Created in partnership with our friends at Takk House.
Most alleyways won’t lead you to a tropical getaway, but then again, most alleyways aren’t the Franklin Street alley in Troy, New York. Down the unsuspecting road and just below Takk House, the minimalist venue space we’re still swooning over, you’ll find a no-frills door that will lead you to your new favorite nightly hangout. Created from the wife-and-husband-duo behind its upstairs neighbor, the Franklin Alley Social Club is all things retro and seaside amusement park, with half-pound hot dogs to seal the deal.
The Inspiration and Renovation
Frank and Heidi Sicari are no strangers to the renovation process. After buying the old Knights of Columbus building back in 2014, the Sicaris transformed the hall into the gorgeous, blank-canvas Takk House, but the building’s basement space below remained empty. Equal parts vintage arcade and laidback watering hole, the Social Club eventually came to be from the couple’s visits to tropical getaways and local shuffleboard clubs in the city.
The basement’s original bowling lanes were repurposed as shuffleboard lanes and used as design elements throughout the rest of the space. You can spot the old ball returns, now serving as railings, and even spy some of the original bowling balls on display. The rest of the Social Club pays homage to a world where you’re always on vacation time with a colorful mural along the lanes, nautical decor pieces hung on the walls and "another day in paradise" painted perfectly in your line of sight. Complete with pink flamingos and ceramic pineapples, the Social Club serves as an idyllic escape without leaving state lines.
Weddings at Takk House
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect venue for your wedding, look no further than upstairs at Takk House. With Heidi’s background in wedding photography, she and Frank created a spectacular, minimalist-inspired space ideal for your intimate ceremony. With a spiral staircase, two ballrooms and restored original architecture, the gorgeous space has a refined elegance that provides the ultimate blank canvas for whatever your dreams have planned. The venue also comes equipped with thoughtfully-designed suites to get ready in, new restrooms, and food staging facilities for a seamless, stress-free day. 
The All-In-One Venue
For a truly one-of-a-kind event in the books, the Sicari’s creative and diverse projects are your one-stop location. After your wedding in the upstairs main house, head to the basement for a unique after party in FASC’s VIP Lounge with your crew, including drink packages. Plan the ultimate wedding party showdown around a game of bocce ball and start the honeymoon early with tiki-inspired drinks in hand.
Stay Tuned: To take the party to the next level, Takk House is looking to expand by adding rooms for rent, so your group never has to leave!
Learn more and book your next event at Takk House →
