Frankie's

Cozy whiskey bar in downtown Oceanside! Loved their holiday menu and trust their regular menu would be just as good! Special thanks to Zane who took care of us!

Frankie’s is one of the greatest bars I’ve ever been to. Alexia, the legendary barkeep, took great care of us and made us fantastic dealers choice cocktails all night. Highly recommend!

A nice but small spot but it seems like whether you have a good drink or not depends on the bartender on any given night. The young lady behind the bar can’t make a decent drink to save her life. Just my honest take. For a place that bills itself a cocktail bar I expect more experience in drink preparation. Especially when an average drink is over 15 bucks. The guy that usually works on Thursdays is great. I’ve been here several times and the first time made a great impression because he made my sour really well, but everytime after it was her, and she rarely hits the mark.

Bartender made my friend Cade his first ever martini. He said it was alright and deeply disappointed our friend Sean who had very high hopes. Sean, a martini expert, said it was very good, so 5-stars. Also, the lovely bartender was very patient with us.

It's a great place to get drinks! They also have events that they serve event specific cocktails that are fun and delicious!

Update: (after my third visit) 🎵 you're simply the best, better than all the rest🎵 The new menu is so creative and amazing. 👌 Frankie's makes some really excellent cocktails. Try the Silent Radio for a tasty mezcal drink. The bartender was very knowledgeable and knew how to make wonderful drinks.

Fun and classy! Great cocktail bar in downtown Oceanside!!! Tons of creative signature drinks to choose from with strong customer service.

The bartender doesn't come up to ask if you want anything; even if you are sitting at the bar so you do have to get their attention yourself. She did make good drinks though and they do have a decent happy hour with unique drinks

It's been a hard week, and papa needed a drink, so I stopped in here before dinner. The atmosphere is nice, the music is okay and not too loud, the bar felt welcoming. The bartender was a true mixologist who cares about her craft, which I guess is what the place is known for. From the winter menu I had a "Fire side chat". It was smooth and lovely. I also ordered a rusty nail, an easy classic "old dude" drink, and she looked it up to make sure her recollection of the recipe was correct. It was just what I needed.

Honestly we love coming here. It's got great bartenders with delicious drinks. The menu changes and there's cute themes to the way it's presented sometimes. Would love to come back in the summer when it's warmer and air on the patio with my dog. Always a fun time here.

Super cute spot in Oceanside! Love that they have a patio area and lots of indoor seating. Overall very cute spot. We came here after going to the breweries in the area. They have a huge variety of drinks and alcohol options. There's plenty of parking in the area!

Good drinks, cool looking bar, service was ok. Yvette and I came here for happy hour. I think we had 2 drinks. It's aesthetically pleasing in there, but the other bar next door was better. The vibe was better. I guess I wasn't really feeling it that day.

Specialty drinks are always so good and creative. Great place to meet up with friends .thanks to the Sean's for keeping me company and entertained. Great night

Not a dive bar. Way too nice and bougie and expensive for a dive bar. Who thought this qualified for a dive bar?

Dropped by for HH on a Sunday right when they opened. They weren't very busy so we were able to grab 4 seats at the bar right away. Their HH cocktails are very reasonably priced and delicious! They had cocktails on their regular menu that weren't on HH as well. Would definitely recommend coming here if you're into craft cocktails!

