My Twin 「White Moonlights」

In my life as a student in Rochester, while others might rely on “life-saving coffee” ☕, my soul fuel is definitely “mellow drinks” 🍸! While others are buried in books at the library, I might be wandering under neon lights, searching for the most captivating glass in this city. Today, I’m sharing the first installment of my Rochester「Drinking Diary」, spotlighting those treasure bars that have enchanted me again and again! ✨ 🌟 My Twin 「White Moonlights」 🌟 1️⃣ Daily Refresher – This place is my “secret sanctuary”! 🏮 Tucked away in a narrow alley, stepping inside feels like entering a retro film set. Dim lighting, velvet sofas, and faint jazz music set the mood. Their creative cocktail menu changes with the seasons, offering new surprises with every visit. My favorite is the 「Midnight in Tokyo」 – gin infused with the aroma of sansho pepper, complemented by the crispness of yuzu, and finished with a hint of shiso herbaceousness. It’s like drinking Tokyo’s night in one sip. The bartenders also craft custom drinks based on your mood—true “liquid mind-reading”! 2️⃣ Patron Saint – My “temple of ceremony”! ⛪ Converted from an old church, its soaring dome, stained glass windows, and modern bar counter create a mesmerizing clash of atmospheres. The drink menu reads like a book of artistic poetry, with each cocktail telling a story. Must-try signature 「Sanctuary」 blends local apple brandy with bee pollen and thyme, offering the warm, mellow sweetness of an autumn orchard, followed by a subtly smoky finish. Live piano performances on weekends make every toast feel like standing at the intersection of the sacred and the secular. 🎭 My Trio of「Happy Hideaways」🎭 (The following are in no particular order—it all depends on the day’s mood!) • Good Luck 🍀 – An industrial-style cavern bar hiding some of the city’s finest cocktail philosophies. Their 「Bees Knees」 is the pinnacle of honey-based cocktails in my book. Pair it with their signature lasagna for the perfect blend of tipsy and full! • The Cure 💊 – The name says it all! Pharmacy-themed, with the drink menu styled as “prescriptions”—full marks for creativity. Recommend the 「Placebo」, a gin and tonic that looks clear as water but unfolds layers of elderflower and cucumber with every sip—so good you’ll question the “cure”. • Vern's 🥃 – Yes, the bar area of that hidden gem restaurant! A compact but exquisite whiskey paradise with an impressive collection of single malts. The bartenders are masters of their craft; even a classic cocktail feels like a tribute to time and tradition. In Rochester, bars aren’t just places to drink—they’re sanctuaries for emotions, sparks for inspiration, and windows to converse with the city. 🌃 When I raise my glass, academic stress and homesickness melt away, however briefly, into amber-hued halos. So here’s the question— Fellow drink enthusiasts, what other hidden gems do you recommend in Rochester? I’m all ears! 🤝 My glass will always have room for the next great discovery. #Rochester#Rochester#CocktailHour#BarHopping#StudyAbroadLif#Cheers