With a rich community of local wineries, music venues, restaurants, performing arts centers, and outdoor hang-outs, the public spaces of Rochester and The Finger Lakes all have one thing in common- they cultivate a unique and vibrant live entertainment culture.
From the most laidback of barside concerts to sold-out 15,000 person shows, there’s a venue and an event for everyone and every occasion. Here’s a list of a few of the creative cornerstones of the Rochester and Finger Lakes communities.
Be sure to check out our look at the venues of New York City, Western New York, Hudson Valley, North Country, the Capital Region, Central New York, the Berkshires, and Southern Tier as well.
Abilene Bar and Lounge (Rochester)
Born out of a rehabbed 19th century building in the heart of downtown Rochester, The Abilene Bar and Lounge has hosted local artists and all-star acts alike since 2008. With a beer menu accommodating their variety of live acts, the bar maintains an unpretentious, neighborhood bar feel regardless of how big or small the musical act of the evening.
Address: 153 Liberty Pole Way Rochester, NY 14604
Bristol Valley Theater (Naples)
The Finger Lakes’ premiere professional theater, Bristol Valley Theater puts on a stunning series of plays and musicals from June to August each year in addition to a full fall collection of concerts, theater, and family events. Founded in 1964, the Theater continues to entertain, educate, and enhance the Finger Lakes’ creative community to this day in their historic church-turned-theatrical space.
Address: 151 South Main St Naples, NY 14512
Bug Jar (Rochester)
Host to live music and DJs seven days a week since 1991, Bug Jar is a cornerstone Rochester bar and live entertainment venue with a consistently action-packed lineup. With names like The Black Keys, Vampire Weekend, The White Stripes, Modest Mouse, and many more gracing their stage over the years, The Bug Jar is a tried-and-true must visit independent venue.
Address: 219 Monroe Ave Rochester, NY 14620
The Central on Main (Canandaigua)
An outdoor dining venue with a bar on site, live music, and local eateries tucked in between historic buildings, The Central on Main offers free entry and plenty of seating for their intimate, casual live music performances. With a new permanent stage and cycle of regional artists, The Central on Main has taken a once barren blacktop parking lot and fostered a tight-knit local community of musicians and music-lovers alike.
Address: 15 South Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424
Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (Canandaigua)
Founded as the Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center in 1983, the Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center- or the CMAC- has been cultivating the Finger Lakes’ live arts and music community since day one. With a $13.5 million facility built in 2006 that boasts 5,000 covered seats, 54 VIP boxes, and lawn seating for up to 10,000 guests, the CMAC attracts folks from near and far.
In addition to its star-studded guest list and lengthy community history, CMAC has committed itself to a safe and healthy live entertainment environment, working with local recycling companies to divert waste in real-time at the end of each show, as well as offering multiple water-filling stations to reduce single-use plastic waste. They haven’t stopped there either- CMAC also donates all funds from volunteer-based concession tents to local nonprofits, raising over $50,000 thus far.
Address: 3355 Marvin Sands Dr Canandaigua, NY 14424
Eastman Theatre (Rochester)
Host to the Eastman School of Music’s performances, the Eastman Theatre offers a variety of concert spaces including the historical and illustrious 2,326 seat Kodak Hall, Venetian Renaissance 444 seat Kilbourn Hall renowned for its pure acoustics, and one of the newest additions, the modern and state-of-the-art 222 seat Hatch Recital Hall.
Address: 26 Gibbs St Rochester, NY 14604
Engine 14 Brewery (Naples)
Rooted in a refurbished fire truck, Engine 14 is the result of Rochester Fire Department retiree Greg Borden. Borden’s connection to the truck- having been decommissioned in the 60s from the same firehouse he worked in- and passion for home brewed craft beer resulted in a firehouse themed brewery, live music venue, and cornerstone for the community. Engine 14 Brewery hosts live entertainment almost every weekend featuring local acts and more.
Address: 52 West Avenue, Naples NY 14512
Fort Hill Performing Arts Center (Canandaigua)
Proud recipient of the Best of Canandaigua 2022 Award, the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center was formed as a concept years prior to its grand opening in January of 2020. Those years of development allowed the folks behind the FHPAC to hone in on their vision for the space- a center for the community to entertain and be entertained with a diverse set of programming that inspires patrons and artists alike.