Frankie's bar is one of latest additions to the Downtown Oceanside drinking scene and they are definitely adding to the diversity needed. Frankie's is part of the recently developed Brick Hotel conglomerate. While they are not DIRECTLY associated with hotel itself, they work WITH the hotel to provide an additional experience for their guests. Frankie's is located in Downtown Oceanside, just west of The Brick Hotel. They have a petite, yet nice patio available for seating, as well as, inside seating that offers comfortable booths, high tables & bar seating. The decor is very distinct & unlike any other in the area. It almost lends itself to a quaint, upperclass tavern with low lighting, faux crystal chandeliers, brick walls and wall paintings of women in risqué attire. Their rounded booths are SUPER cozy & coveted. Bar seating is also comfortable, yet crammed. The high-tables are ok and just big enough to place your drinks down & maybe an appetizer platter in the center (more about food later). But the highchairs, while sturdy, are very hard. I can also appreciate that their patio seating allows for this who have dogs. The ONLY ding I can think of for their ambiance is that the music CAN be a tad bit loud at times and folks have difficulty hearing each other. On the bright side, their music playlist is so diverse and I love it. I've heard everything from R&B, NeoSoul, LoFi and even Hiphop. The songs are typically melodic and make for a great atmosphere. One can also see the volume as a legit excuse to be closer to date or person-of-interest Just be aware that I wouldn't consider this place romantic. They have a simple bathroom setup (for men) with 1 stall & 1 urinal. I've noticed that it can get neglected when understaffed. Because they don't serve food themselves, Frankie's allows for food to be ordered from the hotel restaurant next door (Q&A Oyster Bar). The Q&A is known for their oysters and their Louisiana-Cuisine; all of which just adds to the uniqueness of the customers experience. Just ask for a menu and order with the bartender. Service here can be a tad tricky. This is because they typically have 1-2 staff at any time. Usually though, the 1 bartender can actually manage the crowd well if it's not too busy. But if it gets slammed, then expect to be waiting a while for a drink or service. I typically sit by the bar, where I can get served faster, but then I'm running elbows with folks. Perhaps one of the only downsides to Frankie's is lack of parking. But this is not their fault in-particular, it's an issue with Downtown Oceanside. This and being aware that the drinks average around $16 or $10 during Happy Hour. Overall, I love the hours of operation for Frankie's and they're even opened until 12AM on Sundays. I recommend passing through here for that "after-dinner" drink if on a date or if it's late at night and you don't want to go to a dive bar.

What a wonderful neighborhood bar. Drinks are amazing and the customer service is a plus the bar itself is nice and clean and located real close to the beach. I will certainly come back here again very soon when I'm in the area you should try it.

We love Frankie's, especially during happy hour! Drinks are great and strong as well. There is a patio that is dog friendly. We always bring our pup here while we enjoy drinks. Just a note that this place does not serve food, only drinks. So make sure to grab some food before you come here. It's a bit dark inside and there's usually only one bartender when we go, but they do a great job at making drinks in a timely manner. During one of our visits, we did have an uncomfortable interaction with one bartender. After closing out our tab, we crossed out the "tip" portion on the check because we were planning to leave a cash tip on the table. However, a few moments later, the bartender approached us questioning as to why we did not leave a tip. This interaction made us extremely uncomfortable We have visited Frankies before and have never experienced this issue. In fact, we have never had a bartender approach us regarding a tip. Unfortunately, due to the discomfort caused by the bartender's question, we decided not to leave her a tip this time around.

They have a good selection of "Daughter Beers". They play good hip/hop and R&B music, no live music or DJ. The atmosphere is very intimate and relaxed. Service was fast as it was later in the night. Everyone else around closed at 9p and they stayed open until 12a on a Wednesday, it was a perfect little place.

Love the vibe here! All the bartenders are really cool and friendly. Great service and drinks all around. Asa makes the best drinks though!

I had a really long week and mama needed a drink. Thank god for tony and asa they saved my week, friendly and gorgeous bartenders. Definitely will come back again

This is another hidden gem in Oceanside. The ambiance was phenomenal and the drinks were crispy. This place reminded me of "interview with a vampire" movie because it has a gothic dark theme vibe. Also, the bathrooms were clean (for the ladies).

Just went back for the 2nd time last weekend. Our previous visit was may be a year ago so we noted the cocktail menu change. Still, everything was pretty delicious and on top of all that, they have a pretty bomb Happy Hour menu that goes everyday! We arrived shortly after opening so it was pretty mellow. It did eventually get busier and the sole bartender (had great hair) finally got some help. He was doing just fine up until more parties walked in. At that time, it was order at the bar yourself and we never had issues getting our drinks. We were all big fans of the Sloshie and ordered multiples of those. You really can't go wrong with any of their cocktails. The ambiance is a combo of chillness and old-timey speakeasy. Definitely a place we can hang out at and chat at for a few hours (which we did). They don't serve food but they partner with a restaurant next doorwho will deliver your order (something we didn't encounter on our last visit). We did end up ordering a couple things to munch on so we can have more drinks but it took a LONG time to get the food at 4:30pm. (We think they just forgot but order at your own risk.) Frankie's is definitely a great place to stop in at if you're in the area.

