Once you make your way to the town (it can feel forever in the car, after all those short jaunts to local pubs), it's easy to park somewhere and just wander around Brockport's Main Street. That's what I did a few Tuesdays ago, when I met up with my boyfriend after his SUNY Brockport night class.
We ducked into three of the town's bars, but the first (Barber's Grill, 22 Main St., 637-2989) was our favorite. Though it's dotted with TV screens and jam-packed with sports paraphernalia, it wasn't overbearing as a sports bar. It even had some old-world charm, which makes sense, since the place has been around since 1929. The draft beers, for instance, are served in old Mason jars. Sit down, and you're immediately handed tubs of freshly popped popcorn (the machine stands in the corner), which beg to be devoured. The TVs distract you if you want to be, or you can sit in one of the cozy booths for more conversation and privacy.
A few casually dressed 20somethings hung out in back while we were there, playing darts and talking. As we perused the drink and menu offerings (there's a grill at the end, so the bartender serves double-time as cook) we noticed a favorite of ours, Woodchuck cider, on tap, along with maybe 15 other draft beers. We chose Guinness.
After we finished our pints, we crossed the street toward the canal, where we saw a big "Now Open" sign draped across the front of what looked like a nicely decorated, but vacant restaurant. We peered around the side of the building and noticed people on the lower level outside next to the canal, talking and enjoying drinks. So we went through the front doors and downstairs, where the Stoneyard Bar & Grill (1 Main St, 637-3390) was in full swing. People played the jukebox and crowded the bar, while we stepped outside and sat at one of the many patio tables. It was an unexpected, nice setting: the canal just behind us, our faces illuminated by neon signs in the bar's windows. The newly fall air was crisp and cool, and a few drinkers sat atop the wall that divided us from the water, to better enjoy the view.
When it got too chilly by the water, we headed inside. "Thriller" was blaring from the jukebox as we left, and once we stepped back onto the street, a guy on a scooter whizzed by us and a few locals that were hanging out at the corner. I spied Mitch's C & S Saloon (34 Main St, 637-3233), and since we can't resist anything that bills itself as a saloon, we went in. The long bar was a corridor full of people, divided by a wall to the left that held a much larger room, part arcade, part country bar, with a bunch of picnic tables for seating. It gave the place a down-home feel, and the drinks were still on special, well portioned, and very cheap. A pool table sat up front, and TVs totally covered the wall out back. If you use the girl's room, you can write on the walls with chalk (a la Lux).
We left the saloon around 11:30 p.m., hoping to stop at least one more place before going back to the city. But as we made our exit, we saw a cop clutching his night stick, chasing someone down a side street. It seemed the right time to call it a night.
For more Brockport bars, check out CITY's online nightlife directory at rochestercitynewspaper.com/nightlife. Or, if we missed your favorite, e-mail jgraney@rochester-citynews.com to tell us about it.