Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Finngeans Wake Pub

No reason to do this place except I like the name

Let's see if there is anything else to like about it--worst criticism is that it gets an older crowd, which one person says simply " means it doesn't get a lot of frat boys..."

Finnegan's Wake

3.5 star rating
43 reviews Rating Details
Categories: Pubs, American (New)
1361 1st Ave
(between 73rd St & 72nd St)
New York, NY 10021
Neighborhoods: Yorkville, Upper East Side
(212) 737-3664
Nearest Transit Station:
77 St. (4, 6, 6X)
68 St. - Hunter College (4, 6, 6X)
Delivery:
No
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
No
Price Range:
$$
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Wi-Fi:
No
Good For:
Dinner, Late Night
Music:
Background
Best Nights:
Mon, Fri, Sat
Happy Hour:
Yes
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Coat Check:
No
Noise Level:
Average
Good For Dancing:
No
Ambience:
Casual
Has TV:
Yes
Caters:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Review Highlights   What's this?

  • "Solid pub fare, inexpensive, friendly neighborhood vibe." In 4 reviews
  • "Yes, it is an older crowd, but that's why I love taking my mom there..." In 5 reviews
  • "As everyone says, the food here is inexpensive and really good." In 5 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
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43 reviews in English

  • Review from

    • 1 friend
    • 4 reviews
    Fairfax, VA
    7/12/2013
    I liked the owners personal attention. Great atmosphere, great custom made salad!
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 14 reviews
    New York, NY
    3/1/2013
    It's too bad you can't award half a star - this place is to be avoided.

    By virtue of the fact that you're reading this review, I can presume that you're not a regular here.  If you were, you'd probably get OK service.  But if you're not, stay away.

    It took the bartender about 10 minutes to actually pay attention to me, even though I was sitting at the bar.  After I was done with my drink (which was a rather generous pour, and inexpensive for the area), I waited a full ten minutes of clock time (not elapsed time) in the hockey game that was on before deciding that I was never going to get another, and I left.

    In the meantime, the bartender did serve several regulars.

    I would stay away, unless you've been beaten into submission already.
  • Review from

    • 32 friends
    • 10 reviews
    New York, NY
    1/20/2013
    In considering an establishment to enjoy a cocktail, there must be thought given to what matters most to you about your drinking environment.  Are you looking for a location where you cannot hear and see, but still able to feel bodies crunch against you while you pay for a $17 vodka and redbull?  Do you yearn for a place that is happy to let you know that your drink is an homage to a cocktail in 1927, and your bitters were made by a young Parisian named Jaques in his sunroom the day before?

    Or do you just wish for a quiet, cozy bar that's charm comes from its age and not from its strobe lighting?  Where guiness is poured well, whiskey flows, and you can delight in hearing your companions voice clearly, or if alone, enjoy the talk of those around you?  Finnegan's Wake is that place, and I'm happy to say it is a fine establishment and an oasis in a fratty neighborhood.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 6 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    6/28/2013
    Low key, middle aged crowd.
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    8/23/2012
    Very classic Irish pub - more restaurant than bar, full of old guys with brogues.  You know, the works.  There is nothing fancy about this place - they don't even have one micro brew on tap.  But, they serve up traditional Irish food as well as standard pub fare that I'm sure is just fine.

    Not sure if the name of this place is any indication of the type of people they like to hire, but I questioned whether the bartender had a pulse.  He really was as interesting as watching paint dry.  Too bad too, because he was pretty easy on the eyes.
  • Review from

    • 57 friends
    • 37 reviews
    New York, NY
    2/12/2013
    yes, this is all an irish bar should be.   not all meals should be about over priced food and crappy service.

    thats right here is cold beer and very good SIMPLE pub fare all at a fair price for what you get.

    no frat party here with guys dancing with guys(don't get it)  good conversation and people watching to be found at this bar.

    slowly one at a time, they start to pop in.  seems like the locals know   to come here; none of the weekend warriors.

    thats why its a solid good place to eat and drink when in this part of town.

    can't wait to go back.
  • Review from

    • 242 friends
    • 225 reviews
    New York, NY
    6/14/2012 1 check-in here
    Four stars for the consistent  pub food and daily specials.

    An Irish pub and more.

    The fish is always fresh and light and the burgers hit the spot.  Thursdays is corrn beef and cabbage night. Every night, there are different blackboard specials.  You can't go wrong.  The pub fare is excellent, too.

    I'm not a beer drinker, in general, but I hear they are good!

    With the low key  unpretentious atmosphere and decor you always feel at home.

