The Best of Rochester 2016 primary ballot is now closed! Please check back on Wednesday, September 21, for our final poll!

It’s time to go over the ropes for City Newspaper’s Best of Rochester poll.

Each week, City covers the important news and events happening in Rochester. But during our annual readers’ poll, we want to hear what YOU think about the best people, places, and things in Rochester.

The city has a wealth of interesting places to explore, people to meet, and things to do. So what is it about this city that makes you excited? What would you want to tell a newcomer to check out? Who owns the title belt in this city?

One of the most consistent comments we get each year is that the poll has simply grown too big. So this year, we’ve cut it down. The 2016 Best of Rochester poll has been capped at 100 categories. We realize that some of your favorite categories might be missing, but we also hope that it creates interesting opportunities for new, tougher competition.

To get started, we need your suggestions.

Voting for this Primary Ballot is NOW OPEN until 5 p.m. on Friday, September 16, exclusively online. Write in your favorites in at least 40 categories in order for your ballot to count.

Then check back on Wednesday, September 21, to find out each category’s top four most submitted nominations and cast your ballot for the final winners. The Best of Rochester Final Poll will run September 21 through October 14.

REMEMBER: We are looking for the best of Greater Rochester. Votes for national chains headquartered outside of Rochester will not be counted.

Did we screw something up? Have a suggestion you think will make our poll even better? Let us know! Email us at themail@rochester-citynews.com.

Make sure to follow City Newspaper on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for Best of Rochester updates. And let us know how it’s going with the hashtag #bestofroc16.

This article appears in Aug 24-30, 2016.

43 replies on “VOTE NOW: Best of Rochester 2016 Primary Ballot”

  1. Lisa at Hooligans in Greece is the best bartender in Rochester bar none. Take it from an old guy who spent a lot of time Behring the pine. She always has a smile for everyone. Is on the spot when your empty. Never fails to ask if you would like to see a menu. Takes care of everyone the same Young ,old, male or female she is on the ball

  2. Jazz guitarist and Hobart William Smith professor Gregory Wachala is unquestionably Rochester’s best guitarist.
    Catch him at Lock 32 in Pittsfield on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Greg has played with numerous national recording acts and has a style reminiscent of Joe Pass and Les Paul, if not better.

  3. Something Delicious bake shop!!! They did 3 cakes for my baby shower back in April and I still hear how amazing they were. she also made a beautiful tiara made from fondont that I still have as a decoration in the baby’s room. The owner is a wonderful women! Very kind, honest, and holds a lot of pride for her work! I am very happy to have such a wonderful bakery in our Rochester community!!! #bestofrochester

  4. Nikki Demay at gallery salon is the best of the best. Her cut and color lasts so beyond expected and I get countless compliments on my hair. The gallery salon supports local artists and jewelry and I am over the moon with thw quality of customer service and styling they provide.

    #bestofrochester
    #nikkidemay
    #gallerysalon

  5. Gruttadauria Bakery in Greece. Fantastic cookies and the best Apple Caramel pie we have ever had. #bestofrochester #bestitalianbakery

  8. Sammy Mastromsimone, of the City Grill, is the man! Best BT in the City, without a doubt. Dynamite personality! Charisma beyond compare. Style with a capital “S”, of course, for Sammy and Super!

  9. Best photographer Keenan Hudson / disturbingly Keen Photography. Awesome job from the nicest guy around.

  12. Lulu Belle Photography By Trish Frank is beautiful. They did my newborn photos for my daughter! She was very kind and gental to my fussy baby and had a miracle touch (what I call it) for keep my baby calm and comfortable for the whole shoot! #bestofrochester

  13. Vote Keenan Hudson / Disturbingly Keen Photography for your favorite local photographer. He’s got a different style and perspective than a lot of the photographers the city has to offer and he makes it a point to have affordable shoots because everyone deserves professional images. Show him some love!

  14. Best DJ – Joshua Volpe with California Entertainment.
    Hands down the BEST DJ and all around person. I have a very absent wedding planner and Josh not only knows his stuff about weddings but he’s there to give advice and recommendations through the whole process. He is a DJ and wedding planner wrapped into one! And a very huge blessing to have him involved in our big day!

    Best Yoga Instructor – Harland Becker with Eternal Bliss Yoga Studio
    Harland’s style of Yoga is simple. He wants you to feel better; he wants you to move better; he wants you to be more aware and awake. His style is for all of humanity. The breath of fresh air that you breathe once stepping outside after his class is remarkable and truly refreshing moment.

  15. World hair on park ave! Number one place to get my hair done! Men and women are welcome for walk ins! Or call for an appointment! #bestofrochester

  17. Project Magnificent best local band in Rochester. Come check them out at Bug Jar and Java’s during Fringe Festival

  18. Mullers Cider House on University. Welcoming atmosphere and yummy food and cider,both alcoholic and not. The kettle corn is the best and changes flavors every month. The staff is friendly and knowledgable.

  19. SewGreen@Rochester for best new retail, or best new secondhand retail, or best new community service.

  20. SewGreen@Rochester for

    Best new retail, or

    Best new secondhand retail, or

    Best new community service.

  21. Hi everyone,

    Just a reminder: Nominations will only be counted through the survey itself. While we don’t mind you discussing categories or giving us feedback in the comment section, nominations that are posted here will not be counted.

    Jake

  22. I think that Liz in my book is the best Bartender at TC Hooligans in Greece for Sure, she’s real real sweet to interact with and real real kind to almost anyone that comes to the place including myself and also has a great heart as well! My favorite waitresses at TC Hooligans are Donielle although she’s kind of really one of the manager’s more so, along with Natasha and Gina! Donielle seems real real kind to people including myself and just about anyone that comes to the place and definitely for sure has a great heart in my book, Gina is super super sweet and has an awesome heart in my book, and Natasha in my book is definetely real real sweet and so so kind to anyone that comes to the place including myself as well! Natasha definitely also has such a great heart as well! I definetely think that TC Hooligans in Greece definitely for sure has some of the best pizza, wings, burger’s, sandwiches, and plates for sure in my book! TC Holligans in Greece is definitely in my book one of the better places for almost anyone to plan and have birthday celebrations, and I am definitely going to be planning and having an interesting 32nd birthday celebration a TC Hooligans either end of November, or beginning to early December right around the time of my birthday this year for sure guaranteed! TC Hooligans in Greeece is definitely one of he most special places for people like myself to go to right now couple times a week!!

    Alex Holbrook

  24. JBRD Greece ridge mall, best new retail store. Their clothing line is awesome, I love the style. They also design and print for whatever you need, they do shirt for by business and it’s the best I’ve had ( and I’ve tried numerous printers) It’s not just the awesome clothes that make
    Their business but it’s the guys, Everyone in the JBRD crew are really cool , down to earth super nice people.

  26. Lumonta salon is the best new salon in Rochester! The owner Louisa Montalbano is a amazing stylist, and the other staff are awesome! The salon is bright, relaxing, modern and classy! Every time I leave there I feel beautiful and relaxed! This is by far a MUST see! They are so friendly it is like your with family the second you walk in! #voteLUMONTA!!!

  27. Why is there no choice for ‘best bookstore’? Had to vote under ‘secondhand store’ and ‘geek-friendly business’ instead.

  28. Best Wegmans, or best aisle in Wegmans, or best check out line in Wegmans, or Best place to park at Wegmans, or best Legman’s brand Wegmans item…etc. etc.

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