Whiskey River Pub & Grill — Restaurant in City of Rochester

If what I experienced on Saturday, July 30th was the norm then my rating is for sure not low enough. My expectations for WR were high, but quickly dashed. I hope for WR, the staff was simply new and overwhelmed. But, I have my doubts. With what was a promising set up, an outdoor stage, bar and dining area, paired with a indoor restaurant and bar dressed in a modern tavern style that leans biker rock and bbq joint, didn't live up to its visual appeal. As a party of 10, we set reservations early in the previous week for 630. Based on its esthetic, it appeared ready for a crowd. I was surprised to see the restaurant nearly empty when I walked in at 6pm. Not a good sign. Getting drinks at the outdoor bar was smooth and efficient, though overpriced for the size, though it would prove to be the highlight of the night. The evening was warm but not humid. It's location next to the river but not on it, kept the rank smells of the water from wafting through our experience. The numerous sun sails stretched over the outdoor dining area were unessary for an establishment that rarely has direct sun when open, and gave the outdoor area a claustrophobic if not overly dark feel. However, as the band was warming up, and what might be described as a regular crowd arrived, it was clear I was out of my element. The band that evening was catering to an older early 80s music crowd. It was unclear if this was a house band our a special guest. Regardless, as my friends grabbed another drink, my evening took a serious wrong turn when I walked into the mens room. Distracted by numerous flies, I counted over 10, but a swarm is tough to count, I was taken back by the pungent scent of urine and uncleanness typically reserved for forgotten porta johns left in the sun. I was disgusted at the experience and seriously questioned my desire to eat there. However, I bit my tongue and kept a smile of my face for the birthday boy that was just to arrive. Strike two was the silly notion that the remainder of our party arriving 20mins later at 620 was forced to pay a 10 dollar cover charge to meet at the outside bar. Though we had reservations to eat there was no reprive from the charge. We elected to eat inside as the group would have been split should we have dined outside. We were eventually seated after 20 minute wait beyond our reservation. I could understand this had the restaurant been busy. But there were only two four tops inside. There were easily 50 open seats. Once we were seated, the host told us our server would be over soon. She left a single pitcher of water and 9 plastic cups at the table. There was no silverware, no napkins, or condiments to speak of. But there were plenty of biting flies. It was more than 20min before a sever arrived to our table, in that time I went to the bar to refill our water pitcher and ask for a second, more accurate amount for a table of 10. I told my table that it would faster to order drinks at the bar. Upon my return the sever was just taking the tables drink order. We elected to put in our drink order with our food to circumvent the gap in service. The delay was an issue, but without a word from the service team or the manager, it was made worse. Once our order was placed the wait was on. It took nearly 15 minutes for the server to return just to tell the table they no longer had the steak. Strike 3. The drinks still had not come. 30 minutes elapsed when the drinks came. Over an hour elapsed and the food still had not arrived. The files were still biting. My biggest issue was the lack of communication from staff. Anything can happen during the course of a dinner service. But to make no attempt to apologize, assuage or accommodate the patrons in over 90 minutes, is unacceptable. We elected to leave this establishment after collecting the bill for our drinks and paying 70 in cover charges and, voicing our displeasure to the manager. A covid shortage might be to blame, but a five min walk up the hill to another establishment proved that to be a weak excuse had we...

I just moved to the neighborhood so I've been checking out all the bars and restaurants in the area with my wife. I've been in the service industry for 15+ years so I usually can understand how things can unfold with food or service. This was just a simple take out, I just got home from work and was hungry, Whiskey river was next on my list to check out. Place the call and gave my order, which the person was polite, said it would take 20 mins(standard time in the biz!)

Walked in and they had one bartender on staff(typical on sundays for most places) didn't get a greeting or anything, no big deal tho but I did stand there waiting unsure if he noticed me. Got our order tho and left! Smelled good for the most part and when we got home we opened up the food. Fried pickles were good but the sauce was soupy so it dripped all over, kinda figured it must've have been sitting out longer than usual or at the end of the batch. Next was the artichoke dip which came out as expected, the toast was delicious, just wish we got more! No big deal, that's usually how much you should get! I'm a toast man so I'm biased.

Next were the wings and I was told whiskey rivers wings were top in the area and I love wings. These were disappointing, I got garlic parm, my favorite combo but these wings had neither enough to call them that. They tasted just like fryer oil and unfortunately were so overcooked that the dryness was the only flavor I found prevalent in them. They also gave me carrots instead of celery which means they probably ran out, again not a huge deal but the wife loves the celery and wanted them, she was sad about that.

Again the place is in a nice location, nice interior and did a good job getting the food made in the time frame I was told. I hope next time I come, I can take a chance with the wings...

This is a great setup outside which is the only reason for a 4, be warned if there is a band and you're there for dinner, have $10 per person cash to eat outside. You can eat inside at no charge. We had no cash, wanted to eat outside and asked if they could add $20 to our dinner bill, the answer was a hard NO, so off to the ATM onsite. In this situation, I would recommend the option to add door fees to outside diners meal check.

Our waitress was very nice, drinks came quickly. We wanted a pizza but were told they were done making them, why give us the separate pizza menu then? Then just before our food came out, the table next to us, who were seated at the same time, received a pizza!

We picked fried calamari, whiskey river clams and steak hoagie. Our food came, she left napkins, but we had no utensils, salt, pepper or condiments. So we had to ask a busser for them. The hoagie was good, but the cheese was nacho cheese, not provolone as listed on the menu. The calamari was good, but they threw whole peperoncini's on it, why not slice them? The clams had pieces of pasta included, it's not a pasta dish, just clams sauteed in white wine and garlic sauce. They must just reuse cooking pans?? They were also very spicy, and had small clam shell pieces in the sauce.

We waited forever to get our check. The waitress was concentrating on the opposite side of the dining area, the band had stopped playing and we were just waiting and trying to get her or anyone's attention so we could leave. Next time we may eat at one of the other restaurants in the area and then stop for the music after, or go early and maybe have a chance to...