This is the most no-frills dive bar I've maybe ever been too. Nothing on tap, nothing in terms of ambiance. However, it's still a lot of fun. You'll see lots of ambitious singers. By ambitious I mean: people that are really giving it their all but...aren't insulting good at singing. These are just normal folks that like to croon...and rap. And, luckily, the prices here match the lack of frilliness. It's cheap. read more

Fran's East Side - "only women bleed" - Dive Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Good spot wouldn't go there for open mic comedy last time I'm going there bartender was good.

Cool Dump with a lot of History Off the beaten path, just a few minutes from the touristy pit of Broadways hell sits a little known gem. Just want to be in a good place where the atmosphere is friendly and laid back? No overbearing KJs with their downtown rules and unfair skipping. No turning down songs here. Sam tries his best to make everyone feel their best. Trina will take care of the entire bars needs. Just watch her go. Really good sound, compared to other big venues downtown. I wont name any names. Do yourself a favor and stop by. Speaking strictly as a local who avoids downtown and obnoxious college Thanks read more

It is a straight dive bar with just beer, They have chips etc but no real food. I went to High School with the owner, She is a nonsense owner, but you kinda have to be but nice at the same time and a good heart, Beer prices are excellent. And it is karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights till close. read more

This place raises the Dive Bar bar. Picture it: a giant velvet painting of a kitten with a rose on the wall. Painted cinder block walls, no windows. Decades of nicotine staining the walls. My favorite part--besides the $2 Miller High Life and occasional free beer from the bartender--are the food selections. You can get a can of Beenie Weenie for $1, a bag of microwave popcorn, or another option from their freezer selection of food, heated up in a microwave behind the counter. I've never partaken in any of these food selections, however they are by far the best dive bar selections I've ever seen. Be warned, it's cash only. read more

Fran's East Side - The champagne of beers. - Dive Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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First visit to Fran's and it is maybe my favorite local bar. You read a lot about "dive" bars which could be a slap, but to me it means local spots that hopefully the tourists don't go to and ruin it. This is Fran's. We walked in and were greeted by a loud "howdy" from the bar - a group of folks that looked like they had a standing daily meeting at Frans was drinking and enthusiastically chatting at the first table. Couple things: - it is smoking so know b4 you go and if you can't stand it then don't stop in - if you are lucky Fran will be there. We chatted with her and her daughter working the bar. They showed us pictures of some of their more famous locals who have stopped by and she was a darling to chat with. Made us feel really at home. - beers - most are under $2.50 -- we splurged and had Red Stripes for 3 bucks !!! That was a normal price, not HH. - bag of pretzels - .50 It was a great 2 hours spent just hanging out with good people. What more could you ask for? This probably isn't the kind of place that many look at Yelp reviews, but if you want a down home change of pace then definitely stop by Fran's. read more

Incredible dive and karaoke vibes at Fran's. You walk in (obviously thru the side door, never front door) and immediately get hit in the face with cigarettes and 80s music. Incredible vibes. I'm not an older local of East Nashville but man does Fran's make me want to be. Those people run the place, I'm just a respectful visitor trying to bask in their glow. Bud Heavy bottles. Incredible singing voices. Crowd is small but mighty. Have to fight for a spot on the pool table - super worth it. Option to order pizza bagel bites (unreal especially past midnight). Very "shower immediately when you get home but wake up with no regrets" vibes. read more

Frans is exactly the kind of place I know and love. Tiny, cinderblock walls, locals, bad karaoke and out of the way. THAT said, the night we went here it was particularly sad and we were definitely not drunk enough to get into it. So here's my list of must knows for Frans: -- It's cash only and there is NO ATM -- It's beer only. And we're talking bare bones -- There are lots of bright lights (no dark make out corners) -- The pool table has seen better days I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that this place is either on for you or totally off. I'm giving it the four star rating based on the fact that I can totally see myself drinking budweiser bombers and singing the shit out of some amazing/terrible country song. Note: Maybe call and see if they do set ups for BYO. I dont know if that happens outside of TX but it's worth a shot! read more

Fran's East Side - Dive Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Heavily infested with cockroaches. You can't even order a beer without seeing dozens of them. Unless you want to get sick go somewhere else, lots of great bars in town that follow health department protocol read more

This place is always fun. A varied group of Nashvillian faces from all walks. Fun karaoke that will definitely surprise you when it comes to the hidden talents that walk through the door. From locals to tourists looking for a real TN vibe dive, this place is fun for all. Note: it's cash ONLY but with an ATM. I have never come here and left without having a good time and conversation with all. read more

