Monroe Avenue

Overview

Specialty shops, bars, pubs, bistros, cafes, ethnic eateries galore — Monroe Avenue has it all.

“This street is the lifeline of the city — I don’t care what anyone else says,” says Jason Wallace, manager of the Sports Page Bar.

Starting in downtown Rochester, Monroe Avenue stretches from the Inner Loop all the way up into Pittsford. The city part, however, from the Inner Loop to Culver Road, is what’s really considered to be the Monroe Avenue neighborhood. (And, if you want to get really picky, that can be broken down further into an upper and lower Monroe Ave.)

The neighborhood’s distinct nightlife scene attracts many college students and young professionals by night. Rivaled only by the East End, Monroe Avenue’s selection and variation of bars make it quite popular.

By day, students can find a surprising mix of eclectic and specialty shops — anything from used books to photo supplies to hippie gear.

It might not be as upscale as neighboring Park Avenue, but don’t let that fool you, there’s lots to discover on Monroe Ave.

Eat & Drink

Like we said before, Monroe Avenue is a mix of bars, pubs, bistros, cafes, ethnic eateries and much more. There are so many restaurants to choose from that narrowing the list down was nearly impossible. But, here’s our first crack at it.

The Bug Jar
The furniture is just one of the things that sets this bar apart. Furniture, you ask? Yup, but not the stuff on the floor — look up instead! The Bug Jar’s ceiling is crammed with furniture, which makes it a pretty unique little bar. Not to mention they’ve always got live, edgy music and are big fans of theme nights. Definitely a bar worth checking out.
219 Monroe Ave.
454-2966

Corky’s Craving Parlor
Known for their eclectic menu and wide range of ice creams and frozen custards, Corky’s is a great place to fill the hole in your stomach that the dining hall just couldn’t fulfill. Wraps, subs, soups, salads, pastries and desserts are just some of the delicious items you can find here. The IRTGU sandwich is perhaps perfect for us college kids — standing for “I Refuse To Grow Up,” this sandwich contains bananas, caramelized brown sugar, peanut butter and strawberry jam, all pressed on a hard roll.
1136 Monroe Ave.
461-4159

The Olive Tree
Owner Peter Gekas boldly states his restaurant is the “oldest and best” when it comes to Greek food in Rochester. With 25 years of experience, this is not your typical Greek American food. The Olive Tree offers authentic cuisine with lots of vegetarian and seafood options. Gekas says many of his customers keep coming back for the Taramosalata, a caviar blended with olive oil and lemon juice and served with pita bread.
165 Monroe Ave.
454-3510

Aladdins Natural Eatery
A bit farther down the avenue is another popular Greek-inspired eatery. Aladdins Natural Eatery serves up a huge menu of all natural dishes. Pitas, pockets, salads, soups, pastas — they have it all, including delectable desserts. The upper balcony overlooks Monroe Ave., giving you a great view of everything happening along the busy street below.
646 Monroe Ave.
442-5000

Dog Town Hots
Known as the place “where the best dogs live,” Dog Town Hots is a popular stop for the best hot dogs around. Try a St. Bernard, Golden Retriever or Russian Wolfhound, all made with Zweigle’s hots and custom-cut bread. And they even have their own version of the infamous “Plate.” If you’re majorly in need of a hot dog, this place is worth the trip.
691 Monroe Ave.
271-6620

Jeremiah’s Tavern
Stop eating the same old wings from the same old bar! This neighborhood tavern has received four Rochester Choice awards for the best wings in town. “The food is really what differentiates ourselves from everyone else,” says general manager Tim Clark. But the plasma TVs, outdoor seating (in the warmer months of course) and late night karaoke certainly help as well.
1104 Monroe Ave.
461-1313

Sports Page
Located right in the heart of Monroe Avenue, the Sports Page is a quaint neighborhood bar that’s open 365 days a year, “for consistency,” says manager Jason Wallace. Recently renovated, the Sports Pages offers happy hour specials, hand-packed angus hamburgers, large plasma TVs for watching (you guessed it) sports, and much more.
499 Monroe Ave.
271-8460

O’Callaghan’s Pub
This Irish-themed pub is a popular destination, whether you’re looking for a relaxing drink or a raging good time. Lots of drink specials, electronic games and dartboards galore, and a pretty sweet outdoor deck make O’Callaghan’s a pretty nice alternative to the monotony of the East End bars.
470 Monroe Ave.
271-7190

Shop & Spend

Once you’ve filled up on food, check out some of these interesting shops along the avenue.

