Tryon City Tavern
Neighborhood bar and grill specializing in craft beer, cocktails, and homemade food including a popular Friday fish fry.
Overview
Tryon City Tavern is a neighborhood bar and grill at 2300 East Main Street in Rochester's Triangle neighborhood. Opened in August 2016 by Aaron DeBlieck and Ben Kulikowski, the tavern occupies a space that previously housed Ellison's, a bar and grill run by DeBlieck's father-in-law. Both owners came from Salena's in the Village Gate complex — DeBlieck spent over a decade in that kitchen while Kulikowski managed the bar — before striking out on their own. The concept centers on craft beer, homemade food, and a low-key, welcoming atmosphere.
What They Offer
The food menu leans into hearty pub fare with a from-scratch approach. Hand-pressed burgers include specialty builds like the Baja topped with guacamole and pepperjack queso. Wings come in a range of sauces from classic Buffalo to Korean Sweet & Sticky and Mango Habanero. Zweigle's hot dogs are served with creative toppings across several variations. Starters include buffalo cauliflower and tavern pretzels.
Weekly specials anchor the rotating schedule:
- Monday: Plaza plates
- Tuesday: Taco Tuesday with chips, salsa, guacamole, and queso
- Friday: Beer-battered fish fry, available as a sandwich or full dinner
- Saturday: Steak night
- Sunday: Sunday sauce — pasta with meatballs made from a family recipe
On the drink side, the bar runs eight draft lines with a focus on upstate New York craft breweries such as Rohrbach, Naked Dove, and Young Lion, alongside a selection of cocktails.
Known For
Tryon City Tavern has built a steady following around its Friday fish fry, a Rochester-area tradition the kitchen executes with beer-battered fillets. The weekly specials — particularly Sunday sauce and the rotating craft tap list spotlighting regional breweries — give regulars a reason to return throughout the week. The tavern also participates in the Winton Wobble, a summer community event that connects patrons with businesses along the East Main Street corridor.
Location & Neighborhood
The tavern sits in the Triangle, a small neighborhood on Rochester's east side where East Main Street, Winton Road, and East Avenue converge. The area is primarily residential with a mix of locally owned shops and eateries. Street parking is available along East Main Street. Hours run Monday through Thursday from 4 PM, with earlier openings on Friday (11:30 AM for the fish fry) and weekend afternoons starting at 3 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Sources used in compiling this entry
Last updated May 14, 2026