This is the best bar I've ever been to. Came as an outsider. Left meeting great friends and had plans for the next day. Bring cash, and expect to have an amazing time! read more

Looking for a real dive bar? Go here! Pool table, cash only bar. Bar food is , frozen corn dogs, YES! Frozen burritos, etc! We were loving that! Bartender was pretty cool, when she wasn't serving our beers, she was playing pool! Definitely worth a "check out", if even for a beer! Beer only! We had a blast and plan on going back! read more

This is a bar I used to frequent for the past six or so years. I thought that I had become friends with the regulars and staff at this bar. However tonight I brought a close friend of my mine who happens to be black to this bar thinking that the folks here lived in the year 2018. Instead he was called racist names for acting no more drunk than I have been there. One regular took me outside to say "I've got no problem with you but I don't like n****rs and neither does Fran." The KJ also told us our friend was never allowed back in simply for being eager to sing before close. My life has also been threatened because a drunken patron thought I was gay. If you yearn for the days of the Jim Crow south this bar is for you! read more

Fran's has become a favorite Nashville stop. Anytime we are in town or nearby we stop in. Very friendly folks with interesting stories to share, talented people singing karaoke, cheap snacks and beer, it's smoky but we don't mind, the decor is old and worn out and dirty, but the place has more character and mojo in a single wobbly barstool than most of all the newer hip watering-holes have combined. read more

Fran's East Side - Dive Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This place is one of those bars that me and my friends go to to avoid the onslaught of douchebag-ism. I was reminded of this, saturday. Loads of douches came in to Edgefield with golf attire and were doing a bar hop called the "golf pub crawl". They then probably went to 3 Crow, and by the time I was in Red Door they had descended on there as well. So Frans it was. No douche nozzle would ever set foot in here! This is a wonderful place. The beer is good, cold, and cheap. And its cash only. Keeping it simple. Its a good place to run into people you know, and have a good time with friends. read more

If you haven't been, you must go. If you've been, you'll go again. If you haven't heard a song with the word "Pussycat" sang to karaoke, you will... read more

Morbid curiosity drove us here one night. What we saw transpire inside drove us back out. Crusty dive bars definitely have a place in my heart. And usually a strong presence in my lungs, too. I expected smokiness, but Fran's must have a Marlboro Red brand fog machine. HACK! Through the mist, we could see a bad karaoke set up, a battered pool table, and about seven seats- which were all taken. A short bartender with a cigarette dangling from her mouth poured a bag of freshly microwaved popcorn into a repurposed ice cream container and served it to a patron. The crooked-toothed feller at the bar next to me asked, "Y'all ain't from round here, are ya?" And I told him yes actually, born and raised. When we got our turn to order, our PBR can or PBR draft selection process was abruptly halted when we spotted the neon green posterboard sign declaring Cash Only. I'd be lying if I said we weren't relieved to have an excuse to leave without ordering. So no, I didn't actually get the experience of having a drink here. Nor did I get a chance to look over a menu of their other microwave masterpieces. But I did smell profusely of cigarettes, just from standing in line at the kitchenette/bar for five minutes. I could only see myself returning here if I was already sufficiently boozy from three to four other bars first. Then, maybe. read more

Long time native and had never been to this dive. Was in the area and decided to stop in one night - this place is the definition of "dive bar." Cash only, smokey, handwritten signs, the men's room looks like someone could jump out and mug you. Haha, but really you don't come here expecting craft cocktails - It's good for what it is. People were very friendly here. Bartender was very attentive. Karaoke set-up was pretty cool as well. Everyone seemed like regulars the night I went. Nice spot. No judging here. It's a come as you are type of place. read more

This place is like another one of those yard sale finds that seem awesome at first but is a little to broken, aged, and stained to be truely proud of despite your interal love of the heavily used1980's Transformer, Optimus Prime, you just found for $1.25. Frans is a "must know kind of place". Kareoke seems to plague this place a bit more on weekends than the stardard dive bar environment (smokey, dirty, strange). A small white building located about 30 feet from an active train track (kinda scary after a hand full of beers). This establishment has another one of those parking lots that is crater filled and vehicle placement is random. The beer (beer only) is cheap and is only exchanged for cash. The normal bar tender is sweet as pudding , but scary as hell......don't f**k with Trina. They have a very misplaced pool table that is the eye sore focal point in the room. It is place in such a manor that navigating across the bar requires several "excuse me-s" and a usual light touch or push of another patron to break through the bottle neck of traffic created by this beast of a gaming table. Despite the negatives, I kinda like dive bars, and this one is a keeper. The sport of "people watching" is worthy here and there is always a good story to boot after the Frans experience. Go here a lease once in your life. Its a trip you should not live without. read more

