Say you've stumbled into one of Rochester's suburban towns. It's late, you're thirsty, and immediate gratification - in the form of a cool pint or icy gin and tonic - doesn't seem possible. You could drive back to Rochester (maybe as much as a 30- to 45-minute drive, depending where you are), or you could decide to seek out a familiar neon sign in an unfamiliar town.

Try this in Palmyra, and right away, you'll come across Lock 29 Tavern (222 E. Main St, Palmyra, 315-597-9081, lock29.com), a divey-looking bar on the main drag. When we first got there, a single regular sat at the bar, watching the Olympics and noshing on food from the grill. The bartender checked our IDs and poured cheap well drinks. Twenty minutes later, a few more locals trickled in, then a few more. They headed straight to the digital jukebox (stocked with everything from hip-hop and Top 40 to Roy Orbison, Ray Charles, and Muddy Waters) and the lottery machines. A few guys put money in the machines, while two girls danced together. We sipped our drinks, observing the tin ceiling and the generally weathered look of the bar. It's brightened up by a few flashy add-ons, like the blinking "Family Guy" pinball machine situated next to a couple of booths. At the back of the room there's a pool table, darts, and room enough for a band. A sign advertised a recent pirate costume party and live music.

It took us a minute to notice the pair of panties slung over a sign at the top of the bar. They weren't somebody's cast-offs - though that would've been interesting. Rather, you could purchase the things, emblazoned with Lock 29's logo. The bar also has t-shirts for sale. Lock 29 is cash only, but there's an ATM at the HSBC bank on the corner.

Down the side street - between Lock 29 and the bank - we walked into the bright, packed bar at Palmyra Bowl (112 Cuyler St, Palmyra, 315-597-3565, also cash only). Though we didn't venture into the bowling alley itself, the bar was entertainment enough, full of 20somethings and a menu of pizza and off-the-grill items. It definitely seemed (on that night anyway) to be where everyone was. A blonde girl played Alanis Morisette on the jukebox, while a couple guys played darts; others were occupied with those digital games I've never really explored. The bartender meant business about IDs, and went so far as to take the cards and throw ‘em under a scanner.

Cross the main street and take the first left you can to find The Place (106 Market St, Palmyra, 315-597-5522, cash only here, too), our favorite hangout on this trip. It's big, with lots of seating (and lots of corners to hide in). The crowd was partly made up of the same group we'd seen at Lock 29, and two girls that'd been at both Lock 29 and Palmyra Bowl. The group mostly stood around, talking and drinking. Though nobody played, two pool tables and a dart board or two stood ready.

We gravitated toward the CD-stocked jukebox, and picked tracks by The Who, The Beatles, Patsy Cline, and Bob Dylan. When our songs finished, one of the regulars took over, and put on some of the hip-hop this crowd seemed to prefer. We snuck out back to the living room-sized patio for air and cigarettes. It was packed there too, and soon we decided we'd better head home. I felt a little too much like the out-of-place stranger in a regulars-only bar. But then, that's what we were. And that's what we'll be in the next town, too.

If we've missed your favorite Palmyra nightlife spot, go to rochestercitynewspaper.com/nightlife to tell us about it.