This is not a music venue. Â Could be a great music venue (and Naperville needs one badly) if they ever actually had live bands. Â Used to have bands and most were awful. Â I can't remember the last time I asked for my cover back at a place because the band was so horrible, but I did at Frankie's. Â If you want live music, you'll have to go elsewhere.
Review Source:A friend of mine was really into swing dancing for a while, so he dragged me out to this place one Wednesday night. Previously I had never been swing dancing before, so we arrived early for the lesson they provide before the actual dance floor is opened up.
For the minimal cover, you can't go wrong with a dance lesson. Most of the group was late 20's thru 50's with about an equal number of guys and girls. The session lasted about a half hour, just long enough to get the basics. The more experienced dancers of the bunch were fairly forgiving to the newcomers, which made it very welcoming.
I didn't try the bar, as I was our designated driver for the night. They close the kitchen early in here, as a request for a menu was shot down. I forgot to look at my clock, but apparently they don't stay open that late.
Although the dance floor wasn't that full, because the more experienced dancers often employ moves that require a lot of space to pull off safely, it balanced out. The patrons were very friendly and I came back a few times after the initial visit.
My only complaint is that you can't tell if there's a decent crowd or not without paying the cover charge, as the place is actually located on the second floor of the building. You can't look in any windows to see if it is worth it to pay, as on some Wednesday nights, it is dead in here.
I go to this place for Salsa dancing/lessons/a great time on Thursday nights. Lessons begin at 9pm and they play music (sometimes live music) for a blast. Seriously, this place is so much fun to go to with a bunch of friends for a night of dancing. I must warn you though, dancing can be a full contact sport, but do not expect rude behavior from the other dancers. People here are very friendly and beginners, even to people who are beginners, or people like me, athletic and clumsy.
The environment is dim and has traces of the roaring 20s in its' interior design, including a fire engine red phone booth. The music can get pretty loud, but you did not come here to chat, you come you to dance!!
There  is a $5 cover and they serve some food to snack on. I frequent this spot pretty regularly. Be prepared to work up a serious sweat.
Great decor and atmosphere... when there's actually people inside. Too many times I've walked into this bar and paying a cover charge (often $10) only to find a bad band and nobody inside. Come on, don't charge if nobodies there! Usually end up leaving right away but the management sucks and won't refund. It's like taking a wrong turn and ending up paying for tolls.
Make sure there's a good band there or atleast a line at the door. Much better bars in Naperville so don't waste your time "stopping in".
I'm reviewing Frankie's for the Salsa (Thursday) and Swing (Wednesday) nights, haven't been there otherwise.
Salsa - the hour long lesson is given by the DJ, he starts off with a basic Salsa step, then adds more as the lesson progresses, partners rotate, crowd is mixed ages and experience levels, beginners will feel welcome. Music afterward is a nice mix of Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and a little Cumbia.
Swing - I was there in December 07, they've stopped giving the lesson. The night I was there the Flat Cats were playing, they're an excellent band, the crowd was lively with both very good dancers and beginners included.
I used to go here a few times with some friends on a Wednesday for the swing dancing. Â If you take the lesson, everyone is super friendly and extremely helpful, even if you suck. Â Oddly enough, for such a small place they have some damn good food. Â I love the cross-cut fries and the wraps.
Seriously, paying $7 for an hour-long swing lesson and then live entertainment by the Rhythm Rockets is worth twice as much, if not more.
This part of naperville is overflowing with bars of various description. Â This is one of the few that charges a cover on the weekends, but the entry fee is a pittance for the return.
I can't comment on the food, but the nachos are served with everything ala-carte for those picky eaters among you, the cheese fries are seriously overflowing with fresh cheddar, and the cheese-balls are like little drops of cheese-crack! Â Actually, I have to make special note of the cheese balls: they are amazing, covered in a crunchy breading shell, I couldn't tell if it was cheddar or some kind of cream-cheese or possibly both, but I couldn't get enough.
The martinis are pretty average for a martini bar of this caliber, and their specialty containing Grand Marnier is frightfully overpowered by the vodka.  That said, their apple/orange martinis are stupendous and  dangerously drinkable.
The atmosphere is purported to be that of a 40's night-club, and that seems true enough. Â There is plenty of seating, and with the cover-charge in place, the bar never gets too crowded even a busy night. Â Lots of stylized figures are painted onto the walls, reminiscent of bands which may have played there in the past, and ancient movie stars.
We came in on a Blues band I didn't catch the name of, but they assured us repeatedly they were the hardest working in town! Â The band and especially the bass player definitely made use of the lounge's sound system, often vibrating the floor and seats beneath us even though we were several booths away from the stage.
All in all a very enjoyable experience and a distinctly unique flavor that sets it apart from all the other bars on the corner of Washington and Chicago.
Speakeasy feel in this small upstairs lounge - a couple hundred seats.  The live acts are from blues, jazz, latin, and rock, and they have a good sound system.  Poi Dog Pondering is coming next week - see <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.frankiesblueroom.com%2F&s=b717009cc447f9ce72c0d23f14ace66d143c7bb3f2aada1fcf7e2fbe00455745" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.frankiesbluer…</a>.  Although the swing craze of ten years ago (has it really been that long??) they still offer swing dance lessons every Wednesday - still fun and lively.  If you never learned salsa, they've got that too.  Yeah, they serve martinis and have 40s movie stars on the walls.
Review Source:
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
