O' Be Joyful

This bar has one of the best locations in town and so much untapped potential. With its Main Street address and cozy footprint, it could easily be a go-to spot for both locals and visitors looking for a relaxed cocktail or beer. A few consistent choices, though, detract from the overall experience: • The TV behind the bar is almost always playing FailArmy, which is extremely distracting and feels off-brand for a craft-cocktail setting. Even sports or something neutral would better suit the atmosphere and keep the focus on conversation. • The music selection can be hit or miss. Heavy hair metal tends to dominate the room rather than complement it. In a small space like this, background music should support the vibe—not compete with it. • The draft beer list could be more inclusive. A simple lager or pilsner (especially from one of the many great local breweries) would go a long way for guests who don’t drink IPAs. • Comfier bar stools would truly elevate the experience. Comfortable seating matters, especially when enjoying thoughtfully made cocktails. • The large communal table is clearly the most desirable seat in the house—allowing reservations for it would be a smart and guest-friendly move. • Lastly, leaning into seasonal or holiday décor could really bring warmth and personality to the space. A little festivity goes a long way in making a place feel special. I’m sharing this feedback because this place really could be something special. With a few thoughtful adjustments, it has all the ingredients to become a true Main Street favorite!

A very loud, very small, full bar, with better than average food. The fries were tasty but not crisp. The Caesar Salad with chicken, is tasty, but not great. Service was slow when the bar was full, including the kitchen. There is very limited street parking.

Great place to sit and have a drink or a bite to eat. Savanah the bartender was above and beyond with her cocktails and service. Nice spot in Downtown Franklin. I think we will be regulars.

The cocktail selection and quality is on point. Got a couple negronis and they were great. Also food is amazing. Got a reuben and hit the spot.

Dinner time after driving and sightseeing, I met my friend here and he asked me not to write a review. This place is just so awesome and he doesn't want it to get more crowded. Oops. Completely full when I arrived but two seats at the bar opened up so I started with a beer while I waited for my friend. Friendly bartender who wanted to have a conversation but it was just too loud for any real talking. When my friend arrived sat down, I was ready for dinner. I made a bad choice, going for the Jalapeno Burger which comes with pepper jack cheese, grilled jalapenos, tequila aioli and LTOP on a toasted bun. Your choices are either medium or well. I chose medium and it was perfectly delicious and a little drippy and full of zip. The tots were nice and crunchy, soaking up the drippings from the burger and with a little ketchup. Lots of beer options and they seem to really enjoy making cocktails. My friend's Old Fashioned looked perfect. My cold tin of local beer was delicious. There is free street parking in Franklin and a parking lot nearby. If the place is crowded, just patiently wait for a spot. It's worth it.

There isn’t enough space for me to write about how much I adore OBJ. This is my and my husband’s favorite place in Franklin. Hands down they have the absolute best burger you’ll have - trust me on that. They also have phenomenal chicken tenders, fries that they hand cut in house, and tots. Never had a bad meal here. As far as drinks - they are top notch cocktails all year round. I love that they change the menu seasonally to keep things fresh, but you can also ask the bartenders to make you anything really and they will customize something to your taste and liking. Anthony is our favorite bartender - and no matter what he makes, it’s always amazingly balanced and tastes fantastic. He also makes the best Manhattan I have ever had, and that is my all time favorite drink so I have had many in my lifetime. OBJ has the largest, yet beautifully curated whiskey list I’ve seen as well if you’re not into cocktails - full of top brands as well as local options. And no matter when I’ve gone, crowded or quiet, this place has good vibes. I love this place so much - highly recommend.

Great bourbon, great food, and Anthony the bartender is an expert at his craft. I always try to visit when I’m in town!

Tucked away and all but hidden with an unassuming sign that you have to look for, this place is a diamond in the rough. A simple menu with foods that are excellent every time. Burger and fries were as good as the service and company, with a server that literally seems to anticipate our every need. Never felt pressured or ignored. Can’t wait to visit again.

So fun! Had a really great time here on a Sunday night. Drinks were very reasonably priced and were good! My husband wanted a drink the bartender never heard of and he was more than pleased to learn how to make it. The music was also really good.

Had to come back and try a few other items. The quesadilla is super flavorful and good chicken portions. A salsa on the side instead of pico would make it a 10/10. The Caesar salad had very good portions of fried chicken. We went around lunch time so it was a little busy but we were able to find seats at the bar pretty quick. Service was ok the bartenders we met the night before were a lot of engaging. A great go to for good consistent food and drinks. The burger and fries is still my favorite there so far but everything we tried has been good!

A very loud, very small, full bar, with better than average food. The fries were tasty but not crisp. The Caesar Salad with chicken, is tasty, but not great. Service was slow when the bar was full, including the kitchen. There is very limited street parking.

great place, great service and most of all...great bourbon. Can't wait come back and try the great burger.

