Robert’s at the Franklin

The Franklin’s bar is the place to go in Chapel Hill for a quiet drink in an upscale, intimate atmosphere. The problem is the prices and the drinks themselves. Take a friend and have two drinks each and you’re looking at a $ 75 bill! I wouldn’t mind if the drinks were something special, but they just stock the same basics you’d find in any bar. Maybe my expectations are too high, but at $ 15 a drink I’d expect something special.
Still, there aren’t any alternatives in town if you want to go someplace and actually hear what your companions are saying. In fact, from the front door you can actually hear the music from their competition!

The Franklin is the best hotel in Chapel Hill, and it also has the best hotel bar. It’s very plush and traditionally Southern, with about seven leather chairs at the bar and then a variety of seating at tables with wonderfully comfortable chairs scattered around. There are also a few tables on the sidewalk through a series of French doors for when the weather’s warm. The bar is reasonably well-​stocked other than the fact that their beer list is a little anemic. As bars go in a college town, it’s spendy compared to its neighbors, but certainly not out of line at all for upscale hotel bars. Service is always superbly friendly. Some nights they have live music. (They take requests, but when we asked for something old-​school [thinking Sinatra], they played «Desperado».)

There’s no telling how many times we’ve walked by The Franklin and never gone inside. Curiosity and a «live music» sign lured us in this Saturday afternoon, where we found a charming atmosphere, delightful and yes indeed «live» pianist, and a nice, friendly Bartender (Bryan).
There are reasonable drink options if you look. I had a perfectly nice French chardonnay for a decent price, and we shared their homemade potato chips with a cajun dip for just four bucks. Watch out though, they’re addictive!
This place is a cozy comfy haven from Franklin Street… very nice.

Atmosphere… is pretty nice, small, intimate, warm. The best seating inside on a cool evening is near the fire. There is some outdoor seating, but the outdoor area doesn’t have the best scene — a little too stark.
Food — although they are not known for the food, the burgers are pretty good. The munchies are also surprisingly tasty, but all is a bit expensive.
Drinks — the cocktails are not so good… possibly the bartenders are not well trained. The wine is fine, but tends to be on the higher end of the price range. Generally you can find less expensive, but good wine, in Chapel Hill restaurants.

I had been completely unaware that the Franklin Hotel had a bar like this until one of my business associates suggested it as the location for a design meeting. It turned out to be really nice.
When I sit down to conduct business in a place like this, all I want is peace, quiet, comfort, and a good drink, and Robert’s provides all of that. My drinks were strong and flavorful, and the service was prompt and friendly while still professional. I couldn’t get on board with the prices, but that’s hardly a surprise.
The atmosphere is wonderful, quiet in the daytime (I can’t speak for the evening) comfortable and low-​key. An excellent lounging bar.

With the opening of Chapel Hill’s new, fun boutique hotel The Franklin comes this new addition to the West Franklin Street bar scene. Robert’s, the Franklin’s lobby bar, is low-​key but still elegant, with martinis, music, and patio seating for people-​watching on Franklin Street. When I went, it was a little chilly for outside seating, so our group of girls took over a group of comfortable chairs and couches and sipped martinis while requesting «Mack the Knife» from the piano player. It’s that kind of place — you can sit comfortably, have an actual conversation and a very nice drink. There’s a bistro menu that looks quite good, although I haven’t tried out any of the food yet. But the martinis — those I can recommend highly!