Davey Francis

🍸 NOW OPEN ✨ @laundryroomlv reopens today with a fresh look — and a familiar face behind the bar. If you’ve bar hopped Downtown over the last dozen years, you’ve likely had a drink made by Davey Francis (@daveymakesdrinks ), who “relentlessly hassled” his way into a job at Downtown Cocktail Room before becoming a GM at @velveteenrabbitlv . After a pandemic-era reset and an unexpected creative spark while reworking the bar program at @thepunkrockmuseum , he’s back where it all clicks. “There’s something really genuine about Downtown,” he says. “Walking down Fremont and dishing out high fives to familiar faces at every bar, it feels like I never left … That’s that DTLV love I can’t seem to stay away from.” Now, Davey steps into one of the most intimate and coveted rooms in the city. Tucked inside @commonwealthdtlv at just 350 square feet, the speakeasy trades scale for precision. Every detail is intentional, every drink part of the experience. And it just leveled up. A full redesign wraps the room in layered textures, antiques and more than 200 pieces of original art, while a new custom-built cocktail station built by @freeformlv puts the focus squarely on the craft. Behind the bar, Davey is doing the same. His menu leans less prohibition cosplay, more controlled chaos, pulling from unexpected ingredients and literary inspiration. The new lineup, which he dubs “Fear & Laundry,” riffs on the spirit of Hunter S. Thompson with a three-act structure that moves from classic foundations to bold, offbeat creations before easing into a softer landing. “I’m an inherently unserious person, and I think that shows,” he says. “It’s playful, it’s diverse, and I think it’s a lot of fun.” That’s why you might find yourself drinking the Strange Medicine, his take on the classic dry martini, followed by his Dr. Pepper Old Fashioned. Still, Davey’s mission remains simple: deliver something memorable. “Laundry Room’s really exciting because it’s this staple,” Davey says. “There’s an expectation guests have when visiting and my mission is to make sure that expectation is lived up to, and exceeded.” 📍: 525 Fremont St. 📸: Anthony Mair

Subcultural Appropriation is a tiki punk art show happening at the Punk Rock Museum from June 7 to June 28, 2025. Featuring Limited edition, 200 piece misfits tiki mugs. i’ve also made some ridiculous cocktails that I can’t wait for you to try. #tiki #punkrock #cocktails #themisfits

Back in October I brought home a squishy titty for our dearly departed Gene from Japan. We pierced it and proudly placed it on our bar top for all the punks to see. recently, however, tragedy fell our dear squishy titty and it Met it’s on timely and at the hands of some rough play from a patron (no kink shaming get down now you get down). Because of this I was forced to immediately purchase a ticket to Japan to find a replacement for our beloved squish boob. #bartending #travel #japan #jokes

Riffin’ on the espresso martini. I don’t know when the idea came to me, but putting banana and raisins in this thing just seemed like the right thing to do. Shout out to @luxardousa for making an awesome espresso liqueur. I’m gonna keep playing with this thing until we have an entire cocktail books worth of EM Riffs. Party. #cocktails #recipe #espressomartini @nikkawhiskyusa

Best Strawberry Daiquiri I ever had 🤷 I saw something obnoxious this week and it Inspired me. Throughout my career I’ve been a whole ass turd about the ethos of serving guests not drinks. But I mean it! The people out front are the reason bartenders have jobs and if our number one priority isn’t then we’re doing it wrong. This is all to say that when someone orders something you might think is lame, or not very good. You smile and make the best, most memorable version of that lame cocktail anyone’s ever seen… or at least try to. Anyway… this daiquiri ruled. #cocktails #bartending #strawberrydaiquiri #rum @roncolon111

There’s definitely a science to creating drinks that guests will love. I find that usually that process started by taking something familiar and expanding upon it with things that stand out, but don’t necessarily deviate too far from the original idea. It’s like starting a painting with a little color already on the canvas, or playing guitar in open tunings. The margarita is a perfect canvas for new ideas that begin at a starting point already proven to be successful. #cocktails #mixology @mezcalconvite @thekingsginger @luxardousa #margarita rita

Gin Old Fashioned No.2 (The Juniper Boogaloo) This time we utilized the big citrus element of @nikkawhiskyusa Coffey Gin and set it up against sweet apples and a touch of baking spice. To counteract the sweetness of this drink (the 47% alcohol of the gin already does a pretty good job of that) I garnished with a savory, salty, sesame rice cracker. Throughout my career I’ve always been fond of snacks as garnish. It’s a great way to extend the experience of a cocktail… and a good excuse to have taste snacks to much on when slow nights inevitably happen. Functional garnishes are another option you have to balance out the flavors of your cocktail. Think outside the cup… I can’t believe I typed that 🤦 #cocktail #oldfashioned #gin #garnishgame @scrappysbitters #nikkacoffeygin

“Hybrid Moments” a Daiquiri/Gimlet hybrid. You know what I did here, you watched the video. But what I didn’t explain was the syrup. This stuff is so cool! I cooked down Martinelli’s apple juice with sugar and a cup of crushed coriander seeds. Two lemons and a lime with a couple shiso leaves then let the whole thing simmer for about 20 minutes. It’s this big bright, apple citrus forward sugar bomb that I can’t wait to use another drink. Maybe it’ll make another great Gin Old Fashioned with the Nikka Gin?? You’ll have to keep watching to find out. Share this video with someone who loves a gimlet… or a daiquiri. #cocktails #daiquiri #gimlet @nikkawhiskyusa @roncolon111

Thackery Binx is my first swing at a fall old fashioned and I’m pretty happy with the results. I’ve never used tea to make syrup before. Ive always infused the spirit with the tea. This is is a nice switch up. @mezcalconvite is an awesome addition to this drink and after finishing this one I’d probably bump the ratio up to a full 1.5oz then .25 the Brandy and the Rum. You drink, you learn. Another Old Fashioned for the book. #cocktails #oldfashioned #mezcal

COCKTAILS! Not to toot my own horn here but I’ve been making some of the best of my career over the past couple months. I’m stoked that this account’s starting to grow. Excited to keep making cool stuff for ya’ll to look at. #bartender #cocktails

Where do you get your best ideas for cocktails? Apparently my best ideas come to me when I’m wandering the grocery store late at night. If you like tropical vibes with your heat then this is the cocktail for you. It’s bright and fruity with this fresh, natural spice that sticks around but never gets too much to handle. So far I’ve been super into all the @fierotequila expressions. #cocktails #mixology #tropicaldrinks #spicycocktail

The Amaretto Sour has come a long long way since its humble, three ingredient beginnings in the 1970’s. I’m here to take what we’ve learned and add a little of the signature Davey Francis sauce into the mix… today that sauce is a balsamic reduction and whiskey from Taiwan. What’s your favorite amaretto sour riff? #cocktails #amarettosour @luxardousa @kavalanwhisky