I have been coming here for 7 years, and they have never disappointed me! Their bartenders are on point! They are known for their bourbon collection! They have several.... I like both Bourbon and Tequila, to my surprise they had a very good Tequila, G4 anejo, very hard to find! So, I started off with a pour G4 neat, soo good! Then I moved on to an Old Fashioned with a Sazerac Rye, Anthony nailed it! O'Be Joyful have some of the best Bartenders in Franklin! This place is small, but that's what makes this place special! Cheers!

I had heard about O Be Joyful for a while and finally made it a couple days ago. The burger & tots were great! Also they make a wonderful Negroni!

Excellent bourbon selection in a very relaxed setting. The bartender knew his bourbon and was very friendly. Will absolutely go back.

Clean, inviting bar on Main Street tucked between shops and restaurants. The bartenders were friendly and welcoming. They also did a great job of keeping the drinks coming. They also only negative is that the bar chairs have a metal seat that is not comfortable. I would also appreciate the addition of purse hooks under the bar. Other than that, we had a great time!

Came here unexpectedly as there was an hour and a half wait to the restaurant my partner and I were planning to dine. Intimate setting. The bar is long almost spanning the entire length. Limited seating but the bartenders and even patrons were very friendly and let us know if a seat/table was about to be unoccupied. Great cocktails especially for the price.

Dinner time after driving and sightseeing, I met my friend here and he asked me not to write a review. This place is just so awesome and he doesn't want it to get more crowded. Oops. Completely full when I arrived but two seats at the bar opened up so I started with a beer while I waited for my friend. Friendly bartender who wanted to have a conversation but it was just too loud for any real talking. When my friend arrived sat down, I was ready for dinner. I made a bad choice, going for the Jalapeno Burger which comes with pepper jack cheese, grilled jalapenos, tequila aioli and LTOP on a toasted bun. Your choices are either medium or well. I chose medium and it was perfectly delicious and a little drippy and full of zip. The tots were nice and crunchy, soaking up the drippings from the burger and with a little ketchup. Lots of beer options and they seem to really enjoy making cocktails. My friend's Old Fashioned looked perfect. My cold tin of local beer was delicious. There is free street parking in Franklin and a parking lot nearby. If the place is crowded, just patiently wait for a spot. It's worth it. [Review 20069 overall - 425 in Tennessee - 1045 of 2023.]

Great drinks and service. Didn't try food but menu looks awesome too. Smart stop at Grey's pharmacy sign just off circle in Franklin TN. Can't go wrong, just O' Be Joyful!

Great handcrafted drinks, wonderful location Ordered the whiskey sour with egg white Service was topnotch.

The whiskey selection is fantastic- you name it and you they have it but the real treat are the cocktails. You know it's a great drink if they use eggs whites! I tried the bartenders creation that was recommended by other regulars- the banana fosters which was rum based and not overalls sweet. The whiskey sour and old fashion were both great! Another friend got a New York sour with a Port topper- amazing! If you don't know what to get the bartenders won't steer you wrong. The food upscale bar food- the nachos were lighter than typical bar food with black beans, guacamole and fresh radishes! Anything with bacon is always yummy and the jalapeños were great!!!

We had time to kill before our dinner reservations & found this gem of a spot via a Reddit post. What a sophisticated boujee bar vibe right off Main St. with phenomenally creative and delicious cocktails. Our service we fun and engaging. I absolutely loved the Brier Patch and highly recommend if it at all seems like your vibe! We did not grab food this time, but for sure will return bc others items looked great!

Only come here if you are drinking. If anyone in your party is sober or only drinking water, they won't let you have a table to sit down. Drinks are fine and fairly priced, but they are nothing special. Olivia L. was our server, extra rude!

My favorite bar downtown Franklin! Must play shot roulette, it's a blast. Get their early.

Both my jalapeño burger and Negroni were delicious A+! Friendly and attentive staff, Cool ambience, good prices, definitely coming by again!!

Didn't eat so can't comment on food. Brown liquor selection was vast. 3 deep on the shelf if various bourbons, ryes, whisky and scotch. Great cocktails. Sava is a fantastic bartender. Had a dark/black Manhattan in the rocks. Amazing. Will be back. Also much less hectic than the Nashville scene. Laid back and cool.

