Just moved to New York and was looking for a place that would be our version of a McLarens (any How I Met Your Mother fans?). This is the spot! Food was great, servers were very friendly. Feels very homey despite being in Manhattan. Definitely the place to just relax and grab a beer. read more

Finnegan's Wake - Grilled Chicken Breast - Pubs Near Me - New York, New York

This place is HORRIBLE. Used to go here but never again. There is a disgusting outdoor shed with nothing but rats, garbage and mice. Filthy. The owner uses it to house garbage and unused furniture. She ILLEGALLY put up a shed on 1st Ave to showcase some ugly artwork and was forced to take it down. Also - be CAREFUL when your bill comes. Check it VERY closely. The last few times I went before it became so disgusting, there were several times where a "mistake" was made on my bill. By "mistake" I mean other people's food was charged to my bill. Happened several times especially when the owner (blonde haired lady) brought the bill. She has been scamming people who are not paying attention. Stay away from this rat infested shithole. read more

A very locals only bar to have a fun conversation with someone over 50. Great neighborhood feel and lively locals drinking. Seriously it's old school pub. I stopped in a d had lunch another day and it was tasty. The soup was not salty and the veggies we're not mushy. The half chicken was juicy. read more

See all

Shhhhh don't tell anyone about the Upper East Side gem that looks like the exterior of a pub that Archie Bunker would be frequenting. This is the Irish Pub you just pictured in your head when you read "Irish Pub" about ten words ago. Dark and cool inside with a limited menu and a well stocked bar. While the drinks are fine and hit the spot, the menu is the surprise star of the show. I usually gravitate to the cheeseburgers or blackened chicken sandwiches, both always tasty, well prepared and adorned with a healthy portion of steak fries (a rare find which I appreciate). I've see steaks come out that look fantastic and their sandwiches, roasted chicken and appetizers are all pretty good too. They serve good food at a reasonable price with prompt service and a chipper waitstaff. I've never had a bad meal here and it's never all that crowded. read more

Nice friendly atmosphere. The burgers are really tasty. The salmon was slightly over cooked but still enjoyable. The waitress was super nice and attentive. We will definitely go back. read more

Finnegans makes the best grey goose vodka martini. Baked scrod and French fries rounded out the meal

Finnegan's Wake, one of the few authentic Irish Pubs left (with reasonable prices), tastefully renovated their place; while increasing the taste of their food!! My friends & I went there last Sunday night for dinner & a couple of drinks, and sat at the bar. The bartender was GREAT; the food (Fish-N-Chips; Shepherd's Pie, and the Chicken Avocado Wrap), were all fresh & tasty, and it was a lively environment to relax in; away from the usual suspects (drunk Millenials & Gen Z'ers)!!! I'll be heading back there real soon!! Thank you, FW for giving me a haven outside of my apartment!! read more

I've been coming here for years. My dad is a regular and the servers all know him. I've had relatives come to work here and I've had relatives get fired from here. It's an Upper East Side establishment for Irish to have a sophisticated yet simple meal. I ordered up fries and a burger last night. It was ok. For the $12 I got fries and burger vegetables. For that price you couldn't really get much more at an Outback. I've had the steaks from here before. Their teriyaki is very tasty but I'd have to say that the fat on the edges of the steak are an annoying and time consuming part of meal preparation that most diners would rather the kitchen take care of. At $22 you'd actually expect a side salad included and maybe a soup but they only serve you up a single side with the steak, which is kind of a rip off. Diners beware, Finnegan's has recently made moves towards hole in the wall Chinese food restaurants. That's right, they require an unheard of $30 for an Amex transaction and $15 for any others. I cocked my head back when I saw that on the paper menu and went "really???". They do include cool posters on the wall that introduce my favorite writers: Joyce, Yeats, and Wilde (Ireland allows gay marriage now so he's no longer persona non grata at the pub). Don't let my review dissuade you from visiting, if you're looking for a solid diner type meal and don't have wild expectations or a big appetite. The service is hit or miss though generally warm, I've been told that I'm high maintenance for asking for extra pickles and their water is served in tiny espresso glasses while their soda orders come in pint size glasses, I guess diabetes friendly beverages aren't profitable at a restaurant theses days. read more

