Rochester ny gay bars

Countless festivals and attractions offer family fun all year round. Winter is cold and snowy, so plan around indoor venues. You get walkable neighborhoods like the South Wedge, strong local food and coffee, and a friendly, low-key nightlife that doesn’t require a big-city budget. A municipal parking off Marshall Street next to Wadsworth Square Park is free after 6 p.m.

The first statue in the country honoring an African-American still stands in Highland Park. 

From locally-owned coffee shops and restaurants, to nightlife, art, culture, shopping and more, explore all that Rochester’s vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community has to offer. 

Festivals & Events 

• Rochester Pride: Held annually in July, signature Pride events including the Pride Parade, Pride Festival and the Pride Picnic.

  The weather is warm, patios are active, and Pride season gives you a built-in plan. It holds Spritz O'Clock from 4 to 6 p.m. For nightlife, ROAR is the main stop for drag, karaoke, and big weekend energy. It has several craft beers on draft and $5 tall Genesee beers to keep outings affordable. "We find our strength through community and lift each other up.”

  If you go

  Flora, 190 Monroe Ave., is open 4 p.m.

  

  “I'm a big Genny enthusiast," DeBlase said. They also feature a Pride collection including a Pride box of chocolates, rainbow hearts and rainbow Pride bark.

• OFC Creations Theatre Center is a professional regional performing arts center that produces high-quality, entertaining musical productions.

Family-Friendly 

For LGBTQ+ families, Greater Rochester is a dream trip.

A paid parking lot is next door to the building.

Accessibility: The space is accessible; there's no step to get in, it's all on one level and the bathrooms comply with ADA standards.

Tracy Schuhmacher has been food and drink reporter for the D&C for the past 10 years. Email her at TracyS@Gannett.com.