New waterfront tavern opens in Corn Hill in Rochester

Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·3 min read

While working in sales in Rochester's restaurant industry, Steve Tette got a sixth sense for which establishments would make it. "I’ve seen what made everybody successful and what made them not so successful," he said.

Now he's putting that wisdom to work on his own venture: The Rabbit Hole Tavern, a bar and grill that recently opened in Corn Hill, a short walk from the Blue Cross Arena downtown. Simply put, it's a place you can go for a good beer and some good food, Tette said.

The name is something that came out of a brainstorming session and stuck with him. "Hopefully we blow away your expectations," he said.

The vibe at Rabbit Hole Tavern

Look carefully and you will find rabbits, both big and small, all around the newly opened Rabbit Hole Tavern.
Look carefully and you will find rabbits, both big and small, all around the newly opened Rabbit Hole Tavern.

The Rabbit Hole Tavern sits on the Genesee River, offering floor-to-ceiling views of the water, the Rochester skyline and The Frederick Douglass–Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge. A spacious patio is being renovated; Tette expects to be open in time for the arrival of spring (and, hopefully, the solar eclipse on April 8).

The bright multilevel space has a large bar surrounded by high-top tables as well as an adjacent dining room with room for 60 at standard height tables.

The décor has subtle, cheerful nods to its rabbit theme. It also pays tribute to Wayne Frank, Tette's uncle, who was one of the original organizers of the Corn Hill Arts Festival; vintage posters of the annual event line the walls.

The Rabbit Hole Tavern menu

A table of delicious dining options at the newly opened Rabbit Hole Tavern in Rochester. Pictured clockwise from top center are 3 Ring Circus stone-fired pizza, Wayne's Franks, Rocchos and Seared Salmon Sushi Flatbread.
A table of delicious dining options at the newly opened Rabbit Hole Tavern in Rochester. Pictured clockwise from top center are 3 Ring Circus stone-fired pizza, Wayne's Franks, Rocchos and Seared Salmon Sushi Flatbread.

The Rabbit Hole Tavern serves a creative menu of pub fare including wings, fried foods, salads, soups, sandwiches, Wagyu beef burgers and stone-fired pizzas.

Rabbit stew is on the menu, as is rabbit food (salads). Inspired by its location on the Genesee River, the menu includes several freshwater fish dishes: freshwater chowder, a fried catfish sandwich, Genny mud bugs (beer battered crawfish) and a creamy, cheesy crawdaddy dip.

It takes a make-your-own approach to Rochester's plates with a choice of base (fries, home fries, sweet potato wedges, mac salad, slaw or borracho beans); meat (burgers, shaved ribeye or Zweigle's hots); cheese and toppings. It also offers Rocchos ― fresh fried tortilla chips layered with shredded Cheddar, warm queso dip, onions and home fries, topped with mustard, ketchup and meat hot sauce. Mac salad or borracho beans may be added on the side.

It offers a kids menu. Gluten-free rolls and pizza crusts are available, but are not prepared in a gluten-free environment.

Beverages at Rabbit Hole Tavern

A trio of solar eclipse themed drinks, the Alien, the Eclipse and the Black Hole, at the newly opened Rabbit Hole Tavern. The Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge can be seen out the windows, spanning the Genesee River.
A trio of solar eclipse themed drinks, the Alien, the Eclipse and the Black Hole, at the newly opened Rabbit Hole Tavern. The Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge can be seen out the windows, spanning the Genesee River.

The Rabbit Hole Tavern has 16 beers on draft, served with a high-tech system that fills glasses from the bottom up, complete with dramatic bright lights. Among the options are several local craft brews including Lucky Hare Brewing Company in Watkins Glen. Its own easy drinking Rabbit Hole Lager is brewed by Ellicottville Brewing Company.

It also has a full bar and cocktail menu, including colorful creations temporarily named to celebrate the upcoming solar eclipse.

If you go

The newly opened Rabbit Hole Tavern is located at 284 Exchange Blvd, in the Corn Hill Landing.
The newly opened Rabbit Hole Tavern is located at 284 Exchange Blvd, in the Corn Hill Landing.

The Rabbit Hole Tavern is at 284 Exchange Blvd. in Corn Hill Landing. It is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It is open for lunch daily. Call (585) 270-8789.

Parking is available in the Corn Hill Landing lot as well as in the lot across the street. There's also paid parking on the street.

Takeout is available, as is delivery through its website at rabbitholetavern.com.

Accessibility: The restaurant has multiple levels and a chair lift for wheelchairs. In addition, an entrance in back of the building leads to the upper seating level.

Tracy Schuhmacher covers Rochester's food and drink scene. Notice something new in your neck of the woods? Send tips to tracys@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rabbit Hole Tavern opens in Rochester NY