Frauds and Swindlers

First off I was really excited about this place after reading all the reviews. However, I wasn’t impressed. I like the décor even though its really dark and everything was sticky. The drinks tasted good, even though I was made the wrong drink. The bartenders were friendly, but the manager Friday night was all about the female bartender!
I tried to use the restroom and it was out of seat covers, toilet paper, and paper towels. I thought that I would just use the guys then, but there was a huge hole where the handle should be. I decided to let the manager know (once he stopped flirting with the bartender). Few minutes later I asked him if it was ready and he said that it was. I went to use it, still no seat covers, the paper towels weren’t loaded in the dispenser and they were almost out of soap. It was very frustrating. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt and spoke with a manager. You’re a manager! You get paid to manage the place and make sure your guest are happy, not flirt.

Thank you San Diego for coming to enjoy the Frauds and Swindlers «Pop Up». Our 6 months is up and we will be relocating for another 6 months in another city. Come out and see us in a neighborhood close to you!!!

Well, my girl decided to surprise me with dinner for my Birthday and she picked the night they held «Storyteller’s Pop Up» and it goes a little like this.
Seven songs by the band «Tori Rose and the Hot Mess» paired to Seven organic style dishes and three craft cocktails.
The place has an old timey feel that is above a T.G.I.F. and below the old and now sadly gone «Foggy’s Notion» If you are Old Skool, you will know what I am talking about. Hipsters need not apply. The Bathrooms where wrecked! My girl came back with a tale of a beached whale in the toilet and the men’s room had the whole door knob ripped, yes ripped, out the door.
OK, the reason we came. The Show and Food. First a song was introduced and then the chef responsible for the dish we where about to enjoy gave us the run down on it. He was followed by the person responsible for the craft cocktails with the same spill. Food was served while the music played and then a girl came around and asked if we would like to get the drink.
The band was pretty good. A sort of fusion Jazz deal that had a good vibe. The lead singer sounded like a Adele and Amy Winehouse had a girl and they threw in a bit of Janis Joplin. They where good and I enjoyed their set.
The food was great. It was fresh and we enjoyed it quite well. At first we thought we would end up at Roberto’s getting some food due to the portions being small, but, by the time we got the end, my girl had me finish her food and I was pretty full. I am sure there is a menu somewhere with what they served as I do not have the list handy, but trust me, it was good.
The drinks where good. But again, portions seemed a bit small and we went through them quite fast.
So, at the end of the show we got a good night and a copy of the bands CD. Which is not bad. As we where getting ready to exit, the waitress informed us that some of them where going to get together downstairs for drinks and that, get ready, we could close out our tab with the bar! WTF! We thought the 3 craft drinks came with the dinner, but alas, we where informed that they where extra. Yet, there is no mention of that on the mailer we received. It plainly stated 7 songs, 7 courses and 3 craft drinks! Nothing about paying extra for them. Happy Birthday to me? Don’t think so.
It was a great evening until we where told to pay for something that we thought was included because they LED US TO BELIEVE THEY WHERE INCLUDED!
Overall it was a nice experience, but, if the drinks are not included, just tell us before we assume that they are! But, then again, they are called Frauds and Swindlers!
How this place operates on a regular night is beyond me and I don’t think I am going to find out. Maybe we might return for another of the Story Tellers night, but, not if they are going to pull this shit again!
Caveat Emptor!

Definitely an awesome atmosphere! It’s been a little over a week since I was actually there, but they had an incredible special for the 80^th anniversary on the repeal of prohibition, where they sold $ 1 old fashions. That was seriously awesome. It was kind of a bummer that they pulled you in for such an awesome special, and then told you it was only for your first round. Either way, it was a good experience. My second round was a manhattan up with a splash of cherry. The bartender was quick with it, and I noticed him continuing to take care of multiple customers and still knock out my drink. Definitely going to be a good spot as long as they market it well. If you like a classic vibe, where you can chill and enjoy really good cocktails, this is an excellent spot!

