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Very cool. Almost TOO cool. The perfect excuse to get dressed up and be fancy.
You will feel very special and perhaps pretty damn pleased with yourself when you arrive -- If only they required a password or secret handshake every night, in order to weed out the riff-raff. However, the unassuming location may keep away the undesirables all by itself.
I'm not a cocktail expert by any means (I prefer my basic gin & tonic), so I loved the chance to sip some sophisticated, inventive drinks. The price is a little steep for those on a budget, so I bookmark The Franklin for special occasions when you want to feel extra classy. Because I think you have to be at least a little classy to go there in the first place.
Who would have thought that a dive bar like bar noir could change into such a beautiful, jaw dropping bar lounge like The Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company? There are just so many positive things to say about this place. The cocktails are perfect, I never thought I would enjoy a bourbon on the rocks, but I did, A LOT. They have an extensive drink list that anyone could find a drink suited for them on (and although expensive, if you can swing it - IT IS BEYOND WORTH IT.) It is also a perfect place to try new cocktails at, you will not be disappointed and you could, perhaps, find a new favorite. The bartenders are the epitome of mixology masters! They even have a few bar seats, I definitely plan on going back, hoping I get a bar seat and getting a show while enjoying one of their wonderful drinks.
I love the fact that the ice in their drinks are one large cube of ice chiseled from a huge block of ice, like they used to do in the times of prohibition. I noticed that it melted a lot slower than smaller pieces of ice, not watering down your drink if you didn't drink it quick enough.
The atmosphere is like nothing I've experienced before. You have to be seated, there is no standing around allowed.. Never overcrowded, that's for sure! And like everyone else has said, it is prohibition/speakeasy inspired, you'd never know there was a bar there if you walked by and weren't looking for it.
If you are in the mood to splurge ($12+ per drink) on wonderfully crafted cocktails in a quiet gem of a bar/lounge, this is your spot.
so you are having an affair with a married man and you want to know where to take him to have a cocktail, but still feel like a proper lady...well The Franklin is your place.....
OK, well maybe that is a bit exaggerated, but you can't help but feel like you are committing some sort of sin when you drink their potent drinks....these are cocktails meant to be sipped not downed like some frat boy...these are cocktails from another time...these are cocktails that are meant to make you feel like a lady, but act otherwise....
the atmosphere is dark, the drinks are strong, and the overall feeling is that you are part of some sort of IN crowd...
perhaps I have watched too much Mad Men in my day, but I am hooked for sure.
The last time I'd been in this physical location was just over a year ago when it was the divey Bar Noir. I had some great times at Bar Noir, but whomever is responsible for the breathtaking changes that have occurred here deserves some sort of award. A Cinderella story of bars if I've ever seen one. And props to one Ms. Monica S. for choosing such a swank locale for the latest Yelp Elite party.
What were once graffiti-ed and gig poster covered walls are now painted over and a long row of leather couch lines the wall. Where the bar was when you first walk in has also been replaced and is now a nice little alcove for a bigger group. The back bar is in tact but now only offers a much more swank selection than Bar Noir (which I recall being a big Pabst place).
I was so shocked by the changes, I feel as if I'm giving a slightly unfair review. Seeing as I've only been for a Yelp event, I'm also slightly biased on loving the place because the price of everything was just right, free.99.
I will absolutely be back to see the place in full on action. Hoping the cost of a private affair isn't too outrageous as I've been planning to hold a Prohibition style birthday party for the big 2-5 in a couple months.
The former Bar Noir has turned into a fancy cocktail den, and it's quickly becoming my favorite bar in the city. The servers are obviously knowledgeable about their craft, but not a bit pretentious. The cocktails themselves are amazing and pricey -- $12 to $14 a pop, for the most part. No beer or vodka to be found, but plenty of sparkling wine, gin, rye, and rum. They added a cheese plate and charcuterie to the formerly drinks-only menu, because it's easy to get completely wasted here fast.
The seating is mostly communal, with only the table tops dividing the spaces, though there are two four-seater booths by the door. The place is very dimly lit which, combined with the booze, makes everyone very attractive. So use caution but definitely forge ahead.
The Franklin Mortgage and Investment company is so cool. I try not to fall for cool, but this place just oozes it from every corner. If you like cocktails, then this is absolutely the spot from you.
The Franklin is an homage to the prohibition, speakeasy era. The name is the first disguise, and it's only noted by a small sign in front of the door. I scoped out the location from the across the street. The Franklin is a place where once inside, you feel like your in a special club. There are so many people walking by outside, and they don't even know!
Inside, the Franklin looks gorgeous. The keep the lights low in their long, skinny space filled with tables and a small bar. The wait staff here is excellent. They definitely add to to environment in a unique way. Additionally, the drinks are top notch. I'm not big on cocktails, but it seems to be the only thing to order here. The drinks are incredibly well mixed and pack a punch.
