Finn McCool's

(310) 452-1734

2700 Main St (Hill St)
Santa Monica, CA 90405 34.0008 -118.4826

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Neighborhoods: Ocean Park, West LA

www.finnmccoolsirishpub.com

Hours:

Daily 12am-2am

Last updated 1.24.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Pubs, Irish Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Happy Hour, Bar Menu

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Irish & Celtic

Bar & Club Special Features:

After Work

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Finn McCool's

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Named after a mythological Celtic warrior, this pub gets an extra shot of authenticity from the enormous wood bar that was shipped over from Ireland. Stocked with a respectable selection of Scottish malts and Irish whiskeys, the impressive structure stands amid Guinness ads and intricate, Celtic-themed murals. Tall, wooden partitions allow privacy while sitting at the bar. Service can be dodgy during peak dinner hours, when ordering a pint requires the patience of a saint. – –

Editor's Tips

Happy Hour:
Go Monday through Friday 1pm to 7pm and get discounted domestic bottles, draft and well drinks along with a selection of food specials.
On the Menu:
Bar bites, including potato skins and calamari, are less greasy than usual pub grub, and what's lacking in quantity is made up for in presentation.
ambiance
98.00000190734863% positive
  1. “great live music and friendly atmosphere”
  2. “Good drinks, good food--nice atmosphere”
  3. “The area where the band set up usually turns into a lively session on weekends, or, having performed there myself, a cozy friendly session during acoustic nights.”
  4. “The atmosphere is great too.”
  5. “Finn McCool's has a great authentic pub atmosphere and a good selection of Irish and Scottish beers on tap.”
  6. “re looking for a proper Irish experience: good beer in a friendly atmosphere, then Finn?”
  7. “I've always enjoyed going to Finn McCools pub mainly for the live music and friendly atmosphere.”
  8. “Great live music, warm & friendly atmosphere and staff, topped off with good food and drink... you can't go wrong!”
  9. “Great food, authentic Irish pub atmosphere, full bar, friendly servers, and great music!”
  10. “loved the atmosphere, its totaly a neighborhood pub.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Don't know which was better out of the shepherd's pie,Guiness beef stew or the boxty with Chicken and basil-definitely all worth trying again the next time we visit-but as I am reliving the meal I think the sauce with the boxty was the best.”
drinks
87.93999671936035% positive
  1. “Good place for beer”
  2. “McCool's is the perfect place for an after-work drink - the happy hour is great for low-priced wings and calamari, although the drink specials could be a little more generous.”
  3. “find the staff to be most helpful and pleasant, it's also nice to sit at a bar and have the barperson make genuine conversation with you!”
  4. “Friendly staff and clientelle, great service, and I actually really enjoy their food, which is somewhat unusual for a bar.”
  5. “As a bonus (or perhaps a detriment, depending on what you're after) I've rarely found the place so busy I couldn't find a good spot at the bar.”
  6. “Nothing like having a beer while listening to great live music (said in true irish style!”
  7. “Finn McCool's has a great authentic pub atmosphere and a good selection of Irish and Scottish beers on tap.”
  8. “This continues to be my favorite bar, I highly recommend it!”
  9. “re looking for a proper Irish experience: good beer in a friendly atmosphere, then Finn?”
  10. “It's cool because people can still enjoy their quiet drink on the other side of the bar if they prefer.”
  11. “This is a very clean and upsacle irish bar, has alot of good choices for beers and some nights has live music.”
  12. “Good drinks, good food--nice atmosphere”
  13. “Not only does the Guinness flow like water, but Finns also offers on tap Harp, Smithwicks and Magners Apple Cider- all exclusively Irish, as well as many more imported and domestic beers.”
  14. “It's not the excellent service, the beer, or the fantastic menu that have kept me returning to Finn's for so long.”
  15. “great bar, even for a vegan!”
