Cheshire

I’ve been to Cheshire a number of times and it has never been a disappointment! It’s a small, almost «hidden» bar upstairs another that do a fantastic job at making speciality cocktails. I usually get the Pimms Cup and their Moscow Mule which are both phenomenal — more for those who like their drinks on the sweeter side. In addition to the drinks, the atmosphere is great. In my opinion, it has an old classical feel to it with nice ambiance lighting. I’m impressed. I would also like to give props to the bar tenders who do a amazing job catering to the needs of their customers. They are energetic, enthusiastic, and willing to go above and beyond to satisfy their customers. You need to try this place out for yourself!

Highly recommended by a trusty drinker friend person (the best kind), I came in the hopes to have «the perfect Moscow Mule». My expectations were met. A smoother and more refreshing mule does not exist in this area code.
The place itself does have a speakeasy feel, which I’ve heard time and time again. The guys working the bar are very personable and passionate about what they do. I was expecting an «eye roll» when I placed my order. Kinda like *sigh* «here comes the green munchkin’ hiding the basic-​ness of her ways». No way! These guys will hook you up! I can say with confidence that there wasn’t a drink they served without pride being the secret ingredient.
Impatiently waiting to go back 8-)

A cool upstairs hideaway above the Solera wine bar on South Ave. There is a nice selection of craft cocktails in this small dimly lit space. Typical $ 9-​$ 10 price range for their specialty hand-​crafted drinks. On our recent visit the place was the most hopping we have seen it with the Santa Rampage group invasion. Unfortunately three of the four of us didn’t care for our cocktails, not that they were poorly made, but they contained more lime/​lemon juice than expected and thus were very sour. Next time we will read the ingredient list more carefully and choose differently. We really like the vibe of both Cheshire and Solera so we will continue to frequent both.

I’ve been here twice and have been really happy with the experience both times. It’s a really nice atmosphere, and the staff is always knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. They put a lot of care into their cocktails, and it shows. They have probably the best Old Fashioned in the city, and I was really pleased with the Georgia Peach Iced Tea– delicious! You really can’t go wrong with any of their cocktails. Pricey for Rochester, but it’s absolutely worth it. It’s one of my very favorite places to get drinks!

This is a great place for craft cocktails. They are a bit pricey at $ 8 – 10 each, but so so worth it. They aren’t just making a jack and coke and then charging you through the nose for it. They actually make good quality cocktails.
This was the first place that I had an old fashioned and I haven’t been able to find any place that makes a comparable one. Someone recommend the daily refresher on Alexander, but their old fashioned was terrible by comparison. I’ve never had a drink here that wasn’t very good.
Positives:
Good atmosphere
Great drinks
Friendly bartenders that will make conversation or leave you alone if you want
Negatives:
Maybe price? Really though, it is definitely worth the money.

Cheshire is all around great. The drinks are quality. It’s fun to watch them being made. The idea that it is hidden above Solera wine bar adds a little panache too. If there is a negative here, maybe it’s that I feel the need to dress up a bit to go here. I mean, I’m not wearing my «Sunday best,» but I am putting on a good pair of jeans and some sort of a collared shirt. I don’t see that as a negative, but others might.

Visited Cheshire last night with some friends and got the Georgia Peach Tea. It was a little sweeter than what the bartender indicated but overall pretty good. My friends got the Dark Stormy and Cosmopolitan drink on the menu. Both were delicious.
The atmosphere was pretty cool too — definitely very speakeasy feeling, and I loved the size. Perfect for a chill night where you want dress up and get drinks without getting too crazy!

My husband and I just love the South Wedge area of the city. Now that we’re empty nesters, we decided to head out on a Saturday to stroll around the neighborhood. I had just read the Quarterly and Cheshire was reviewed so we tried it out. We loved it! From the décor and vibe to the bartenders and drinks, everything was delish! We even tried a cheese platter from the downstairs wine bar, Solera, (same owners, separate business) that was so yummy!!! Drink prices were steep, but kind of expected as this was a truly «city» upscale place. We’ll be back soon!

