Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. is like a gourmet bar, but it’s not a restaurant

The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co., known for being the center for the largest alcohol ring in the country during the prohibition era, is re-opening as a historic and refreshing addition to the nightlife scene in Philadelphia. The Franklin is located 112 S 18th St, but unless you know the address you might not be able to find the place as it’s entrance is very subtle. On the opening night there was no mistaking where the front door was as you had to be on one of the lists that these young ladies held.
Sandra Grekulavic, Greta Baith, Jillian Hundzynski, Jen Sherlock

The Franklin is all about the table service, not to be confused with bottle service as you are not going to find that here. There is no minimum as long as you have one drink. The bar is very tiny and located in the back of the room, guests are encouraged to take a seat and enjoy table service by a smartly dressed server. There is no VIP section, as all their guests are VIPs as far as they’re concerned.

(Philly Thrillist)

It’s a great place to play table gamesor hang with your favorite girl, Chad Boonswag and Lisa CorrealeEvery drink is made to order by dapper bartenders (tie, vest/suspenders), who start by hand-carving chips from three types of “gourmet” ice (Kold-Draft, nugget, culinary grade); the 20 menu concoctions are broken into six categories: American History, Water of Life, Summer Sippin, Revivers & Tonics, Island Coolers, and Martini Through Time — all more sophisticated than the stuff that caused you to tank American History. Many mixers are made in-house (from lemon juice to grenadine), and all booze is top shelf, from the Buffalo Trace in the Brown Derby, to the Inland Julep’s Siembra Azul Reposado, to the Hayman’s Old Tom gin in the Billy Penn Club, to the Blood and Sand’s Famous Grouse (“Who bled in my sand?”). (Thrillist)
Don Bell and Kristie Gonzales

City Paper Meal Ticket editor Drew Lazor with Michelle Flisek

Phoodie states: … there is that cocktail list. It’s six pages long. It’s epic. And there’s not a single simple-syrup cosmo-tini soul destroyer in the bunch. In fact, The Franklin doesn’t even serve vodka. Not a drop in the whole place. How’s that for Douche Prevention? You are in the provinces of Whiskey and Gin here (along with plenty of other non-vodka spirits), and their rule is firm yet enlightened. We tried the Billy Penn Club (an almost margarita-tasting gin/egg white concoction), the Brown Derby (a bourbon/grapefruit/honey headbanger) and our favorite, the Simó Cup (a gin/Pimm’s/lemon/cucumber salvation). Which is a great start. There’s only five pages of drinks left to try.Veronica Scarpellino and Thrillist Josh Valocchi
Casey, Nellie, Greg Burhart, The New England Patriots Alex Smith, Julie Abrahmson and The St. Louis Cardinals Anthony Becht,

Jayne Hamel, Vicky Martelli, Aly McNichols, Dana Chaby, Jackie Nauen and Rob Beck

NBC10’s “Be A 10 in 10 Weeks” Megan Smith with Louise CastellanoSam Gross, guest, Anne Nikolaus, Chris Prabhu (Thank you for reading PCC), Stacey Kracher, Yuval Yona
Hadas Kuznits interviews head bartender Alex Day.
http://www.kyw1060.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=3832893

Although The Franklin doesn’t serve food, they have contracted with Di Bruno Bros for private event catering.
Stylish Bela Shehu and Anthony DiMeo III
VH1’s Tough Love Steve Ward and Angeline Panepresso
Foobooz Editor Arthur Etchells with a friend
Greta Baith and Sandra Grelculaic
Michael Welsh, here with Chris Doggett. Chris is the President/Ceo of the Frankin as well as the managing partner and says The Franklin is going to be a comfortable place with lots of banquette seating and a smattering of small tables. There’s a bar in the back where some people may prefer standing, but he stresses it’s all about comfort, enjoying each other and the drinks. “We’re going to have an expansive drink menu consisting of ‘special’ drinks with top shelf liquor. People are going to come here because we’re going to be serving delicious drinks that can’t be found anywhere else.” The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. is the kind of place you want to go to to sit and enjoy a drink with that special someone, or a few friends. It’s not a S&M bar (Stand & Model), instead it’s a relaxed atmosphere where you can let your hair down and just enjoy yourself.