There is nothing I like better than fresh air, great music, the company of friends & family, and a cold drink. Summer in Rochester has enough pristine days to maximize each of these – and sometimes all of them in one outing! With a toddler and interest in great drinks & snacks, I lean towards establishments with plenty of outdoor space and live bands worthy of goofy dancing. Rochester has no shortage of these places but I’ve highlighted five of my favorites in the Rochester-area (along with a bonus if you feel like a little drive on a nice day)!
K2 Brothers Brewery | Webster & Walworth
The Webster K2 Brothers Brewery location is the brewery I’ve visited most recently with our 18 month old. Outdoors, there is so much space to toddle around and so many bags to toss while pretending to play Cornhole! Lots of seating around fire pits and plenty of picnic tables create a casual vibe for larger groups, and the menu – both drinks and food – boast something for everyone from a fried bologna sandwich to vegan options.
There are twenty (!) beers on the menu, many of which are K2 brewed; however, as a wine drinker, I am impressed by the extensive list of New York wines and unusual cocktail list. Live music four nights a week round out this as a full experience. Oh, and there is Sunday brunch!
Casa Larga Winery | Fairport
Driving up to Casa Larga, the estate is impressive but the view is astonishing! The vineyard is in plain sight and seems to go on for miles. With the sunset in the background, it’s quite picturesque; the tasting room is large with plenty of four tops to enjoy a glass after your tasting or in lieu of it, if you prefer. While the cozy space can be enjoyed all seasons, the summer is a particularly special time to visit because of the large expanse of seating outside. It’s hard to believe it’s so close to Rochester!
With the large space to roam, kids are welcome (no dogs aside from service animals). Consider visiting on Thursday evenings in the summer when the winery stays open late for the infamous Patio Party complete with great local bands, rotating food trucks, and a large dance floor made for little kid twirls. There is one drink included with your ticket to the event (non-alcoholic options).
Other Half Brewery | Bloomfield
My neighbors take the drive to Other Half from Irondequoit because they love the chill vibe, open indoor and outdoor space, and food trucks available Thursday-Sunday. With a nice mix of snacks and meals, you can choose to stay for a short or longer time which is always a good option for families.
Another strong feature of Other Half Brewery is that they offer a huge range of non-alcoholic options alongside their predominantly IPA beer list. Other Half Brewery is well-established in the area with more than ten years in the business and continues to grow its locations outside of NY. This one is special because of its location; set on a farm where the hops are grown. The setting allows for families to spread out or couples on a date night to have an idyllic feel, like you’ve really taken a trip to somewhere.
Blue Barn Cidery | Hilton
In the summer, Blue Barn Cidery hosts live music on Thursday evenings. The Summer Concert Series is almost always free (but just $5 when it’s not) and perfect summer music for a warm evening completed by a cider flight and Signature Blue Barn Pretzels.
We’ve brought our little one here numerous times since she was born but this summer will be extra special since she’s dancing on her own. Plenty of space both inside and outdoors makes it rainy day friendly. Blue Barn Cider is licensed as a NY State Farm Winery, which means all of their products are crafted from 100% homegrown ingredients.
Rising Storm | Rochester & Livonia
Both locations boast sixteen taps for tasting their IPA-heavy brews along with cans, local wine & cider in large outdoor spaces. There’s plenty of room to spread out a blanket, play cards or a board game (we love Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza or SkyJo), and enjoy a flight or tall glass of something cold.
If you have a little foodie along, the fancy-ish grilled cheese, fried salt potatoes, and green salad on the Livonia kids’ menu are more elevated than your average brewery fare for the young sophisticated palate. Rising Storm offers a discount for purchases made with cash.
*Bonus*: Lakewood Vineyard | Watkins Glen
Though a bit of a drive down the scenic NY 14 towards Watkins Glen along Seneca Lake, I’d recommend checking out the picturesque family-owned Lakewood vineyard and winery. Where else can kids enjoy coloring pages, their own tasting pours of grape juice, and self-guided vineyard hikes overlooking the water? We love enjoying the seasonal mocktails and Food Truck Saturdays at picnic tables with tons of greenspace. Its vibe is relaxed, making the wine sampling equally chill.
While the winery boasts over twenty different wines for many palates, I always choose the Bubbly Candeo to make a warm day sparkle. If you need another reason to make the trip, the Spotted Duck Creamery’s “Happy Belly Philosophy” is sure to win over kids of all ages with its dairy-free flavors, gluten-free cones, and duck eggs in the frozen custard. Consider unique flavors like Matcha, Lemon Meringue, and Fudgie Wudgie worth the additional stop on NY 14 during your weekend road trip.