We've been to Frankie's many times so I'm not sure how I've not left a review yet. We came this most recent time for our sons 21st bday! If you haven't been to Frankie's you need to! It's a short walk to the pier as well. The vibe here is very speakeasy without the hassle. There is an outdoor patio area and beautiful booths to meet friends. The service is always amazing as the bartenders are the best!! The cocktails do rotate here and there and are always thoughtful and delicious. There's something for everyone from strong to light to zero proof. Currently the menu is a tour of Oceanside showcasing beverages from various parts of this amazing coastal city! Dogs are welcome and you can even bring in some take out.

Really sweet little bar. The bartenders were friendly (and almost all named Sean!). I ordered the Forbidden Garden cocktail from the happy hour menu. It was so refreshing. Great start to a night out.

First time in oceanside for me, but my husband and friend had been in the area before. Great drinks but that's it. If you're looking to chill and just drink it's a cool spot but if you're looking for finger foods or something more it's not the right place. Service was great, bartenders were great at their craft.

Drinks are well poured and delicious! I recommend the Mezcal drinks! The ambiance is perfect, love the booths! Service is quick and courteous!

I would ride into battle for Zane. He is a gentleman and scholar of cocktails and playing the jams. I will most definitely be coming back, and you need to stop by as well.

One of the bar that was open till midnight. We waited the New Years here. It was a full house. The security guard have to turn away a lot of people. Great choice of background music. I would like to come back here on a regular day so I can be relaxed and enjoy my drink. Private parking available.

My husband brought me here for date night cocktails before dinner on a Saturday night. Around 5:30 pm we were pleasantly surprised to still have room on the patio with no wait. The music was a bit loud inside, and the patio was heated, so that's where we sat. Ordering was easy, and a server approached with menus as soon as we sat down. The menu looks like a DVD album's book, there are 10-20 cocktails to choose from, and all had ingredients I would not have thought to combine. Mine (in the photo) had sesame seeds/tahini on top and was mildly sweet and balanced. My husband enjoyed his as well. I recommend making this a stop if you want to try some inventive drinks and are in the area! There were certainly other cocktails that we'll put on our list for another time.

The drinks were great! The service was good. The bar had a good vibe going. I forgot my card and they held on to it for a couple of days until I picked it up. I'll definitely visit again to try more drinks.

Probably my go-to spot for creative cocktails in Oside. Menu is pretty good for rotation and bartenders know their stuff. A seat at the bar is my favorite spot to hang, always chill and relaxing unless you go during prime time.

If you're thirsty for a cocktail, then this is the place for you. While it doesn't look like much from the outside, don't judge the book by it's cover! I have an appreciation for classic favorites, forgotten recipes and obscure liquors. Frankie's checks all of the boxes! The open-air bar layout is spacious and reminded me of a traditional tavern with one of the walls removed, plenty of sunlight and a salty sea breeze. They have a list of house cocktails, some spirit forward, some light and refreshing, but they'll be able to make you pretty much any cocktail you'd like. My wife and I were feeling adventurous so we each ordered a "Bartender's Choice", which is exactly what it sounds like. When ordering, we gave our bartender, Jennie, a couple guidelines (gin, strong, not to sweet) and mentioned a few of our go-to cocktail favorites. That was all she needed and within a few minutes came back and presented us with our first "British Airways" cocktails that tasted great. 5 stars! We'll definitely be heading back and I recommend Frankie's to anyone looking for a good drink in downtown Oceanside. Enjoy! Note: If you're hungry, eat beforehand. They only serve chips and peanuts, so it's more of a "pre-dinner drink" or "night cap" spot.

I've created a social group where we get together every Thursday for the Sunset Market food and festivities. As 9pm approaches we like to have a nightcap at Frankie's, as it's a perfect location, and its interior is beautiful--brick walls peppered with square metal baseplates for style, tasteful artwork illuminating the graceful and sexy feminine, and the manor-like bookcase-style shelves behind the bar that reach the ceiling. The whole bar is a mood, and gives speakeasy vibes. Alexia and Sean are very friendly and memorable, and they're all about great service. Where this bar misses the mark is not having a portable cash register. They used to have that, which was great, as we didn't have to leave our seats and Alexia came over to take our drink orders. Now we have to go up to the bar and wait while they take our orders individually. Incredibly inefficient! The employees also want it back! I don't believe they offer any food service, hence the no stars. but I definitely recommend this place!