I'm not sure how this place gets on a weekend night; probably a bit too packed for my liking. Ideally, this is a spot where you can grab a table and relax with a few friends and share a few laughs over your cocktails.
The daiquiri was all around my favorite, and the least alcoholic tasting. The bartender said he thought it was their best drink, and the standard by which any bar can be judged. "Walk into any bar in the world, and order their daiquiri. If it's good, then you can stay an have a few other drinks without having to worry about the quality." The "Old Fashioned" is a bourbon based drink that comes in a short tumbler with a hulking piece of ice. Approaching only with a fondness toward bourbon. Finally the Seelbach was a bitter champaigne-style cocktail. Good and strong, but not my favorite.
Bottom Line: I'm not going to give you any hints on where the space is. Go find out for yourself. Feel like part of a special club. Close you eyes as you fork over $12 per drink. Enjoy the atmosphere, and take in the aura of a different time where one needed to drink in secrecy.
At what should have been the end of a fairly long night, I realized that I left my credit card at Vango... Ugggh... So I had to trudge back there and walk up all those stairs to the "Skybar" (seriously, it's two stories high) and close my tab... Fortunately everything worked out for the best, when, as I was walking toward Market to catch a cab, I spotted The Franklin out of the corner of my eye...
"Oh, this place is supposed to have the best cocktails in Philadelphia," I thought...
"But don't you need a password or something to get in?"
I stupidly enunciated the latter of my inner monologues to the bouncer, who said something along the lines of "No, just show me your ID."
Well, I did, and then he let me in, and then I sat down, and then a server brought us menus, and then I was in heaven... The drinks here are SERIOUS. If you are trying to become an adult (with respect to your drinking habits), this is absolutely the place to be.
I ordered a Brooklyn, one of The Franklin's numerous takes on the Manhattan... And, like any other Manhattan I have ever had, it kicked my ass on the first swig... and the second... but by the third, it was going down smooth. My friend ordered a Mexican Firing Squad and found it to be thoroughly enjoyable as well.
BOTTOM LINE: This place is a legit, speakeasy-style bar that serves up many mean cocktails... And the atmosphere is like Nirvana compared to watching the shirtless meatheads dancing at Vango next door.
Very nice place! Old school uniforms (wouldn't have minded something more distinctive than their particular shirts, suspenders, etc., but they're still nice-looking.) Drinks are quite tasty, if not expensive too.
I wanted to give this place one star so no one else would be interested "Nothing to see here, people -- keep moving on to those other bars in the neighborhood that have attracted you and your seriously-lacking-in-fashion-sense friends over the years." This space has serious drinks for serious people.
Have sampled from different parts of this grown-up cocktail menu -- Billy Penn Club (gin and vermouth), Pirate Slave (rum), and Kensington (bourbon whiskey and bitters) and will continue to go back as often as I can taking only a select group of my friends to try and keep this place hidden as long as I can.
Holy crap - no vodka? A Cosmo-free and apple-tini-free cocktail menu? I think I just found nirvana...
Just don't tell anyone, please.
Great speakeasy hidden in the old Bar Noir on 18th St. The new, expanded menu is full of great classic cocktails, variations on classic cocktails, and innovative drinks you're not going to find anywhere else.
I usually stop in here before dinner; I like being able to sit at the bar and see my drinks being made and converse with the barkeeps. They all really know their craft, and are happy to go off menu with a suggestion,
Favorites on the current menu are the Boukman Daiquiri and the Pincha de Tigre, made with a jalapeno infused tequila.
Cocktails, as mentioned in other reviews, are mostly $12, with a few apertifs at $10, and a handful of $13 or $14 drinks as well. I've seen entire tables order beers too, although with the love and craftsmanship that goes into the cocktails, you'll never see me with one.
Went on an expense accounted drinking spree last night that included a stop here. I'll level with you: I was in no shape to make judgments about anything by the time I arrived at Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. but what I recall through the fog was phenomenal.
I had two drinks whose names I don't recall, but they did involve scotch and they were quite good. The staff was incredibly accommodating* even though I can only assume my group was impossibly boorish and should have been thrown off the premises immediately. The space looks very nice, too.
* As opposed to aloof at Bourbon & Branch in SF or just plain dickish at P.D.T. in NYC.
UPDATE: Upon doing some research, I believe what I had was the Royal Burgh and the Brooklyn. I cannot confirm that, however.
I must say, I think the other reviewers also deserve 5 stars for how funny and spot on they are about the people and places on this block.
Whoever and however they decided to put the Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. (At what I thought used to be some sucky after hours club, but not 100% sure on that fact) was a great idea. They have created an oasis on a typical clubby type of street with bad music and really bad outfits.
