Frank & Dino's
Downtown, Lexington
Bar in Lexington, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
Frank & Dino's is a practical downtown Lexington choice when convenience and an easy booking matter more than awards, chef-driven tasting formats, or a documented wine program. It makes sense for dates, small groups, visitors already planning around Short Street, but wine-focused diners should compare nearby options before committing.
About Frank & Dino's
Frank & Dino's is a Lexington restaurant with daily hours and a business-casual dress code. The schedule is the same every day: 11 AM–3 PM and 4–10 PM.
Plan around the basics: the daily schedule and business-casual dress code. If cuisine, chef credentials, awards, menu format, price, beverage program, takeout, delivery, outdoor seating, or reservation difficulty are central to your decision, compare options directly before you go.
A Lexington option when the basics fit your plan
Consider Frank & Dino's when the daily schedule and business-casual dress code match the kind of meal you are planning. It may be useful for visitors comparing Lexington dining options, especially when timing is the main question.
For broader planning, use our full Lexington restaurants guide, our full Lexington bars guide, our full Lexington hotels guide if you are staying in Lexington. Other general Lexington planning guides may also help you decide how Frank & Dino's fits into the day.
Who should choose it, who should cross-shop
Choose Frank & Dino's if the hours and business-casual dress code are enough to support your plan. Cross-shop if the decision depends on awards, a named chef, a tasting format, pricing, a beverage program, or a specific cuisine.
For a more defined comparison set, look at Corto Lima or 369 W Vine St as other options. For broader trip planning, our full Lexington experiences guide can help decide whether Frank & Dino's should be a main stop or simply one part of the day.
Planning details
- Location
- 271 W Short St, Lexington, KY 40507
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- frankanddinos.com
- Phone
- +1 859 303 4007
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Frank & Dino’s leans into a deliberate mid‑century supper‑club register that shapes everything from its atmosphere to its approach to drinks. The bar sits on a quieter stretch of West Short Street, where storefronts and a neighborhood feel make a well‑lit entrance read as inviting rather than frenetic. Thematic commitment is front and center: the room reads as thoughtfully styled and purposefully curated, favoring an intimate, warm experience for guests who seek a more composed, design‑minded evening rather than a rowdy night out.
Best For
This is a downtown stop best suited for planned evening outings—date nights or special occasions where a more intentional cocktail program and a calmer neighborhood vibe are part of the appeal. Its position on a walkable strip of Short Street places it within easy reach of other destination bars, making it a strong first or second stop in an evening itinerary. Guests who value atmosphere and a coherent, mid‑century supper‑club identity will find it rewarding for relaxed, evening‑focused socializing.
Ordering Tips
Expect a focused, cocktail‑forward approach that aligns with the bar’s mid‑century supper‑club identity; the venue’s thematic commitment functions as a pre‑filter for guests, so ordering classic or thoughtfully reinterpreted cocktails is likely in keeping with the program. Because Frank & Dino’s rewards evening planning rather than spontaneous wandering, consider arriving with time to settle in and enjoy a composed drink menu rather than rushing from place to place.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, polished, and traditionally elegant atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
Accessibility
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Lounge
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
- Music
- Jazz
- Live Music
- Yes
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Dudley's On Short, Notable alternative
- 369 W Vine St, Notable alternative
- Corto Lima, Notable alternative
- The Blue Heron Steakhouse, Notable alternative
- Joe Bologna's Restaurant, Notable alternative
Bar context
How Frank & Dino's compares in downtown Lexington
Frank & Dino's is the easier, more flexible pick when the priority is a central dinner without much booking stress. Dudley's On Short reads as the stronger cross-shop for a more occasion-led downtown meal, while The Blue Heron Steakhouse is the better fit when the night calls for a steakhouse-style splurge.
If value and casual energy matter more than formality, Corto Lima is the sharper alternative for a livelier group meal. Joe Bologna's Restaurant makes more sense for an easygoing, crowd-pleasing plan, especially when the group includes diners who want a familiar format rather than a polished downtown room.
369 W Vine St is the location-first comparison: consider it when proximity is the deciding factor. For a date or small group that wants a simple central reservation, Frank & Dino's remains a practical choice; for a more distinctive food or wine agenda, cross-shop before locking it in.
Explore Lexington
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Frank & Dino's guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Frank & Dino's
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Frank & Dino's | Lexington | No published awards |
| Dudley's On Short | Lexington | No published awards |
| 369 W Vine St | Lexington | No published awards |
| Corto Lima | Lexington | No published awards |
| The Blue Heron Steakhouse | Lexington | No published awards |
| Joe Bologna's Restaurant | Lexington | No published awards |
How Frank & Dino's Lexington compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frank & Dino's open late?
Frank & Dino's is open daily until 10 PM. The hours are 11 AM–3 PM and 4–10 PM every day.
What's the best time to go to Frank & Dino's?
Plan around the daily schedule: 11 AM–3 PM and 4–10 PM. For peak times or reservation difficulty, check with the restaurant directly.
Is Frank & Dino's good for a date?
It may work if the daily hours and business-casual dress code fit your plan. If atmosphere, cuisine, pricing, or reservation difficulty matter for the occasion, check with the restaurant before you go.
Is the food good at Frank & Dino's?
Food quality is best judged from the current menu, ratings, awards, recent diner feedback.
