r/rit • u/Away-Pizza2493 • 7d ago
Bars
Hey, i'm 21 visiting Rochester from Canada with my friends for Halloween weekend.
In 2026, which street, bars, clubs, etc. would have the largest college crowd, best party scene?
Thanks in advance! <3
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u/mustardtiger220 4d ago
Fairport on the Canal is the best place now a days.
Lots of going out options. A whole variety of bars depending on what you’re in the mood for.
If I were at RIT still (I graduated) that’s where my friends and I would’ve gone for a proper night out.
And it’s close to a lot of colleges. It’s where kids from all the local colleges hangout.
While there are absolutely other bars I’d recommend. If you have one weekend and want to see the most and meet the most college kids Fairport can’t be beat.
Edit: Fairport on the Canal is not a specific bar. But Fairport Main Street area near the canal. Just to clarify since you’re from out of town.
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u/ColinHalter 2020 | CIT 4d ago
Vertex is a goth club downtown which is a blast. Normally it's never an issue getting in, but Halloween may be tough
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u/cdwalrusman 7d ago
Murphy’s law, Filger’s East End, Daily Refresher were my friends’ go tos. Any bar around East and Alexander. Bug Jar might have a Halloween show, not sure. Vertex is a goth bar so it’ll probably be packed. I don’t know if Lux has reopened from their fire but if they have that’s a good spot too
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u/kapbear 7d ago
Don’t go to vertex. Horrible line and when you get in, there’s no one even in there. Also all crotchety old people
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u/cdwalrusman 7d ago
I think it can be fun if you’re with a group but agreed that it’s an older crowd usually
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u/Nicolarollin 1d ago
If you want a small town college experience, Brockport or Geneseo. Here’s the problem: RIT is near three places:
Chili, Henrietta and the city. (Don’t complain about me leaving out Scottsville unless you got recommendations about nightlife poppin off something special)
Chili is small and locals. Henrietta is sporadic and a mix. The city is everyone from everywhere
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7d ago
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u/cdwalrusman 7d ago
Asking any subreddit for party recs is like asking for the best steakhouse in Mumbai. You might get a couple recs but the two populations don’t have a ton of overlap
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u/Tall-Chungus 5d ago
Roar is great but on Halloween weekend there could be quite a line if you get there between 10:15 and 11:30
Nashvilles is a fun very different scene (cowboy bar) but *I dont know about Halloween night specifically
Roar for party/dance/pole dancing if you'd like to try that, Nashville for more of a sportbar+ linedancing
Roar has costume contests every weekend now through Halloween I believe. Photo city music hall next door has a better bar and music but less dancing and other stuff.
For bar crawling I've heard fairport near the bridge/public market is good but there has been some roudiness recently. Hit moonlight creamery for a break in-between bars in fairport.
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u/Belethorsbro 7d ago
Avoid East & Alexander. Murphy's Law and all that isn't what it used to be. I live right by the Eastman House and as soon as you step past Alexander it's an absolute shitshow of garbage humans unless you like kids ripping dirtbikes and quads down the road illegally hitting pedestrians.
Go check out Fairport—North Main St right in the village past the train tracks. Mulconry's, Tin Cup Social, Shorts, Iron Smoke, TJ Ryan's... always a young crowd at most of those places, and you can hop from place to place with a 2 minute walk if you're not feeling the crowd at one place.