Been here twice on back to back evenings. I was skeptical after the first night, although the staff was friendly, the waitress was not really accommodating to "off the menu" drinks. "I thought the place was all about creative cocktails," says my GF. I thought so too. So we went back Saturday night and our server was more than happy to just run with whatever we were in the mood for and was very accommodating with "off the menu" cocktails. We brought friends on our second night and they thought it was the coolest place in Philly. And my skepticism was completely erased.
I am glad to have experienced the FM&IC while in Philly twice. The cocktails run $12 a piece, pricey, but totally worth it for the experience. The subterranean lounge should definitely be on your must visit list if going out in Philly for only one night or in the mood for a classic or creative cocktail.
We stopped here after dinner about two months ago. As other reviews mention, Bar Noir it is not... We managed to land one of the highly-coveted seats at the bar, and let me say, they are the best seats in the house to watch the bartenders shake drinks and work the ice (both of which they do like there is no tomorrow). I ordered the Hoff's Law, a drink made with the right balance of rye, vermouth, and elderflower liqueur. The lady had the Center City Swizzle, remarking that it was one of the better stiff drinks she has ever ordered. The only demerit is for the lack of snacks to enjoy with your drink. A great place to start or end the evening without being bothered by guys in Ed Hardy shirts.
I like my drinks strong and classy. Like my men.
The Franklin delivered on the one I needed that night. The other was waiting for me back in Los Angeles.
My EMBA classmates and I were visiting Philadelphia for a class weekend, and the group was split. Most wanted to go to a loud club and hit on girls, and being a) married to the aforementioned strong and classy man and b) a heterosexual girl, that didn't really appeal.
Having read other Yelpers' stellar reviews of a classy vibe and fab cocktails, I was able to convince two like-minded classmates to join in our Voyage of Strong and Classy Drink Discovery.
First off, Saturday night at 11PM on 18th street is SCAAARY - large and in charge women in spandex standing in line outside cheeseball clubs...so I was kind of nervous. Once we found the cleverly-hidden entrance (unmarked, natch!) it was all uphill.
The bouncer was so incredibly gracious when we showed up sans reservations or whatevs, and offered to take down our names and number and CALL US when some space freed up (turns out it was like 10 minutes of roaming the spandex savannah later). And once down the stairs and inside the hushed and paneled scene...we were transported to fabulousness.
That the Franklin's drinks include not only freshly-shaven standbys Gin, Whiskey and Cognac, but also - wait for it - Cynar and Pisco (both of which i have in our home bar) attests to the fabulous depth of their drink menu. I'm told most recipes are prewar.
Finally, it came time to tip the last drops of these succulent cocktails onto our palates and rejoin our debaucherous breathern. We savored the island of class and insights from our amazingly drink-educated waitstaff through the rest of the evening, as we trailed along to louder and baser joints...sipping Gin and Tonic, but dreaming of Blood and Sand.
ok, this is officially my new favorite place in Philly.
The drinks are pricey but sooo worth it.
For being in the epicenter of douche-baggery, it is at an extreme minimum here. Mainly due to being totally hidden below 18th street and because you need to have a table to come in. Even the story behind the name of the place is amazing.
Now onto the drinks..
I LOVE tequila - I mean I LOVE it - not the bullshit cuervo but the really good anjeos and resposadas. I was surprised to see tequila cocktails I would never dream up in a million years. With names like the mexican firing squad and the cowboy killer I was in heaven - jalepeno infused tequila anyone?
After the tequila I moved onto my other love - Scotch. I ordered the Royal Burgh - I was a little scared to see scotch and absinthe in the same cocktail along with ginger pineapple and lemon juice - but it was unreal.
Finally I moved onto my standby drink - Old Fashion. They are PERFECT here! I had one of each - 1 with bourbon, one with Rye. They were mixed perfectly and the hand carved chunk of ice was a really nice touch.
all in all everything is perfect here - drinks, ambiance, crowd, music, decor.
and no I am not on the payroll there.
I've been looking for a fine cocktail establishment in Philadelphia for some time. Every time I ask someone a recommendation for a good bar in Philly, guaranteed it's a beer bar which is all well from time to time. Sometimes though I want a cocktail. A REAL cocktail - not some fruity cosmo or tang shit. I want to taste the liquor and I don't want to know where I live after I drink it.
With that said, I can thankfully say that there is finally a place in Philadelphia I can trust for a fine adult beverage and it is Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. Not to say there aren't others but I just haven't found them yet. If your looking for a vintage drink such as a gimlet, blood and sand, or gin rickey, this is one of the few places in Philadelphia I've found so far that knows how to make them. Order these drinks at another bar and they'll probably laugh at you. I must also mention that I really think this bar is worth 3.5 stars but since it's the best so far I've found in Philadelphia, I gave it a four. The reason I say that, for a "speak easy" they have a somewhat limited drink menu compared to other bars in other cities I've been to. Plus, their service is slow, really slow. You have a better chance of flagging down a 747 jet airliner than a waiter.