I worked as security here for a private event for SDSU the first time I came to this place, and then the following week I came back as a customer and got a chance to indulge in their uniquely made cocktails. It was good, so I went back a couple of weeks later and tried a couple of more and was very pleased. You don’t find these cocktails anywhere else. Definitely a nice spot to chill, friendly staff, talked with the owner and he was pretty cool. He as well as the rest of the staff remembered me from when I worked security, so that was cool. The DJ played some good music, and sometimes they have a live performer. Overall, great and tasteful and unique cocktails, good music, low lighting, friendly staff, and a great place to chill. The pizza place next door has great pizza too.

Years ago I had a running joke with my friends where we made business cards with our names and as our company and titles we used things like Thief, Professional Homie, Cubicle Gangster and would literally hand them out, more so to pick up on girls and it was light hearted fun. Actually the tag lines on the back had some really good one liners like «best burgle 2005».
I really like the name first off, but secondly it’s dark which plays into the theme I thought they would go for. Real speakeasy, but it was slightly less than that. Perhaps more of a basement style Bondurant house. Secondly I had no idea Frauds and Swinders were Italian, or at least their menu is. I’m not sure I want that culture of food associate with two words that don’t have great connotations. I get it, but am not sure everyone will have the sense of humor. When I come for HH and drink beer I want food, but when I do cocktails I tend not to eat so I haven’t tried their pizza.
Skee ball. No one is really good at it unless you spend a lot of time at bars and so few still have them. It all seems like curling and we all know how popular that is.
Lots of wood, all around, a big ass buffalo head and a mid level loft keep it unique. Not sure how the band and the DJ’s music depending on the night sets the mood. You’ll find your identity. All in all a great additional aesthetically to DT. The church pew seating threw me off, immediately brought on my Catholic guilt, but then I remembered I just need to repent and because of that I can be as bad as I want to be, after all I am a Thief.
I appreciate a good cocktail with the best of them, but too often don’t like the pretentiousness that can linger from «mixologist» thinking they re-​invented the wheel. There is proportions, attention to detail and properly flavors, some variety in layering, but it’s not like there are doing sperification here. Not nearly on the level we associate with food. Make it tasty, make it strong and you’ll win over the Frauds, make it proper and make it fast and you’ll win over the Swindlers.
Sazerac was very good, but the bartender was telling me how he’s working on a Carezas which will be an interesting twist on it, said it wasn’t perfected yet, but coming down the pipe. I was interested and wanted to order it, but he said he could not in good conscience make me one and here I thought here amongst my criminal underground brethren we had no moral compass. My vodka tonic was standard, but what I had the bartender make me was a French 75 variations called the Gentleman (he did not take too kindly to the name), but since they did not have st. germain or champagne he used some other stuff and it was very good, but not quite perfect without it, admirable for Macgeyvering.
It’s a cool place with tons of potential, but not quite up to par with Villains it’s older more demented brother from LA. Make your food like theirs, expand, perfect and build the scene and we’ll soon be deconstructing society with everyone being a Fraud &/​or Swindler to go along with this Thief.

This bar’s name is appropriate — on a visit there this weekend, I quickly noticed the bartenders here pulling a Bait and Switch with all of their house cocktails.
The menu would list a premium spirit, i.e. Plymouth Gin, but the bartender would always reach for a much cheaper bottle when pouring the drink.
This seemed to be a house practice — all of the bartenders were doing it. Don’t expect this place to be around for long.

Had the only thing on the Brunch menu; Chicken and Waffles. The waffle was really good, warm, fluffy, crispy, and well-​topped. The whip cream was good too. The chicken was ok, it tasted a little sweet, as if it was battered in waffle batter or something. would have been better if it were more savory. I would definitely go back for the waffle, the chicken I could take or leave.

Made my first visit last night with a friend. The place seemed a bit empty for a Friday night and I’m not sure why. The décor was pretty cool, service was pretty good, and the drinks were great. The best part is that they have skee ball! Could you ask for more?
We ordered the Bruja and Growing Numbers? I would recommend both drinks.
Can’t wait to go back! They also have a great happy hour deal.

