Follow along during our six week series that introduces you to a new face in a different Rochester neighborhood each week.

When I walked into Skylark last Wednesday I almost didn’t recognize Frank as the professional looking young man sitting at the bar wearing a tie amongst a handful of regulars. But Frank has one of those infectious laughs that is unmistakable, so I followed it right to my fun-loving friend who was already busy sipping on a Jack and ginger and chatting away with Raven on the other side of the bar. According to Frank, “Everyone is separated by two degrees in Rochester. This can be good or bad, but it creates a sense of community. And that part I love.”

I can see why Frank feels this way. He is already a familiar face to hundreds of people in the Monroe Village neighborhood who may know him as the bouncer at Acme on Wednesday nights, Sports Page on Friday nights or see him “commuting” back and forth between these two neighboring establishments on his off nights like he owns them both. Which is why I like to think of him as “The Mayor of Monroe.”

If you don’t know this die-hard Rochesterian personally, imagine someone akin to Seth Rogan meets Rob Gordon (John Cusack’s character in High Fidelity) meets a much thinner, modern version of Norm from Cheers. In short, Frank Ashcraft is the type of guy that makes you laugh, knows the perfect obscure song lyric to quote for every occasion and where he hangs out EVERYBODY knows his name.

Frank grew up in Fairport, attended high school at McQuaid, and college at Clarkson before moving back to Rochester about 6 years ago. He technically lives in the Park Ave area, but he considers himself more of a Monroe Ave kind of guy. He calls Park Ave the “gateway” to the city, with its quintessential tree lined streets full of shops and restaurants. He believes that for suburbanites or people who are new to the Rochester area, Park Ave can be a great launching pad to begin exploring what the rest of what the city has to offer. But for him, it’s the seediness of Monroe that appeals to him — it’s dirtier, real and more fun.

Those are probably not words that you are likely to hear from the average Computer Programmer at Thompson-Reuters, where Frank spends his days, but this is part of what makes him a unique character.

When I asked Frank, “Why did you choose Rochester?” he immediately responded “Three things: the music and art scene, the restaurant scene and the small feel. I landed here out of habit, but I stay here out of discovery. In larger cities like Boston or New York, everything is right in your face. In Rochester it’s all here but you have to look to find it.”

I would’ve guessed that the large Rochester logo tattoo on his back would just be too hard to explain away in Austin, Portland or Nashville — so why move. But in his case, he is legitimately enamored with his beloved hometown. And equally with its music. Most days my Facebook news ticker is a constant stream of what Frank is listening to on Spotify (often a mix of his core bands, Nine Inch Nails, The Grateful Dead, Wilco), and in the newsfeed a stream of local show announcements.

Favorite local bands include: Abandoned Buildings Club, The Ginger Faye Bakers, Ocupanther, Haewa, The Pickpockets and Thunder Body.

His favorite places to see live music: The Bug Jar, Monty’s Krown, Abilene and Skylark.

And once Frank got started spouting off Top 5 (or 6 or 7) lists he just couldn’t stop (which is why I am sticking to my High Fidelity reference). So in the “World According to Frank,” here are the places you need to be frequenting in Rochester:

Favorite Local Bars: Again, his standbys are: Skylark, Acme (without a doubt, the best beer for your buck in Rochester) and Sports Page, but he has to list Marshall Street Bar & Grill, Lux, and Salinger’swhich are also personal favorites.

For a Special Occasion: Cure and Good Luck – the food and the atmosphere at both are unbeatable

Sushi: Plum House or Shema (in the space that formally housed Gusto on the 1st floor of the Medical Arts building on Alexander)

Italian: Rocco

Lunch: Harry G’s, Mise En Place, Open Face, Hot Rositas on Main (only open for lunch 11 am-2:30 pm, Mon-Fri), Astoria’s on Monroe

Pizza: by the pie – Acme, by the slice – Pizza Stop on State St.

Top 7 Brunch List:
South Wedge Diner: Cheap, large selection of classic diner food. Frank’s endorsement: THE BEST DINER in Rochester.


The Original Steve’s in Penfield: Amazing diner food, if you are up for heading to out to the ‘burbs.

Flower City Grill: (formerly the Flour City Diner) The potato pancakes are must try and they have great brunch cocktails

John’s Tex Mex: Massive portions and really good drink pitchers

Espada: A little more on the expensive side but a huge selection

Revelry: Smaller portions and expensive cocktails, but delicious food

Hicks & McCarthy in Pittsford: Unique diner food, try the deep friend PB&J

Due to word length, I had to stop Frank from listing off any more top Rochester spots, but if you see him around town hanging with the Rochester Bike Kids, checking out First Friday’s at his favorite gallery Black Radish Studio or playing bass in his new band, Chamber 51, be sure buy him a beer and get his side of the story.

Read other featured People in Our Neighborhoods:
Week One: Alyssa of North Winton Village
Week Three: Stephen of NOTA