Came here once with a friend in part to kill time and in part to get some food (and beer) in our bellies. We don't often spend time this far into uptown Manhattan, but we found this place using the Yelp app and it looked like it would do. Our bartender was very friendly. They don't have much of a beer selection, but they've got all the classics so we each order weed dry Irish stouts. As for food heir menu was your regular Irish breakfast/lunch fare. We opted to order cheese fries to share and decided we would grab more of a meal elsewhere. When our bartender asked which cheese we would like out of American, cheddar and mozzarella I said all three sounded great and he didn't even bat a lash. About 5 minutes later, out came some delicious steak fries (my fave!) with three perfectly melted cheeses on top. I also asked for a side of ranch and ketchup came to the party as well. This bar is A-OK and I'd come back here again if I were in the neighborhood. read more

See all

Just had an incredible bacon cheeseburger deluxe, medium rare with fries very well done. Only wish they made the bacon very crispy, as I clearly specified. Otherwise, very happy. They always have blackboard specials and on weekends there is an excellent brunch menu. Will have to give their eggs Benedict a try! A good deal, with choice of coffee, Mimosa or Bloody Mary. There is a Full Irish breakfast and several other choices. I've tried their huge salads and bar food before as well and sandwiches, all are excellent. Sid Bernstein always invited me with his family on Thursday nights, when they have the corned beef and cabbage special! Yum! This is my go to place when in doubt. They have all the comfort foods and some healthy choices, as well -- plus selected entrees and a special every night. You don't really need to cook! This is easier and worth it! PS, weather permitting, there's a small sidewalk cafe on the side street. Shhh! read more

See all

Living just a few doors down from here at one time I was a regular. A pint or a cocktail, they did it right. I found the staff friendly and nothing has changed which is a relief for a city in constant struggle with change. Step in, sit down, and belly up. The got a cold one waiting for you. read more

Extremely rude staff. Called for a reservation the woman on the phone said yes and I booked online. When I got there they did not honor the reservation. I asked to be on the "list" apparently 8 people ahead of me.... They didn't even write it down. Very rude bartender yelled at me for asking about the reservation. read more

We've eaten here many times and every time the food has been prepared properly and consistently delicious. Service is impeccable and the owner could not be more hospitable. We highly recommend Finnegan's to anybody that is looking for a wonderful, local, fun pub. Tom and Ellen read more

Unfortunately we visited this place on a Sunday night and they were out of a couple of items we wanted to try. Fish and chips was out, so I got the Shepard's Pie and my husband ordered the sausage and mashed potato. Both were pretty good! Can't wait to go back and try the fish and chips! They claim they get delivery for fish 6 days a week. read more

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. read more

Finnegan's wake is an unassuming pub in an UES filled with pubs and bars. I wandered through after taking a walk - I had not been here in over a year since a group of us stopped by after visiting a friend at nearby Cornell. The food at Finnegan's is basic pub fare and comfort food. I had a craving for meatloaf after seeing it as a special on the menu. It was fine, nothing special, basic fare. The mashed potatoes that came with it were a bit hard and did not come with gravy that would have helped it a lot. The bartender was friendly and served a nice drink. While I sat at the bar, the dining area had that 1960s lodge look to it, but it added to the charm of the place. Not a place to go for haute cuisine, Finnegan's Wake is the place to go when you want a simple meal and beer or drink without overpaying at a fancier - though not better - place. read more

Not dog friendly! The bartender was extremely rude about it too (older bald man). There's a way to speak to people and that wasn't it!

The prime rib special is a must - and so is the strawberry cheesecake topped with real strawberries! Excellent service.

