The 2024 Rochester Cocktail Revival, New York State's only weeklong festival celebrating craft cocktail culture, is back for its eleventh 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 3-9, 2024 with a full schedule of events (21 and older) happening at different host bars and special event locations around Rochester. Participating bars include: Bar Bad Ending, Bar Bantam, Bitter Honey, Branca Midtown, CRISP Rochester, The Cub Room, Cure, The Daily Refresher, Good Luck, Grace & Disgrace, Jack’s Extra Fancy, Lento, Leonore’s, Locals Only, Lucky's, Martine, Nosh, The Owl House, The Playhouse, Radio Social, Recreo, Redd, The Revelry, The Richmond, Roux, Studio Lounge, Swan Dive, Tapas 177, Velvet Belly, Vern's and Ziggy’s.
Highlights of the 2024 Rochester Cocktail Revival include:
RCR LAUNCHPAD PARTY | JUNE 3 | ESSEX
Kick off RCR 2024 with a party dedicated to spirits making their Rochester debut. Nine booze brands 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 will be available; nine tastings included with each ticket.
KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY | JUNE 5 | GEORGE EASTMAN MUSEUM
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 Southern-inspired 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.
DEATH, LUCK & TIGERS: A CONVERSATION WITH DAVID KAPLAN & CHUCK CERANKOSKY | JUNE 6 | GOOD LUCK
Join these 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 decade-long cocktail festival to building brands across the city. RIT hospitality professor Lorraine Hems moderates. $25 admission includes a cocktail or mocktail.
ASL interpreting services available upon request; please contact cheers@rochestercocktailrevival.com.
Sponsored by Rochester Institute of Technology.
SUPER SOUNDS FEATURING FLYING OBJECT BAND + DJ CHREATH | JUNE 6 | RADIO SOCIAL
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.
COCKTAILS + CAMERAS ON THE PROMENADE WITH CITY MAGAZINE | JUNE 7 | GENESEE RIVERWAY PROMENADE
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 and two cocktails (or mocktails) included with each ticket. Must be 21+ to attend; ID required to purchase additional drinks onsite.
SPIRIT TASTING SPECTACULAR | JUNE 8 | 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. 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.
‘TINI TIME, 2.0 WITH ROBERT SIMONSON | JUNE 8 | MARTINE
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; please contact cheers@rochestercocktailrevival.com.
THE LOST GENERATION: AN IMMERSIVE COCKTAIL RENDEZVOUS | JUNE 8 | UNDISCLOSED LOCATION FOR TICKET HOLDERS ONLY
Rochester-based 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. Location will be shared with ticket holders only.
BAR ROOM BATTLE ROYALE | JUNE 9 | 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. $25 at the door, 21+ only. ASL interpreting services available upon request; please contact cheers@rochestercocktailrevival.com.
A portion of all proceeds from Rochester Cocktail Revival will benefit Cancer Support Community Rochester—a local non-for-profit that annually provides free programming to men, women, teens, and children who are affected by cancer. For a full list of this year's events including a Speakeasy Prohibition Class, Cirque du Branca, Jane SWAN-DA, Downtown Hoedown, and more visit rochestercocktailrevival.com.
