Uptowne Pub

Literally the creepiest bar in all of Franklin. I went there once for a drink since it was within walking distance. I swear to god, walking into this bar was like walking into a different world — WICKED SKETCHY. The drinks were cheap, and that’s cool but my friends and I left after a man kept rubbing and groping my friend’s back. Even if I were blacked out and/​or dying of alcohol poisoning, I wouldn’t be drunk enough for this place.

This is not the best informed review, I have yet to order so much as a beer here.
I really, really want to like this place. Last year I moved to within walking distance, and I want to have a dive bar close by so I can go and relax, watch the game, and have a few cheap beers. If I can walk home, even better. A buddy told me he was here recent;y and there was a live band playing classic rock covers, and an older crowd (30s-40’s) trying to dance. He said it wasn’t so bad.
My first visit was on a Saturday night. The crowd was very young, all college age, and there was a DJ set up, he was playing techno rap very, very loud, waving his arms back and forth like it was an after hours house party in Mattapan. I stood just inside the door for a few seconds, my brain trying to reconcile what I was seeing with what I was hearing; The bar looked like the kind that has a juke box with last years pop hits and mix of everything that”s been popular in the past 30 years. The crowd looked like typical suburban kids, mostly in jeans, t-​shirts worn under open checked shirts, they looked a little on the «hick» side, which is fine by me, that’s my kind of crowd. My eyes were telling my brain to expect Lynyrd Skynyrd or Allman Brothers, or maybe Niravanna… or maybe Nickelback, Foo Fighters, or The Back Keys. I admit, I’m not a kid anymore and I’m not real familiar with those last three bands, but I know I’ve heard them and I like it. I like most music. But techno-​rap-​dance music cranked up at city dance club volumes? I turned around and walked out, more embarrassed than annoyed. I felt like I should have acted cool and ordered at least one beer, but I just couldn’t. Maybe this is the greatest bar in town, but not for me, not this night. Maybe this was a theme party? Rave night? Someone’s birthday? I’ll just come back when things are normal.
I went back last Thursday, I did a drive by fist to scout things out. I could see through the window a ballgame being played on the big TV. It looked quiet. So I parked, walked up to the door… and I hear the loud techno rap blaring out the door before I even get close. Never mind. Maybe I’m too old for this place.
This location is surrounded by the Dean College campus, so I expected some younger kids, I don’t mind that. I can watch college girls dance all night and it doesn’t bother me at all. But do all college kids listen to just techno dance music? No, they don’t! My son is 18 and he has excellent taste in music. Not always my cup of tea, what he listens to, but it’s OK. So what gives?
My buddy assured me there was a classic rock cover band and 30 to 40 years trying to dance in the embarrassing way people our age do. That’s what I want! And still, I’ll settle for just about anything that can loosely be defined as rock and roll, as well as rhythm and blues, country, Americana… just turn on the game and play whatever you want, so long as it does not cause me physical pain.
If I can ever make it in the door without being repelled by the techno dance cacophony, I’ll chat up the bartender and see if there’s a safe night for people like me who listen to respectable rock and roll.
I really do want to like this place.

I know who the Franklin town drunk is. He’s a bartender at this little place.
The funny thing is, he’s a great bartender. Evidently, he can read lips when it’s too hard to hear, has a sixth sense about getting your next beer, and just flat gets the job done.
They have Long Trail on tap, along with the other stuff. Gets really crowded on weekends. The bathroom is surprisingly tidy.
I saw the Vinyl Frontier play here and it changed my life forever.

Place is small and the food is pretty decent when they cook. They definately take care of their regulars. Recommend coming here to at least visit, although the place isn’t for everyone.

Waste of time. Too many good places in this town to get a drink.