Marge's Lakeside Inn

Marge's Lakeside Inn is a family-owned bar on the shore of Lake Ontario in Rochester, NY, operating out of a building that dates to the 1930s. During Prohibition, the property served as a speakeasy where owner George Magin brewed beer in the basement and mixed cocktails with liquor smuggled from Canada. On October 1, 1960, Marge Beth purchased the tavern and gave it the name it still carries. Now in its third generation of family ownership, the bar is run by Marge's granddaughter Francine and her husband Marty. The interior walls are lined with decades of photographs documenting the patrons and gatherings that have filled the place since the 1960s.

Marge's Lakeside Inn is a drinks-only establishment — no food is served. The bar focuses on cocktails and spirits, and the venue features several distinct spaces:

• A small, tiki-decorated interior with dried starfish, netting, and mirrored beer signs
• A jukebox stocked with Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffett, and vintage pop
• An outdoor patio overlooking Lake Ontario with a fire pit
• A sandy beach area with beach chairs

Live music is a staple during the warmer months, with bands performing outdoors most Wednesday through Sunday evenings. The bar also hosts themed events, including a "Christmas in July" show. The space is available for private parties.

Marge's Lakeside Inn is a tiki-themed lakefront bar with over six decades of continuous operation under the same family. It was named one of USA Today's 29 Best Bars of the Year in 2025 and has been recognized by Food & Wine as one of the country's most convincing tropical bars. The combination of vintage tiki décor, live music on the beach, and Lake Ontario sunsets has made it a warm-weather destination in the Rochester area.

The bar sits at 4909 Culver Rd, at the northernmost end of Culver Road in the Sea Breeze neighborhood of Irondequoit, directly on the Lake Ontario waterfront. Sea Breeze is a historic lakeside community near Seabreeze Amusement Park, one of the oldest continuously operating amusement parks in the country. The bar operates seasonally, with hours focused on evening service during the warmer months. Visitors should check the business's website or social media for current schedule details before making the trip.