Frank n Hank

I love dive bars. I drink in them, I work in them, I've passed untold enjoyable hours socializing in them. The buzz on this place was great and at first glance, it lives up to it. But if you spend a few nights there, some fatal flaws emerge: Big drug scene, cocaine deals go down right in the men's room, pretty plain sight; a lot of bigmouth professional alcoholics who will not just yell their way into your conversation, but will not hesitate to lay hands on you, esp. if you're a woman --with no recriminations from the staff; a piss-poor layout and third world cleanliness (no food served, so they duck the CA rating system); a constant urine and dry-rot smell; and simply no excuse for the cockroaches that climb the walls (and the patron's legs). If you want a cleaner, safer, cooler neighborhood bar, try The Bounty on Wilshire or the Monte Carlo on 3rd. But stay away from this dump, it'll be a health code violation cautionary tale before much longer. Pros: Good (if limited) jukebox Cons: Unclean, unsafe, cram/jam layout. more

This is my favorite dive bar in L.A. All most all the beers at this Koreatown joint are less than $5, and I love the jukebox. There?s a pool table in back for those who want to play. The space is cozy, so I don?t recommend coming with more than four or five people if you actually want to be able to hear what anyone is saying. Also, half the time I usually have to drive around for 20 minutes in order to get street parking. But it?s all worth it just hang out in that dimly lit, unassuming bar and catch up with my friends. more

I used to live walking distance from F&H so I was one of those regulars that played the jukebox, smoked at the bar and drank my beer. Every week. Went back not long ago, and pretty much had the same experience. Looks about the same, drinks still affordable, still no hollywood d*bags or college amateurs. Still has a great jukebox and slightly screwed up darts game. It has gotten more popular with the gentrified neighborhood finding it, and real bars being pretty rare. But to those that complain about that, I say support the bar! Wouldn't you want it to be profitable? Embrace this new crowd, hell maybe impart some knowledge. It's our bar, but not just ours. I've seen places get different crowds and some regulars get alienated and leave. You know what? Those people sukc, and are just too precious to have something good get popular. Like people who stop liking bands because they get popular. The bar is great, the beer is cold, the drinks are strong, and there's a good jukebox. Nuff said! more

I saw this place on Citysearch and my friends and I ventured here after dinner last night. Admittedly I was a bit trepidatious--it's a very random location--but we ended up having a blast just relaxing with drinks, playing darts, shooting pool. Loved the laid-back ambiance and jukebox selections. more

Now the place isn't 5 star for it's looks, glam or location. This place gets 5 stars for the service, the wonderful bartender Snow, and for the fact that you can arrive there and just relax. I've been coming here for years now and though there are new faces all the time, you can also always count on the regulars being there. Definitely a great sign that shows this place is worthy of a visit.over and over again.\r Snow is simply the best. She remembers you by name, almost always recalls your favorite or regular drink and always has a smile for you. Pros: Snow, Stiff Drinks, Pool Table, Relaxed Enviroment, Down the Street f/ Wiltern Theatre Cons: Parking more

not only are the drinks unbelievably cheap and potent, but it's away from hollywood, it's not trendy, no lines, and it's not pretentious. needless to say, snow is extremely friendly and she does pour pretty heavy for your money. she makes an excellent mai-tai. i've introduced many of my friends to this place and they've become a regular. thank god they've banned smokin' in bars, because when i first came here, the smoking law was being amended and finally passed, thank god! because i don't know how much longer i could sit at the bar breathing clouds of smoke. throughout the years, i've realized that this place have attracted new faces and became a regular as well, from all walks of life, mind you. this place is a nice little dive bar for everyone to enjoy...to drink, relax, enjoy the jukebox. the pool table seems to attract crowd, bad and good players alike. but i think one day the pool table should be eliminated, because it creates an obstacle, besides it takes up space, and the sticks inevitably hits the wall. there's certainly not enough space for a pool table, the place is just not big enough. please don't hate me for all you frank n hanks regulars who come only to play pool. i've been comin' here for many years, i thought i should finally write a review. Pros: snow Cons: the pool table more

Right out the storybook. Snow is the sweetest bartender ever. It just seams like anybody who meets her forgets all their troubles and smiles with a kamikazes to go along with. The Dwarves in is case are the nicest people Ive met. The Jukebox has them all feeling like well Happy, Bashful, Sleepy, Dopey, Grumpy, Snazzy, and Doc. I you stop by be sure to say Hello to them they go by Mike, Leo, Hector, Victor, Jimmy, Billy, and Timmy. Ive been going for years now and its feels like the old escape rooms ambience. Shady always seemed little too shady to for this lady (that evil mirror). Last year I swear I met prince charming, that kid with the hat. He gave me a flower and kissed the back of my hand just like I read as a child long ago. Hmmm I must have been dreaming. Pros: Snow, Dwarves, Prince Charming Cons: Evil Witches, Closes at 2, Parking more