I've been to Fran's twice now with some friends who live in the neighborhood. For a smokey neighborhood karaoke joint, this place is fine. It isn't hip. It isn't trendy, but it's a good time if you have an open mind. There is quite an assortment of people here, which is what makes it so great. The bar is cash only, beer only, which is fine for me! Most beers run $2-$3, so you aren't going to drop that much money to have a good time. read more

Fran's is amazing. It's the kind of place that's just not around as much anymore and, on one hand, that's a shame. On another, that just makes it all the more special. The folks treat you like family. There is no judgment here. None. At. All. Though you do get the vibe someone would stick up for you if someone starting doing wrong and that is pretty nice. Beer is cheap and cold but bring cash. You can karaoke your heart out all night long. Oh yeah, and people smoke inside so you'll leave with that real, old-timey dive bar smell that follows you around for days if you don't shower properly. Also, be sure to go in the side door lest you walk right on stage if you go through the front! It's probably not everyone's pint of beer but, for many, it's a nice place to unwind and feel good about life. I mean, they have a tapestry of a giant cat. Who doesn't love that? What kind of person do you have be? It's a cat?! read more

Great atmosphere, local place to just relax and have a drink. Wonderful local people were the nicest and great feel for the Nashville area. read more

Being a beer drinker mostly I seem to be attracted more so to beer only bars so as not to deal with liquored up super humans. Fran's has a fine group of regulars and of course among them there is always some drama at some point in time but so it is at work ever day as well. What I love about Fran's is you meet people from all walks of life and all interact and have fun together for an evening. The keepers of the karaoke setups are superb at their craft. I have had suggestions from one of them of artists that I should sing that brought nice reviews from the audience. Every karaoke night has it's share of tone deaf singers no matter where it is held but Fran's consistently has the most good singers on any given night than any other place I have done karaoke at on a regular basis. read more

I really love coming to Frans Eastside. They make you feel like part of their family. I believe it's one of the last bars of it's kind! It's cash only,you can smoke inside,play pool,drink cold beer,and sing karaoke. That's not all the service is right on. read more

This is a dive bar. All cash for beers only. Terrible country karaoke but you can ignore that, right? I could. I went on an early Friday evening. It wasn't packed but it was just right. It was too smoky for me though. Like CRAZY smoky. I would go again for a pass through. It's another hidden gem in Nashville. read more

hit Fran's like I usually do(Friday Night) when not gigging and the charm is the same but something was a little off,perhaps the LACK of karaoke people? who woulda thought that could happen?! read more

A smoky old bar where who knows got their start in the music industry! The atmosphere is good, and the DJ there has a sound system that is really good and a wide variety of songs to sing. A wide variety of people goes there and seems like they all have fun! Cash only so be sure to take plenty of money! Beer is cold and waitress is about as good as it gets! Wear what you want and let your hair down and have some fun doing karaoke at Fran's East side! read more

I have been going to Frans for about 20 years. They are good caring, family oriented people & I love Fran & Katrina.

best dive in east nashville. Trina is a true sweetheart. nashville might be changing but I hope Fran's stays the same. need an ATM machine though. read more

If not for the smoke, this would be a five-star dive in my humble opinion. This place is the real deal, not an ironic or hipster-magnet faux dive. The karaoke skills of the patrons are impressive, as one expects at any karaoke bar in Music City. Microwave popcorn and buckets of domestics are the main offerings here, so don't come in looking for a frilly cocktail. Or a frilly anything, really. read more

No frills dive bar with a family-like feel. The regulars or so friendly, as is the bartender (presumably Fran). Pro tip: enter through the side door. Be prepared to play a few games of pool and sing karaoke with the locals. Cash only, smoking in the bar, and good times had by all. read more

Fran's is exactly what you would think of as a small dive bar --- we enjoyed it so much we went twice during our trip of the week. The people are friendly and there really are not that many small bars around anymore like it. We played pool and well one of us done karaoke. Maybe some that complain didn't ever visit a small friendly bar glad to have had the chance to visit one still in business. We had a wonderful time and great people to have had the opportunity to meet. read more