Martine Kocktails

Martine Kocktails is a two-story cocktail lounge at 647 South Avenue in Rochester's South Wedge neighborhood. Opened in mid-October 2023, it occupies a space that previously housed Solera Wine Bar. The bar is owned by Chuck Cerankosky, a Rochester restaurateur behind several well-known local establishments including Good Luck, Cure, and Radio Social. Cerankosky also serves as director of the Rochester Cocktail Revival. Bar manager Will Cornfield helped develop the concept and co-manages the day-to-day program.

Martine specializes in draft cocktails — full-strength drinks batched in kegs and then shaken or stirred to order for aeration. The "K" in Kocktails is a nod to the Eastern European spelling of "koktel," reflecting the keg-based approach. The menu includes classic preparations like the Negroni and Sazerac alongside house originals such as the Cheshire Club. Half-portion "fun-size" cocktails are available at a lower price point. A limited food menu is also offered, with ingredients sourced from Cerankosky's other restaurant operations and prepared on-site by a dedicated cook.

Martine is open Thursday through Monday until 2 a.m., with Sunday hours starting earlier in the afternoon. The bar also accepts event inquiries and operates Martine Mobile, an off-site cocktail catering service.

Martine is built around the draft cocktail format — a less common bar concept in Rochester that sets it apart from traditional cocktail bars where each drink is built individually. The two-floor layout features green walls, custom hickory wood counters crafted by Entrada Woodworking, and a DJ booth positioned to overlook both levels. The design draws on a European-influenced aesthetic while keeping the space approachable. Cerankosky's long track record in Rochester's food and drink scene, including his work founding the Rochester Cocktail Revival, informs the bar's cocktail-forward identity.

Martine sits on South Avenue in the heart of the South Wedge, a walkable neighborhood south of downtown Rochester known for its independent shops, restaurants, and bars. The stretch of South Avenue near Martine includes a mix of small businesses and residential buildings. Street parking is available along South Avenue and surrounding side streets. The South Wedge is bordered by the Genesee River to the west and connects easily to the Highland Park area to the southeast.