Amestoy's On The Hill
The History
Amestoy bar was originally opened in 1948 by Frank and Marie Amestoy and has continued to be a family tradition passed down from generation to generation.
"Frank was born June 18, 1943 in
Oakland, CA to Frank Jr. and Marie Amestoy. He passed away February 5,
2006 after suffering a heart attack at the age of 62.Frank grew up in Bakersfield with a love for airplanes, flying and high speed. After graduation from East High School in 1961 he enlisted in the Air Force. After serving in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic, Frank obtained his pilot's license and began his first career as a crop duster working with his uncle, Jack. He would spend the next 26 years crop dusting and later share many great crop dusting stories of flying low and fast in his second career as a bartender. That need for speed was filled by his love of hot rods, motorcycles or anything else that went fast.
In 1985, Frank began a second career as he and his wife June took over the day to day operations of Frank and Marie Amestoy's On The Hill, a Bakersfield landmark bar established by his parents. In 1996, the name officially changed to become Frank & June Amestoy's On The Hill where Frank and June made many great friends and Frank became a community icon known for his colorful comments, risque jokes and no-nonsense rules of attire in his bar and trademark "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you as you settled your bar tab.
Frank was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Amestoy. He is was survived by his father, Frank Amestoy Jr., wife, Ella "June" Amestoy, daughter Buffi and grandchildren Darbi and Ryan, son Frank IV and daughter-in-law, Keri Amestoy, sister Avon Wonderly and brother-in-law William along with niece and nephews Sally, Chandler and Anthony.
Frank will forever be missed by many, many people in our community.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Frank makes Valentine's full of surprises:
It was 1995. I
planned to take my girlfriend (now my wife) to dinner and then of
course stop by Amestoy's on the way home. Frank suggested some fun.
It was his idea and it was perfect. Before going out for dinner, I
stopped by and gave Frank some flowers, a diamond necklace, a box of
chocolates and a greeting card.
When Hillary and I stopped in
after dinner, Frank greeted us and asked what we would like to drink.
As he delivered our drinks, he also delivered the greeting card that I
had signed earlier. Upon the next round of drinks, he delivered the
drinks with the box of chocolates. Next round he delivered with the
drinks and the diamond necklace which he had stored in the microwave!
Finally, as we were ready to leave, he went in the kitchen and came
back with the flowers and told Hillary she should take them home with
her.
Frank made the night special and romantic.
We miss ya Frank!
Jim & Hillary Luff
