THE SCENE: Tribeca comes to High Falls

By Jen Graney on January 16, 2008

Kick around High Falls any time of day and you can't help but think of all the clubs that opened there with much fanfare, but then failed to stick around - Saddle Ridge, Tiki Bob's, McFadden's, Jillian's, etc. But step through the doors of what will soon be Tribeca (233 Mill Street), and you venture that someone may have finally found the High Falls sweet spot.

Slated to open Friday, February 1, in the space that formerly housed Keys Martini & Piano Bar, Tribeca is the nightclub Rochester needs, says general manager Mark Monty. Monty's been in the business for 34 years - he had a stint at Studio 54, and has since managed numerous clubs - so he knows what he's after, and he sees the potential in High Falls.

"It's historic and unique," Monty says. The reason other clubs haven't succeeded there, he suggests, has nothing to do with location, but because of issues with liquor licensing. Monty says seven of his co-workers own or have owned bars in the Rochester area, and are well-versed in the nightclub nitty-gritty. As a result, they know better than to fool around with an 18-and-over format. Tribeca is strictly 21 and up.

"It's all going to be by the book," Monty says. There'll be valets out front, license-scanners at the door, and security presence inside. The hope is that by placing emphasis on safety and comfort, the club will attract a 20- to 30-something female clientele. The men that swarm around them should logically follow.

On a recent weeknight, Monty was hanging out at the club with Tribeca owner Maurizio Burroni, their new hostess Beth, and a slew of other soon-to-be security and bar personnel. The space was still clearly under construction, with wires strewn about, a large empty frame awaiting its wall-sized television, $7,000 worth of drapes not yet hung, and plenty of other unfinished business. But that was all eclipsed by fixtures like the colossal eye-catching chandelier draped across the ceiling, the colorful, swanky VIP booths - so large they seem like well thought-out rooms, really - and two hydraulic cage-lifts built to hold professional dancers.

And that's just when you walk in. Continue around the place and you realize there are actually three separate bars and three different vibes pulsing in the club at once. The DJ in the main room will pipe 80's and 90's music through a fancy sound system across the gleaming dance floor, while shadow dancers shimmy on both sides of the booth. In a lime-green lit upstairs bar, the music is less audible, so you can hold a conversation with friends or debate the merits of the rubber floors and bar-top (good for your feet, Monty says). Head back downstairs through a heavy glass door, and you're in the Cherry Lounge, adorned with deep red wallpaper and a matching set of chandeliers. The third bar's in here, along with another DJ, this one spinning music from the 70's.

"People want to hear the music they grew up with," Monty insists. There won't be a hip-hop night, he adds, but then that's the point.

"If you try to be everything to everybody, you're nothing to nobody," Monty says. He reiterates the importance of top-notch service and security. And, if you need further reason to check it out, consider that there won't be a cover charge when you enter the club via the heated corridor waiting line.

Visit rochestercitynewspaper.com and click on "Nightlife" for updates on Tribeca and the rest of the Rochester scene.

Comments for "THE SCENE: Tribeca comes to High Falls" (23)

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Jen said on Jan. 17, 2008 at 11:24am

F. Minneo--

Thank you for the heads-up, and my apologies to Maurizio for the incorrect spelling. This will be corrected online.

Jen

F. Mineo said on Jan. 17, 2008 at 7:42am

Nice Article, although it would have been nice if the owner's name was spelled correctly, and there was a bit more tact in the wording. I am surprized that you did not interview the owner, and get the real story. I am disappointed in the pictures as well as the content of this article, Tribeca is soooo much more!

** Maurizio Burroni, is his name, just in case you were interested...

Nathaniel Rochester III said on Jan. 18, 2008 at 11:22am

I cant believe another "night club" is going into this area......how about some housing and building up the area surrounding "high falls" so that people dont have to travel to go into the area...it just doesnt seem to work..people want to walk to a bar not drive all over the place for one bar in a remote location...build the area first then bring in the nihilist..dont get me wrong Im all for the refacing of Rochester but how about something less redundant....thanks....sweet "night club"...I give it 4 months and 100 arrests..I hate to say it but another club in High Falls is like the City of Rochester/State of New York tearing down another historic landmark (Midtown) for lack of entreprenuriel diggin' ..

