Relax into the night by a cozy fire or party and play 'til the sun comes up in coldrush country. Those seeking a quiet evening retreat will find plenty of neighborhood bars with friendly patrons and intimate taverns with comfy, well-worn furniture. For livelier nights on the town, there are nightclubs, multiple screen sports bars, dance floors, microbreweries and trendy restaurants to explore.

Rochester's Center City boasts three distinctive entertainment areas: The dynamic East End, home of the famed Eastman Theater and Eastman School of Music, glitters with clubs, restaurants, coffee houses and a Mardi Gras event in March. Historic High Falls is an eclectic mix of nightclubs and restaurants ­ all next door to an impressive urban waterfall. St. Paul Quarter entertains, with theater, music halls, dance floors and a trendy restaurant scene.

Other city neighborhoods offering nightly fun include the artistic flair of Neighborhood of the Arts around University Avenue. Anchored by the Memorial Art Gallery, the Avenue's interesting shops, theaters, small galleries and artist studios beckon. Charming cafes, delis and neighborhood bars mingle with boutiques along Park Avenue, creating an urban village ambiance. On Monroe Avenue, the pace is lively and sometimes outrageous. An array of bars and book stores, ethnic restaurants and fast-food chains, funky retail shops and all-night eateries, plus service businesses from gas stations to nail salons, make this a highly active neighborhood.