Rochester Riverside Convention Center

Pretty much the only venue for conventions and conferences in Rochester. It’s great to have the parking lot next door with the covered breezeway to cross over South Ave above traffic.
The décor is a little outdated but the space is huge and great for big events. They can customize a space to best fit your group with partitions, etc. I’ve been here for award ceremonies, parties, conventions, and Rochester Mini Maker Faire.
Their food has improved as if late — I’ve usually had the chicken French… Rice pilaf and appetizers. Finger food and cheese is always good. They also have a concessions area on the first level which offered cheeseburger, chicken sandwiches, nachos, and Caesar salads. Relatively inexpensive options and pretty tasty for concessions! I had the Caesar salad solely to get some greens in me — the romaine was crisp and it comes with Ken’s Caesar dressing (oil based, not creamy).
It’s inevitable you and the convention center will cross paths at some point during your life in Rochester.

It’s a convention center, what can really be said? The décor is straight out of the early 80’s and is quite outdated and ugly.

The food here has improved greatly in the last couple of years. It used to be terrible. They are the only game in town if you have a really big function, unless you want to go out to the sticks. The river view is really great. The crime is the way this building is pretty much just a big wall on South Avenue and on Main Street.

It’s show time, folks! Yes, the Rochester Riverside Convention Center hosts the annual Auto show as well as other conventions, graduations and special events like the ugly Disco. Hey, it’s huuuge. Why three stars? It’s just a box. Somewhat dated box at that. Parking is provided by the adjacent parking garage which is somewhat haphazardly laid out. When you’re at an even in the convention center you start to see how shabby it’s becoming. They need to update the amentities and AT LEAST provide some access to wi-​fi. Seriously, folks!