The 2025 Rochester Cocktail Revival, New York State's only weeklong festival celebrating craft cocktail culture, is back for its Twelfth year. Rochester boasts a booming scene of cocktail bars and top-tier mixology talent. Each year, 30+ cocktail bars in the downtown area take part in RCR, showcasing the spirit brands that make the exciting local craft culture possible. RCR exists to highlight this culture through education and celebration, significant contributions to the Rochester economy, and displays of camaraderie between its bars to both the trade and consumers.
This year, the Rochester Cocktail Revival is set for June 2-8, 2025 with a full schedule of events (21 and older) happening at different host bars and special event locations around Rochester. Participating bars include: The Alexander, Aqua Vitae, Bar Bantam, Bitter Honey, Branca Midtown, The Classic, Cure, The Daily Refresher, Good Luck, Grace & Disgrace, Jack's Extra Fancy, Lento, Leonore's, Lila's, Locals Only, Lucky's, Martine, Nosh, Owl House, Patron Saint, The Playhouse, Radio Social, The Revelry, The Richmond, Roux, Studio Lounge, Swan Dive, Tapas, Velvet Belly, Vern's, and Ziggy's
Highlights of the 2025 Rochester Cocktail Revival include:
PATIO PARTY PREGAME AND OYSTER SHUCK-OFF | JUNE 2 | LILA'S
Hang out on the patio before the RCR Launchpad with Empress Cucumber Lemon Gin and an oyster shuck-off. Our professional shuckers are going to see who can shuck those oysters the best, each making their own mignonette to go with them — and you get to be the judge.
DO NOT GO GENTLY: AN ITALO DISCO EXTRAVAGANZA | JUNE 2 | ZIGGY'S
Slide out of RCR 2025 and into a funkier time of velvet ropes, platform shoes and amaretto. For one night only we'll be celebrating a throwback of disco, funk and Italo while featuring an original menu of 70s classics pulled from the Jones Bar-Guide and Playboy Cocktail Book. Special guest Al Sotack (formerly of Jupiter Disco, Death and Co., Vice and Epicurious) will be there, along with Adriatico Amaretto, a modern generation of amaretto firmly rooted in history. Throw on a gold chain or some glitter sparkle and get ready for a late night boogie.
SIPS, SESSIONS, & TAPAS | JUNE 3 | TAPAS 177
Celebrate the spirit of summer and RCR 2025 with an open-air evening of flavor and rhythm. Enjoy a four-course tasting, happy-hour style, featuring four petit cocktails crafted with Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur — each perfectly paired with a delectable tapas dish. As the sun sets, a live jazz session brings Bourbon Street flair to Rochester’s St. Paul Quarter.
RCR FLOWER CITY DRINKSMITHS CLASS | JUNE 3 | 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.
A 1960S SUPPER CLUB AFFAIR (PART 1) | JUNE 4 | LUCKY'S
Join us at Lucky’s Lounge: A 1960s Supper Club Affair — a night of Mad Men-inspired elegance featuring an à la carte menu of classic supper club dishes and cocktails straight out of the golden era featuring Yellowstone Bourbon, Bowling and Burch Gin, and Saint Brendan's Irish Cream Liqueur Reservation includes a welcome cocktail from our featured spirits. The night's featured dinner menu, beverage specials, and our full bar offerings will be available for purchase a la carte.
Please note that accommodations for dietary restrictions may be limited, but will be honored to the best of our ability.
BARREL & BLADE | JUNE 4 | PATRON SAINT
Join Patron Saint for an exquisite four-course pairing dinner crafted by our talented team in collaboration with Fee Bros. and Iron Smoke Distillery. Each dish will be expertly paired with small-batch bourbons from Iron Smoke and artisanal bitters from Fee Brothers. A curated signature cocktail will accompany every course, beautifully elevating each bite and sip. This exciting collaboration brings together the best of what three Rochester mainstays in food, beverage and hospitality offer our community.
CAPTURED TIME: A DIAMOND JUBILEE GARDEN PARTY | JUNE 4 | GEORGE EASTMAN MUSEUM
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 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.