Aaron’s Alley
For 17 years, Aaron’s Alley has been a “New York City, Greenwich Village kind of place,” at least according to Angela Carroll, who has worked there for the past 13 years. The “hippie” Monroe Ave. store offers tie-died shirts, spiked necklaces and unique items — “not like the kind of things you’d find in a mall,” says Carroll. That’s exactly what attracts college students who enjoy a break from the brand names found everywhere else.
662 Monroe Ave.
244-5044

BrownBag Bookshop
“Good quality selection” and “reasonable prices” are two things you can expect to find at BrownBag Bookshop, according to owner Peter Henderson. Having been part of the Monroe Avenue landscape for nearly 25 years, BrownBag attracts a fair number of college students and local faculty members. While they buy and sell used books, BrownBag does not carry any standard textbooks. But, for all you English and literature majors, this might be your place! Better yet, UR students get a 10 percent discount on purchases through the RED program.
678 Monroe Ave.
271-3494

Lumiere Photo
When RIT graduate William Edwards embarked on selling photo supplies and services, Rochester embraced his ambitions, which isn’t surprising considering we’re the imaging capital of the world. Lumiere Photo provides services and supplies for professional and amateur artists and photographers (they specialize in the four Ps, according to R. Glenn Alexander, director of digital sales — printing, publishing, presenting and preserving).
439 Monroe Ave.
461-4447

While you’re there, take a quick walk next door and check out Before Your Quiet Eyes, a new bookstore specializing in used and rare books. They also sell art, photos and other collectible items.

Do & See

Contrary to popular belief, Monroe Ave. isn’t just about eating and drinking. There’s also lots of stuff worth checking out.

Absolute Yoga & Wellness
Looking for some relaxation from the everyday hustle and bustle? Perhaps yoga is your answer. Located right in the middle of the thriving nightlife scene, Absolute Yoga offers group classes, private therapy sessions, teacher certification programs and seminars, and more. This is a perfect cure for stress from your annoying roommate, mountains of homework or those nagging parents. Prices start at $16 per class.
713 Monroe Ave.
223-4290

Cobbs Hill Park
At the intersection of Monroe and Culver avenues, Cobbs Hill Park offers a beautiful recreational destination. Take advantage of the softball fields, tennis courts, basketball hoops and sprawling picnic areas — great for sunbathing or just hanging out with friends. Overlooking it all is the historic Cobbs Hill Reservoir. The paved path around the reservoir is perfect for running or walking, and the view from the top is perhaps one of the best in the city.

Genesee Center for the Arts & Education
The only community visual arts center within the city of Rochester, the Genesee Center offers three features in one: a darkroom, a pottery workshop, and a printing and book arts center. There are also lots of galleries available for local artists as well as classes and workshops in photography, printing, clay making and more.
713 Monroe Ave.
244-1730

Live & Rent

It might sound like Monroe Ave is chock full of businesses, but there are definitely lots of housing options in this neighborhood. Like neighboring Park Ave. and NOTA, many of the houses in the area have been converted into unique apartment options.

The area’s proximity to everything — not just Monroe Ave., but downtown, Park Ave. and everywhere else —makes the area very attractive.

“I can walk almost anywhere and a cab ride is about $3 anywhere,” says Ken Moran, owner of Jeremiah’s Tavern and a 15-year resident of Monroe Ave.

Rents typically start around $350 for a studio and average between $800 and $1,100 for a 3-bedroom spread.

History

Though it is now home to a wide mix of shops, restaurants and bars, Monroe Avenue was once home to one of the largest seed houses in the world. C.F. Crosman founded the Crosman Seed House at 901 Monroe Ave. in 1840. By the late 1800s, the company had grown to be one of the largest in the world, encompassing 1,200 acres in the Upper Monroe Avenue area. The seed company was sold in 1925, but its impact can still be seen in the gardens of many Upper Monroe homes today.

As the suburbs and neighboring areas like Park Avenue began to grow, many businesses started to settle on Monroe Avenue, favoring its prime location — many people travel right down Monroe Avenue on their way to the city.