Frank Cisneros of Dram and the Drink

By Time Out editors Thu Jul 14 2011

Know your bartender

  • Photograph: Dale May

    Frank Cisneros

    Frank Cisneros

  • Photograph: Jolie Ruben

    Frank Cisneros at Dram

    Frank Cisneros at Dram

  • Photograph: Jolie Ruben

    Frank Cisneros at Dram

    Frank Cisneros at Dram

  • Photograph: Jay Muhlin

    Negroni at Dram

    Negroni at Dram

  • Photograph: Jolie Ruben

    Fourth Mission at Dram

    Fourth Mission at Dram

Photograph: Dale May

Frank Cisneros

Frank Cisneros

The talent: Frank Cisneros

Where to find him: Fridays and Saturdays at Dram (177 South 4th St between Driggs Ave and Roebling St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-486-3726, drambar.com); off and on at the Drink (228 Manhattan Ave between Grand and Maujer Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-782-8463, thedrinkbrooklyn.com)

Why you'll dig him: Stroll into Dram or the Drink, and you'll notice a few things missing: No velvet rope. No reserved tables. No $16 drinks. As a key conspirator in the creation of both paradigm-shifting spots, Cisneros has a lot to do with that. Despite his reverence for classic tipples, the pragmatic barkeep knows that stuffy exclusivity doesn't always help to get the party started—an instinct forged while experimenting with beakers and infusions at the divey Bushwick Country Club. He went on to solidify his skills working with Damon Boelte at Prime Meats, but now he's found his calling: bringing great cocktails to the masses.

He says: "If you want to do bartender's choice, that's cool, but keep it reasonable. Don't say, 'I want something sweet but savory but spicy but sour...with vodka and chocolate and tuna!' No one is that good."

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