After you’ve got a few good
drinking years under your increasingly-notched belt you start to realize that
there is indeed a difference between a bar and a pub. Let’s put it in terms of
downtown
Décor: Finnhenry’s occupies the old Room3Nine space, and while the layout may feel familiar, the look has taken on a more welcoming flair. Rustic brick and wood line the walls and make the space more open, even when taking the humongous central bar into account. Three huge iron i-beams pull the atmosphere together, defining Finnhenry’s as firmly retro (but fedoras and gangsters retro, not polyester and men with permed hair retro). And though you can smoke in there (which is a blessing because Finnhenry’s is a spot that just screams “Please smoke in me!”) it doesn’t smell like stifling hellhole, either due to the air conditioning or to the newness of the place (only time will tell).
The Bar: What decent pub
would be complete without a full liquor bar? Well, there are a few, but Finnhenry’s
isn’t one of them. Their menu boasts several specialty drinks like the Cherry
Cheesecake (Three Olives Vanilla and cranberry juice) and the Debutante
(Bacardi Limon, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice) in addition to creative
shots ($5.50) like the Key West Root Beer (Jaeger, root beer schnapps, and
Pepsi). If you’re feeling a little more destructive, the Finnhenry’s car bomb goes
for a decent $5. A regular wells drink is $5 and worth the price – it’s poured
strong and put in a fairly tall glass instead of the tiny
Beers are also a good value, with domestic bottles going for $3.50 (including Miller Lite, Bud Light, and Rolling Rock) while drafts are $5 and sport the likes of Guinness, Stella Artois, and perfectly executed beer concoctions like snakebites (lager and cider) and black velvet (Guinness and cider). Imports and specialties are a none-too-shabby $4.25, and include Sam Adams and Hoegaarden. Happy hour is every weekday from 4- 7 p.m. with $2 domestic pints, $3 Sam Adams, and $3.50 Three Olives drinks.
Service: One neat trick the bartenders here do that most other downtown bartenders don’t do is keep your tip in front of you until you’re done. There is no quick snatch and hording of your gratuity, instead it’s kept as a placeholder and an opportunity for you to take it away should something go very wrong.
Sounds: One of the things that can make or break a good pub is the music. Will it be a crappy touch screen jukebox or mediocre pre-selected music selection? Fortunately, neither is acceptable at Finnhenry’s. They do play a setlist, but it’s chock full of ‘80s hits, ‘90s alternative rock, and modern-indie favorites, and all at a ear-massaging volume.
Crowd: This is downtown, so experienced and naïve drinkers alike will find their way here, eventually. It’s the kind of spot where almost anyone can feel comfortable, so if you’re looking to meet people, Finnhenry’s wouldn’t be bad place to stop.
Add a comment