CANANDAIGUA, NY — As Jeffrey and Danielle Fensken celebrated their first wedding anniversary, they found solace in the lively reggae tunes of Bob Marley as they gazed at the sparkling Canandaigua Lake on a Friday afternoon. The sun occasionally peeked through the gray clouds, casting a warm glow on the couple's special day. Nestled at the Canandaigua Hotel, Corsair’s Cove tiki bar offered a unique escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The young Avon couple sipped on their his-and-hers Pillage & Pina rum drinks, feeling like pirates in their own right.
Corsair’s Cove aims to provide a fun and relaxed atmosphere for visitors, according to Hotel Canandaigua General Manager Melissa Oliver. The hotel decided to reimagine the space, moving away from the former Bird Cage tiki bar and giving it a fresh start. The reimagined Corsair’s Cove officially opened last month with its first annual Pirate Palooza community event.
“We wanted it to have its own identity, and just a clean, fresh slate,” Oliver said. “We wanted it to be able to have a personality.”
The pirate-themed tiki bar offers a range of drinks, including the Pillage & Pina, Pirate Punch, and Release the Kraken, all made with rum and perfect for sipping at the bar or at a table in the sun. Twisted Rail Brewing Co.’s Corsair’s Cove Lake to Lake canned beer is also available, along with other beers on tap. And for those looking to stay responsible, the Parrot Punch Mocktail is an option.
Light food options carry a pirate theme as well, such as the Shamrock Plank, a dish of Irish nachos, and the Mango Marauder, featuring chicken fingers with smoked mango barbecue sauce and fruit. The view of Canandaigua Lake is unbeatable, and the new public art installation, the Ghost of Roseland, is just a short stroll away.
Throughout the summer, a concert series will bring in crowds looking for their day in the sun. The weather has been unpredictable, but on those beautiful days, it’s doing exactly what the hotel hoped it would do – creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Artist Corinne Yaccone did an amazing job redecorating the space, with one of her art pieces featuring the Jolly Roger flag marking the spot of a treasure chest filled with gold doubloons. A pirate’s map marks key nearby locations such as Kershaw Park and the Canandaigua Lady in another piece.
Corsair’s Cove is located on the lake side of the Canandaigua Hotel at 205 Lakeside Drive. It’s open to residents and hotel guests from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, depending on weather. For more details and information on the hotel’s restaurant, The Cove, visit https://www.hotelcanandaiguany.com/dining.
