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Finnegan's Wake

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Red Mezz
Red Mezz
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5 out of 5
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2
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Finnegan's Wake

  • August 17, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
Finnegan's Wake

I did think about doing the Pub Crawl reviews in geographical order, which would probably make more sense. But that would, of course depend entirely on which end of the city that you're starting at. For the record, at the centre of the Royal Mile is probably the most reasonable place to start an official Edinburgh Pub Crawl.

And once you are there, the options are limitless. Up the Royal Mile, down the mile, down Cockburn Street, around to Victoria street leading to Grassmarket and another little section of great pubs....or down around to Princes Street. As I say, once you start the options are limitless.

So, having said all of that I have decided to start my reviews with what is undoubtedly my favourite of the Edinburgh pubs.

You may have noticed that I have already reviewed this pub in my original Edinburgh review, but I only briefly touched on it as it is something I feel should be included in a general Edinburgh over view.
Some of the pubs/bars I am going to review are going to lean towards one taste or another. Some a bit trendier, other classic Scottish 'old man' pubs. But Finnegan's Wake, pretty much above all others I think can really be enjoyable for just about anyone.

This is the spot I always bring visitors to the city when they come to see me as a place where you can enjoy each other's company as well as the fantastic atmosphere.

Finnegan's is an Irish pub just off the Royal Mile on Victoria Street (if heading up the Royal Mile towards the castle you reach George Fourth Bridge Street (don't expect a Bridge) and turn left. The first down sloping street on your right will be Victoria Street, a fantastic little way riddled with shops and pubs that takes you on to the next great step of the pub crawl, the Grassmarket.

Here, about three or four doors down you will come to the large and green welcoming Irish doors.

This is just a fantastic pub, and to my mind everything a pub should be. For starters there is live music every night of the week. These are general local cover bands, but I've been many, many times and never heard one that I thought was bad. They cover an array of folksy and classic rock music, but all of its good fun and the place has a truly Irish zest for life and music. It's hard to resist the urge to dance.

The beer on tap here (though not the cheapest you will find in the city) is just about the nicest. Also with an interesting little array of cocktails and shooters.

The place does often fill up as the night goes on, and it gets closer to time for the bands to play, but that only adds to the enjoyment and the vibe. The tables are neatly set in little coves along the walls and the rest is open for enjoyment!

From journal The Official Edinburgh Pub Crawl....

Finnegan's Wake

  • June 18, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
Finnegan's Wake

Edinburgh is a city not lacking in places to stop in and drink, and in my time here, I've tried a fair few. But the first one I always recommend to friends coming across the pond (or even just across the continent) is Finnegan's Wake. It's an Irish pub between the Royal Mile and the Grassmarket on a windy street with a handful of good pub choices.

The atmosphere is excellent, with live music every night and a generally full house. There aren't many tables to sit, so you get a lot of folk standing/half dancing on the floor, but it's good fun and the cover bands are, for the most part, really good. The seating they do have is interesting, with a bit of privacy. The bar staff isn't the fastest in Edinburgh, but they pour a beautiful pint. I would recommend this as a pub not to be missed.

From journal Across the Pond, to the wonders of Edinburgh...

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