On a gray afternoon in Rochester, light filters through the tall windows of Flora on Monroe Avenue, catching blue-tinted glass and clay-toned walls. The room feels warm, almost unexpectedly so. In one corner, someone reads quietly with a drink. At the bar, a small group chats with the bartender. La ter, the music will get louder and the dance floor will fill. But for now, the atmosphere is calm, welcoming and full of possibility. For owner Tom DeBlase, that mix of energy and ease is exactly the point. DeBlase is a Rochester native who has spent years cultivating the local electronic music scene. With Flora, which opened in November 2025, he hopes to create something Rochester has always needed more of: a space where people can gather, connect and grow together. Before Flora became a bar, the idea had already been taking shape. DeBlase spent more than a decade organizing dance events and DJ nights across the city under the moniker “Sole Rehab.” Those gatherings moved from venue to venue, sometimes in traditional clubs and sometimes in less conventional spaces. “There’s a level of freedom and comfort that queer communities feel in venues that aren’t traditional,” said DeBlase. “Warehouse spaces especially allowed people, particularly the trans community, to feel more comfortable being themselves.” The events developed a devoted following. Eventually, a friend (and now business partner) encouraged DeBlase to take the next step. Flora was born from that idea — a place where the energy of those pop-up events could take root in a permanent space. The name itself reflects the bar’s guiding philosophy.  “Fostering community and bringing people together is my life’s work,” said DeBlase. The building that houses Flora was once a car dealership, and DeBlase embraced its unusual structure rather than hiding it. Exposed pipes remain visible, balanced by tufted sofas and warm lighting. The effect is a kind of industrial-meets-earthy aesthetic — what he describes as “shabby chic.” Intentional color choices create an atmosphere that feels grounded and organic. For DeBlase, it reflects the realities of Rochester itself. PHOTO BY ERIN CONNORTON “Rochester can be so gray and bleak, especially in the winter,” he said. “I wanted a space that felt vibrant and full of life.” Music, too, is central to Flora’s identity. Friday nights lean toward pop, while Saturdays bring underground house and techno. DeBlase’s focus now is less on performing himself and more on creating opportunities for others. “I’m a middle-aged white guy,” he said with a laugh. “I feel like I’ve said a lot of what I need to say creatively already.” DJ Brian Buttlett. PHOTO BY ERIN CONNORTON He uses the bar as a platform for emerging DJs, giving them access to professional equipment and the freedom to shape their own nights. One of those DJs is Brian Buttlett, whose Friday event “Night Bloom” features pop-forward dance music curated for queer folks, community and allies. Another is Rosamaria Martinez, who performs under the name Cherry Midnight. Her monthly residency, “Midnight Fever,” is inspired by the music she grew up hearing. “It’s a love letter to disco, house and funk,” said Martinez. “I spend a lot of time digging through music to find tracks people may never have heard and share them with the crowd.” She said Flora offers something rare for performers. “Every time I walk in it’s a different crowd and always an enthusiastic, energetic vibe,” said Martinez. “That energy gives me the freedom to explore musically in ways I normally might not be able to.” She also values the sense of representation she experiences there. “As a queer Afro-Latina, seeing people who look like me in the space means a lot,” she says. “It makes my heart happy whether I’m dancing in the crowd or behind the decks.” PHOTO BY ERIN CONNORTON The bar’s menu includes house cocktails such as the “Carrie Bradshaw Lied” (spoiler: it’s not a Cosmo) and “Gay Coffee” (their take on an espresso martini), along with light fare like flatbreads and homemade hummus.  But DeBlase believes the biggest draw isn’t the drinks or the music, it’s the feeling of belonging. Guests describe the space as “a gay Cheers” or simply a friendly neighborhood bar. For many, especially those who have not always felt welcome in public spaces, Flora has quickly become something close to home. The space opens at 4 p.m., which is earlier than many nightlife spots, and the decision has produced an unexpected but welcome trend. Some visitors arrive not to party but simply to spend time.  PHOTO BY ERIN CONNORTON “We have people who come in with books or notebooks,” said DeBlase. “I remember telling my partner, ‘We have a bar people bring books to — how cool is that?’” Flora’s opening comes at a moment of change for Rochester’s LGBTQIA+ nightlife. The long-running Avenue Pub closed at the end of 2025 after 50 years in operation, while the Bachelor Forum has temporarily closed for rebranding and reorganization. For DeBlase, those losses don’t represent an opportunity, but a reminder of how much work remains. “We need more spaces, not fewer,” said DeBlase. “Rochester could support so many more queer places. We’re an underserved population.” PHOTO BY ERIN CONNORTON That sense of urgency shapes his vision for Flora. In a time when queer and marginalized communities often feel under pressure, he sees the bar as more than a nightlife venue. It’s a gathering place — somewhere people can relax, dance, talk or simply exist among friends. And like the name suggests, the goal is to keep growing. florarochester.com Jon Heath is an English writer now based in Rochester who enjoys getting to know people and teasing out their stories; he writes about music, literature and friendly folks.  The post Queer nightclub Flora takes root as a gathering place appeared first on CITY Magazine. Arts. Music. Culture.. ...read more read less