A friend had the brilliant idea to go on a mini-pub crawl to a couple of new schmancy bars, and the Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. was the first on the list. We had a bit of difficulty finding it initially, because it's a basement space (hint: look for the sign that says "Liquid" and go down).
Like many of the new breed of "mixology" bars around the country that are cleaving to old standards of cocktail concocting, they also went old-school with the decor, giving the place something of a speakeasy vibe, down to the deco globe lamps and waiters in shirts and ties.
It was clear from our drinks that great precision is being paid in their creation. I got the "Blood and Sand" (scotch, cherry heering, sweet vermouth and fresh orange juice), which married the sweetness of the fruit aspect with the warmth of the scotch in a harmonious blend.
One friend got the South Side, composed of gin, fresh lemon juice, mint and angostura bitters. Too often mint can override a drink, make it taste toothpaste-y or medicinal, but this was light and amalgamated beautifully with the lemon and the juniper notes of the gin.
We also ordered the cheese plate, which came with manchego, provolone, a mild bleu, a homemade cream cheese and one more variety. This came with a bowl of 6 crostini, which were gone in a flash. We asked our waiter for a refill, which took a while. Meanwhile it appeared as if the cheese platter was self-perpetuating, because even though three of us were eating it down, it didn't seem to be going anywhere. We got more crostini and we used them quickly too. We didn't want to ask again; finally my friend pulled out some bread that she'd bought at a bakery earlier in the day and surreptitiously snuck some into our bowl when the coast was clear! Usually you get fruit (apples or pears) with a cheese tray, so you can eat cheese on the slices in lieu of bread; the waiter did bring us some grapes, which had been left off the tray initially, but that didn't really help as a base.
Overall, evocative atmosphere and swell drinks. I'd invest here again anytime.
What a transformation from Bar Noir! Wall-lined booths create a comfortable and intimate setting, perfect for groups of 3-4. Our waitress' knowledge of the menu (and off-menu) drinks made the night. After a quick scan of the menu I eyed the Mucho Picchu, a pisco drink with sparkling wine and grapefruit flavors. But I knew better than to stay in my comfort zone. Our friendly server recommended the off-menu Pink Lady, a beautiful blush colored drink topped with egg white froth. It was very similar to the Billy Penn Club, a gin based drink with egg white and apple butter, except the Pink Lady was a hair sweeter and fruitier.
For my second and final drink I ordered the Pisco Sour, less sweet than the Pink Lady but equally well crafted and satisfying. One word of caution, the Inland Julep while beautiful was incredibly strong and smoky. The concoction of reposado tequila, mezcal & agave nectar was topped with a mound of chopped ice w/ a little mint forest on top. I'm not saying that it was a bad drink, just not as smooth as the others we enjoyed.
Each drink is $12. Plenty of space was available on Friday at 6, the booths didn't start to fill up until around 8.
I went discovered this place based on a recommendation from another bar tender, otherwise I never would have found it. More than anything, I was pissed off that I haven't known about this place since it opened. The space is unbelievable and watching the mixologists in action was quite a performance.
One of the bartenders made my friend a drink (we promised not to tell the name of it) that it took 5 bartenders 15 minutes to make. They had to change the music to get themselves pumped up about the kind of shaking that was about to go down. The result - the most unbelievable cocktail I've ever experienced.
I've only been here once. A friend of mine took me on a Wednesday night. I had never heard of the place and had no idea what to expect. I was totally blown away when I arrived.
I love, first of all, that you can't really find it unless you know where it is. Right away, to me, that's a huge plus. Basement bars also score huge marks with me, I love the symbolism of descending below the sidewalk for your drink. The decor was wonderful, all dark leather and dark wood with white marble countertops, it sounds awful when I describe it, I know, and maybe I wouldn't have loved it so much if so many of my planets weren't in Scorpio, but I did love it. I like to drink in dimly lit places.
We sat at the bar, and I ordered some drink, I don't even remember what it was, something adorable with gin. The bartender, who was a sweetheart, is more like a skillful drink artisan, watching him work was actually fascinating. He cracked the ice in his hands, got all these crazy ingredients, put it together, and made it delicious! My friend got some other drink which smelled incredible, in a highball glass, with a large chunk of ice in it. He explained to me that apparently there's a who school of bartending thought about correct ice size, and that these bartenders carved this ice out of larger chunk of ice earlier in the day instead of using generically-sized ice cubes. Crazy!
Usually, I am a beer girl, and I'm more importantly a poor girl, so when I do drink cocktails it's with well liquor. I think after one visit I am so spoiled I never want a cheap cocktail again. Seriously. My friend was taking me out, and I suspect this place is too expensive for me to visit on my own, but when I hit the lottery or that wealthy great-great-aunt I never knew I had dies and leaves me everything, this will be my regular bar.
Rolled into Franklin MIC last Thursday night around 10pm with a group of 4 and found intriguing atmosphere, leather-bound book and aged bourbon aroma on the air, and expertly-crafted, unusual cocktails.
