Finnegan's Wake

Finnegan's WakeFinnegan's Wake
Finnegan's WakeFinnegan's Wake
Bar, Eatery

320 Grinnell Street
Key West, Florida, 33040
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.55
Reviews:
15
Ratings:
15
pDev:
15.77%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by mcowgill:
Photo of mcowgill
Reviewed by mcowgill from Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +9.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3
So, here we are at practically the only decent beer bar in Key West. This is a very small bar with a pretty good beer selection (actually excellent for Key West). It leans a bit heavily toward non-US beers. Looks like the only US drafts were Samuel Adams and Sierra Nevada (certainly not bad but a few more from the US would have been nice). I was most surprised by the fact that they had Maudite and Ephemere on tap. Had my fair share of the Maudite. They also had Fuller's London Porter on tap. Nice! Some of the others were the usual exports: Stella Artois, Boddington's, Murphy's Stout, Harp, Smithwicks, etc. I had a burger that was pretty good. My only complaint is the same one that I have with alot of places. When I order a medium burger, I want it medium, not well done. The biggest pleasant surprise about this place was the fact that they got Eddie Spaghetti from the Supersuckers to actually come down here to perform. I'm a big fan of his and couldn't believe that the owner was able to get him down there. As you can imagine, not many good musicians make it as far as Key West. It's just not economically feasible. All in all, Finnegan's is a good place that I will definitely return to should I find myself in Key West again.
Mar 26, 2006
More User Ratings:
Photo of SaCkErZ9
Reviewed by SaCkErZ9 from South Carolina

3.23/5  rDev -9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3
This was my first stop on my Key West exploration. It was hot as shit outside like every other place in America in the summer. The AC was a welcomed respit from the heat and humidity of Key West. The bar was typical Irish fare with the dark and dingy surroundings. Beer list consisted of typical Irish and english fare with DFH and Blue Point making a visit. The bartender was very nice but didn't seem very knowledgeable about the beer. Plus she was chatting with one of her friends the whole time so the service was a alitle spotty. This is one of the places off the beaten path so if you dont mind a slight detour, give this one a shot, but I would not go out of my way for this one.
Jul 12, 2012
Photo of blumenauer
Reviewed by blumenauer from New York

3.88/5  rDev +9.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Stopped in on the way back to the Ft Meyers ferry for a quick beer. This is more of a neighborhood type of Irish bar a couple of blocks off the hustle and bustle of Duval. They had quite a list of bottled beer(imports/craft)and several crafts on tap. I don't remember all the taps but I was surprised to see Blue Point Hoptical Illusion(Blue Point Brewery, Long Island NY) and it was less than $8 for two pints. The place is kind of off the beaten path but if you're there via ferry its a great stop. Its on Grinell at the corner of James St, 1 block south of the ferry.
Oct 24, 2010
Photo of david18
Reviewed by david18 from New York

3.76/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
This is one of the few places listed for Key West which is too bad because there are a lot more places worth the visit than are listed.

I think Finnegan's Wake is a great place to end up with friends or for dinner but I'm not sure it's a must see. The beer selection is a combination of good irish ales, english ales and ciders but not a great microbrew collection.

The deal on this bar is that the owner moved the entire bar from Ireland to Key West and that's very cool. And it looks it. Very cool bar and a great vibe. Not the best beer selection but you should definitely check it out.

I did not try the food but the menu has a definite Irish bent.
Feb 19, 2010
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +11.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 5
Woody's Helpful Hint #137 in an ongoing series (collect 'em all, impress your friends, astound your enemies) - Are you in an unfamiliar city? Looking for the good places to drink? If you see a bunch of clean-cut individuals hanging out, that may be the way to go. Ours were the Coasties.

Located at the corner of Grinnell and James Streets, the doorway was at an angle to the corner so that the frosted glass doors opened onto a short frosted glass wall etched with their name. Headed aft along Grinnell, there was a short stage with a big-screen TV followed by the restaurant area up a couple of short steps. The inverted "L"-shaped wood bar was at a right-oblique to the doorway. The back bar was an extensive carved wood and mirror affair. The lavs were to the extreme right at the end of the bar. The rest of the bar area had upholstered, padded benches along the walls fronted by high tables and upholstered chairs. The center was circular high tables and upholstered chairs. Looking up, a pressed tin ceiling, ceiling fans, vintage lighting fixtures. You know where this is going. Ambiance: 5.

