroad St.
Get pumped for Bitter Honey’s second annual Arm Wrestling Tournament! Whether you’re semi-pro or new to the game, this event is not to be missed. Join us for a night of intense matchups, killer Dos Hombres Mezcal cocktails and an all-around blast! Feel the adrenaline and cheer on your favorites –it’s going to be epic! Free admission; entry fee for tournament due at sign-ups 2 p.m., day-of.
DEI OVER COCKTAILS
12PM - Jackrabbit Club
40 Anderson Ave.
Experience a taste of DEI Over Wine, a historically sold-out three-part series taught by New York Kitchen’s Beverage Education Manager, Maiah Johnson Dunn (she/ her), and Rochester-area DEI Practitioner, Syd Bell (she/her). Maiah and Syd will serve up diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts in actionable conversations paired with real-world examples. You’ll dissect power and privilege and the importance of context, explore building inclusive spaces, and discuss a roadmap for active allyship. Come prepared for honest conversation and a delicious wine cocktail.
Throw A Banger Bar Event with Tales of the Cocktail
1:30 PM - Jackrabbit Club
40 Anderson Ave.
Join Alexis Belton Tinoco, Beverage Director & General Manager at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson, and Alex Smith, Events Director at Tales of the Cocktail, as they delve into the intricacies of event planning within the bar industry, with a special focus on the invaluable lessons garnered from Tales of the Cocktail’s Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP). With over 500 bartenders trained through the CAP, discover how this program has become a cornerstone in preparing professionals for the dynamic landscape of event management within bars.
Join these industrious RIT alumni turned hospitality professionals as they discuss their careers and the nuances of opening a bar in 2007 versus 2024. Kaplan, a 2004 fine art photo graduate, will delve into the creation and international growth of Death & Co.; while Cerankosky, a 2003 industrial design major, maps out his nontraditional path in Rochester, from starting a cocktail bar during a recession and running a decadelong cocktail festival to building brands across the city. RIT hospitality professor Lorraine Hems moderates.
Buffalo Tiki Takeover
5PM - Ziggy’s
127 Railroad St.
For one night only, the Tiki crew from Buffalo is coming to the ROC to carry us away to a tropical escape at Ziggy’s. Swizzles, grogs and potions to heal all brought to you by Pernod Ricard. Danny, Mark and Frank are ready to bring the libations and party — we’ll see you in paradise!
vHigh Road x Lee’s Side Door
Tattoo: A Pairing Dinner
5PM - Leonore’s
703 Park Ave.
Join us at Lee’s for our first-ever pairing dinner featuring High Road Spirits. There will be two ticketed seating times for this five-course menu, as well as a welcome drink hour. After dinner, stick around or stop by for some patio hangs and then get in line for our speakeasy style tattoo pop-up with artists from Pyramid Arts Tattoo. The tattoo portion of this event will be flashbased, featuring elements from cocktail culture, traditional Japanese art and Swan Family icons.
East Meets West Pairing Dinner
5PM - Lucky’s
628 N. Winton Rd.
Grab a drink, settle in and get comfortable. Tonight, we treat Lucky’s like a Japanese pub, offering Izakaya small plates paired to honor Tokyo cocktail culture’s reverence for Scotch. The cuisine of Chef Langlois accompanies highballs and cocktails featuring Aberfeldy Scotch.
l’Italien: Cocktail Dinner
5PM - Cure
50 Public Market
This dinner will show off Italian cuisine through the French lens of Cure Chef Andreas Petsos. Cocktails will follow suit, constructed from Italian spirit staples vermouth, grappa and gin. Ticket includes a five-course dinner, cocktail and spirit pairings.
An Evening with the Bees
5PM - Roux
688 Park Ave.
A sticky situation! Join Roux for a pollination-themed Sustainable Table with Brighton Honey’s Ward Graham, the Seneca Park Zoo and Barr Hill Spirits. Enjoy a prefixe menu designed by Chef Ashley Swan paired with Barr Hill cocktails, while exploring the importance of bees in our delicate food ecosystem. Chat with special guests from Brighton Honey and the Seneca Park Zoo to see what you can do to contribute to the health of our community pollinator efforts! All ‘ticket’ proceeds are donated to the Seneca Park Zoo. Welcome drink and pollinator seed packets included in ticket.
