Anchor Bar opening

(Credit: Annette Lein file photo)

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New Rochester bars and restaurants

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One of Buffalo's legendary eateries is coming to Rochester.

Anchor Bar, the Buffalo sports bar and restaurant that's recognized as the originator of the Buffalo-style chicken wing, will open its first Rochester location on Sept. 3 at 355 East Ave., the space formerly occupied by The Bar nightclub.

The franchise is owned by Mike Collichio, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, Dutchess County, who went on to start Millennium ATM Services in Webster but is now returning to his roots.

In June, Collichio went to the Anchor Bar Buffalo headquarters to discuss a potential deal.

"When I tried the product, I thought it was fantastic," Collichio said. "I just knew it was going to work and we started renovations the next day."

The Rochester location — which will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. — will have a similar feel to the restaurant on Main Street in Buffalo. It will feature two fireplaces, an upstairs area for private parties and Harley Davidson bikes sitting in the rafters.

All the upcoming college and NFL football games will be available on the 32 plasma televisions throughout the space.
Collichio said the business will have 26 beers on tap and will be partnering with Genesee Brewing Co.to offer some local brews. The menu also will be similar to the Buffalo location in its abundance of appetizers, sandwiches — and, of course, chicken wings.

"I'm a UB grad and we used to eat at Anchor Bar all the time," said Rochester resident Rachel Anderson, 22. "I'm psyched that we're getting one."

But not everyone sees Anchor Bar's success in Rochester as a foregone conclusion. Craig Tompkins, 26, moved from Rochester to Buffalo last year for graduate school. He said he's not sure the franchise will be as popular here.

"Rochester's version might be popular based on location and on the weekends," he said. "But Buffalo's (Anchor Bar) is legendary. I don't see that much of an impact in Rochester."

Collichio is banking on people like Tompkins being wrong and he's quick to use Dinosaur Bar B Que on Court Street in downtown Rochester as a model. The Syracuse franchise of the barbecue restaurant and bar has been in Rochester since 1998.

In fact, Collichio already has plans to open up a second Anchor Bar franchise in Henrietta within the next six to eight months, though he wouldn't give a specific location.