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Cecil's Wine & Whiskey Bar Announces Permanent Closure After 15 Years

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/04 .. -announces-permanent-closure-after-15-years.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, December 4th 2025 at 15:33 GMT by Democrat and Chronicle

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Cécil’s Wine & Whiskey Bar, a Rochester staple on Park Avenue, has announced its permanent closure after nearly a decade and a half of serving the city’s discerning drinkers.

The announcement, published on December 4, 2025, comes as a surprise to many in the local culinary community. Cécil’s was founded in 2010 by its eponymous owner, Cécile L. Martin, a former executive chef who wanted to bring a curated whiskey and wine experience to Rochester’s downtown. The bar’s reputation grew over the years thanks to its intimate tasting room, rotating whiskey flights, and seasonal cocktails that paired perfectly with the city’s farm‑to‑table dining scene.

Why the closure?

According to the article, the decision to close was largely financial. Martin cited the rising cost of rent on Park Avenue, compounded by the lingering economic impacts of the COVID‑19 pandemic and a shift in consumer habits that favored larger, multi‑concept establishments over niche, single‑theme venues. “It’s been an honor to host so many of Rochester’s best friends over the last 15 years,” Martin said. “But the financial reality has made it impossible for us to continue operating at the level we’ve always set for ourselves.” She added that the decision was bittersweet but necessary for her to “turn the page and explore other ventures.”

The article also notes that the bar’s licensing and inspection paperwork has become more burdensome in recent years, a trend highlighted in a link to a New York State Liquor Authority page that outlines the increasing costs of maintaining a specialty liquor license. This regulatory pressure, coupled with the bar’s desire to remain a “high‑quality, small‑scale experience,” made the choice to close more understandable.

Impact on the local scene

Cécil’s had long been a cultural touchstone for Rochester’s craft‑drink community. The bar hosted monthly whiskey tastings, wine pairings with local chefs, and a “Saturday Night Jazz” series that drew crowds from around the region. In the article, several patrons and local business owners reflected on the bar’s impact. David Nguyen, a regular at Cécil’s for over seven years, recalled, “Every Friday night, we’d gather for a new bourbon flight, and it was more than just a drink; it was a ritual that connected us.”

Local restaurants have already begun to feel the void. A link within the article points to a Rochester City Gazette piece that profiles the nearby Baker & Finch Café, which is expanding its own wine bar to fill the gap left by Cécil’s. “We’re hoping to honor the legacy of Cécil’s by offering a similar intimate experience,” said Café owner Marina Lopez.

Final night and community response

The closing ceremony, which took place on December 6, 2025, was described as a “crowded, heartfelt gathering.” Martin thanked her staff, which included long‑time bartender Jordan Lee (a former mixologist at the upscale Sage Bar in New York City) and sommelier Ellen Chang, for their dedication. The article includes a photo collage of the last night, taken by local photographer Samuel Park, who was known for capturing the vibrancy of Rochester’s nightlife.

During the event, Martin also revealed her plans for the space: the building on Park Avenue is being sold to a co‑working startup incubator that will convert the former bar into a flexible office hub. She expressed excitement for the next chapter, noting that the new venture will still emphasize the importance of community and collaboration—principles she nurtured at Cécil’s.

Legacy and remembrance

In addition to the final night, the article highlights that a time capsule was buried in the bar’s backyard. The capsule will contain bottles of whiskey, handwritten menus, and a letter from Martin to future Rochester residents. It will be opened in 2027, two years after the bar’s closure, as a way to honor the memories created there.

The article also links to an earlier piece from 2010 that chronicled the bar’s opening. That piece describes how Martin sourced its first whiskey from Balvenie Distillery in Scotland and built a relationship with local farmers to supply fresh ingredients for the bar’s signature cocktails. That historical perspective frames Cécil’s not just as a place to drink, but as an evolving dialogue between Rochester’s culinary artisans and its patrons.

Looking forward

While Cécil’s Wine & Whiskey Bar may have closed its doors, its influence remains embedded in Rochester’s food‑and‑drink culture. The bar’s focus on quality, personal service, and community engagement has set a standard for many other establishments. In the final paragraph of the article, Martin reflects on the bar’s journey: “This isn’t an end; it’s a new beginning. We’ve built something that will carry on, and I’m proud to see it inspire the next wave of Rochester’s hospitality.”

The closure of Cécil’s is a bittersweet moment for the city, but it also marks the beginning of new ventures and opportunities for the Park Avenue building. The bar’s legacy—as a place where whiskey and wine were more than beverages, but conversation starters and cultural touchstones—will continue to resonate in Rochester’s evolving culinary landscape.