I have been a long timer here ...not as cozy as it used to be. Paint your walls that wonderful forest green , get rid of track lighting or at least keep the place dimly lit. Just the two will bring it back to the quaintness Finns once had. Food is still good! read more

This is a great neighborhood haunt ! Great pub food with no bull ever !! Great burgers and I love the cheerful service ! My wife and I eat here regularly and enjoy it always ! Great place to unwind after a hard day !! read more

Finnegan's Wake - Pubs Near Me - New York, New York

I've been searching for the best burger in NYC for decades. Corner Bistro? Black Tap? Brindle Room? JG Mellon? All very good but the best burger in NYC is served at Finnegan's Wake. The meat is freshly chosen, always cooked to plump perfection, and served on a toasted sesame bun with a slice of raw onion, tomato and lettuce. When you bite into the burger you know you've got great meat there. I always go medium rare with lots of melted cheddar cheese. Two other points: The burger comes with crispy steak fries that are always 100% piping hot. Second, the Irish bartenders (the real deal, not Americans with an O' or a Mc in their name) still serve Guinness on tap in imperial pint glasses. Just heavenly. My only regret is that this review may draw in more competition for a bar stool in the evening. Already they can be in short supply and I hate going there with the image of that burger and steak fries in my mind only to see a full house. But, I just have to share the good news. read more

Finnegan's Wake - Heaven on a toasted sesame bun. - Pubs Near Me - New York, New York

Used to be a neighborhood favorite , a cozy place to watch a game and have some great comfort food. Now, we stay away as well as many others that used to frequent this establishment.. It has changed drastically over the last year and a half. The food is awful, and overall the place is just dirty. They have two giant outdoor sheds that are basically used for storage that just attract vermin to the restaurant. The last time we ate there ( in one of the outdoor dining sheds) there were mice under our table. A member of our party got food poisoning as well from that meal. Prior to this meal, we would notice extra charges on our bill. At first we thought this was just an innocent mistake but then it happened time and time again. We no longer go to Finnegan's, The place is nothing like it was...it's gone down hill completely. read more

Finneys is beyond a FAN fav. It's a favorite local place to stop for a HOT bowl of chili or soup and a deluxe burger. They also have famous wings with blue cheese mmmmm. Anyways, if your looking for a good no frills eatery the service is absolutely DEB-tacular! read more

Solid food and cozy atmosphere. The staff is very friendly. I love the roast beef sandwich with horseradish, and the pot pies are great.

Putting this bar on the NYC St. Patrick's Day bar list. About 4 blocks from the parade route and withing a few blocks of other St. Patrick's day bars. Stop number 4 was crowded by the time we stopped in. We somehow managed to get our order in at the bar and the plan was to be 1 and done. This seemed to be another spot favored by the FDNY. Also the host made it clear that tables were reserved for most of the day already so there was no way for us to sit and eat. Good to know in the future and a nice table along the windows would be a great spot to relax and enjoy with a larger group. read more

Great old fashioned Irish pub. Good service, good pub food, reasonable prices. Draws an older crowd, but everyone is friendly.

BEWARE OF TIP SHARKS! The waitresses at this pub made it evident to me, my friends and family that they are tip sharks feeding on the innocent customers and focused on money-grubbing schematics only. I was very disappointed, shocked and embarrassed when we paid for the bill last night and the young waitress apparently saw our 15% tip and decided to say "was something wrong with your meal?" To our confusion we responded no, it was good and she actually had the nerve to say "it's just that's a bit low for a tip". My heart dropped and I was in complete shock. She then continued to boldly open her mouth and explain that it was a low tip even as she walked away, turning it into an altercation. Now I'm just angry and hope everyone will read my experience. This pub clearly only caters to clientele over the age of 55 and of an affluent status that obviously leave these waitresses, who only check on you once or twice and bounce around between tables, (like sharks feeding on prey) bigger tips than they deserve. My family visiting from Palm Beach was having a nice time and we were enjoying our meals but this was the worst ending to a dining experience I've ever had. My mother vowed she will never return here. Someone spending decent money on a dining out experience should never go through this feeling. Again, beware of the cold-blooded tip shark waitresses at this mediocre pub. Either leave a large tip that cost an arm and a leg or be prepared to be embarrassed and angry. Ye be warned! read more

Always delivers. Don't go expecting a dance party. This is a place to get a solid Guinness ($7), and AMAZING BURGER (starting at $10) and tasty specials. Fish and Chips and even steaks deliver in a pinch. Old fashioned prices, generally no wait, and an eclectic crowd that is mostly around retirement age. When places like this are gone they are not coming back. One of the last bars in manhattan to get a Harp as well. read more