Ok, as always I’m gonna say this, I’m a transplant from Chicago… Home of Three Dots and a Dash, The Violet Hour, Billy Sunday. These are a certain kinds of cocktail bar or not so much a bar a place to have a really good drink. Hand made spirits, juiced fruits and homemade bitters. Guess what this place is it. It’s only open three or four days a week. It’s upstairs from Solara downstairs. It has an old school vibe from after prohibition or late 1920’s– early 30’s. The bartenders actually wear ties, they look put together and when they make a cocktail holy hell they get it. This is no crap mixed drinks made with stuff you don’t know. It’s fresh and the cocktails some as I’ve been told by friends can be strong. When you go up the stairs you see this huge long bar all made of wood, with bar seats, behind is windows but also a few mirrors and liquors sitting up as well. The bartenders/​mixologists are friendly and accommodating they give you a menu. Look at it. Everyone is all about the Stormy Morning, I rate a bar on two drinks a French 75 and a Pimms Cup, HOLY CRAP AWESOME. This is not a big place you can stand/​sit by the long bar, they have maybe a dozen tables and chairs. You can get food. They have wrapped sandwiches available but if you want a cheese plate or what not guess what you gotta go downstairs to order. If you need to go to the bathroom your in luck they have one on the floor of this bar. The vibe of this place is dark, warm and old school. Yes it’s got a chandelier. Go and go often bring your friends, or ones who will appreciate it, don’t go to this place with a baseball hat on, respect yourself and the place. Cheers. I’ll be back!

This was my first visit and I was thoroughly impressed. The ambiance is perfect for a date, or if you want good conversation with a friend. I suggest getting there on the early side to grab a table. I loved how dark it was on the inside and the general feel of the place. Our bartender Jeremy was fantastic. I had no idea what to order and he was great about suggesting drinks for me. Each one was wonderful. I had a lions tale, and then a stormy morning. Even the virgin drinks were amazing. The bartenders were very dapper, conversational and took pride in taking care of their customers. Far more than your typical bartender that slings crappy over priced drinks at you in other parts of town. The experience was perfect from beginning to end. I will be going back. This is my new favorite place to go!

Really cool place, awesome drink menu, friendly staff, neat vibe.

Cocktails = Yes
We had three cocktails, all delicious. He made me a moscow mule with burbon instead of voldka. Deeeeeee-​lish. As were they all. The bartender was extremely friendly, down-​to-​earth, and helpful. The space is gorgeous, too.
We will be back often!

The bartenders here make one hell of a Manhattan.

Answer: Cheshire.
Questions:
1. Where might I find myself sipping fancy cocktails?
2. Where can I find an upscale ambiance that takes me back to the Prohibition Era?
3. Where can I find a sippalicious Old Fashioned?
4. Where can I take a date for drinks?
5. Where do I find the coolest, most dapper looking bartenders who know their way around cocktails?
6. Where can I take my friends who are visiting from out of town?
7. Oh you want to dress nice for a change? I think I have exactly the place!
Seriously, if this doesn’t sell you on Cheshire, I don’t know what will.

Great drinks & atmosphere — perfect spot for first date, to start off the night or to end the night. Won’t be my last time here.

I really love this place. As someone who LOVES Great Gatsby, Boardwalk Empire
And Chicago, this was right up my ally.
A total speakeasy, minus needing a password to get in… and the fact that probation agents wouldn’t be knocking the door down and arresting all of us for illegally drinking liquor.
Located above Solera wine bar, there is no sign indicating that this is Cheshire. Everything is hard wood and very dark. Beautiful small chandeliers and small candles on the tables makes up the lighting. The bartenders wear traditional 1920 – 1930’s bar clothing. Vests and slacks. The drinks are served in original cocktail glasses. The menu is mostly all old fashioned drinks. I didn’t know what most of the liquor they had was but the bartenders are very knowledgable and willing to help make suggestions.
The prices are on the expensive side, but they’re hand crafted cocktails. There’s no pre-​made anything. This seems more of a date night place or small group gathering place as it’s very small and intimate inside. We came with a group of about 10 people and it was a little too big of a group for all of us to fit together at a table comfortably.
I ended up going with what I know, a dirty martini, vodka not gin, straight up, extra dirty. I’m not sure what kind of vodka the bartender used because I told him to make it with whatever is best. It was so good though and I didn’t have to wait long at all to be served.
I gave this place 5 stars. It was a bit on the expensive side but totally worth it. The bartenders know what they’re doing and they’re nice and helpful. The décor is amazing. This is for sure somewhere everyone has to go at least once if you’re into the flapper and jazz era. Even if you’re not, you should still go at least once for the experience! I will be back!

