Top 5 Waterfront Bars in Rochester NY - Irondequoit and Charlotte

People wouldn’t think of Rochester, NY as a beach bar town, and they’d be right, but there are a few fantastic waterfront choices available. This list is going to include waterfront options that you might not think of as “beach bars”, simply because the options are limited and when the summer season only lasts about 12 weeks, you take what you can get! 

For this article, we’re focusing on Irondequoit and Charlotte, 2 communities that are defined by water. From Irondequoit Bay on the east to the Genesee River on the west and Lake Ontario to the north, the town of Irondequoit is surrounded by water on 3 sides. Jump across the mouth of the river and you get to Charlotte, NY, where summertime is celebrated with gusto. The beautiful and expansive Charlotte Beach is run by the City of Rochester and open to the public for swimming, beach volleyball, picnicing, and boasts the historic Dentzel Menagerie Carousel, in operation since 1905. The Port of Rochester is open for boaters coming from all over the Great Lakes.

Port of Rochester

Irondequoit NY

Seabreeze Area - Known for Hamburger Row (think: drive-in burger joints with Rochester’s meat hot sauce, home made onion rings, and milkshakes) and two famous “oldests”: Seabreeze Amusement Park’s oldest continuously run roller coaster in the nation (1905), The Jack Rabbit, and Parkside Whispering Pines Miniature Golf, the oldest miniature golf course in the country (1930). 

Marge’s Lakeside Inn 4909 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14622 -  The most notorious, and technically only, beach bar in Rochester. Marge’s Lakeside Inn in Irondequoit was recently named one of the top 25 bars in the nation by USA Today! That’s big! Marge’s features live music, a kick-ass old style juke box, and actual sand to dig your toes into.

USA Today Best Bars of 2025

Summerville Area- An area once called White City because of its rows of white tents where Rochesterians sought refuge from the summer heat in the early 1900s, Summerville is now home to quirky shotgun-style homes…some built right over the existing tents. Local lore claims that during renovations homeowners have found the tent material still residing between the studs. You’ll also find a few waterfront pubs!

Silk O’Loughlin’s 5980 St Paul Blvd, Rochester, NY 14617 - Silk O’Loughlin’s, more familiarly known as O’Lies, is this author’s go-to neighborhood pub. Located in Summerville NY, on the east bank of the Genesee River, O’Lies features a great bar menu, ample outdoor seating, and the quintessential regulars. Open year round, the vibes shift from beach bar to dive bar with ease as the weather gets colder and gloomier. But it’s never gloomy inside with the Bills to watch and bartenders to entertain.

The end of a beautiful summer night.

Schooner’s Riverside Pub 40 Marina Dr, Rochester, NY 14617 - Schooner’s is a seasonal bar, open from roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day. All seating at Schooners is outside, including at the gigantic bar, and there are areas under cover to get away from the weather if necessary. This is a great go-to for cocktails made in buckets, Genny tall boys, great live music, and people watching.

Schooner's, as seen from the Genesee River

Charlotte, City of Rochester NY

Located within the city limits, this unique area has both multi-million dollar homes and hole-in-the-wall pizza shops. The centerpiece, though, is the north end of Lake Avenue where Charlotte Beach appears like an oasis. Located here is the iconic Abbott's Frozen custard stand, where many a date has ended with a cone and a stroll out the half-mile-long pier to watch the sunset. As one would imagine, this area is not short on waterfront bars and restaurants.

The William A. Johnson Jr. Port of Rochester Terminal Building houses 3 distinct businesses where you get get your waterfront bar fix. Located on the second floor, Whiskeys Upper Deck is the newcomer on the scene. Opened in July 2025, this beach bar boasts amazing views from it's vast veranda. This is the sister location of Whiskey River Pub and Grill, located about a half-mile away at 421 River St, Rochester, NY 14612. Both locations have made a name for themselves as a place to find great food (the Blue and Gold chicken wings…chef’s kiss!) and great live music. In the summer, you’ll find bands playing on their outdoor stage almost every night.

A perfect summer evening at Whiskey's Upper Deck

Head downstairs to find Bill Gray's Port of Rochester Tap Room and California Rollin' II sushi and seasonal tiki bar. The vibes at these 2 bars are completely different, but somehow seem to compliment one another perfectly! Tons of outdoor seating at the family-friendly Bill Gray's lets you beat the summer heat with a burger and a beer, while the tiki bar at California Rollin' is the perfect spot to people watch the happenings at the always-busy Charlotte Beach.

Pelican’s Nest Waterfront Restaurant  566 River St, Rochester, NY 14612 Located on the west side of the Genesee River, just across from Schooner's, Pelican's Nest has been a staple of summer entertainment since 1995. Popular with area boaters, Pelican's is the place to see and be seen. They boast a full restaurant menu and a huge, covered, open air bar.

The bar at Pelican's Nest

OK, so I can't count. That was 8 bars. But more is always better!

Cheers.

Katherine