Rochester

A city in the Detroit area

Rochester's downtown live-music scene runs across a compact stretch of bars and pubs, with enough variety to move from Irish traditional to rock cover bands in a few blocks. O'Connor's Public House has anchored the area for two decades as an authentic Irish pub, putting live bands on its indoor stage three nights a week, including traditional Irish sessions on Sundays. The pub was designed and built by a Guinness-approved Irish pub builder and shipped to reassemble in downtown Rochester. The Roxy is Rochester's dedicated live-entertainment venue, mixing live music with comedy shows and dance-club nights. Reviewers describe a darker interior decorated in purple and black, with main-floor high tables, upstairs seating, and a dance area near the stage. Rochester Corner Bar is an upscale, art deco gastropub that runs a summer patio live-music series on Wednesday evenings and during Sunday brunch. Rochester Mills Beer Co. and The Hemmingway Room round out the local options, both appearing among Yelp's top picks for live rock music in the Rochester area. Away from the bars, the Kiwanis Club of Rochester runs free concerts at Rochester Municipal Park on Thursday evenings throughout the season.