Honestly I've been walking by O' Be Joyful for years and assuming it was a "drinks place" I was surprised when a friend suggested it for lunch. "They Serve lunch??" Why yes they do. Admittedly, it's a very small menu so know before you go, but we had a wonderful lunch! It's a small venue and almost all the seating is at the bar .....BUT there is one table tucked in a nook that seats 6, perfect for our little lunch crew. The staff is outstanding. We were attended to by two different folks, both of whom knew their stuff and were pleasant and friendly. When asked what the Beers on tap were, our server gave helpful descriptive answers regarding the current selections. I chose Krazy Kyle's Winter Ale, a Tailgate brew and it was a great choice on a cool day, bit of spice in a darker ale. Friend had the Manhattan and said it was very good! (not surprising since that's their wheelhouse). When it comes to the food, choices are limited but I love a good burger so no problem. I had the Jalapeño Burger, as you would expect: Jalapeños, Pepper Jack Cheese, a Jalapeño Aioli and the normal burger toppings: lettuce, tomato, pickles. I had the Tater Tots, they were fine. Burger was cooked as requested. So the food was ok, but the staff and overall experience was outstanding so 5 stars for O' Be Joyful!

Such a fun cocktail bar in downtown Franklin! I went early so it wasn't very full. Service was great and the cocktail was even better! Parking isn't always the easiest but downtown is so cute it's fun to walk around!

This is a fantastic place to get a drink or meal. The chicken tenders are top notch and fair prices. Old Fashioned cocktail is wonderful and caring staff. The bar manager (don't remember her name) is wonderful. Easy and free street parking with short walk.

Cocktails were incredible and very well thought out. Beer selection is on point. Hard to ask for more. Highly recommend this watering hole, especially if you like high-end liquor.

Gem of a cocktail bar located in downtown Franklin! We only came for drinks so I can't speak to the food, but seems like it would be upscale bar food. I believe it's owned by the same people as Greys on Main but not positive. Intimate spot that is a great place to wait while you put your name in for dinner downtown. I believe street parking is your best option.

Creative drinks. Cool atmosphere and good food. Friendly bartenders. You won't be sorry.

O' Be Joyful is a cute bar with lots of character. It is a small bar, but we were able to snag the only table in the place. The staff was attentive and welcoming. I didn't enjoy only have a few wine choices, but it's not a wine bar so it wasn't unexpected.

Burger, perfect. Right amount of salt and spice. Fries were fresh and crispy. The old fashioned is aces. Perfectly balanced and uses a true and traditional recipe. Clean environment. Music fun and not too loud. Lastly, Anthony, the bartender is friendly and knowledgeable with 20 years of experience under his apron. The name precedes the customer experience. If you're not joyful when you walk in, you will be when you leave.

The food was very tasty and the ambiance was perfect. Our waiter was very attentive and provided excellent service. Would recommend the sweet tea and the salads!!

OH MY GOURD! Please stop by if you can! Absolutely worth it! Such great service and atmosphere. Clean bar great music and amazing people. So happy with the service I highly recommend coming here even if you don't drink! The food looks amazing and the drinks are incredible!!! MUST TRY cocktails : oh my gourd & Apple n oranges!

The atmosphere was wonderful. Savannah was great helping me pick out drinks for my "ailment" that a hot toddy could have cured but I didn't want. She made her own concoction and it was beautifully delicious. Hamburger and tarot tots later. Music went from 90's to Motown upon request. Lovely place in downtown Franklin

Nice little bar in downtown Franklin. They don't engage in a lot of chit-chat, but they will get you what you need and come back to check on you now and then. (TO BE FAIR: We stopped in during the Women's Soccer World Cup, so...) I was very impressed with their bourbon and whiskey selection. Nearly any bottle you might like to find was on the shelf. Very very impressive.

Great cocktail bar located downtown Franklin. It can get very packed and isn't a huge venue. Def want to make sure to get there early or later in the night.

My friend and I thought the jingle juice sounded fun and so we made a point to stop by one night. It was a Wednesday night and so we thought it might not be packed, but it definitely was. This made us think "great, the drinks must be really good then!" After about 20 min we finally got the bartender to look up long enough to take our drink order. We got our drinks and weren't very impressed. The jingle juice really didn't have much flavor, more of just a pretty cocktail. Maybe their classic drinks are better, but the Christmas ones were a bust. I would suggest trying a classic drink here, if you feel so inclined to shove your way inside!

Had an absolute blast here! My boyfriend tried some whiskey and I had a very good margarita. Then I had the bartenders surprise me with new drinks based on my preferences and everything they made was sooo good! I should have asked what they made lol. It was a great time. We also ate here. My boyfriend got the hotdog (he said it was one of the best hotdogs he's ever had) and I had the jalapeño burger. Wish it had a little more jalapeño but still a decent burger. Will definitely come back again!

How has this place been here so long and I am JUSTTTTT checking it out? First off, obsessed. We came a weeknight evening maybe around 8pm for food and drinks and sat in the little cubbie table/chairs. It wasn't as busy as I expected now after going there but still hopping! The first drink I got I didn't love (Pear something but you could barely taste pear, I think I didn't love the wine? Or champagne? part of it, whatever word I had to Google) but traded it for a "lady pleaser" and that was really good! The guys just got whiskey drinks (it's a whiskey bar) and were over the top about how good they were. Food sliding scale: Nachos 100 hands down get them!, Burger was good, Wings not so great. I was the winner in the food lottery because those were some of the best Nachos I've ever had. We will definitely be coming back (and I'll remember to snag some pics next time!)