King’s Carnival
6PM - Locals Only
311 Alexander St.
A Locals Only carnival featuring Kings County Distillery cocktails, good food and fun games!
British Icons: Hero, Villain, or Buffoon?
6PM - CRISP Rochester 819 S Clinton Ave.
Join Crisp for a costume contest theme featuring British icons! Staff and guests will dress as their favorite famous icon — be it a hero, villain, or buffoon — and staff will stay in character all evening. Prizes will be awarded for Best Costume, (sarcastic) palm readings, a loop of hilarious British films, UK decor, British cuisine specials, and cocktails featuring Warner’s Gins.
Patio PanachE: A Low Brow Cocktail Party
6PM - The Richmond 21 Richmond St.
Radlers, shandies, punches and pilsners: join The Richmond as we celebrate Albany Distilling Company with an exploration of the beer cocktail and get groovy to a DJ dance party on the patio.
Yellowstone AND Luxco Spirit Pairing Dinner
6:30PM - Lento 274 Goodman St.
Six spirited cocktails paired with five dinner courses featuring local, early summer sustainable foods. $95 per guest, not inclusive (settle up at end of event). Call 585-271-3470 to make reservations.
The Way of the Warrior: A Cocktail Pairing Dinner
7PM - Good Luck 50 Anderson Ave.
Good Luck’s cocktail program has always shown reverence to – and influence from – sensational cuisine. This dinner debuts
bartender Paul Diaz’s ‘Ninja Menu’ – a secret roster of drinks featuring a bag of mixological trickery and slight of hand reflecting the genius of the kitchen. Expect a five-course menu showcased alongside a menu of many spirits, styles and inspirations.
Glizzy Prom
7:30PM - Jack’s Extra Fancy 825 Atlantic Ave.
$5
Join us for the most wiener-filled event of RCR. Dance the night away with DJ Delano, enjoy cocktails from Cantera Negra Tequila, and mow down on a bangin’ hot dog menu as we search for Rochester’s Glizzy King and Queen. Prom King and Queen will be handsomely rewarded with prizes that include scratchoff tickets and a box of Jack’s branded condoms. Entry tickets are $5. ‘All You Can Eat & Drink’ tickets are available for $100. Doors open at 7:30p with our Court being crowned at 10:30p.
Tanduay Time Machine
8PM - Daily Refresher 293 Alexander St.
Three classic eras + three unique liquors = one happy party! Step back in time to the Big Band era with Smoke Vodka; move ahead to the suburban explosion with Tiki bars and Tanduay Rums; and finally, embrace the future of tequila with Tierra De Ensueno.
The champion musical event of RCR features Flying Object Band fronted by Matt + Chris O’Brian — the brothers behind two decades of popular, locally grown acts Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Thunder Body, Lightning Skeleton and more — together for a night of sonic collaboration. Stay for a house after party with DJ Chreath! 21+ only. $10 advance / $15 at the door. Sponsored by Branca USA.
Midnight Martini Lunch:
A Mad Men Party
9pM - Good Luck
50 Anderson Ave.
Kick off your kitten heels and loosen that necktie as you spend a sultry night sipping Hendrick’s Gin martinis after a long day at the office.
Martiki Time
10PM - Martine 647 South Ave.
Ten To One rum cocktails will be served up by Martine barkeeps and guest bartender Gio San Fillipo — ambassador of Ten to One and bar manager at Bitter Honey — all set to a DJ set by special guest KOPPS!
