Restaurant
Unclaimed profileChester's Kitchen & Bar
Rochester, MN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Chester's Kitchen & Bar runs a beverage program with a dedicated Chester's Cocktails section of nine drinks, a separate reserve wine list, and a reserve spirits list. The cocktail menu names specific spirits and modifiers, including Tattersall rye, J. Carver Brickyard bourbon, Ford's gin, and house-infused jalapeno tequila. Wine spans by-the-glass and bottle options across sparkling, white, rose, red, and port, with reserve bottles from $92 to $425. Eight tap beers include Minnesota breweries, and a six-option N/A section covers zero-proof cocktails and non-alcoholic beer.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Nova Old Fashioned, built on Tattersall rye and J. Carver Brickyard bourbon with house-blended trinity bitters and orange. If you prefer gin, the Strawberry-Basil Smash uses Ford's gin with strawberries, basil, honey, and lemon. Wine drinkers can move between the $10-$19 by-the-glass range and the reserve list, where Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut and 2018 Opus One anchor the high end.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Guests who want a full beverage program under one roof: named cocktails with specific spirits, a reserve wine list with high-end Champagne and Napa Cabernet, and a reserve spirits list that includes Blanton's, WhistlePig, Macallan 15, Johnnie Walker Blue, Don Julio 1942, and Casamigos Mezcal.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is a good window for value: $2 off all liquor and all tap beers, plus Murphy-Goode wines at $8.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $11-$14. By-the-glass wines are $10-$19, bottles $37-$145, and reserve bottles $92-$425. Non-alcoholic drinks are $7-$14. Happy hour takes $2 off all liquor and tap beers and offers Murphy-Goode wines at $8.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The combination of a dedicated cocktail section with named spirits, a separate reserve wine list ranging to $425, and a reserve spirits list spanning bourbon, scotch, tequila, and mezcal gives Chester's unusual range for a restaurant beverage program.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A dedicated Chester's Cocktails section lists nine named drinks, with recipes naming specific spirits and modifiers. Rotating seasonal mule and sangria builds add movement, and a chef features sheet promotes team-crafted drinks with Gray Whale Spirits gin or vodka.
Menu strengths
- — Nine named cocktails with specific spirit brands and modifiers, including Tattersall rye, J. Carver Brickyard bourbon, Ford's gin, and house-infused jalapeno tequila.
- — Rotating seasonal mule and seasonal sangria builds give the list recurring variation.
Standout selections
- — Nova Old Fashioned: Tattersall rye with J. Carver Brickyard bourbon, house-blended trinity bitters, and orange, $14.
- — Ruby Heat: house-infused jalapeno tequila, pomegranate, house lemonade, lime, and soda, $11.
- — Strawberry-Basil Smash: strawberries, basil, Ford's gin, honey, and lemon, $14.
Pricing: $11-$14
Wine
The summer 2026 list carries a broad by-the-glass and bottle selection across sparkling, white, rose, red, and port, and a separate reserve list adds high-end Champagne, Burgundy, and Napa Cabernet. Happy hour offers Murphy-Goode wines at $8.
Menu strengths
- — Broad by-the-glass and bottle selection spanning sparkling, white, rose, red, and port, with by-the-glass prices from $10 to $19.
- — Separate reserve wine list with high-end Champagne, Burgundy, and Napa Cabernet, priced $92 to $425.
Standout selections
- — Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, Champagne, France, $145.
- — 2018 Opus One, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec, $425.
- — Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Marlborough, New Zealand, $92.
Pricing: By-the-glass $10-$19; bottles $37-$145; reserve bottles $92-$425
Beer
Eight tap beers are listed with ABV, including local Minnesota breweries, alongside a bottled and canned beer list and Carbliss seltzers. Happy hour takes $2 off all tap beers.
Menu strengths
- — Eight tap beers with ABV listed, including local Minnesota breweries.
- — Bottled and canned beer list plus Carbliss seltzers in Black Raspberry and Lemon-Lime.
Standout selections
- — Surly Furious, tap beer at 6.7% ABV.; Little Thistle Brave Woman, tap beer at 4.5% ABV.
- — Surly Furious — Tap beer, 6.7% ABV.; Little Thistle Brave Woman — Tap beer, 4.5% ABV.
Pricing: Happy hour offers $2 off all tap beers
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated N/A Drinks section lists six non-alcoholic options, including zero-proof cocktails, non-alcoholic beer, and a non-alcoholic spritz, priced $7-$14. The kids menu includes a fountain drink with meals, with milk, lemonade, and juice available for a $1.50 charge.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated N/A Drinks section with six non-alcoholic options spanning zero-proof cocktails, non-alcoholic beer, and a non-alcoholic spritz.
- — Non-alcoholic drinks priced $7-$14, with kids menu fountain drinks included and milk, lemonade, or juice for a $1.50 charge.
Standout selections
- — Phony Negroni: juniper, citrus, and floral notes with the same bitterness as the classic cocktail without the alcohol, $8.
- — Mionetto Spritz: non-alcoholic aperol-style spritz, $14.; Athletic Run Wild N/A IPA, $7.
Pricing: $7-$14
Spirits
A spirits and reserve wine list includes a reserve list of whiskeys, bourbons, scotches, tequilas, and mezcals, naming specific premium brands. Happy hour takes $2 off all liquor.
Menu strengths
- — Reserve list spans whiskey, bourbon, scotch, tequila, and mezcal with named premium brands including Angel's Envy, Blanton's, WhistlePig, Macallan 12 and 15, Oban 14, Johnnie Walker Blue, Don Julio 1942, and Casamigos Mezcal.
Standout selections
- — Blanton's, reserve list bourbon.; Macallan 15 Year, reserve list scotch.
- — Don Julio 1942, reserve list tequila.; Casamigos Mezcal, reserve list mezcal.
Pricing: Happy hour offers $2 off all liquor
Community reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.