-NR III

Looking For A Home said on Jan. 22, 2008 at 11:10am

Personally, I'm excited. I've spent way too much time at Taylor's. East End continuous to get younger and younger espeically now that SOHO will be 18+. I see a future downfall of East End for adult patrons. Do you remember Tonic (the new owner certainly does not) That's when it was at it's best. And finally, Saint Paul is simply an abomination. I welcome any new place for adults to enjoy themselves. And according to the article above "There won't be a hip-hop night" SIGN ME UP! GOOD LUCK TRIBECA!

Evan said on Jan. 22, 2008 at 4:53pm

It sounds as if you certainly have spent "way too much time" at Taylors. If your looking for a home..why dont you have people over to yours, it sounds as if your a bit old to be hangin out in clubs anyway. I like the idea of the NR III article. If Tribeca is such a talent why not try to compete in the East End area??..I feel bad for the owner of this place. He or she obviously does not have a proper history lesson of this area...how about some housing and a wegmans instead...who said anything about hip hop night??..Unless your assuming from the statement above (4 months and 100 arrests) is calling out a hip hop night. That seems a bit predjudice dont you think....stay at Taylors.....HOMEY

-Evan the Impalor..:)

Jules said on Feb. 01, 2008 at 1:12pm

Hey Fina...

I love you. I am SO happy this is finally happening for the two of you. You are so right the owner should of been interviewed. Wheres my invite? Ciao!!

Jules

Nathaniel Rochester III said on Feb. 09, 2008 at 9:50am

Opening night, five of us get there 12:45. Rudely asked us for ID, two twenty-three year old girls in our group did not have license, let in regardless. Hip-hop music playing, maybe fifty people in club. First round $45.00 dollars for five drinks, fifty dollars with tip. Bartender Jeff very discourteous. Five dollars to park car, five dollars to enter each-are you kidding me! I give it, till the end of the month, before these loser's are closed.

-NR III

Looking For A Home said on Feb. 11, 2008 at 10:58am

Went with several girlfriends on Saturday night. Had a GREAT time! The place was elegent & stylish right to the bathrooms. Everyone was couteous and helpful. I tried their banana martini (wasn't my only drink :-) and it was excellent. The prices were right in line with nicer restaurants and bars in Rochester.

The DJ played EVERYTHING from the 80's to today's music and kindly took our requests. When we were there, there was a PXY party in the Cherry Lounge so we didn't go in there, but we'll be sure to check it out this coming weekend.

Nice to see a beautiful place like this in Rochester.

Evan said on Feb. 12, 2008 at 6:42am

I have seen pictures from "opening night" I think it looked really fun if you like hanging out with 3 people and I bet those 3 people were paid as fillers to hang out ...on the comment above about the banana drink being excellent..good..it should be...wow what a sell!!!...an excellent drink!!..I have excellent drinks a lot of places..thats like saying go to this hospital ...they have band aids....the real sell was the PXY party..Im laughing..hard...the people with half a brain should be laughing also.....how many of these crappy bars do we have to see around town??..honestly...do something else...please!!!!....its obvious that the above is the owner of a friend of the owner....grow a pair will ya!!!! -Evan

CLUELESS (NOT) said on Feb. 12, 2008 at 3:42pm

A striking occurrence apparently by mere chance that the former employees from Pulse/Montage are working at the same bar a year later. This bar does not have a snowball of a chance you know where to succeed.

** Anthony O, is his name, just in case you were interested...

F. Mineo said on Feb. 12, 2008 at 9:10am

I WANT TO THANK THE CITY OF ROCHESTER FOR COMING OUT ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT, IN THE FREEZING WEATHER, TO SUPPORT TRIBECA'S OPENING! WE ARE SO PLEASED AND EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THE HIGH FALLS REVITALIZATION PROJECT. THANK YOU MAYOR DUFFY AND HIS STAFF FOR ALL THE KIND WORDS AND SUPPPORT. WE WON'T LET YOU DOWN!