A Chemist Walks Into A Bar: How Science Can Make You A Better Bartender
12PM - Jackrabbit Club
40 Anderson Ave.
Underlying the creation of the perfect cocktail involves mastering a complex chemical system — one where various chemical compounds are in ideal ratios. In this seminar, practical expertise meets fundamental scientific insight. Join pioneering food scientist and founder of Booker and Dax Dave Arnold and University of Rochester Chemistry Professor Michael Ruggiero as they unravel the mysteries behind what makes a great cocktail. They’ll delve into the role of alcohol in flavor perception, explore the unique chemical compositions of various spirits and explain the thermodynamics behind mixing techniques. Discover how acids influence taste, and learn about the chemistry of sweeteners and bitters. This engaging session promises to enhance your appreciation for the art
and science of mixology, blending handson practical knowledge with fundamental scientific concepts.
Martini Madness: Cocktail Dinner
5PM - Cure
50 Public Market
A martini dinner showcasing one of the most venerable of cocktails in all of it’s glory. 50/50, dirty, FRENCH and more variations of Tito’s Vodka martinis will accompany a considered feast of pairings from the Cure kitchen of Chef Andreas Petsos. Ticket includes a five-course dinner, cocktail and spirit pairings.
Grace AND Disgrace presents: the T. Edward Sessions
6PM - Grace AND Disgrace 17 Richmond St.
Join us for a stirring night at Grace & Disgrace! Stirred and clarified cocktails abound at this special presentation by and through the lovely lens of renowned T. Edward Wine & Spirits! Limited, free tickets are available in advance online.
Meet the Makers: Bourbon Blending Workshop
6PM - Black Button Distilling 1344 University Ave.
Join us for an in-depth bourbon blending workshop lead by our very own Master Distiller, Jeff Fairbrother and Distiller, Jack Scardino. Coinciding with the release of our Rochester Cocktail Revival Single Barrel Bourbon, learn about the aging process and selection of barrels that have reached the optimal flavor. Discover the art and science of bourbon blending with Black Button! You will learn about distilling, barrel aging and how to blend bourbons from different barrels to achieve the perfect pour. Every barrel of aging bourbon has a slightly different flavor profile – from sweet, to oaky to spicy. Work directly with Jeff and Jack to identify these characteristics through taste and smell and by the end of this class, you will take home a 375mL bottle of bourbon that you personally blended!
The Butterfly Effect: A Bourbon Dinner with Blue Run Spirits
6PM - Good Luck 50 Anderson Ave.
Bourbon’s influence from age and and assertiveness from craft create a perfect tableau to complement exceptional cooking. Five courses from Good Luck’s culinary minds pair with cocktails and neat pours featuring the bourbons of Blue Run.
Bask in a summer sunset along the Genesee while sipping craft cocktails to a soundtrack from DJ Delano on the Riverway Promenade! Bring camera gear, mingle with local photographers + the team from CineStill, pose for a Hypebooth photo, and chat with the creative forces behind the “Photo City” issue of CITY magazine. Snacks — including hot popcorn from The Little Theatre! — and two cocktails (or mocktails) included with each ticket. Must be 21+ to attend; ID required to purchase additional drinks onsite. Sponsored by Brown-Forman, CITY Magazine + CineStill.
Jane SWAN-DA
8PM - Swan Dive
289 Alexander St.
Work it out at a neon party where the DJ will be spinning late 80s-early 90s hip hop and electronic all night long. A specialty cocktail and food menu will draw inspiration from Teremana agave spirits.
Velvet Belly’s Third Anniversary Red Carpet Gala
8PM - Velvet Belly
3 Public Market
Celebrate our third anniversary in style! Dress to impress and walk the red carpet
into a DJ dance party with cocktail specials featuring Elijah Craig, Heaven Hill and Lunazul; a champagne toast; photobooth; and prizes for the best dressed.
Get Lucky With It
9PM - Lucky’s 628 N. Winton Rd.
We thought the world was going to end, remember? Put on your bucket hat and grab your Furby, ‘cuz it’s time to party like it’s 1999. Music from DJ Chrisser, and all the classic cocktails of the Y2K era.
Synth Rave
10pM - The Revelry 1290 University Ave.
Ride the neon wave at a Revelry rave. This tropical dance party will light up the town with DJs, lasers and haze.
Kameras and Kocktails
10pM - Martine 647 South Ave.
