Radio Social Rochester is a niche-defying event venue, They have taken Rochester by storm and combine classic sports with world-class dining
Nestled within the reclaimed walls of a former radio factory, crowds gather for drinks, games, and socialization.
The modern decor, hip atmosphere, and modern beats pumping from the sound system made me feel as if I was walking into a modern social club. The smell of lamb arancini filled the air and laughter and whoops filled my ears.
But there was one sound that betrayed the secret hidden behind the bright, airy atmosphere. The thunderous roll and loud crash of bowling balls careening down wooden lanes and crashing into ten pins.
At Flavor the Globe, we absolutely love dining experiences that offer amazing food paired with unique flavors. Similar to the Boardwalk Lounge in Peterborough, Ontario, Radio Social delivers an exciting atmosphere mixed with fun games and experiences. And they are all brought together with some of the best food in Rochester.
Introducing Radio Social
Radio Social is a bit of an enigma. This funky Rochester bowling alley isn’t a dark, dingy hole-in-the-wall with low ceilings and cheap food like most bowleramas. It’s bright, vibrant, and has high-quality drinks served at walk-up bars.
And then there’s the restaurant, of which Radio Social has two. Shortwave, a counter service-only snack bar serves up soft-dough brick-oven pizza, thick, juicy burgers, wings, and finger food. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself wrapping your mouth around something that surprises you in the most delightful way.
Ophira is Radio Social’s front dining room. Make no doubt about it, this restaurant might be casual, but the Middle Eastern fare served here is high-end. You’ll find both brunch and dinner options where items such as lamb arancini, soy-glazed brussel sprouts, and cornish hen wow guests with their cooked-to-perfection deliciousness.
The scrumptious menu at Radio Social is the brainchild of executive chef Steve Eakins, a Rochester native who studied under chef Marc Murphy at Benchmarc Restaurants in New York City. Chef Eakins spent four years building up the impressive menu before passing the reigns to chef Josh Prahler, who kept the tradition of social fun mixed with high-end eats alive.
Another differentiator between traditional bowling halls and Radio Social is the bars.
The bars at Radio Social are bright and welcoming. The bar program, crafted by Chuck Cerankosky of Good Luck, Cure, and Lucky’s is managed by Jared Reeves.
That’s correct, a bar program. Not like your typical bowling alley where you saunter up for a Miller Lite or a Bud, maybe a whiskey and coke if you’re feeling fancy.
The libations on offer at Radio Social are expertly crafted and curated from high-end selections of beer, wine, and spirits.
On the drink menu, you’ll find cocktails such as New Balance, which combines tequila, watermelon, mint, Aperol, and lime, the Socialite, combining vodka, citrus, Darjeeling tea, and frankincense, and Spirit Animal mixing bourbon, cherry, sweet vermouth, and arak. There’s also an extensive collection of craft beers and even a decent wine menu.
A History of Doing Things Differently
Although owner Dan Morgenstern opened the doors to Radio Social in 2017, its history tracks back more than 70 years.
In 1957, Dan’s family immigrated to the city from Israel. His father began work at the local bowling alley, Clover Lanes as a mechanic, but quickly moved up the ranks to manager.
While Clover Lanes was a “traditional” Rochester bowling alley at a glance, there’s no doubt that the concept of bucking trends was passed down to Dan from his father. Dan said of his Dad: “Differentiation came through focusing on social, behavioral, and best practices in that era.” While the business ethics sound dry, for a bowling alley in the 60s, concepts such as no smoking, earlier evening hours, and welcoming under-represented social groups would have been very progressive thinking at the time.
Clover Lanes was the first Rochester venue to host a version of “American Bandstand,” inviting local acts Invictas, Show Stompers, and Abstractions (which became today’s Sky Coasters)
Eventually, the staff of power at Clover Lanes was passed to Dan himself. And it was the influence of his son Noah that drove him to push the bar even further.
