Are you looking for the perfect wedding venue in Rochester or perhaps the Finger Lakes? Or maybe you’re planning a surprise birthday party and want to book a restaurant with a private room? From a rustic barn to an elegant Italian eatery to the grand George Eastman Museum, the Flower City is filled with great spots to celebrate life’s special occasions.
Arbor Midtown
183 E. Main St, Rochester, NY 14604
(585) 454-9917
arbormidtown.com
Natural stone flooring and marble columns are just a few of the details that make this venue special. It can accommodate 550 guests cocktail style, 300 guests for receptions, and 250 guests with ceremony on-site. Bridal suite and grooms parlor available. In-house catering.
Crisp
819 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620
(585) 978-7237
crisprochester.com
Crisp can host wedding receptions, birthday parties, dinner parties, business meetings, and more in its 1,000 square-foot event space.
Read more: Crisp serves up Southern comfort in Rochester
Deer Run Winery
3772 W. Lake Rd., Geneseo, NY 14454
(585) 346-0850
deerrunwinery.com
This Livingston County winery not only serves wine. It’s also open for weddings and other events; max capacity is 175. Bridal dressing room available as well as a loft space for the gentlemen. Wheelchair Accessible.
Fig Hollow Barn
880 Yellow Mills Rd., Palmyra, NY 14522
(585) 750-6056
fighollowbarn.com
This charming, rustic barn venue is open from the middle of May until fall. It can accommodate up to 175 guests and provide decor, too. A dressing room and prep space is available. Wheelchair accessible. Food available from partnered caterers.
George Eastman Museum
1900 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 327-4800
eastman.org
The beautiful George Eastman Museum hosts wedding ceremonies at its iconic East Ave. location (it does not offer receptions). A dressing room and prep space is available. Wheelchair accessible. No in-house catering.
Read more: “You Press the Button, We Do the Rest”
The Hideaway
97 Park Ave., Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 434-0511
thehideawayroc.com
This sister bar to the Penthouse at One East Avenue has a cozy back room for small events with up to approximately thirty guests. In-house catering and available for off-site catering.
The Inn on Broadway
26 Broadway, Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 232-3595
innonbroadway.com
A classic downtown venue with catering from Tournedos Steakhouse. It can accommodate up to 150 guests. Hotel blocks available. In-house catering and bar.
JoLi Bistro & Bar
384 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 710-2056
jolirocny.com
This New Orleans-inspired venue offers four event spaces, the largest of which can accommodate a 200-person cocktail party. In-house catering and bar. A dressing room and prep space is available. Wheelchair accessible.
Lila’s
101 S. Union St., Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 603-2700
lilasinthelobby.com
This eclectic and refined lobby bar and restaurant is perfect for hosting a welcome party for out-of-town guests and other events.
Neutral Ground Coffee
45 Schoen Pl., Pittsford, NY 14534
(585) 348-9303
neutralgroundcoffee.com
This fifty-person event space on Schoen Place overlooking the Erie Canal can accommodate everything from showers to classes and more. Larger parties can also use the adjacent coffee shop. In-house catering available.
Pane Vino on the Avenue
3400 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14618
(585) 586-7000
panevinoavenue.com
Pane Vino on the Avenue offers authentic Italian cuisine and a full, private bar for your event. It can accommodate sit-down meals of up to 180 guests and cocktail receptions for up to 200. On-site catering. Wheelchair Accessible.
The Penthouse at One East Avenue
1 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14604
(585) 683-8353
thepenthouseroc.com
This elegant 2,700-square-foot space offers stunning views of the city. It can accommodate 125 for a standing cocktail reception and 100 seated. In-house catering available; off-site caterers welcome. Wheelchair Accessible.
Red White and Brew
147 State St., Rochester, NY 14614
(585) 319-3509
redwhiteandbrew.com
This tap and tasting room is in one of the oldest buildings in the area. Learn more online.
Ristorante Lucano
1815 East Ave., Rochester, NY
(585) 244-3460
ristorantelucano.com
This East Avenue “hidden treasure” can help make any event a success. See website for more info.
Read more: A family affair at Ristorante Lucano
Rochester Museum & Science Center
657 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 271-4320
rmsc.org
Have your event under the stars at the Strasenburgh Planetarium. Individual galleries are available as well as the full museum (up to 600 guests for a cocktail party). A prep space may be available if needed. Wheelchair accessible. Catering available from a preferred vendor list.
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
250 Gibson St., Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 394-4922
sonnenberg.org
Sonnenberg is a picturesque Finger Lakes gem. It offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for private parties of all types of up to 250 people. Bridal and groom’s suites available. Wheelchair accessible. No in-house catering.
The Suites at 3NG
3 N. Goodman St., Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 957-2943
thesuitesat3ng.com
These suites in the heart of downtown Rochester offer an elegant and luxurious space to stay whether guests are prepping for a wedding or another event. There are three bedrooms, two kitchens, and a bridal suite with several vanity stations.
The University of Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery
500 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 276-8900
mag.rochester.edu
The MAG can accoommodate large and small groups for weddings and other gatherings in this historic art museum. Private art gallery viewing for guests. Fine-dining and catering options available.
Read more: Gallery of love; Memorial Art Gallery’s next 100 years
This article originally appeared in the January/February 2024 issue of (585).
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