Pros
-Amazing cocktails - scanning the menu it looked you couldn't go wrong.
-Grade A Ambiance - the place is extremely conducive to conversation, with perfectly volumed background vibrations, comfortable leather booths and flattering lighting.
Cons
-Pricey - $12 per mixed libation. I didn't see what they were charging for beer.
-Smallish, and I could see it starting to lose its appeal quickly if it got too crowded. I'd cede to weekend night reviews for detail on that.
-The last, nit-picky one that I can think of is the latch on the bathroom door doesn't operate as simply as it should, three of our party were walked-in on while using the facility. This is bad or good depending on your point of view.
Everything about this place is amazing, transcending even. I went on a Saturday night with three other people and despite the wait for a table, the place was perfect. Staff are courteous, insanely knowledgeable about booze, the atmosphere takes you to another place (helping you forget you're within puking distance of Vango) and the bar tenders mix PERFECT drinks.
The Center City Swizzle gingery & spicy with a great rye undertone, perfectly balanced. So was drink number two, Hoff's Law. After two cocktails from this place though, the night becomes hazy. Hapilly, happily hazy.
im a fan! its dark,warm and sexy. ive never been a sports bar person. too old for the night life "scene". dive bars are fun sometimes. but i do love to have a reason to wear stilletos and look cute. this is loungy. somewhere you go to snuggle up to a cutie. love the design. and the space and service were amazing. focussing on the art of the cocktail. presentation and explanation. the staff loves liquor and it shows. i was super impressed with this spot. i really want to plant myself in their cozy seating area and become a permanant fixture. me likey!
Had beenI meaning to check this place, finally made it. I really wanted to love it, as i love speakeasy / abolition bars.
The drinks were great, i highly recommend the center city swizzle.
The service was great too, a helpful and well-clad staff, and a super-friendly bouncer that squeezed us in even when he maybe should have had us waiting.
HOWEVER, the ambience made my friend and I want to get up and leave. First off, hip/ hop and pop music should not be playing at a speakeasy, especially as loud as it was. Second, there should not be big groups of 8 people standing up and yelling "OMG" and other fratboy/ sorority girl lingo across the tables. I went there with a friend to catch up and could hardly hear him talking to me from 2 feet away, it felt as if i was in any other loud as hell rittenhouse establishment and we soon left. Im really hoping that I am asked to come back and have a better experience!
After a lackluster dinner nearby on the Square, I wanted to treat my friend to a drink at the new spot in town. Off we went to The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company. We walked up, and I was very pleased that the bouncers were friendly and welcomed us without any trace of an attitude. We were escorted inside and were instructed to wait for assistance. We stood there for a few moments before someone was able to come over, and it was a little awkward as it seemed like everyone in the room turned towards the door when it opened... I even found myself doing it later in the night. I guess that comes with the territory; it's a place for people watching.
We had a hard time deciding between the many interesting cocktails. I knew I could handle something with gin but the various whiskey, brandy and scotch drinks had me a little intimidated. Our server was extremely patient and very knowledgeable with regards to the menu, so with some assistance we were finally able to choose our libations. My friend had a cocktail that tasted of strawberries and cucumber, and I had a gin concoction with bitters and... some other things, I can't remember what. It was slightly sweet and very drinkable. Next time, I'll don my big girl panties and try something a little more stiff.
I loved the vibe and the gorgeous interior at The Franklin. And yet, while I also loved catching up with one of my oldest friends, I felt like the place would be better suited for a nighttime rendezvous with a hot date. I'll definitely return, hopefully with an appropriate suitor in tow.
All I could think about while sitting at the bar sipping on my Julep was a cigarette holder, a pair of red vintage heels and and really great wide brimmed hat. For a moment I really wanted to believe that this place was a time machine.
Hidden in the corner down a pair of steps off the beaten path, this place is everything a girl could want. The fact that it's so mysterious only adds to it's charm. It's really a place you have to go inside to understand.
The bar seating is only about 5 people wide, perfect for meeting someone new and striking up good conversation over a delicious drink. I recommend you find this place and relax with a drink and a really swank attitude.
Bill Murray was the first person who popped into my mind last night when I checked out The Franklin. Bill Murray would like this place, I thought. It got me reminiscing about the cinematic moment he and Scarlett Johannson shared in the hotel bar as he swilled scotch and discussed life's shortcomings. This dimly lit, Prohibition inspired bar will leave you feeling swank in no time.
As you enter, sit in a banquette with your friends or cozy up to the bar in the rear. I always recommend sitting at the bar because it's probably more fun watching the bartender handle bottles than it is listening to your friends, let's be honest. You would probably want to start with a cocktail on ice. A bartender informed us the glaciers are disappearing at an alarming rate ever since they opened; it's a battle of ice chunks versus glass and ice wins. I'm serious. They use a single ice cube that's the size of your fist (each one is hand cut from a 75 pound block).