I was actually unaware that this place even existed before being invited out for a friends birthday. Wasn’t even on my radar as I’m more of a dive bar type of girl, but the change of pace was pretty cool.
The place has a speakeasy feel and doesn’t even have a sign out front. To get in, you have to wander through Solera wine bar and upstairs. Once there, it’s got a really classy, lounge feel to it. All hardwood, candles, chandeliers, and even dressy bartenders. Felt like I would’ve fit right in rocking my best great gatsby garb.
It’s good for groups, but it is small so might be hard to find seating during weekend nights. I could see this as more of a date night place.
We went on a Friday and while it was pretty busy, it didn’t take long at all to get a drink at the bar. Drink menu was total old school. Heck, I had to google some of the liquors included in the drinks before making my decision. I highly recommend the stormy morning, so good. Prices are pretty good for what you get too, with most drinks ranging from $ 8-​$ 9.
It was fun to step out of my normal Friday night «box», and I would def do it again.

Can I give 11 stars? This place is legit as the kids say. It is located above Solera Wine bar and specializes in old time cocktails and each one is made with loving care even down to the fancy ice cubes! The place is beautiful and
rustically elegant. The staff are all experts in their craft and you can tell they love what they do. My new favorite place.

Cheshire is my type of bar. Where drinks and company are king, and there are no giant tv screens to distract you from your company and the drinks.
They are tucked on the second floor of the Solera Wine bar (a great place for a relaxing glass of wine), and their hours are not normal hours. But they make great craft cocktails!
The feel of the place is a speakeasy, with dim lighting and not a lot of space. This can cause two problems, it gets crowded easily, and it’s hard to read their lovely drink menus! But for a pre-​dinner drink, or just hanging out with friends, this place is perfect!
Don’t expect cheap drinks or frozen concoctions, there are plenty of places that offer that elsewhere!

A one of a kind bar in Rochester. Cheshire’s coziness and craft cocktail selection are unparalleled. Cheshire was the first bar in town to incorporate a speakeasy/​Prohibition-​era environment. Often imitated but never duplicated, I believe Cheshire still makes the best craft cocktails in town.
By now, you’ve probably already heard about Cheshire’s awesome Old Fashioned. They are definitely the best i’ve had in Rochester. Another favorite of mine is their Whiskey Over Easy. It consists of a whole egg added to whiskey, lemon juice and syrup. A deliciously frothy concoction results after some vigorous shaking. I know it sounds weird, but you have to try it. To be honest, i’ve yet to order a drink I didn’t enjoy at Cheshire.
The Cheshire bar staff is another huge attraction. They are polite, patient and engaging. They will take their time explaining the cocktails, ingredient by ingredient, if it’s not too busy. They are also good at offering drink suggestions based on your tastes. The staff takes pride in what they do and as a result take their time in making drinks. Even with their expertise, they are extremely down to earth, without being too serious or overbearing.
Cheshire is a great place to start off the night. The bar closes around midnight, so plan for a second venue or just take it easy and call it a night. There’s limited physical space, so it’s better suited for smaller parties. Overall, Cheshire is one of my favorite bars in town. It’s a truly unique and close-​knitted drinking experience. It reminds me of Angel’s Share in East Village, NYC. Check it out for yourself!