Food: If you are of Irish-American descent and do not have the Irish Farmhouse Grill, yer nae one of us, wee one! This was the breakfast that my dear, departed maternal grandmother routinely served.

Beers: You've got to cut Key West, Florida some slack. There were lots of clinkers both on draft and in bottle, but balanced with some finds at the same time. I was happy and so were my shipmates.
Dec 17, 2009
Photo of ShamasUVA
Reviewed by ShamasUVA from Connecticut

2.34/5  rDev -34.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 1 | service: 2 | selection: 3.5
The beer selection in Key West is not as bad as it once was, and I found a number of bars with at least one "respectable" beer (Sierra Nevada, Brooklyn Lager, TurboDog, etc.) I asked around and was told that the best beer selection in town is at Finnegan's Wake.

Technically, that's correct. They had a hand pump with Fuller's London Porter. Two Unibroue taps, a few popular American Micros, and a number of European beers, including Franzizkaner Dunkel-Weiss, Kronenbourg, London Pride, Murphy's Stout and Amber, etc etc.

I ordered a London Pride and my girlfriend got a Maudite. The Maudite was a little more spicy and tart than I remember it. Hmm. Could be an older keg, or maybe I don't remember it the way it really is.

I tasted the London Pride and it was so far gone, I was embarrassed for the bar. It smelled sour, and tasted like you'd squeezed a half lemon into the beer. The beer had developed a haze which is not typically in the London Pride, at least kegged versions of it. I choked down more than half of the beer before politely leaving.

I guess there's a reason there's not more good taps in Key West.
Mar 02, 2009
Photo of TheChauffeur1
Reviewed by TheChauffeur1 from Pennsylvania

2.88/5  rDev -18.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 2.5 | food: 2.5
The bar is covered with dark woods and low lit. Went there with 4 Coast Guard dudes we ran into and stared partying with. This is and oasis in a strange land for beer and people. I had been drinking some God awful beer when I arrived here so my impression may be off. But what else is there in Key West. Many locals and about a 15 to 20 minute walk off the main drag to get here. All were cool and had a decent time. Service was like you are in Key West, everyone is on vacation. I was hot as hell also so the Ac was great. The food was ok. But if you are in Key West and want a half decent selection and a hand pump, this is the only place going.
Feb 20, 2009
Photo of baos
Reviewed by baos from Indiana

3.88/5  rDev +9.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
riverrun, past Eve and Adam's, from swerve of shore to bend of bay, brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculation back to
Howth Castle and Environs. My friend Pard and I visited this place last August. We already had a meal so we went here strictly for the brew. I got a Franziskaner Dark Dunkel and just for kicks I got their Boxly Potato pancakes which had smoked salmon in them and were really good. The service wasn't so awesome at the Table but when we moved to the bar it was very good. We were hoping to find a nice Brewery/Pub in Key West and this is the best we could find. We had a good time and saw many strange things on our walk back to the main strip. We hopped the fence to the cemetery and had a strange foggy moonlit time with our beer buzz. Finnegan's Wake doesn't really live up to its namesake but if you want a selection of brew in Key West go here. Given! A way a lone a last a loved a long the
Dec 03, 2008
Photo of gunnerman
Reviewed by gunnerman from Florida

2.41/5  rDev -32.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 2.5 | service: 1.5 | selection: 2.5
Ok I have been wanting to try this place since my friend recommended it. I walk in and was greeted by a very nice looking bar, fark wood stained planks with sime nice wood touches throughout also was impressed with a cleveland browns sign. The selection was decent for key west and I am sure the best in town. Service was down right for me horrible, my friends and I were there for about an 2 hours and never once did the waitress approach us, we had to run to the bar each time we needed a drink. I must say the hand pump was awesome and the london porter was up there with some of the best porters I have ever tried.
May 17, 2008
Photo of Bierguy5
Reviewed by Bierguy5 from Ohio

4/5  rDev +12.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
The inside looks like a typical Irish Pub. A bit dark, lots of wood, nice looking bar, etc. There is a dining room, the bar area, and an outside bar.