I had La Rosita, it's like a tequila Negroni, and then followed up with an off-the-menu beverage. There was cacao and mezcal in it....it was smokey and refreshing and awesome. Bartenders here are no joke; they know their stuff so don't you dare ask for a vodka red bull.
The ambiance gives it a slight pompousness, but it's fitting and nothing you or Bill Murray couldn't handle. Now go imbibe.
The minute I walked into this intimate candlelit hideaway, I knew I'd found my latest "Philly Fave." Dark wood, subdued lighting, comfy banquettes lining one wall and a door policy that ensures it doesn't get too overcrowded, all combine to create an inviting backdrop for Franklin's always inventive and often successful cocktail concoctions. Using only the freshest ingredients, Franklin's bartenders (think "mixologists") are happy to go "off-menu" to create custom cocktails. The staff of the Franklin is friendly and knowledgeable...tell them what you usually enjoy drinking and they'll be sure to whip up something for you that is even better!
The drink menu relies heavily on such jazz-era staples as gin, rye, bourbon and (of course) champagne, and not a drop of vodka. My recent favorites include an off-menu custom blend of muddled blackberries, ginger, rye and seltzer (the name of which eludes me at the moment) and the delightfully refreshing Simo Cup (gin, Pimms, lemon juice, cucumber and strawberry). Since all cocktails cost exactly $12, it's easy to tally up your tab at the end (and makes splitting the check practically effortless).
The fact that Franklin is practically unmarked and below street level gives it a feeling of exclusivity. Additionally, Franklin's policy of only admitting a limited number of people so that everyone has a place to sit (no standing room only, folks!) heightens its club-by mood. I will be surprised if Franklin doesn't soon begin to attract long lines.
My only (rather minor) complaint is that the overly-loud guitar and drum-based rock music being played on a recent Friday night was a bit of a mood-killer. Honestly, something with a lounge-ier vibe would have fit the bill much better.
All in all, Franklin is a welcome addition to Philly's nightlife.
The decor and ambiance at FM&ICo is incredible. It's not too loud or too crowded, and it's surprisingly mellow for such a swanky place. We were escorted by the bouncer to the door, and then sat by a very gracious host at a little corner booth.
I'm usually a beer drinker, but I like tequila, so I got La Rosita, which was tequila, vermouth, bitters and ridiculous. It was beautiful to look at, but so strong I had to water it down and ask the waitress for a shot of simple syrup like a wuss. One of my friends got a grapefruit and gin concoction that was easier on my sissy palate. They do have a small selection of beer and wine, too. Everything, of course, comes prepared with the utmost attention to detail, every t crossed, every i dotted.
Half a star deducted for expense, but the atmosphere makes up for it. Super cool.
Unique ambience, clever drink selection, friendly service, and a discrete storefront characterize The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co...and you're going to pay for it($12 a drink).
To be fair, the drinks are pretty damn strong and you won't need to many of them to feel like you got your money's worth.
I love the dark underbelly bar nature of the joint and they tell me that they never let it get too crowded on busy nights("sitting room only" the bartender told me) which is kick ass. This place is worth going to, especially if you have to impress a date or you are Batman.
If you are a fan of fine tasting poison this is the place for you. Let it be said that a couple drinks at the franklin could have you texting your middle school boyfriend/girlfriend, these drinks are no joke. And I'm not talking about the vodka with a splash of cranberry you get at your local watering hole when you tip the bartender well, this is some serious drinking. If you don't like liquor this is no place for you.
The Franklin has no vodka and only stocks up on the best tasting and smelling liquors of other varieties.
The Franklin:Cocktails:: Kobe: Beef
Look out for Colin he's an awesome bartender!
Best for last: Greg the barback! He's awesome and ask him to give you a tour of Philly, best one ever and sure to leave you less than sober.
How could you not feel fancy sipping on a cocktail at Franklin? I came for a pre-dinner birthday drink and fell in love. The staff is wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable. The drinks are made just right. And all that alcohol really helps you swallow the $12 price tag.
The atmosphere is fun and relaxing. I came once around 7pm on a weekday another time around 11pm on a weekend. While it was much quieter and intimate in the early evening, we were still able to get a table at 11, and it wasn't difficult to carry on a conversation.
I would have to recommend the Brown Derby, as well as the Southside (although it was WAY too easy to drink, leading me to spend too much money).
Yes it is pricey, but I think it is a luxury we should all allow ourselves to afford...even if only once in a while.
Since I moved from New York to Philly, I've missed all the pretentious, old-timey, purposely hidden, modern speakeasies. When I walked into Franklin, I was immediately reminded of the East Side Company in the Lower East Side. It has the same narrow, beautiful space with dark wood, low ceilings, marble bar, and sepia tinged lighting. The only thing it's missing is the air of condescension from the bouncers and bartenders. And this is why I love Philly.