They have skee ball!
well…a very makeshift wooden pair. id equate it to a homemade bean bag toss game. there is no digital scoreboard, but you roll balls into different holes all the same! they even have competitions. i was there late friday night and one of the bartenders rallied up teams to compete. it was a lot of fun and we tied for 1^st place! free drink of choice!
a welcome addition to the gaslamp. as the trend continues, they make very tasty craft cocktails. i had (pretty much) a cucumber cooler, which i always enjoy. never got an itemized bill but judging by the overall cost of the night, i believe the speciality cocktails are the typical $ 9-​$ 11 and draft beers a bit less. two cocktails and two beers ran me $ 34.
There was a live band playing above the bar in a loft space which is a nice touch. and there is a very tasty pizza joint attached to the bar. a worker went around to all of us sitting on the patio offering samples. it was delicious super thin crust pizza.
F&S has only been open about a month but you wouldnt have thought that (in repects to typical working out kinks). The staff is friendly and very on top of everything and its got a great vibe. id definitely recommend checking it out.

A new hip and trendy scene with some true talent behind the bar! Located on 5^th Street, Frauds and Swindlers make some of the best cocktails in town. The décor and vibe of this place is rustic meets folksy. Combine that with the sophisticated stiff drinks and great live music… you have yourself a new hot spot.
It’s actually funny that they’re called frauds and swindlers because they are one of the more legit bars around. If you travel up to the second floor, you’ll find «Two Fingers» a smaller, more private bar inside Frauds. Here, another live band will be playing. this time something a little more Patsy Cline meets Ska music. (At least the time I visited.)
On average the drinks will run you between $ 10-​$ 12, which is about average to what you would pay at any decent mixology or craft cocktail place. The bartenders are super helpful and attentive in trying to help you find something that will hit the spot. I still haven’t found my go-​to drink here yet… but that just means I haven’t ordered enough…

This is a pretty cool spot right in the heart of Gaslamp. There is a great selection of craft cocktails to choose from at what seems to be typical pricing for such drinks. I was most impressed by their list of fresh juice concoctions that can be purchased with a shot of a complimenting liquor on the side. As my downtown adventure began in the afternoon, I would’ve been a bit more stoked if they’d actually opened earlier in the day. We initially came by around 3, but it was not yet open. We returned after 8 and things were in full swing.

So it’s still a little quiet ’round these parts (as it was a Monday), and I’ve only been once — so I might have to hold off on that coveted 5-​star rating until I’ve been back a few more times — but so far, I highly recommend visiting Frauds and Swindlers.
I’ll be honest: part of why I wanted to visit this new joint was because of the name. How could you not? Doesn’t it make you feel like a cool kid to walk into a place called Frauds and Swindlers?
Secondly: they have an awesome drink menu. All kinds of cool cocktails with cool names. I had the Bruja first (a rather sweet but delicious concoction with egg whites and rye whiskey plus some fruit juices and ginger root). It was really sweet but very delicious. I can’t wait to try a few more of their drinks as I could tell that it was a well-​crafted menu with a lot of good options.
We managed to also grab some pizza from The Italian Next Door. Yeah, that’s right. There’s a pizza place next door and it’s called The Italian Next Door. I had the garbage pizza — basically just a bunch of leftover toppings from other pizzas the day before — and wow, it was really good. There was some pork and I think some mushrooms in there, but whatever all they put on it, it was delicious and was served hot. Loved it!
I will definitely be back. The atmosphere is great — music was a little loud for a Monday, but whatevs — and just perfect for some good conversation with friends. No televisions that I recall, either — a big bonus in my opinion as I spend too much time looking at screens — so I am certain that I’ll be able to find a few friends eager for happy hour at this new joint.
Oh, and I’m glad they’re open on Mondays. Bailiwick was where we had intended to go, but it isn’t open on Mondays, so this is why we checked it out. And I’m very glad we did.