The official after-party for Cocktails + Cameras on the Promenade. This lo-fi version of the party will feature red Fosforo Mezcal cocktails, tunes by DJ Chreath, guest bartender Lou Ressel and film giveaways from CineStill film!
This Ain’t Texas:
A Wild West Party
10PM - Good Luck 50 Anderson Ave.
We can’t hold ‘em! Giddy up to the ol’ Good Luck saloon for a night of tumbleweeds and tequila wearing your cowboy best. Sounds from DJ Smallmouth.
FERNETWORKTV LIVE!
10PM - Bar Bad Ending 875 Monroe Ave.
For one night only, (as it will probably never be allowed to happen again)... FERNETWORKTV tests live audience participation, where what’s the worst that can happen — a Bad Ending!?
Downtown Hoedown
10:30 PM - Tapas 177
177 St Paul St.
Slip on your cowboy boots and mosey on over to Tapas 177 for our first-ever Downtown Hoedown! Saddle up for a night of footstompin’ country music, line dancing and gussied-up Southern cocktails featuring Campari brands. Wear your smartest western getup for the chance to win “best cowboy or cowgirl.” Yeehaw!
Taste through more than 30 craft spirits — including national and New York State distillers — the toolkit of the RCR bartenders. Entry includes samples of up to 16 spirits. Complimentary brunch bites and a cash bar featuring drink specials will be available at Bar Bantam in the lobby of The Metropolitan. $25 at the door. 21+ only.
RCR Recharge
12PM - Branca Midtown 280 E. Broad St.
RCR’s wellness escape featuring yoga on Parcel 5 at noon, followed by snacks, coffee, NA drinks and cocktails on the patio at Branca Midtown from 1-2 p.m. The first 15 people to sign up receive a Tito’s branded yoga mat and Tito’s swag bag! Later on, happy hour from 5-6 p.m. will feature a Tito’s Martini Bar.
The Martini is currently going through its latest golden age. This one’s an echo of the ‘tini era of the 1990s, when everything in a V-shaped glass was called a Martini. But with a twist! Robert Simonson leads you through modern Martini history and tells you how we got here. $25 ticket includes a cocktail. ASL interpreting services available upon request.
Casino Night in the Studio
6PM - Studio Lounge
7 Lawrence St.
Step into the electrifying atmosphere of Studio Lounge’s Casino Night, where the thrill of gambling meets the elegance of upscale entertainment. Enjoy classic casino games, indulge in gourmet bites and sip expertly crafted cocktails using spirits from a range of sponsors. Prizes for the
chip leaders will be announced at the end, adding an extra touch of sophistication to an unforgettable night of high-stakes fun and glamour!
Black Out Party
6PM - Cub Room
39 S. Clinton Ave.
Black out with Mr. Black himself! Dress to match the theme and sip cocktail specials featuring Mr. Black with Don Julio Tequila, Tanqueray Gin, Kettle One Vodka, Ron Zacappa Rum and Bulleit Bourbon.
Open the Vault: Party at the End of the World
6PM - Daily Refresher
293 Alexander St.
Embrace the apocalypse... in style! Inspired by the hit video game and television series Fallout, this evening takes you from the manufactured safety of the underground vault and sweet Malibu vibes to the rough wasteland, where you can find succor with Absolut powerhouses, then upstairs to New Vegas, with all of the class of Jameson Whiskey and Jefferson’s Bourbon — and none of the gambling, because like it or not, the House always wins!
Good Luck Boar Roast and Cocktail Feast
6pM - Good Luck
50 Anderson Ave.
Created as an elixir blend of red wine and spices, Byrrh Grand Quinquina is classically combined with tonic and paired with roasted boar; a tradition in Roussillon, France that dates back to the 19th century. As a nod to this longstanding ritual, the Good Luck culinary team will prepare a whole boar, slow roasted on a spit over an open fire and served al fresco. This meat will be presented with sides, then paired with summery Byrhh cocktails and a special selection of choice aged, oxidized wines from the French Catalan for an all-you-caneat feast.
Recreo Rewind
6pM - Recreo
350 East Ave.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 RCR BACK BAR SPIRITS
Ask for the official 2024 RCR BackBar Spirits in your favorite cocktail at any of our host bars.