It's amazing just how the sight of crushed ice, bourbon, and a couple of cute bartenders in bow ties will lift my spirits. Worth the 12 dollars a drink. And In New York, they're 14.
I'm a huge sucker for places like this. The whole speakeasy vibe suggests exclusivity without pretension (ok, maybe a little pretension). This isn't a place to go to be seen, to pick someone up, or to get hammered; it's a place to go to get away from the scene and enjoy a very good cocktail along with good conversation. It's similar to Milk and Honey in NYC, and to Apothecary in their bar craft.
The people working here know what they're doing. I would recommend the specific cocktails I had, but half of the fun is talking to the bartender or server and having them suggest something suited to your personal tastes. They use top-notch ingredients and hand-cracked ice to make drinks that you could find at very few bars in Philly. When I was there they were experimenting with fruit that I had never even heard of (seemed like a cross between a lychee and a grape).
It's easy to balk at the prices here (around $12 per drink) but it seems like most drinks have as much hard liquor as 2 drinks in most other places, so you do get value for you money. And this is a great place to take a date you want to impress. Comfy red leather booths and subdued atmosphere make this place incredibly conducive to romance.
The only reason I'm giving them 4 stars instead of 5 is because it seems like they're still working out some just-opened kinks, like training servers and meeting with alcohol reps, which was slightly disruptive while sitting at the bar.
See review below, was FIVE STARS, now 3. 2nd visit much worse, HORRIBLE service, literally had my water glass filled 5 times while waiting to order a second drink and receive it. When I'm paying upwards of $14 a drink, I better get good service, i can make an 8 oz cocktail at home if I want to, I'm there for the atmosphere and SERVICE.....now my first review
This place was a lot of fun. Was a great place for 8 of us to get some drinks and talk before hitting the loud bars. Was unsure about egg whites in my drink, but it was frothy and delicious. I like that it's all tables, and think the service and bartenders were great, on par price wise for the area, will be heading back soon.
i'd been reading about this place for months before actually going, so i'd built up quite a bit of anticipation and was fully aware of the drink prices. i am very happy to report i was not disappointed, but the bill was still quite painful.
even with the exact address, it was a little difficult to find. i liked that. phila natives or long-time residents may find it more easily by thinking of it as "the old bar noir."
we showed up in a small group, which expanded to about 15 as the night wore on. everyone loved it. there is definitely an "oooooh" factor as you first walk in and take in the dimly lit space: recessed chandeliers, marble tables, cushy dark red booths and sleek subway tile. the bathrooms alone make me want to attack mine with a sledgehammer. blues music at the perfect volume was an excellent touch.
table service was slightly iffy. very prompt at first, with generous explanations and recommendations. after my husband demonstrated his knowledge of whiskey we were obviously treated with more respect. this is somewhat bothersome; i feel all customers should be treated with equal deference.
as it grew more crowded into the night, service began to lag terribly. they ran out of water glasses, and one of my friends ordered a beer no less than five times and never received it.
there was also a bit of a problem with tables. as more of my party arrived we wanted to switch to a bigger table which was wide open. there was some sort of issue with this and we waited for the waiter and waitress to hash it out. i'm not sure if this was a coincidence, but shortly after my husband mentioned "i have blanton's at home" in a whiskey discussion, the bigger table was suddenly ready for us. hmm.
enough of this somewhat inconsequential stuff, onto the drinks! delicious. amazing, strong. very strong. did i mention delicious? i had the center city swizzle, perfect after a long meal with plenty of ginger. then i switched to the queens park swizzle, a milder rum and mint concoction.
among my fellow drinkers, the simo cup was the sweeter drink of choice. the mucho picchu was an all around favorite. i found the champs elysée far too strong for my taste, but others adored it. everyone loved the smell of a certain whiskey whose name i don't recall, heavy on the maple like alcoholic pancakes.
the $12 per drink charge is well worth it, and a lightweight with me would be fine with no more than two. if you're going with a group you may want to issue a gentle reminder to include tax and tip when. many people forget to add on for tax, and trust me, this will be one heck of a bar bill.
If you like tasty, tasty drinks in red leather booths, pounding music, and 20-somethings laughing just a little too loud, this place is for you.
First, the drinks. They have a limited selection of non-Cosmos. This place is for some serious drinking. All drinks are $12, modest sized, but lots of alcohol. I had Tommy's Sazerac (beautiful color, and finished by the server with a flair -- he spritzed a lemon on the rim as he delivered it) and a Champs Elysses. Excellent. My friends had several selections as well.
The seating is fabulous. Really comfortable. It's dark down there, so hours can pass by (which can be dangerous if you haven't eaten -- they have no food or snacks) and you can get in some serious drinking.