SPILL THE INK: TATTOOS, TALES, & TONICS | JUNE 4 | LEONORE'S
You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but you can probably judge this spirit that way… For one night only, Leonore’s turns into a full-on bookstore, celebrating otherness, escapism and fantasy through diversity and inclusion. Swing through to buy ink from Archivist, the Unreliable Narrator and Writers & Books, or GET inked by Hayden and Shawnee of Hinterland Studios. We’re taking you on an adventure — what to read, where to read, and how to read critically, all with a great drink featuring The Pathfinder in your hand!
ITALIAN SPIRITS THAT CONQUERED THE COCKTAIL WORLD: A SEMINAR & HAPPY HOUR WITH DALE DEGROFF | JUNE 5 | GOOD LUCK
Join “King Cocktail” Dale DeGroff for a late afternoon seminar and happy hour focused on the surprising history of the Italian spirits that conquered the cocktail world with La Dolce Vida. [BIO] Master Mixologist DeGroff — the 2009 James Beard Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional Award winner, and the 2015 James Beard Who’s Who in food and Beverage — developed his extraordinary techniques and talent tending bar at the legendary Rainbow Room. He is the author three cocktail books; winner of the 2009 Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Awards; and winner of the 2002 IACP Julia Child Award. DeGroff partnered with renowned absinthe distiller Ted Breaux to develop his own brand of bitters: Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Aromatic Bitters, as well as Degroff Spirit Company’s New World Amaro and Degroff Bitter Aperitivo.
ASL interpreting services available upon request; please contact cheers@rochestercocktailrevival.com.
SPAGHETTI WESTERN PATIO PARTY | JUNE 5 | BRANCA MIDTOWN
Join us for our Spaghetti Western Patio Party — an evening of rustic Italian grill out, Western beats from DJ Chreath and signature Heaven Hill cocktails from our fresh lemonade and iced tea spirit bar. Saddle up for sunset sips, smoky bites and a little bit of Western mischief, Branca style.
LEE'S X LIYAM | JUNE 6 | LEONORE'S
Add a few stamps to your passport - Leonore’s is going global! Chef Liyam Ezer from Picalili in L.A. and Chef Ana Northrop from Lee's are joining forces to create a menu that joins local, hyper-seasonal produce with flavors of Asia and the Middle East! Dishes will be paired with cocktails that embrace the same themes, and highlight some of our favorite farms and spirit brands! Packing list: passport, stretchy pants, good vibes.
Reservations recommended.
HIGH FALLS HAPPY HOUR | JUNE 6 | PONT DE RENNES BRIDGE
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 State-only 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.
POTIONS AND ELIXIRS | JUNE 6 | TAPAS 177
Step into the Middle Ages. Our halls shall be transformed! Lords and ladies, wizards and wenches — prepare thyselves for a night of magick, music, and merriment. Sip on alchemical cocktails crafted just for the evening, arrive in thy finest medieval garb to win prizes fit for a king! Expect surprises, mystical decor, and maybe even a fortune teller lurking in the shadows... DJ Allan and DJ Duppyy will ensure the most legendary dance party this side of the kingdom!
SPIRIT TASTING SPECTACULAR | JUNE 7 | THE METROPOLITAN
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.
RCR RECHARGE | JUNE 7 | BRANCA MIDTOWN
Enjoy a FREE yoga class @ Parcel 5, followed by Tito’s cocktails, healthy mocktails and snacks on the Branca Midtown patio. First 15 guests to arrive receive a free Tito’s branded yoga mat and goodie bag. Come recharge with us so you can head into the weekend of RCR refreshed and ready to go!
BAR ROOM BATTLE ROYALE | JUNE 8 | RADIO SOCIAL
RCR bartenders from around the city go shaker-to-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.
LUCKY'S 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY BRUNCH BASH | JUNE 8 | LUCKY'S
On Sunday June 8, join us for the Lucky's 5 Year Anniversary Brunch, featuring throwback brunch cocktails like our beloved disco bellini, Bloody Mary, and favorites from our original drinks list. We'll be serving an exclusive brunch & lunch menu – a one-day-only lineup blending throwback classics and fresh new favorites. Come raise a glass, bring your brunch crew, and help us toast to 5 unforgettable years—and the many more to come.
Find the full schedule and many more exciting events here!