Originally built as the Canandaigua Academy High School’s 1,100 seat auditorium in 1928 and left for ruin after the district moved to new facilities, the FHPAC raised six million dollars through fundraising to restore and refurbish the space into a performing arts center.
Address: 20 Fort Hill Avenue, Canandaigua NY, 14424
Lincoln Hill Farms (Canandaigua)
An almost unbelievably scenic 95 acres of public and private events alike, Lincoln Hill farms hosts everything from weddings to glamping to music festivals. Host to an outdoor stage and pavilion, the Farms offer live music and community events throughout the year Thursday through Sunday in addition to local craft beers, farm-to-table bites, and more.
Address: 3792 NY 247, Canandaigua, NY 14424
The Montage Music Hall (Rochester)
Located in the heart of downtown Rochester’s East End, The Montage Music Hall hosts annual events such as The Rochester International Jazz Festival, The Rochester Fringe Festival, and The Rochester Entertainment Metal Festival and Music Marathon. In addition to keystone events, the 400 person venue hosts musical acts of all genres from near and far- local, regional, and national.
Address: 55 Chestnut & Lawn St Rochester, NY 14604
OFC Creations Theatre Center (Rochester)
Providing the Rochester area with professional theatrical productions since 2005, OFC Creations Theatre Center is just that- a hub for creatives and lovers of all things creative to gather.
Staffed with current theatre professionals passionate about imparting their skills upon the next generation of performers, the OFC Creations Theatre Center offers a subscription based pro-season of shows rarely produced in the region, educational programs for students ages 4 to 18, and hosts out-of-town entertainers in their 260-seat venue.
Address: 340 Winton Place Rochester, NY 14623
Smith Opera House (Geneva)
Boasting live theater, concerts of all genres, community events, and movies, The Smith Opera House tucked within the Smith Center for the Arts offers much more than just opera. Opened in 1894 and refurbished in the early 1990s, the stage acts as a local cornerstone in multiple ways.
With powerful acts such as Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen gracing the stage, cover bands and musicals and shadow-casts alike bringing iconic works to life, re-inventions and newly emerging children’s entertainment routinely taking the stage, and local high school students walking the venue as they graduate, it’s no wonder the Opera House draws people from Geneva and beyond in time and time again.
Address: 82 Seneca Street Geneva, NY 14456
Treleaven Wines (King Ferry)
Family owned for over 30 years, Treleaven Wines has expanded from a generational farm to a one stop shop for all things wine, beer, food, live entertainment, and family fun. In addition to trivia, brunch & bingo, and football sundays, Treleaven is home to the Hangtime Main Stage for all high-energy musical needs and their Saturday acoustic series for a cozier listening experience.
Address: 658 Lake Road King Ferry, NY 13081
Ventosa Vineyards (Geneva)
A Finger Lakes top destination winery, Ventosa Vineyards hosts free, local, year-round live music every Wednesday with additional select performances sprinkled throughout. Weather permitting, performances occur on the Vineyard’s scenic terrace overlooking the vines below.
Address: 3440 Route 96A Geneva, NY 14456
The Vine Showroom (Waterloo)
Located within the del Lago Resort and Casino, The Vine Showroom has been voted Gold as the best nightclub in the Finger Lakes, and it’s no wonder why. Boasting 2,400 seats, The Vine hosts a range of live events throughout the year that span cover and tribute bands, comedy sets, magic shows, and original musical acts across all genres.
Address: 1133 NY-414 Waterloo, NY 13165
Water Street Music Hall (Rochester)
Rochester’s largest and oldest concert venue, Water Street Music Hall was founded as a country bar in 1976, reopening in 1992 for a wider audience prior to the opening of its nightclub opening in 1999 that would push their genre capabilities even further and final rebranding into the recognizable Water Street Music Hall title the same year. With names like Phish, The Ramones, Skrillex, Sublime, and Pusha T gracing their halls, the Music Hall is perpetually history in the making.
Address: 204 N Water St Rochester, NY 14604
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