Now this is what I call good craft cocktails! Along the levels of some of the finest cocktails as the Consortium group. We came from the speakeasy in Kilowatt, what a big disappointment. We came here and enjoyed the cocktails more. I didn't get anything on the menu because I wanted to see if they can make a killer whiskey sour. It was delicious, one of the best I've tasted. My other friends love their cocktails! Definitely coming back to grab drinks with friends!

Great Oside for some decent dedicated cocktails. We had a few different kinds of drinks here and all were very satisfying and up to the standards of like a Polite Provisions of some sort. I'm not sure why it took me so long to venture here, but so glad we did! Check it out!

Classic speakeasy decor for an elegant cocktail lounge feel, but with the charm of a good dive bar. The bar program is well developed, great tasting cocktails and a wide variety of spirits. Their rotating cocktail menu is very fun too. The service is great, and all their bartenders always do a great job!

I can't think of another time in my adult life where me and my friends I've been so openly discriminated against. Tonight myself and a group of 11 friends walked into Frankie's maybe 945-10 o'clock in the evening. Upon entering, we were told by a waiter that they were closed and wouldn't serve us. We weren't drunk and we were looking to celebrate my wife's birthday. We decided to go to cocoCabana, had a grate time. They were friendly and fun. Upon leaving a few minutes ago, not only are they still open but still serving drinks. Over an hour had passed and they were servicing customers. We were all/ mostly African American. Why tell us you're closed? But keep serving people over an hour later? More people will be commenting on the same thing happening

Very small drink selection. The drinks we got were pretty well balanced but leaned sweet. I got something with gin and cinnamon and the cinnamon was overpowering. The bartender that served us was very unpleasant. Working sucks for the working class so no shade but maybe give the guy a break or something when acting like that. He mostly ignored us and when he did come, seemed annoyed and was speaking almost at a whisper.

Why did I wait so long to try this spot?!? Set right in the center of Oceanside just steps from the beach. Probably some of the most delicious and strong drinks I've had in the area in a long time. The scene inside is a very classy vibe, very old school. Definitely a great choice for a date night. Bartender was fantastic and got our drinks just right. Music was also on point!! Gotta come back here!

There is no food that I know of. The service is usually pretty good. Today was frustrating because I came for a drink but the sign said the cocktails were 10$ when in reality it's a specific list that, mind you, was face down till after he had given me a nearly 20$ cocktail that was an overflowing cup of ice that tasted like it could peel off my nail polish. I had to drink it fast to keep from spitting it up. The music is always great. Conversational volume. I'm sure I'll be back but I'll probably ask for a different bartender. This was a very frustrating experience. I came to try to treat myself after a long week and now this.

Easy 5 star for Frankie's! Seat yourself and grab a mix cds! The menu is the mix cd which is such a unique idea. It goes with the drinks and the decor of the cocktail bar. Ordered- The Center of Attraction for those who like a vodka Strawberry Queen for those who like Gin Both were absolutely amazing!! Kudos to the bartender

Proverbial 0 stars if I could. Staff are both pompous and of course disengaged. Waited 10 minutes at bar nearly empty and no one wanted to serve so we walked out. Sometimes it's easy to see why businesses close down. It's not a mystery.

Do you miss The Charles Kenneth? Me too. Although the Captain is gone, he may have reincarnated as Frankie. At least it feels this way because their bar manager is now at this new cocktail bar. He was able to recreate my favorite drink from the old speakeasy (a custom version of the penicillin with Sfumato) and it was the same perfection that I remember. Don't be fooled though; this is not a copycat of the bars of pandemic past. Frankie's is a unique bar of its own with a different style. It is beautifully decorated with dark green and gold accents, but doesn't feel pretentious at all. The space is open with a fully open storefront and patio seating. Somehow it's both upscale and divey at the same time. Best of all, the bartender knows his cocktails. I'm glad to know that I can come here to get familiar favorites, and excited to know that I'm in good hands when I want to try a different adventure. Cheers!

Wonderful ambience, nice bartender and the drinks were great! It's nice and modern and clean inside and there are plenty of seating options - booths, patio seating and of course the bar. We'll be back for sure

Great spot to grab a drink! Love the little spots opening up in our city of Oceanside. Drinks made with love!!