Yo this watering hole is a great spot try the red corvette drink and a beer and bourbon boiler make priceless great people and bartender . Kid from Brooklyn and I approve this message

Santa's favorite bar! Winner of BEST BAR OF THE YEAR 2022! The food is more than just your typical "bar food." They have everything from grilled or fried chicken salad to fantastic burgers. THE.BEST.RUBEN.IN.TOWN! They even have salted chocolate chip cookies not just for Santa! They have an extensive bourbon collection as well as wine and beer. They also have a seasonal cocktail menu but if you're not sure what you want, just ask a bartender to make you something special. You will struggle to find a more hard-working and professional group of bartenders anywhere. The atmosphere is warm, friendly and inviting. We meet new friends every time we go! They are always on the nice list!

Best burger in Franklin and great drinks. Love this place but I'm taking off one star because the only thing they ever have on the TV is videos of people getting injured. It's pretty distracting, not to mention stressful, and it's playing every time I've been there. Posting this hoping the management will see this and make an adjustment.

It might be small, but don't let the intimate space scare you away - O' Be Joyful packs plenty of great service and cocktails in a small space. Raegan is fabulous - I mentioned a few ingredients/flavors I liked and she was happy to create a custom cocktail for me to suit the taste I was looking for! And if you're a Whiskey + Bourbon fan, they've got a huge selection for you to enjoy!

Service was impressive. I didn't get the servers name, but she was super responsive, without being overbearing or fake. Pretty minimalistic inside, but it's a whiskey bar. Got the wings, they were "okay", but we I'll definitely be back to try the burgers. If you like no nonsense places, with great service. This is the place to go

Best classic whiskey sour in Franklin! They do it right with the egg white and the whiskey to sour ratio is perfect! The bartenders are all amazing at crafting up cocktails and even when I just want a margarita and tacos they are ready to serve up the best!

Awesome burger. Nachos were delicious. Ordered the Cobra Kisses cocktail...very yummy and very strong! Bartender Tyler was a delight and Anthony was also very sweet. Great way to spend an hour or so in the afternoon. Really loved it.

OBJ only has one downside. Everyone else realized what a gem it is. Friday afternoons with Reagan tending the bar has become something of a routine for our little group. Sometimes we go next door for drinks at Gray's, same ownership also fantastic. But tonight I tried one of the house drinks - the Alternative, which is fan-damn-tastic. And Reagan's Black Walnut Manhattan is right in. Or whatever you ask her to make. Don't limit yourself to the menu... tell her what you like and she'll hook you up. Chicken fingers, jalepeno poppers, fries, burgers -- all top notch. But please go anytime other than 4:00-6:00 on Fridays.

Great little bar in Franklin. Small menu. I had the jalapeño burger and it was juicy and tasty. I had a mule for a drink. Only one table and then bar seating. It is very small. Very good service.

My favorite whiskey bar in town! The service is great and the selection is even better. Not only is everyone here super friendly and helpful, but they're all very knowledgeable about everything they carry. I've discovered my new favorite whiskey here and have been able to learn a lot about what I'm actually drinking and where it came from. They have have delicious food on hand. They have some good burgers here, along with dessert. I got their spicy burger, but impossible style. Impossible meaning that it's impossible it's not real meat. It's actually a veggie burger. But when you eat it, you honestly couldn't even tell that you weren't eating a real beef burger. But that's not all. Their ice cream with deep fried Oreo's will blow your socks off. Only disappointment is that I wish the place was bigger. It's such an awesome spot, so it does get crowded at times.

The best burger I have ever had. The service is excellent and very friendly. This place was a great find in Downtown Franklin.

This place was very cute and cozy. Smaller than we expected, but great area. It is mostly a bar area with limited seating. The whiskey selection is huge, plenty of options for everyone. We ordered nachos and wings. Both were great! Service was phenomenal, everyone was super friendly. Great place to go get quick bite and meet new people.

Love this place! My sister brought me with the enticement of a food burger. That was an understatement. The burger was AWESOME! More than that, the experience and knowledge from the ladies and gents behind the bar was amazing. They knew about all the hundreds of bourbons they had available. I had a whiskey sour (complete with sweet egg white foam on top) and the best old fashioned I think I've ever had. Don't miss it!

Yummy burger, extra cold beer & super nice Bartender. We may be back for a whiskey drink after the concert tonight.

Excellent service, great atmosphere, drinks and food! Porche is a master! You will not be disappointed!