Your favorite bar is a place to be. Perhaps to be seen, perhaps to hide. Perhaps to be recognized, perhaps to be resigned and observant of all that happens around you. Your favorite bar is your favorite bar because your favorite bartender works there, and he or she knows your drink, knows a little bit about you or enough about you that they don’t ask too many questions.
A bar is a respite, a holiday. And while what we seek solace from is unique to us all, I believe at this time we can agree that reality – the world – is messy right now, a chaos of economies and failed truces and misplaced anger and gossip and flotsam of dubious factual value.
Within the tornado of energy that creates the gargantuan festival we know as Rochester Cocktail Revival, our team manages to find levity and creativity within this melée. The chaos hit us at the same time it hit you. We recognized an escape.
We Need to Party More.
Welcome to RCR 12.
We’re kicking off RCR 12 with a party dedicated to spirits making their Rochester debut. Seven booze brands – Bellavenura Spirits, Dalla Terra, Conniption Gin, Fee Bros., Albany Distilling, Agua Mágica and Heaven Hill – are teaming up with RCR bartenders at the Genesee Valley Club for a live showcase of cocktails created with their *brand new* spirits. Rock to 80s metal covers from The Perrin Yang Quartet, and be ready to vote for your favorite iteration of a new hooch! Snacks from GVC will be available; seven tastings included with each admission ticket. Must be 21+ and show ID for entry. Sponsored by Fee Bros.
photo, make and photograph a Morning Altar with the Eastman staff and play croquet or cornhole on the east lawn. A la carte boards from Cheese & Charcuterie and sweets from CakeLani will be available for purchase. Break out your finest diamond, floral & linen attire and top with a hat that George himself would want to photograph! Two cocktails and a complimentary museum pass for later use included with each ticket; additional cocktails will be available for purchase. VIP level includes a welcome drink + garden tour (arrival at 5:15p). 21+ only. Sponsored by Heaven Hill + Segura Viudas.
$25
The George Eastman Museum’s terrace garden provides a lush setting for guests to sip botanical cocktail creations and travel through time in celebration of GEM’s 75th anniversary. Dance to the folksy tunes of A Girl Named Genny, commission a custom poem from J.R. Taylor, pose for a Hypebooth
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.
$20
The champion musical event of RCR features the Rochester-based jam band Judah and Scoulive, a tribute to the music of John Scofield and Soulive, together for a night of sonic collaboration. 21+ only. Sponsored by Jagermeister & Teremana Tequila.
$12 21+
$0 U21
Located in the historic Brown’s Race District, the 858-foot Pont de Rennes Bridge soars above the Genesee River Gorge at the base of High Falls. This iconic Rochester landmark will be the setting for RCR’s newest event — an outdoor happy hour and street fair featuring 20+ New York Stateonly brands, from fashion, gaming and food to beer, wine and spirits. Stroll down the bridge to shop, sip, vote for your favorite local busker (who wins a cash prize!) and chat with the team behind CITY Magazine’s June “Adrenaline” issue. All ages welcome; must show 21+ ID to partake in cocktails, beer, wine and spirit samples. Parking is available on street in Brown’s Race, at Innovative Field lot and in the High Falls Garage. Presented by WeTheHobby, with additional support from Garber Automotive Group, 98PXY and CITY Magazine.
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. A brunch menu and cash bar featuring drink specials will be available at Bar Bantam in the lobby of The Metropolitan; DJs Delano and Small Mouth bring the daytime party on the patio. 21+ only.
$45
Step back in time to an invite-only movie premiere during the height of midcentury Hollywood. Dress in your red carpet finest and prepare to sip your way through a film with a supernatural twist… Next stop: The Twilight Zone. Rochester-based performance company Cat + The Coyote brings the Fifth Dimension to RCR with this immersive reimagination of the beloved midcentury series. Wander through psychedelic scenes featuring Rod (or, is it?) and other surprise guests while you sip craft cocktails from Rumble + Stir. Midcentury and/or red carpet attire; wear functional shoes as the show is not seated. 21+ over. 6:30p arrival for 7p show | 8:30p arrival for 9p show $45 ticket includes immersive theatre performance + two cocktails featuring Old Forester Bourbon, el Jimador Tequila and other elixirs. (Additional cocktails will be available for purchase.) Sponsored by Brown-Forman.
Entrepreneurs Naama Tamir of Lighthouse 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 will also be available, all set to a live soundtrack by DJ Chreath. $20 online, $25 at the door, 21+ only. ASL interpreting services available upon request; please contact cheers@rochestercocktailrevival. com. Sponsored by Campari America.