    Outdoor tables are great on sunny, temperate days.  The place has been here forever but it's still up to date.  A no-hassle classic!
  • Review from

    • 12 friends
    • 9 reviews
    New York, NY
    1/9/2011
    I brought some friends visiting from Boston here for brunch, and this place made me look like a hero. The brunch deal is amazing. First they bring out complimentary and delicious Irish soda bread and coffee , and then you can get your choice of Eggs Benedict, Eggs florentine, an omelet, a full Irish breakfast or hash and eggs plus a Bloody Mary or Mimosa, all for $10.

    Needless to say we all walked out of there happy, especially being that  four hungry men went in there starving, and walked out full of delicious food, bloodys and coffee for a total bill of $50 after tip. The waitstaff was fantastic, and the owner even came over and introduced himself and refilled our coffee.

    Not only will I go back, hell I might even consider moving upstairs!
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 26 reviews
    New York, NY
    1/24/2009
    I love this place.  Yes, it's an older crowd, but not a stodgy one.  Basically all this means to me is that I can go to a pub and not be surrounded by shrieking post-tweeners doing shots.  You can actually have a conversation here.  Every guy I've ever dated has been dragged to this place and loved it.

    They make the best burgers in the neighborhood, the service is good (I'm a long time regular, which may make a difference), and the prices are great.   Unless you're looking for a "scene," there's really nothing not to love about the place.

    And you know what I really like and which is so weird in this neighborhood?  If I come in after not showing up for a couple of weeks, they want to know why.  That actually kind of means something.
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    1/9/2011 1 check-in here
    We stumbled on this place after leaving the Stumble Inn a few blocks away. The place was pretty empty on a Saturday night. My boyfriend and I sat down and the waitress quickly came over. We got a couple beers each and some pretty freakin awesome cheese fries. The crowd seemed cool. There were a couple older guys who were obviously regulars and a whole bunch of younger people in groups (everyone was pretty friendly). If you live nearby this place would definitely be a good place to meet up with friends, grab a beer or two and just relax.

    The bathroom is super clean but super small. I'm not a freakin giant but I had to sit sideways on that bowl....weird. Sorry for those of you who didn't need that imagery.
  • Review from

    ASTORIA, NY
    7/9/2010
    My friend took me here b/c I clobbered a bag of cheetos at home and said we needed to have dinner.

    Furthermore, I was still reeling from the Schneider - Brooklyner Hopfen Weisse (current love of my life for the day) so we needed something heavy to cure my massive drunken headache.

    My friend wanted a bacon cheeseburger (which we agreed to share) and I ordered a bangers and mash.

    The clientele was definitely older since we were definitely the youngest one there and our waitress could have smiled a bit more or paid a little bit more attention to us.

    It's a cozy place and decor was unremarkable but the place was definitely packed.

    Our food came and my friend was disappointed that the burger was small.  My bangers and mash was ok.   The sausage wasn't as moist as I was used to and  the potatoes were a bit clumpy.

    I've had bangers and mash in several places - Queens, the UK, Chicago and sadly this place didn't measure up.

    Furthermore, we had to constantly flag our waitress to refill our waters.  It was packed but not insanely busy and if she paid a little more attention, we wouldn't have to constantly wave at her.
  • Review from

    • 30 friends
    • 132 reviews
    Neptune, NJ
    11/23/2009
    Excellent pub fare!

    We went for lunch so it wasnt very crowded.  Inexpensive, friendly wait staff...  I went with full intent of getting a burger and ended up with the fish and chips.  It definitely did not disappoint!  They were not greasy nor was the fish dried out.

    My husband got the meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  When given a choice here between fries and mashed potatoes - the mashed are the way to go!
  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    3/22/2009
    Down-to-earth and friendly, this local Irish pub is a calm dot of patience in a very much gentrified area of the upper east, and a bastion for those of us just out for a simple drink, some TV, or pub food without music blasting us into small pieces. Aged wood and simple tables make for uncomfortable stints if you're there for more than three hours, but otherwise fairly tolerable.

    Cheap and easy to slide in, don't expect to be treated like royalty. They're friendly and treat everyone basically the same. No special treatment, and they certainly frown down on the snotty

    Will have to try the food - came just 5 min too late before the chef left at midnight.

    Bathroom for the guys was tiny, and could use some cleaning, though.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 7 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    12/29/2012
    Typical Irish food, bland, dry, tasteless cheeseburger.  Had to use alot of ketchup to choke it down.  I was going to send it back but service was slow and I was hungry.
    Will not go there again.
    JG Melon has a much better burger.
  • Review from

    • 17 friends
    • 161 reviews
    New York, NY
    10/2/2008
    Mondays = $15 DELICIOUS prime rib.

    Nice mix of patrons, conversational and friendly bartender, attentive waitresses, sports on the telly, clean bathrooms.

    Maybe it's an older crowd, but this is not an "old man's bar." It's just a place that doesn't have Jager-shot-loving-frat-boys.

    Thankfully.



 

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