About Us

At Reserved, we believe a great cocktail isn’t just mixed—it’s inherited. We’re a Rochester cocktail bar built on generations of grit, love, and late nights behind the bar. What we pour today is a tribute to the hands that poured before us.

Our story begins in the 1950s, when Franklin “Frank” Wright, a WWII vet with a firm handshake and a soft spot for rye whiskey, opened a small corner tavern on Monroe Avenue. It was modest—no-frills barstools, checkered floors, and a neon "Cold Beer" sign in the window. But what it lacked in flash, it made up for in heart. Frank knew every regular’s name, their story, their drink—and their preferred order of pouring.

His philosophy was simple: “People don’t come here for the booze. They come to feel like they belong.”

That bar would go on to become a local fixture for over three decades. Frank’s son, Martin Wright, took the reins in the late '80s and introduced Rochester to its first real craft cocktail before it was a thing—muddling herbs by hand, aging bourbon in small barrels in the basement, and offering a rotating “dealer’s choice” long before it became trendy.

By the time Martin retired, the original bar had closed its doors, and it seemed like the family tradition might fade with it.

But in 2023, Martin’s grandchildren—Andrew and Elias Wright—reignited the flame. Inspired by handwritten recipe cards, photos of their grandfather’s bar, and memories of sneaking sips of orange peel off garnishes as kids, they created Reserved—a bar that honors the family legacy while reimagining what a cocktail bar can be.

The name Reserved is personal. It nods to the “reserved” booth their grandfather kept by the jukebox for veterans and city workers at the end of their shifts. It’s a reminder that in this space, everyone has a place—whether you’re ordering your usual or discovering a new favorite.

At Reserved, we believe every detail matters. The lighting is low, the bar is marble, the playlists hum with vinyl crackle, and the ingredients are always intentional—locally sourced citrus, house-steeped liqueurs, and bitters that trace back to family recipes.

This isn’t fast-drinking. This is storytelling in a glass.

We serve everything from time-tested classics to seasonal signatures and zero-proof mocktails that are just as intentional. And we still keep one drink “off-menu”—just like Frank did—available to anyone who simply says, “Make me what you’re proud of.”

Reserved is more than a place to get a great cocktail. It’s our family’s way of giving back to a city that shaped us. We partner with local distilleries, artists, and nonprofits. We donate a portion of proceeds from every seasonal special to community causes. And we always keep our roots in sight—even as we evolve.

So come in. Slow down. Listen to the ice clink, the shaker rattle, and the low hum of good conversation. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or just need a familiar booth and a warm welcome, this space is—for you.

At Reserved, every pour tells a story.

And we’d love for you to be part of ours.