Bright Spirits in the Dark Ages: Amaretto, Mid-Century Cocktails and the Forgotten Years of Cocktology
JUNE 2 - 12PM - JACKRABBIT CLUB [ASL]*
Presented by Adriatico Amaretto. It was the worst of times! The 1960s and 1970s are commonly regarded as a lowpoint in the history of cocktails. Even the most nuanced accounts tend to brush off these two decades as merely a precursor to the barbarism of the ‘80s and ‘90, as just another dip in the long decline of a once hallowed craft. But the truth is more complicated. This wasn’t just the era of disco drinks, fern bars, and a watered down tiki revival. It was the best of times! It was also the time of Stan Jones, Mario’s Playboy Cocktail Book, and amaretto. Drawing on personal research, drink analysis, and a whole lot of almonds, this seminar takes a more reverent look at a few of the cocktail’s so-called “lost years” and a couple of overlooked saints who kept the fires lit in the darkness. [BIO] Al Sotack is a bartender, writer and brand developer with two decades in [ASL]* denotes interpreting services available upon request, sponsored by Tito’s Vodka; contact cheers@rochestercocktailrevival.com.
hospitality and beverage. Presently he works as the United States brand developer for Bellaventura Spirits, who produce Adriatico Amaretto. SPONSORED BY Haus Alpenz.
Bystander Intervention with RESTORE JUNE 2 - 1:30PM - JACKRABBIT CLUB [ASL]*
In this interactive seminar, attendees will work with staffers from RESTORE learn practical ways to step in and make a difference when they witness sexual harassment in and out of the workplace. Using the “5 Ds” of bystander intervention— Direct, Delegate, Distract, Delay, and Document—they’ll gain tools to recognize warning signs of harassment and learn how to support both patrons and staff who may be affected. The session includes hands-on activities, real-world examples, and space for open discussion, giving participants a chance to share their insights and build confidence in being an active bystander. SPONSORED BY Haus Alpenz.
Hands-On Hospitality:
Sign-Language in the Service Industry
JUNE 3 - 12PM - JACKRABBIT CLUB [ASL]
Bridging communication gaps in the bar and restaurant industry, this lively workshop for bartenders, hosts, and wait staff will teach basic ASL bar vocabulary and some do’s-and-don’ts of interacting with the Rochester-area Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community. [BIO] Profoundly Deaf since birth, Marissa Woodruff 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 Director of Dyer Arts Center. Marissa is active in the Rochester community, presenting on Deaf language and culture, playing volleyball, and finding new adventures. SPONSORED BY Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Haus Alpenz.
Building & Naming Cocktails Revisited
JUNE 3 - 1:30PM - JACKRABBIT CLUB [ASL]*
Rob Krueger and Eamon Rockey will dive into this two-part seminar: first, the physical creation of a drink (tins, glasses
and batches), followed by the best way to represent it in written form on menu (themes, expectations and sales). Enjoy a nitty-gritty discussion, ask questions, and sip tasty drinks with two industry vets! SPONSORED BY Haus Alpenz.
ABSINTHE: The Green Fairytale
JUNE 3 - 4PM - ROUX
Absinthe has a storied history imbued with myths galore. Join Altamar Brands at Roux to enjoy Kübler Absinthe drips and cocktails while demystifying The Green Fairy with hosts Leanne Favre and Daniel Rehor. Absinthe tasting and cocktails may be purchased a la carte.
RCR Flower City Drinksmiths Class
JUNE 3 - 6PM - THE DAILY REFRESHER
Learn how to celebrate cocktails at home! Our group of talented bartenders will show you how to make cocktails that made participating RCR bars famous. Tickets include light fare, four cocktails, a history of alcohol and mixology, and guided instruction on cocktail making.
10,000 Days: Confessions & Commandments
JUNE 5 - 12PM - JACKRABBIT CLUB [ASL]*
John Henry takes a look back — and ahead — at brands like Maker’s Mark, St. Germain, Mr Black, Penelope Bourbon and El Buho Mezcal. If Malcolm Gladwell is right: after 10,000 days, on the street, building brands from the ground up, John might have a handle on this brand building thing. But, don’t assume anything. (Especially carved stone commandments from up on Mount Hope.) Come share and sip for yourself, please. John Henry was there at the West Point Mess Hall for the 45-minute standing ovation offered to the returning Iranian hostages in 1981. He rode quarter horse, Oscar, in the 1988 Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. Was told by Robert DeNiro that he had good instincts when DeNiro directed John in a Washington, D.C. scene with William Hurt in “The Good Shepherd” in 2006. Oh, and he is a diehard NY Mets fan. But John is most proud of being part of RCR since Year 2. SPONSORED BY Haus Alpenz.
Barbados Rum: A Palette of Colors
JUNE 5 - 1:30PM - JACKRABBIT CLUB [ASL]*
Embark on a sensory journey into the captivating world of Barbados rum with Alexandre Gabriel, the esteemed Master Blender of Maison Ferrand. In this insightful seminar, Alexandre unveils the unique beauty of Barbados rums, exploring diverse fermentation methods and still types that define their character. Discover how these intricate processes lay the foundation for exceptional blends, as Alexandre eloquently illustrates the blender’s artistry. Like a painter layering colors on a canvas, master blenders artfully combine different rum styles to create harmonious and expressive spirits that are true works of art. Join us as we delve into this fascinating intersection of craftsmanship and creativity. SPONSORED BY Haus Alpenz.