  16. “Great food, authentic Irish pub atmosphere, full bar, friendly servers, and great music!”
  17. “Oh and dont forget the beer, YUMMM, Stella Antois from Belgium was perfect to end a busy week.”
  18. “Finn's is a great neighborhood bar.”
  19. “love the variety of seating, especially the "private" sections next to the bar.”
  20. “The waitress was slow, stuck up and the bar was obviously understaffed.”
  21. “It is a definite must see if you like great music and great beer.”
food quality
95.38000106811523% positive
  1. “The fish and chips were great.”
  2. “And I'm sure that if you're not vegan you'll love this place and their food.”
  3. “The food is authentic Irsh, and they have the best Harp on tap in the city.”
  4. “Just ate at Finn's yesterday and sampled some of the vegetarian menu, flat bread with pesto and some awesome dumplings.”
  5. “Good staff and we love the Harp, wings and chips.”
  6. “Their food is fantastic and reminds me of being back home in Dublin.”
  7. “Friendly staff and clientelle, great service, and I actually really enjoy their food, which is somewhat unusual for a bar.”
  8. “The service was great and the food was fantastic.”
  9. “Great food, authentic Irish pub atmosphere, full bar, friendly servers, and great music!”
  10. “The fish and chips ( served in newspaper) was a huge portion and delicious, as was the Seafood Boxty”
  11. “The menu is extensive and totally authentic right down to the full Irish breakfast and the curry chips!”
  12. “It's a hike from Burbank, but I also love their Cornbeef and Cabbage -cheap meal!”
  13. “usually am disappointed by salads when I order them in bars or pubs, but the Cobb salad at Fin McCool's was so fresh and big and delish.”
  14. “Don't know which was better out of the shepherd's pie,Guiness beef stew or the boxty with Chicken and basil-definitely all worth trying again the next time we visit-but as I am reliving the meal I think the sauce with the boxty was the best.”
  15. “The potato soup was also really tasty and perfectly seasoned.”
  16. “The food was very tasty, and the waiters and waitreses were very friendly.”
  17. “McCool's is the perfect place for an after-work drink - the happy hour is great for low-priced wings and calamari, although the drink specials could be a little more generous.”
  18. “Finn McCool's has a great authentic pub atmosphere and a good selection of Irish and Scottish beers on tap.”
  19. “This is where I go to have great food, and a laugh, or a bit of craic as we say in Belfast.”
  20. “Great live music, warm & friendly atmosphere and staff, topped off with good food and drink... you can't go wrong!”
  21. “My huband's BLT was super tasty too.”
  22. “Their chicken strips and buffalo wings were fantastic.”
  23. “Good drinks, good food--nice atmosphere”
  24. “My salmon with veggies was mouthwatering and my boyfriends bombay chicken was as delicious.”
  25. “As far as their menu goes, they have great variety and great food.”
  26. “can bever find good Vegetarian food in pubs but Finn McCool's has so many great Veggie-friendly dishes - and the best french fries.”
menu variety
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “It looks like Finn Mc Cools has made a big committment to the diverse clientele that infiltrates Santa Monica on Saturday nights.”
  2. “Finn McCool's has a great authentic pub atmosphere and a good selection of Irish and Scottish beers on tap.”
  3. “As far as their menu goes, they have great variety and great food.”
  4. “This is a very clean and upsacle irish bar, has alot of good choices for beers and some nights has live music.”
  5. “The menu is extensive and totally authentic right down to the full Irish breakfast and the curry chips!”
  6. “love the variety of seating, especially the "private" sections next to the bar.”
  7. “Just ate at Finn's yesterday and sampled some of the vegetarian menu, flat bread with pesto and some awesome dumplings.”
  8. “It's not the excellent service, the beer, or the fantastic menu that have kept me returning to Finn's for so long.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “As long as you miss the rowdies, it's a great place to hang out.”
service
86.40999794006348% positive
  1. “The waitress was slow, stuck up and the bar was obviously understaffed.”