Evan said on Feb. 12, 2008 at 5:24pm

the headstone reads-- "High Falls Revitilazation Project Jan-2008 to March 2008" we just didnt see it comin even though this has been trying to get off the ground since 1999..dont worry the one next to it will read " Fast Ferry" and next to that " Rochester Rhinos" and next to that "Mid Town" and next to that Kodak...etc.....its not that your bar is the problem Im sure lots of good folks will get drunk and plenty of unplanned children will be conceived because of it....what would of been a good idea is keeping midtown ..put in some housing, shopping etc...and connect all the little pockets and build off of what we already have...its just all these bad ideas going from one end of the city to the other..I wonder where the next crappy half-assed project will go.....sorry your bar is the poster child for this at this moment but its just really annoying to keep seeing bars get all this attention....do something useful with your money....what about using it to set up a job corp. for homeless people or is that not hipster enough for everyone....again I appologize that the this article about your bar is the center for this rant..but you did want attention right??

-Evan

Steve said on Feb. 15, 2008 at 6:36pm

I haven't been to Tribeca yet, but plan on checking it out. Most real cities DO have bars for entertainment and socializing. I think some people like the attention they can focus on themselves by making controversial comments! If they don't have something good to say I can live with that. If they have to say it over and over again, they must have nothing else to do with their time. I think pessimism like this is one reason the Rochester area is moving in the wrong direction (however, I do admit that the fast ferry was a crappy idea). Good luck Tribeca. You have a lot of negative thinkers to overcome but it can work out...

Santa said on Feb. 17, 2008 at 11:25am

this is sooooo funny to see people going on about a dance club...who cares!!..hey Paul what is the definition of a "true dance club"......and who are you impressing with your dress...the girls your not going to get..if you guys want a real good time you should go read a book or visit your family....actually the old toad is a pretty good place not a bunch of fakes in dresses they bought at the mall and think they are living in Hollywood....get over yourselves your just bar flys...buzz away!!!!

Minneo said on Feb. 16, 2008 at 1:24pm

Friday-second week opened and you could've swung a dead cat and not hit anyone. What's with the Hip-hop playing? Lame...R.I.P.

Paul said on Feb. 16, 2008 at 1:32pm

Unfortunately there is a cover charge of $5, but for all it's worth is very minimal and shoild not cause anyone from visiting the club. Haven been to many clubs around the country I found that Tribeca is a jewel that should be appreciated. There are no better clubs that represent style and glitz than Tribeca here in Rochester, unless your traveling in Miami , LA, or NYC you will not find a finer true dance club to enjoy. There are too many bars with dance floors, but no dance clubs and it's about time to have some real fun and dress to impress the way it should be .

ggg said on Mar. 19, 2008 at 4:52pm

so did this club close? I haven't seen or heard anything about it since opening night.

jen said on Mar. 20, 2008 at 12:35pm

Nope, it's still going. Thanks for asking...

Pyrite said on Apr. 09, 2008 at 2:51pm

Tribeca buses in under age baseball caps, T-shirt wearing collage kids now. How desperate. Fridays still having a total of five people in club. Put a fork in it, its done!

Pyrite

Teri said on May. 09, 2008 at 10:29am

Tribeca is so much fun! When I went, there was a nice crowd, good music and really friendly people working there. I recommend it to anyone interested in having a great night out.

lovedit said on May. 13, 2008 at 12:06pm

This club is great. True somedays it is slower than others but there is always a crowd and excellent staff. Our Waitress Ashley was great! The drinks were awesome. The music was a great mixture of stuff I grew up on and music from now. I met the owners who were very outgoing and sweet. All the haters before me will put down ANY club attempt for high falls, and most likely work for a competitor. Right Nathaniel Rochester III....
I say go, check it out and have an awesome time!

Terry said on Jun. 04, 2008 at 10:28pm

Fina,

The club is fabulous!! Mikey loved it too!

I know a few people who want to come work for you!!

Love ya lots and congratz on introducing such an amazing bright spot to Rochester!!!! All our best to you and Mauritz!!!

Love ya,

Wendy said on Sep. 13, 2008 at 9:21pm

If you don^t like the music say so. If you think that housing is an issue of merit say so. But tell the right people. VOTE!!!!!! Be a proactive voice. Tell your ideas to the people in City and County Govt. There is a lot of shiesty stuff going on in this County and THAT is where the community can and should direct their comments.

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