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Finnegan's Wake Edinburgh — Bars in Edinburgh

Finnegan's Wake Edinburgh

BarsEdinburgh

4.4 out of 5 stars4.4(2,637 reviews)

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Quick info

+44 131 225 93 48
9B Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2HE, United Kingdom

About Finnegan's Wake Edinburgh

Finnegan's Wake Edinburgh is an Irish-themed pub at 9B Victoria St in Edinburgh, with a live band playing every night from 9:30 pm. The pub presents itself as a live music and sports venue, and big screens show sport, including F1 and rugby and GAA-type matches, alongside the music. The drinks list includes Guinness and stout, along with an Edinburgh Black Stout, and the bar also serves shots and bombs. Doormen staff the entrance. Tayto crisps are associated with the bar.

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Reviews

4.4/5
2,637 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention live music, Tennents lager, Guinness and stout and big screen sports.

5★
1,645
4★
661
3★
203
2★
48
1★
80

Customer Review Summary

Live music is what reviewers raise most, with local bands and a band every night giving the pub a lively, friendly evening feel. Close behind is quick bar service, with one reviewer served within a minute and others praising friendly staff and doormen. Drinkers name the Edinburgh Black Stout, Guinness and a round of Jubel as highlights, and F1 on the big screens gets a mention. The criticism is more detailed. One reviewer found the Tennents metallic. Another missed Magners and Irish Bulmers and found only English Bulmers, and a third went for an All Ireland semi final but got Wales against Fiji with pop music playing, calling the Irish atmosphere sold out. A diner using a half-price food offer found the two most expensive dishes unavailable and the chicken portion tiny. The sharpest complaint came from a group asked to leave after buying a round, who say a promised refund became an extra charge and that they had to finish their full pints in the doorway.

Featured reviews

  • Seán Ó Dúláin-Osborne
    “This was one of the very first Irish bars in Edinburgh I frequented back in the 90’s. The layout post-fire has never quite matched the atmosphere of the place prior. There’s a few things you expect from a genuine Irish bar in Scotland. Guinness, Magners & Free sTaytos! But alas, NO Magners/Irish bulmers, instead English Bulmers on offer 🤢 only and Nordy Tayto! Some good bands and enjoyed the entertainment. I would be expecting Magners on draft or at least in bottles. English ciders only on offer in the capital city of Scotland?? Thistle Cross is a decent local cider if Magners is too expensive to serve on draft. Please, get it sorted.”
  • RealReviews
    “Great location to have a nice evening. Very friendly staff, doormen, good music, good prices. Been there everyday”
  • Owain Llewelyn
    “First Post We bought a round of beers, but before we walked back to the table we had a member of staff come up to us and rudely claimed he told us they wouldn’t serve my brother (which no one had) who had been nodding his head briefly (he’d had 4 hours sleep) The staff member said that I had been told when I bought them (which wasn’t true as, firstly, I had never spoken to that man in my life and secondly, because I didn’t purchase them, my friend did). We then were told that the drink for my brother would be refunded and we agreed to leave. The bar staff then proceeded to claim to be refunding the drink but actually charged my friend for another one. We were then told to leave and that we couldn’t take the pints with us, and they had no ‘to-go’ cups. We kindly downed the pints at the door. In summary: We weren’t told until after we purchased drinks that we had to leave. The staff then tried to lie about what they told us and who they told it to. They lied about refunding us money and actually charged us for another drink. We were forced to finish them in the doorway. To top it off the Tennents tasted like it had been siphoned through a cyber man’s tear duct. Addition Following Finnegans (a)Wake's reply: Some clarifications are required. We had a round of Tennents that was very metallic, then had the round of Jubel mentioned (which was very good, albeit brief). The individual was bobbing his head not falling asleep mid conversation as was (albeit, funnily) claimed. I had placed a pint on the table in the centre, and then was informed that I could not give it to the person who had been nodding off (after the fact). I asked if we could have it instead but was informed that because the rule that I didn't know about, had been broken that we had to leave all leave. Fair enough you have that right, we were then told both that we could "finish the drinks we just bought" and that it was "time to leave" simultaneously. I actually think the refunding the pint was a generous policy, however as mentioned an additional pint was added rather than subtracted. As we were ushered by the staff, to the doorway and then informed that the glasses could not "go outside". These pints were full and purchased minutes before. Additionally, I will attach the image regarding the charge of an additional £7.50 rather than the refund that was claimed. I understand this could have been an error of simply a plus rather than a minus from the bar staff, but nevertheless disappointing. All-in-all it works out that we paid £12.50 per pint which we had to down in the doorway. Fair enough telling us to leave, but it was handled poorly and harshly. Side Note: the staff behind the bar were nice enough, but the judgement in the situation was poor all round. We didn't hold any animosity towards the bar, and enjoyed the live music.”
  • Robert Gaskin
    “Shame its sold out on its Irish roots . Went in to watch the semi final of all Ireand, cork vs galway. Instead had the wales vs fuji on the main screen with limp pop music in the background. Give this a wide berth if you want a true irish bar as very poor atmosphere and missng the Irish craic.”
  • Mark Bunce
    “Came here after very poor service at 3 sisters pub. This pub was far much better all round than 3 sisters. Actually got served in 1 minute and polite customer service. Enjoyed watching f1 on big screens.”

Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Good to know

“Live music and sports pub with a friendly, buzzing atmosphere!”

  • Accessibility
    Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible toilet · Wheelchair-accessible car park

Amenities

  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Show more amenities
Accessibility· 2
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Wheelchair-accessible car park

Location

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