You do not want to pass on visiting Frankies, the beverage Director is none other than San Diego Legend Leigh Lacap. They change the menu over approximately three times a year. The current menu is on a mixed cd cover, and I absolutely love the design! I recommend the strawberry Queen it is a combination of gin and in-house made mulled wine, which is a sustainable option. New Menu: I recommend the Papyrus for a refreshing drink that also looks incredible. I have high regards for the Garamond too! It's a Mezcal old fashioned.

Came here on a date night with my husband to celebrate our anniversary. I saw the reviews and thought it would be a good place to check out. The location is right in downtown Oceanside. There is street parking and a few designated free lots but you make have to circle around: The venue itself is pretty small but the appearance is really nice. It gives classic speakeasy vibe. There is a small menu with table service available. After browsing through the menu, it was a tad overwhelming. I wasn't sure what to order but tried the beverage with prickly pear in it. Unfortunately the drink was pretty but a tad too sweet for my taste. It also had a funny "refrigerated" after taste. Like the container for the mixin had remained open in the fridge. I didn't care for it but drank it because I'm pretty sure the beverage was pricey. I can't remember what my husband ordered but he liked his drink. I ordered something I though would be no fail- and old fashioned. I was thinking of a bar in Temecula that had a wonderful Smokey Old Fashioned. Anyhow, I didn't enjoy this drink either. We left after this and my husband said the drinks were quite expensive. While my husband said he would consider coming back, I would say no for me. The ambiance was much too loud with music making it hard to carry a conversation and the drinks were pricey and for me, nothing special. It's worth checking out. If I could do it all over again? I would have left after the first drink. It was too much of a disappointment for me.

Drinks are amazing! Wifey found her new favorite with the "HoneyDew you love me" Will definitely be back!

Came here for drinks after a wedding welcome party with a crew. It was a great atmosphere and very low key for nightlife. They do close at midnight so if you're trying to stay out later this may be a better first stop for you. I loved the presentation of the drinks and I had the tomato is a fruit cocktail and it was delicious. Some of my friends ordered the "under the jacaranda" and "my life is a mez" and commented that they were sweeter than they anticipated but overall we had a good experience

Bartender ignored my girlfriend and I for what felt like an hour before placing our first drink order, He gave us attitude and treated us like we were an inconvenience. Over priced drinks with terrible attitude, worst experience DO NOT ViSIT.

Great cocktail lounge offering a variety of specialty cocktails with fun takes on classics. Several are spirit forward - but they can make anything you'd like and the bartenders/mixologists are talented. They also have a unique menu which I enjoyed. Perfect spot to start the night off at or end with a night cap!

What happens when you mix 2oz of service, 1oz of hospitality, 1oz quality ingredients, 2oz of knowledgeable staff? A heavy pour of a good time. What I love about Frankies is that they've put thought into everything. They had a vision, ground up. Take nothing from the old. From the warmth of the wood, green tall leather booths, paintings, lighting fixtures to the overall menu(tiki nights, special menus, seasonal offerings) and the music selection, They didn't skimp on the tools from the glassware to clear ice program. The sliding glass windows are versatile in dealing with all weather and all seasons. Located next to the soon to be Brick hotel. I do feel like there is some dead space in the hallway between the bathrooms and the main floor, perhaps a nice wreath could go there. The sister bar to Pour House it's really more like that 1st cousin bar to each other. Of the dozens of times I've come here I've never once thought to ask why it's called Frankie's. Also not related to the one without the ' in the dido. I miss Firewater, said no one ever.

Fancy cocktails, amazing atmosphere, but being out the $$$$ Definitely high quality sh*t

Amazing service and drinks, Ethan and Lay were so accommodating they have such a positive chill vibe, tried a new winter menu drink that features orange blossom and it was so well balanced and one of the best cocktails I've ever had, can't wait to go back

This bar is awesome! Pretty new, so it wasn't very full. Seems as if people aren't yet aware that it is here. I went a few days ago to see how their drinks are, and I am so glad I decided to give them a try! They don't have any food offerings beyond the spiced nuts; this is a true bar. They made a perfect aviation cocktail, absolutely impeccable! Quality ingredients, and bartenders who know their way around liquor. I hope to make this my new regular spot when here in Oceanside. Please give them your business, I want them to stay open!

Good ambiance with decent drinks however service left a lot to be desired. The bartender had zero personality.