Franco's Bar — Restaurant in Positano

We saved Franco’s bar for our last night in Positano before our dinner across the street. We arrived at 18:40 and waited in line for approx 20 min. It seemed a bit strange to see more people pouring out of the venue compared to the number being let in, but that’s their own choice to keep empty tables open. We were let in around 19:00 and ordered almost immediately as we just wanted one drink before our dinner. 25 minutes later we still did not have a drink. We were patient but after seeing a party of 6 who arrived AFTER we ordered getting their drinks, we were confused to say the least. We spoke to one of the waiters to tell them we waited a very long time and cannot stay longer because it was time for our dinner reservation. They responded that the drinks would come now. We declined because that would not leave us enough time to enjoy them, and we did not want to rush. The waiter threw his hands up and walked to the door and opened the rope for us to leave without further discussion. We felt like the situation was handled poorly, especially for being established as a high level of service venue, in addition to the basic steps of service being overlooked, i.e. fulfilling an order of 2 drinks. A simple apology would’ve been appreciated, and/or an offer or option to resolve. The venue is sexy and beautiful, and the drinks looked very enticing, but unfortunately we did not get a chance to enjoy ourselves. If you go to Franco’s bar give yourself more time than you may...

ITA

La trappola per turisti perfetta! Sono ormai 4 anni che frequento questo bar, è indiscutibile che la vista sia una delle migliori di Positano però ora è diventata una vera e propria trappola per turisti. In questi anni ho visto aumentare i prezzi dei drink da 18 a 26€, ora nella prima fila c’è un minimum spending di 40€ a testa, dalla seconda fila in poi invece 20€ di minimum spending a testa, i prezzi sono aumentati ma l’offerta culinaria è tristemente ridotta ad un contenitore di popcorn e una piccola porzione da 6 olive. Su un drink di 22€ o 26€, con un personale professionale e una vista del genere non è accettabile che vi sia sul tavolino una porzione di pochi euro di popcorn e qualche oliva. Se si alzano i prezzi in questo modo e si dispone di personale qualificato è vergognoso servire queste due cosette sul tavolino. Io fortunatamente viaggio molto nel mondo e mi è capitato poche volte di vedere in posti di lusso un trattamento simile. Ho riportato ad uno dei camerieri il mio totale dissenso e lui professionalmente mi ha risposto che “Ci stiamo lavorando”. Il problema è che la stessa risposta la ricevo da 4 anni… se si riesce a servire un pocorn si riesce anche ad aggiungere vicino delle noccioline, un minitoast o altro. Se fate un giro in penisola sorrentina o a positano ci sono alberghi a 5 stelle che servono anche delle mini tartine con un aperitivo. Per non parlare del ghiaccio, un pezzo enorme di ghiaccio in un bicchiere che dovrebbe essere dedicato al Whisky utilizzato invece per un drink, si e no c’erano 30ml di drink… insomma, avete aumentato i prezzi senza migliorare il servizio, perché il personale è sempre professionale, la location è sempre la stessa, l’arredamento anche e l’offerta culinaria pure … il risultato è una trappola per turisti, io lo sconsiglio.

ENG

The perfect tourist trap! I have been going to this bar for 4 years now, it is indisputable that the view is one of the best in Positano but now it has become a real tourist trap. In recent years I have seen the prices of drinks increase from 18 to 26 €, now in the first row there is a minimum spending of 40 € per person, from the second row onwards instead 20 € minimum spending per person, the prices have increased but the culinary offering is sadly reduced to a container of popcorn and a small portion of 6 olives. On a drink of 22 € or 26 €, with professional staff and a view like that it is not acceptable to have a portion of a few euros of popcorn and a few olives on the table. If you raise the prices like this and you have qualified staff it is shameful to serve these two little things on the table. Fortunately I travel a lot in the world and I have rarely seen such treatment in luxury places. I reported my total disagreement to one of the waiters and he professionally replied that "We are working on it". The problem is that I have been receiving the same answer for 4 years... if you can serve a pocorn you can also add peanuts, a mini toast or something else next to it. If you take a trip to the Sorrento peninsula or Positano there are 5-star hotels that also serve mini canapés with an aperitif. Not to mention the ice, a huge piece of ice in a glass that should be dedicated to Whisky used instead for a drink, there were more than 30ml of drink... in short, you have increased the prices without improving the service, because the staff is always professional, the location is always the same, the furniture as well and the culinary offering as well... the result is a tourist trap, I do not...

After waiting 20 minutes in line for the bar to open, we were on of the first people seated.

If you aren't the first 5 couples, not worth it. With the exception of the seats right at the balcony, the seats are low and oriented so only one person faces the water. Enjoy looking at the blank wall across the street. Also, they clearly have jammed as many tables as possible in. So you are literally shoulder to shoulder with your fellow diners.

The service is horrible. We ordered water and watched as the rest of the restaurant got their waters, and then drinks, while we had to ask 4 times (including to the manager) to get a drink after baking in the sun in line.

They were more than happy to bring us weak cocktails (at 25€ each) and actually brought those before the water. There is also a 20€ minimum with no food to order. So if you don't drink alcohol, enjoy a 25€ juice.

This was probably a cool place once, but it's not worth the headache now. They have leaned into their own hype and lost their way. Unless you are an Instagram model, avoid this place. Even if you are, there are probably better spots to have your boyfriend take...