Union Tavern

Union Tavern is a locally owned New England-style tavern in the Sea Breeze neighborhood of Irondequoit, NY, occupying a brick building constructed in 1856 by the town's eighth supervisor. Owners Don and Kelly Bush — who previously ran Marshall Street Bar and Grill — acquired the former Reunion Inn in early 2019 and opened Union Tavern to the public that July. Don has worked in the restaurant and bar industry since 1994, and the couple spent years searching for the right property before landing on the Culver Road location. The tavern operates without televisions at the bar, a deliberate choice meant to encourage conversation among guests.

The menu leans into American comfort food with a New England influence. Standout dishes include chicken cavvies — a cavatappi-based dish developed in-house — along with Yankee pot roast, fish and chips, French onion soup, the Union burger, and pan-seared salmon. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available. The drink program features craft cocktails, Finger Lakes wines, and a notable selection of non-alcoholic options for those skipping spirits.

Upstairs, a space called The Bradstreet serves as an intimate speakeasy-style room hosting monthly events, storytelling nights, and Friday night tastings centered on a single featured bottle and shared-table conversation. The tavern also accommodates private events ranging from small dinners to full-building celebrations, including birthdays, anniversaries, showers, and team gatherings.

Union Tavern holds a spot on the Haunted History Trail of New York State, owing to the building's long and layered past — the property's history stretches back to 1819, and the structure has been rumored to have served as an Underground Railroad stop and later a Prohibition-era speakeasy. The Monroe County Paranormal Investigators have conducted investigations on site, and the tavern hosts ghost hunts year-round, with October programming that includes horror movie trivia, tarot readings, and ghost storytelling events.

Union Tavern sits at 4565 Culver Road in Sea Breeze, a lakeside neighborhood in the town of Irondequoit near the southern shore of Lake Ontario. The area is close to Seabreeze Amusement Park and the public beach at Ontario Beach Park. Street parking is available along Culver Road. The neighborhood has a relaxed, residential character with a handful of small businesses clustered along the corridor.