GNO July 09

Girls Night Out, also refered to as GNO…is a foreign concept to me.  No, seriously I haven’t been on a GNO in a very long time, except for cyber #GNO on Twitter and I refuse to say that that counts as a true escape from the norm, which Moms need in order to get some much needed “me” time.

Last night my husband watched the girls while I spruced myself up and headed out on the town.  I had the girls fed, bathed, pj’d and had a long talk about listening to Dad and being good.  They were angels…thank God, which ups my chances for a repeat performance in the future.

I went out with my girlfriend Michelle and our first stop was the Rochester Mills Beer Company on Water St.  It is a fairly large establishment with both indoor and outdoor seating, rustic decor and a cozy vibe.  I wanted to sit at the bar because for one thing it’s right by the stage and there was suppose to be a band playing which excited me because it has been a long time since I’ve seen a live bar band and also because the last time I sat on a bar stool was at Knapps Dairy Bar in Downtown Rochester.

So, anyway we decided to order appetizers because as an uber busy mom of three children, I hadn’t had an opportunity to eat all day, I was starving and I planned to enjoy some of the home brewed beer the Rochester Mills Beer Co. served and an empty belly was not a good move.

We ordered the Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip which was “so yummy” and Brewers Bread which was “pretty good.”  We also tried some of their home brewed beer and “oh my”…so, so good!  Sam Adams paled in comparison to the Rochester Beer Company’s Rochester Red which was sweet yet refreshing.

When the band started, we looked at each other and gave each other a look like please rescue me.  It was a chick singing a boring country song and it wasn’t tempting our music taste buds in the least bit, so we decided it was time to scoot and skedaddle, but it wasn’t yet time to head home.

We ended up at Gus O’Connors, an Irish Pub, located on Main Street in Downtown Rochester.  The crowd was ((ahem)) young and on the prowl…it was a total college meat market, but Michelle saw someone she knew, so we stayed for one drink and then headed home.  I felt so grateful for my family after seeing all the young bucks with eyes bugged out at every booty that passed by, looking for their next score.  So glad I’m not at that stage in my life…or that age!

Overall, I’d give the Rochester Mills Beer Co two thumbs up and would love to go for lunch one day and sit on their outdoor patio.  I noticed that they have Gluten Free,Vegetarian and Dairy Free menu choices as well.  I commend the fact that they have labeled their menu to make it easier for guests to chose healthy food choices.  Gus O’Connors is definitely for the younger, single crowd.  Very crowded, laid back attire.

Detroit Mommies Expert Contributor
Courtney is the traveling mom! She has 3 girls and is the founder of Detroit Mommies and currently lives in Florida. You can follow her on Twitter @courtneyRVL.