TEN TO ONE
FEVER TREE
NOBLE OAK
ELIJAH CRAIG
Rewind back to the 90s with Recreo! Enjoy games and drinks featuring Tanduay Rum and Tierra de Ensueno Tequila, all while jammin’ to throwback tunes.
An Old-Fashioned Ambush
7pM - Martine
647 South Ave.
Whiskeys from Iron Smoke Distillery, kocktails featuring Fee Bros. bitters and a live set by DJ Samson.
of Texas’ is taking over the ‘fanciest’ joint in upstate New York. Rochester nativeturned-Austin, Texan Dan Brennan and his surly band of misfits from Nickel City will be making the 23-hour car ride up to good ol’ Rochacha to sling drinks with Lost Irish Whiskey and Lalo Tequila. The cocktails will be fancy. The company will be disreputable. The Bills fandemonium will be out of this world. Come dressed in your Sunday Gameday Best!
Hollywood Red Carpet Party
10pM - The Revelry 1290 University Ave.
Tonight’s the night to become the Hollywood celeb of your DREAMS. Don the attire of your favorite starlet or socialite and watch out for the paparazzi, because they will be all over this RED CARPET EVENT!
Bunny Bacchanalia
Paris, 1919. In the salon of Gertrude Stein, a group of bohemian expats gathers nightly to smoke, drink and write. World War I has ended, and their experiences and existentialism are on the eve of greatness — immortalized forever in the pages of The Great Gatsby, The Sun Also Rises, Our Town, and more. “All of you young people who served in the war. . . . You are all a lost generation.” Stein’s 1924 letter to Hemingway bestows a moniker upon the artists, and their spirits live on in many a tortured soul since. Rochesterbased performance company Cat + The Coyote — whose experience includes Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More — brings the Lost Generation to RCR with this immersive cocktail party in a reimagination of Stein’s salon. Wander through scenes featuring Hemingway, Stein, the Fitzgeralds and a few other (vaguely familiar...) visitors while you sip custom cocktails from the team behind pop-up bar Rumble + Stir, all set to a soundtrack by DJ Jolene. Admission includes two cocktails + performance. Black attire requested; 21+ over only. Sponsored by T. Edward Wines and Rumble + Stir.
Nickel City Fancy
9pM - Jack’s Extra Fancy
825 Atlantic Ave.
Spirited Awards ‘Best Bar’ nominee and the self-proclaimed ‘best bar in the great state
10pM - Good Luck
50 Anderson Ave.
What better way to end the week than celebrating our favorite party god? Wear your best toga and grape leaves to cheers our boy Bacchus.
To Eleven: Welcome Home, Donny!
11pM - Cure
50 Public Market
Meet at Cure late night to celebrate the penultimate night of RCR 2024. Cocktails from El Buho Mezcal and an appearance from our very own San Juan expat.
The 11th Annual Revelry HIP-HOP Brunch!
11aM - The Revelry 1290 University Ave.
The 11th annual Revelry HIP-HOP brunch returns! Nothing like a little A.M. rowdiness with the Rev crew of before we stroll down to the big final SHOWDOWN at Radio Social.
Rochester’s Stalwart: 160 Years of Fee Brothers
12pM - The Alexander 282 Alexander St
Hear about the history of Fee Brothers from fifth-generation owner Jon Spacher: what circumstances forged their identity, how Rochester’s darling bitters company is now known around the world — and what’s next on the horizon. Free entry; seminar includes tastings of the newest Fee Brothers products. Make a brunch reservation at The Alexander before or after!
RCR bartenders from around the city go shakerto-shaker in the annual Bar Room Battle Royale, but only one will claim mixological supremacy. Ticket price includes admission to the Bar Ninja competition and spirit tasting tables. Drink specials and snacks from Radio Social, The Poutine Truck and The Meatball Truck will also be available, all set to a live soundtrack by DJ Chreath. $25 at the door, 21+ only. ASL interpreting services available upon request. Sponsored by Campari America.