It's been about two years since my last trip over to f&H and after last night, I have to say, this place is not the same anymore. It SUX!!! Where are all the originals of this place?? I remember the bad boys from before, where are they??? You know SHADEY, The Twins, MARIANA and the rest. These were the guys that made this place. I even remember a couple of times sharing a drink with Vince Vaughn, Mike, Shadey and Snow. Those were the days. And what's up with all these hipsters who seem so fake! I only hope this place can become what it once was before it's too late...We'll see...Stacey Pros: price Cons: new crowd more

Went on a Tuesday and pretty much every seat was filled. A Pool game was always going on, and the juke box was great. The beer was CHEAP! Atmosphere a plus! If you like dive's off the regular beaten path, go here! Pros: Dive, Cheap, Atmosphere Cons: Bathrooms more

I was just at this bar tonight after a hiatus of a couple of years. I have to say I was really disappointed. I got there early and sunk into the comfy charm of this bar, talking to the regulars. But at 10 PM SHARP, a bunch of faux hipster trendoids descended on the place LIKE CLOCKWORK and completely ruined the neighborhood bar vibe. The regulars tell me this happens every night, not just the weekends. Sad really. A real good bar which got too much publicity. If you want a REAL dive bar experience, go after work and leave by 10 for another bar. And I'm not telling you where. Pros: cheap drinks, friendly regulars, pool and darts Cons: total scene after 10, loud, rude "hipsters" more

A friend turned me on to this place after he told me they sell Red Stripe for 2.50. The bar is very small, not much bigger than the picture, but the drinks are cheap (but not weak), and the jukebox is full of good rock jams and old school. There's only one pool table and one set of darts and the line can be long if its packed. Its a very good place just to kick back and have a drink with no snootyness or extra hip people looking cool. Dive at its best! Pros: Cheap!, Good Jukebox, Small Cons: Small more

This place rocks. The crowd is always cool. It's a dive bar but the drink prices and the people make you feel at home. If you cant make home to watch the game stop in until traffic dies down...you wont regret it. Pros: Value, Food and Drinks more

Go for the booze, stay for the...booze!!! I love dives. I shun pretentious ""see and be seen"" locales that make it impossible to converse. This place is a total ""come as you are"" bar highlighting really inexpensive cocktails. The server, Snow, is warm and helpful at all times. Pros: Prices, Service, Drinks Cons: Parking more

This is one place you have to go to if you live anywhere in L.A. The crowd is awesome and you just feel right at home. The music is great and there is even a dart and pool table...Beware of SHADEY though he is a DART and POOL shark but a total sweet heart. Everyone seems to know him, respect him and like him (one guy to have on your side). He will even take time to give you tips on how to play. Also there is this Timmy who you also have to meet!!! Pros: Sweet bartender, cheap drinks, people more

Looking for a ""real"" bar where the drinks are easy on the wallet and the people are truly genuine and friendly? Frank N Hank's is that one spot in LA where superficial b.s. is nowhere to be found and the bartender/owner, Snow, knows how to treat her patrons with her disarming down-to-earth smile. ""Sleek"" and ""trendy"" certainly doesn't describe the place but that's part of the allure. You see what you get and the eclectic mix of people make it happen. Say ""hi"" to ""Timmie"" (old-timers probably remember him as Timmie Rodgers, old-school vaudville comediant) who's over in the ""Amen Corner"" near the entrance and just be yourself...the regulars can spot and appreciate a genuine person from afar and you'll be more than welcome! Pros: cheap drinks, friendly people, dive atmosphere Cons: no food more

A true ""dive"" with everything good and bad that comes with that label. Some of the cheapest drinks I have seen in LA. Wonderfully unpretentious. Snow has even done a little painting and made the place look a little more inviting (thankfully, it's still a dive). Pros: Diverse crowd, Cheap drinks, Nice Bartender Cons: Some hardcore drunks more

F&H is a great after work bar. Pop in, have a drink or two, throw some darts and enjoy the company of friends. Beers are cheap, darts and pool if you like, jukebox for tunes, naked lady painting for the kids. Pros: Cheap drinks Cons: Small more

The owner/bartender Snow will memorize your drink after one visit. Not bad!! Drinks are cheap, crowd eclectic, and a bus stop nearby. Bring your favorite foreign language cause on any nite there are more than a few nationalities represented. Pros: door is always open Cons: door is always open more

""Dive"" on in to Frank N Hank's for the a truly authentic walk on the wild side. It ain't pretty. It ain't chic. And quite honestly if you pick up a date here you'll probably be picking up a discomforting disease as well. That said for a beer and a smoke after a hard day at this office this is the place. Even if you don't smoke cause someone at the bar will be puffing on you. The epitome of dive bar, all the good and all the bad included. Pros: dive, beer Cons: smoke, smoke, smoke more

Great place to down a few before heading over to the Wiltern for a show. Definately a good 'dive' bar. more