Here's a drawback: 20-somethings who think they're just a little too cool for school and scream and shout and talk way too loudly. This place, as others have said, looks like a speakeasy. It's not some South Street magarita bar. It's a place to sip expensive drinks and have a conversation. I hope that the clientele levels out at some point and people talk rather than screm OMIGOD! one too many times.
I went to Franklin Investment & Mortgage Co. on a Thursday night. You may be wondering what in the sam hell a place called Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. could have to with drinking, well it's supposed to be an homage to the speakeasy experience before and during the prohibition era of the 1920s, and to the unique sights, tastes and smells that have since been made extinct by the always toolbaggy vodka cranberry or played out just shoot me jack n cokes. Franklin sets out to prove there is a higher sensory experience associated with drinking, that it can even be a form of fine art that inspires as much as it intoxicates.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Franklin used to be a somewhat seedy dive called Noir. Never particularly prominent a location (often referred to as the bar next to Byblos), Franklin is even more inconspicuous. This almost purposefully hidden facade is just part of their effort to create an authentic atmosphere inside, where the decor and clientelle are a complete 180-degree turn from that of Noir.
THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:
The atmosphere of the place is notable, on the cusp of a design trend I'm recognizing more and more often that pairs well-thought-out visuals to tickle the eyes while drinks do their work on the nose and tongue. The dark, sexy atmosphere echoes old luxury, from the seating to the music to the menus, it's like you're sitting in a scene from The Great Gatsby. The only thing that will keep you grounded in the present is your outfit and your iPhone or Blackberry. I think they should check phones at the door and make you dress up in a 1920s costume before entering.
THE TASTES AND SMELLS:
As mentioned in other reviews of the place, Franklin's drinks are anything but run of the mill, it becomes obvious very quickly that these people consider themselves artists, and much like the Soup Nazi, they have suffered for their art. We tried a variety of drinks, I tried a gin-based tonic (the name escapes me) first, while others went with some of the highly recommended whiskey and brandy-based selections. I then spotted a drink made with pisco, a Peruvian liquor, called a Mucho Picchu or some such. Having only known pisco sour from the name of a DJ set I heard and loved a couple months ago, but never tried the drink, I asked our waitor if they could make me a pisco-based drink if it wasn't on the menu. I was surprised that not only were they happy to make me a pisco sour, but the waitor was confident that they made the best pisco sour around, and added that the drinks found on Franklin's menu are better thought of as a set of guidelines rather than an exhaustive list that drinkers can't venture outside of. Both drinks were phenominal, their smells, textures and tastes were unique, yet strangely familiar. The buzz you get from these drinks is stiff and heavy, but also relaxing, you certainly can't get this type of drunk with heinikens and jager bombs. Franklin made a real investment by saying no to a lot of conventional attributes we're all used to when it comes to going to the bar, but in terms of their drinks, there's no question they've nailed it.
THE SERVICE:
The service was competent, passionate, and always ready to make suggestions. Since the menu is made up of drinks you won't find anywhere else, I'd imagine the waitors are asked for suggestions on a routine basis. Fortunately, these guys know their stuff so well, they'll be able to pick you something you'll really enjoy. There is a problem, however, with the length of time it takes to get drinks. I'm not sure if our time there was a fluke, but it took a good 20-30 minutes for our drinks to come after ordering. I'd like to not sober out by the time our next round comes, I know the location and bar is small, but it's not like you have to keep your operation subtle or the Sean Connery and the Untouchables will catch wind of your speakeasy operation. Maybe they don't want people getting too drunk by drinking too quickly, but I feel that only about a third of our time there was spent drinking, the rest was waiting. Compliments should also be given to the doorman outside, who makes sure there are only as many people inside Franklin as there are tables, saving the experience from easy ruin at the hands of overcrowding...nothing would annoy me more than getting bumped in the head by someone's elbow.
THE PRICING:
All of their cocktails are $12, which isn't cheap, but at the same time it's really not unreasonable for what you get, which is a delicate work of art to be admired as it is consumed, not slarfed down to get the courage to go talk to "that girl over there."
THE BOTTOM LINE:
A unique experience to be certain, a phenomenal drink without a doubt, an immersive atmosphere for sure, a long wait it's true, but a worthwhile experience that deserves to be checked out.
This place is an aesthetic experience. The drinks are perfect. The space is gorgeous. The bartenders and servers are quite handsome, too. There is only one problem: since having discovered this place, my friends and I are doomed. Before the year is out, we'll all be dressed in dirty, faded finery, milling about Rittenhouse, begging for change with which we can buy just one more old fashioned. The place is expensive, but so obviously worth it that we expect to enjoy our inevitable decline into desperate, drunken despair a great deal.
This place is pretenious. That being said is bar is actually amazing. Perfect service, the bartenders are great and the drinks are also perfect. I thought that this style of bar would be hard to do in this city but I guess I was wrong. Well done
Rediscovering Philly. The town I grew up in and…