Ive never eaten here, but as I was walking by, this was the interaction between the manager & customer I witnessed outside the restaurant: Manager: (running around the corner to catch the woman leaving) Wait! Mam, your food is ready. Woman: It's to late, the food took forever. (keeps walking) Manager: F*ck you, you f*cking b*tch! You're never welcome to come here ever again!! Yup. Safe to say I will NEVER be eating here, ever. read more

What do you do when you are done with a doctor's appointment and you decided to take the rest of your friday afternoon off from work? You go to the nearest pub, duh. Stopped in here with a friend that came along for moral support and we grabbed a beer and a breakfast/lunchtime snack. Its like any typical Irish pub but it conveniently keeps out the bros and the upper east side deuchery pretty well. In here there were older folks and locals that seemed to frequent the bar on a regular basis and just wanted to sup on some grub and a cold one for lunch. I kind of liked that the most about the place. It had a certain amount of charm but definitely was lacking in the options of beer. Its a whiskey and soda kind of place, a guinness kind of place, or a smithwicks (which was my poison of choice) kind of place. After perusing the menu and the lunch specials we decided on splitting an order of cheese fries. When asked what kind of cheese we wanted from our friendly Irish bartender he convinced us into putting all three types of cheeses on it (American, cheddar, and mozz) as well as gravy smothered on the bottom of the well. He is so so very smart. The fries are steak frites and cut in nice large sizes. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. To complete the atrocity we were indulging in he gave us a side of ranch sauce. Can't complain. Good Irish pub with no gimmicks on the upper east side and they make some damn good cheese fries. read more

See all

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! read more

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. read more

Visited with 2 friends on a Saturday night. The second we walked in I knew this place was a gem. The menu is simple. The bar is clean and fully stocked. My friend is a regular and every single staff member there made sure to come by and say hello, introduce themselves to a newcomer, by name. Friend got the shepherds pie. Regular friend got the chicken basket. I got the Turkey club. Every one was amazing. Love how they do turkey fresh every day. Food is great, staff is great, I can't wait to go back again. read more

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. read more

Great local restaurant and bar. Good for late night bar food. Food is great but I do have issues with the price vs quantity of mozzarella sticks. You only get 4!!! I usually order the chicken pot pie. On a side note, a lot of the food is deconstructed. For example the pot pie comes with a triangular piece of phyllo on top (aka: not pie shaped). The grilled cheese is an open faced sandwich. The BLT is also another favorite as is their clam chowder (when it is on the menu). I've had friends order the Beef Eater Steak and say that it is excellent for the price. If you are a big fan of skinny fries, don't order them here. They have giant fat potato-y french fries. Though you can ask for gravy or cheese to drown them in. The bartenders and waitresses are friendly and and service is good, even when you are sitting outside in the summer. You don't get the feeling that they have forgotten about you, no matter how busy it is. read more

This is the best secret pub on the UES. Alan, the bartender, is the epitome of Irish charm. Food is more than decent for a pub and the daily specials are better than you'd expect. And if you become a regular, he'll make people at the bar move down so you can sit with your significant other. Drinks cheaper than you'd expect, given UES rents. Hot, friendly waitresses from different counties--and countries. Could it get more welcoming? read more

I can't speak of the food that's served here for I only had one drink. And, yes I only had one drink because the musician was slaughtering songs like "American Pie" and "Brown Eyed Girl" so badly that my group had to depart. I couldn't believe how bad (and loud) the live music was. The bartender was friendly and the crowd appeared to be having fun; I guess I was just too sober. read more

Classic old school boozer. As a Brit who lives nearby, I find this place much more in keeping with the pubs back home than anywhere else on the Upper East Side. And by the accents around the bar, I'm clearly not the only one. Cheeky bar staff with good banter. Mixed crowd. Unpretentious. A well-poured pint. Relaxed feel. If I fancy posh British grub and a featured cask ale, I'll pop up the road to Jones Wood Foundry -- which is great, and I love it. But if I want to feel at home, I'll come to Finnegan's. read more

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! read more

My go-to. You know what you're going to get every visit. Fried shrimp and baked potato is perfection every single order. Comfy Irish bar with sports if you've like but not turned up so loud you have to shout at your friends. read more