Frauds and Swindlers
SD: Gaslamp Downtown 5^th Street
12^th and 14^th September 2013
Four Stars
Another Cocktail Bar but this place lost the pretension and the crowd. The décor was great. The big brick wall, the vintage lights, the actual size Bison head, and the long wooden bar finished the overall aesthetic. Our Bartender Ian made me some great classic cocktails — Old Fashion, Sazerac, and a Vieux Carre. The use jars in instead of normal glassware which added a unique touch. The liquor was top shelf and they had a decent Happy hour pricing. Come Check this place out!

Pretty nice for the craft cocktails that they serve. Should be too mind boggling. It is broken down by the main alcohol and you take it from there. It used to be where «Krust» and «Brick+Mortar» was located. Hopefully, this one will survive the infamous location curse.

Amazing craft cocktails! The place am not sure if it is completely open for business, bummer they did not have any food but have to say the drinks were well worth it. We ended up going during happy hour which saved us $ 3 a drink and we regretted leaving as we would have paid full price for a few more.
This one I will be going back as long as it is not crowded; does take a little while to get your drink.

Love it. Wandered in by chance during the soft opening. Good drinks. Nice music. Still working out the kinks but I dig it. Good break from the frat vibe of other places.

GRAND OPENING: Maybe I’m spoiled by the Unilocal Elite events where the owner or chef comes around explaining everything and doing meet and greets and there’s a clear «itinerary» in a sense with the menu and drinks served. I don’t expect this of course at just any restaurant visit but at a grand opening definitely something like that! This was not the case with the Frauds and Swindlers grand opening Saturday night on 24 AUGUST 2013. We were really excited about a new unique place with craft cocktails and was interested in the background and story behind the place but the whole event was confusing and advertising wasn’t that great even before the event. I had to Facebook message them to ask if they were still holding it. They did respond quickly though when I inquired. When we arrived there was no sign out front… no menu for the grand opening… no food menu even though they brought out pizza… weird. They did have a complimentary alcoholic hibiscus punch, which is not even on the menu, and complimentary pizza. I would think you would have samplings of items actually on your menu. Apparently they did have a crew of guest bartenders just for the event… which I didn’t realize until after the fact.
ATMOSPHERE: Décor was very cool with church pew seating in the back and old world map. Very historic feel in the place. Dark wood tones. The stage is pretty cool on the 2^nd floor and overlooks the 1^st floor so both the 1^st and 2^nd floor can see the live music. We stayed from 5−6pm since we had to go to another location but it was pretty dead and it was their grand opening but it was pretty early. It was cool they had a live band out on the patio. There were flies everywhere too I think because it was warm inside.
FOOD/​DRINK: Their drink menu seems innovative. One drink with a lime cup set on fire. Another that was snow cone style. Seems like a craft cocktail place with lots of fresh juices and unique garnishes BUT they were serving jello in a syringe with a shot. People were having trouble even squeezing the jello out. Seems like a menu item that seemed out of place. Here’s what we tried:
1. Pizzas, vegetarian and pepperoni were great! Medium crust woodfired style.
2. Hibiscus punch — okay. I liked that it wasn’t too sweet.
SERVICE: Bar staff wasn’t that welcoming… we had to ask around to see what was going on. Maybe because we got there a little early. They didn’t even offer a menu when actually opening started. I had to ask for one after they tried to explain their specials in a really long, winded way and I forgot the first drink they described and I wasn’t even drinking at that point!
CONCLUSION: Meh… Don’t think I will be back. There’s just so much competition downtown. We have fell in love with other places and have been to many other grand openings where we had a blast. This one not so much. MAYBE we will be back considering we came on a grand opening day and they probably have a lot of kinks to work out. The pizza was great though…

Loved. this. bar.
Very cool atmosphere, not a trashy bachelorette hot spot like many others in the area. Drinks were *amazing* and the bar tenders sure as hell worked for their money making them. Very very reasonable prices considering the craft they put into each drink as well — most were $ 10. Upstairs there was a small area for live music which was fun. Would definitely go back on my next visit.

The flickering of candle light against the rustic and raw façade paired with eloquent spirit based craft cocktails makes for the perfect ambiance. It’s really what many other bars attempted to achieve in Gaslamp, the essence of an early 1920’s prohibition style bar with a modern twist. Lets hope unlike the others, they can hold it together.