Dan states: “The Radio Social concept I attribute to my son, Noah who recognized that the traditional model of league bowling could be disrupted. Fine dining, a cocktai-forward focus, multiple format gaming wrapped in high-design surroundings with little-to-no league structure would appeal to an entirely different customer base.”
A big help to the growing interest for this innovative take on social entertainment was a social media push by PR rep Leah Stacy. “With the help and guidance provided by Leah in handling the Social Media introduction, the build-up to the opening was palpable. When the doors opened it was an explosion.”
Radio Social has since been running three times their early estimates. And much of this is because Radio Social doesn’t tout itself as a bowling alley. Instead, it’s viewed, both by the staff and the guests, as an event venue.
The Food At Radio Social
Dan’s family were Czech and immigrated to Israel. Dan was born in Israel before his family ultimately settled in Rochester. The unique food character at Radio Social broadcasts that history.
“Israeli food is really a mishmash of Middle-Eastern, Eastern European, Russian, and Meditteranean. But, at its core, it is Arab, Persian, and North African (Moroccan). We love the spices, aromas, and family approach to the profile.”
During my visit to Radio Social, we were running short on time. I was visiting with my wife Christina and our two boys. We had been enjoying a full day of exploring the top things to do in Rochester and didn’t roll into Radio Social until almost 8:00.
Because of our late visit, we opted to order from the Shortwave menu, as the short-order cooking meant that we could enjoy some food a little sooner.
Our meal started off with the Radio Hummus, which was served on a massive platter. The hummus was made to perfection and dusted with a sprinkling of herbs and spices that made the dish as pretty as it was garlicky and delicious.
The dish was served with freshly made pita bread. The pita was warm, soft, and came in portions that didn’t leave you wanting for more once the dish was finished.
Christina enjoyed the WaveBurger. Her eyes rolled with appreciation when she bit into it, and I didn’t understand her enjoyment until I tasted it for myself. The burger is cooked exactly to medium. The juicy, local Finger Lakes beef was fresh and delicious topped with green chile relish, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and Radio Social’s iconic Shortsauce. She enjoyed the dish with a side of curly fries with black garlic mayo and spicy ketchup.
Our eleven-year-old son dove head-first into a plate of truffle honey chicken wings. My eight-year-old and I opted for Radio Social’s oven-baked pizza. He went for the clean and simple Just pizza with tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil.
I, on the other hand, opted for Knives Out pizza. This dish was loaded up with chopped steak, caramelized onion, blackened garlic, and seasoned mushrooms. The dough was thick but light and fluffy and the toppings were plentiful, but not so overwhelming as to take away from the rest of the ingredients
What To Do At Radio Social
The fact that Radio Social is a bowling alley can easily be lost upon the first glimpse of this Rochester social club. But after your eyes peel past the mouthwatering cuisine, lively atmosphere, and bright environment, it’s easy to see why a visit here is one of the top attractions in Rochester.
There are 34 separate bowling lanes, spaciously spread across the massive interior. The lanes are typically packed with revelers, from families to young couples, to large groups spread across multiple lanes.
But the fun at this Rochester bowling alley isn’t limited to simply 34 lanes. This is a full-on social experience unique from anywhere else in Rochester.
Spread throughout the 42,000 square feet of indoor space are shuffleboard decks, arcades, lounge areas, and plenty of room to gather together for group get-togethers. Outdoors are another 10,000 square feet of social space that includes lounge chairs, outdoor firepits, and outdoor games.
Radio Social – Far More Than Just a Rochester Bowling Alley
I couldn’t be happier that I had the chance to experience Radio Social while I was in Rochester. The entire experience, from the friendly staff to the amazing food was a genuine delight.
It’s a wild statement to say that some of the best food to eat in Rochester can be found at a bowling alley. But one visit and I’m sure that you’ll be in complete agreement with me. You can make your reservation right here.
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Disclosure: This article was made possible with the support of Visit Rochester and Radio Social. For more information on the wide range of experiences in and around the city please visit their website. I would like to humbly thank them for their support. All opinions remain our own.