Tap list was a welcome relief from the usual suspects all around Key West. Fuller's London Pride and Porter are what stood out. A fair bottle list as well. Certainly the best beer selection on the island, or at least from what I found.

Our service was pretty good, although we were there for an early dinner. Beers and food came pretty quickly.

Food was very good. I had meatloaf, which was great. Fish and chips seemed to be a hit. A kids menu was an added plus.

Overall, I did enjoy this place, and was surprised by how good the food was.
May 13, 2008
Photo of goethean
Reviewed by goethean from Illinois

4.16/5  rDev +17.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
"Would you like that beer to go?"

Now there's a phrase that you won't hear in very many bars outside of Key West. This is clearly one of the very few quality microbrew bars in the Keys, and frankly, I'm just glad that there *is* a good beer bar in Key West. I'm glad that I came here (on a friendly local's recommendation) rather than to Kelly's brewpub.

They have a handpump, but it wasn't in operation when I was there (is it ever?). They have good selection of Fuller's and Young's beers. I had the Young's double chocolate stout and a Fuller's London Pride...to go.
Dec 03, 2007
Photo of dstc
Reviewed by dstc from Florida

3.75/5  rDev +5.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Love to go to this place when I'm in Key West. It's located several blocks off Duval street which is nice but the place still gets real crowded. Had an enjoyable dinner the other day, I hadn't been there in a few years so it was nice to be back. The food was good as always and the service was average to good. Ordered a Maudite on tap and it was served in the proper glass and tasted just fine. Then tried to order the Fuller's London Porter but the tap was dry, bummer. I ordered a Spaten Optimator that was real good. Only had the two beers that night but enjoyed them both but was disappointed some of the taps were empty. I recommend this place if you are in Key West.
Feb 13, 2007
Photo of daliandragon
Reviewed by daliandragon from Maryland

3.4/5  rDev -4.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 4
Tried this place out with my brother, sister, and girlfriend last weekend in while on a quick MLK day vacay. Up out of the way on Grinnell Street in this litttle neighborhood, away from Duvall silliness. Solid stained wood pub look;we had a sweet corner table.

Beer menu was strong but mostly unexciting. The highlights for me were the trio of Fuller's and two Unibroue products. My brother had his first Maudite on tap and was pretty happy. Unfortunately, half of what we tried to order wasn't available, including Fullers IPA and Porter. I wasn't so impressed with the slow even for Key West service.

Overall, a decent place and worth a shot if in the area but could definitely do with some regional micro action. For us, it was a little underwhelming after a crazy weekend but I would try it again next time.
Jan 20, 2007
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Reviewed by larsga from Norway

3.78/5  rDev +6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3
A pleasant walk north from Duval street, in a nice, quiet street. Looks kind of like an English pub, but with some 19th century details. Three parts: indoor bar area, restaurant, and outdoor area. Overall kinda nice. The tap selection is the most impressive (~30 beers), but several of the beers (like the Maudite) didn't taste quite right when we were there, and the German Bock was horrible (probably infected; the waiters agreed, and emptied the cask). The Fuller's London Pride was excellent, however. The food was standard pub fare; perfectly OK.
May 21, 2005
Photo of Scoats
Reviewed by Scoats from Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
About a mile from Duval Street. The best draft beer selection in KW easily. They had 2 or 3 Unibroues on tap, Fullers on handpump and a bunch of other interesting stuff including some interesting whiskeys. It's a good hang out bar with things to do, an outside area (but was too cold when we were there in December). Bonus for Megatouch, but megpoints off for Karaoke, unless you are into that thing. We had a good time. It's mostly a local bar, well as local of people on KW get. Folks are friendly.
Dec 22, 2004
Finnegan's Wake in Key West, FL
Place rating: 3.55 out of 5 with 15 ratings