  2. “Great food, authentic Irish pub atmosphere, full bar, friendly servers, and great music!”
  3. “Service was warm and friendly.”
  4. “real friendly Irish experience in Santa Monica.”
  5. “The area where the band set up usually turns into a lively session on weekends, or, having performed there myself, a cozy friendly session during acoustic nights.”
  6. “Also, there's always a good group of friendly, young people who visit the pub.”
  7. “The staff is great and always keep me coming back.”
  8. “Good staff and we love the Harp, wings and chips.”
  9. “Friendly staff and clientelle, great service, and I actually really enjoy their food, which is somewhat unusual for a bar.”
  10. “The bartender was tremendously friendly, also!”
  11. “The service was great and the food was fantastic.”
  12. “visited Finn McCool's on Main Street and experienced the worst service of my life.”
  13. “It's cool because people can still enjoy their quiet drink on the other side of the bar if they prefer.”
  14. “find the staff to be most helpful and pleasant, it's also nice to sit at a bar and have the barperson make genuine conversation with you!”
  15. “The food was very tasty, and the waiters and waitreses were very friendly.”
  16. “Great live music, warm & friendly atmosphere and staff, topped off with good food and drink... you can't go wrong!”
  17. “great live music and friendly atmosphere”
  18. “This place is a traditional Irish pub with amazing traditional irish service.”
  19. “It's not the excellent service, the beer, or the fantastic menu that have kept me returning to Finn's for so long.”
  20. “I've always enjoyed going to Finn McCools pub mainly for the live music and friendly atmosphere.”
  21. “can bever find good Vegetarian food in pubs but Finn McCool's has so many great Veggie-friendly dishes - and the best french fries.”
  22. “re looking for a proper Irish experience: good beer in a friendly atmosphere, then Finn?”
  23. “The DJ is definitely crowd friendly and plays a little bit of everything from classic rock, alternative rock, top 40, and R&B.”
  24. “The staff make you feel welcome, but Eugene is truly a gem.”
  25. “Worst service of my life - don't waste your time”
  26. “Servers are friendly and the people are beautiful.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “McCool's is the perfect place for an after-work drink - the happy hour is great for low-priced wings and calamari, although the drink specials could be a little more generous.”
  2. “The fish and chips ( served in newspaper) was a huge portion and delicious, as was the Seafood Boxty”
  3. “It's a hike from Burbank, but I also love their Cornbeef and Cabbage -cheap meal!”
  4. “Don't know which was better out of the shepherd's pie,Guiness beef stew or the boxty with Chicken and basil-definitely all worth trying again the next time we visit-but as I am reliving the meal I think the sauce with the boxty was the best.”
  5. “They did have dollar-off Foster's, which was nice.”
wait time
55.56000232696533% positive
  1. “As long as you miss the rowdies, it's a great place to hang out.”
  2. “The waitress was slow, stuck up and the bar was obviously understaffed.”
  3. “It's not the excellent service, the beer, or the fantastic menu that have kept me returning to Finn's for so long.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/09/11

FindACool Finn McCool's in UNITED STATES Vacations

by shoppingspree

I love Santa Monica. Go to this Irish Pub all the time with Denise Klein and her Husband "Ira Todd Klein". Mick Ryan thought he saw some IRAgents. LOL. Gets rowdy fun.

3 Star Rating: Average

11/01/10

Stick to the Guinness

by patrickc

I put up with Finn's high prices because they pour the most decent pint in town. But when I order $9 chicken wings and they give me four (4!) it's just silly. The wings were displayed prettily on a tiny sushi platter. It's a pub not a french restaurant. Bring me a basket you cheap bastards.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/22/10

Finn McCool's

by Saxophone

The sound in the place had great acoustics. The music sounds very live, almost as live as a small- scale Staple's Center. The food was very tasty, and the waiters and waitreses were very friendly. Finally, many people hang out there, as it is a very popular venue. We can't wait to play there again. Have a Great Week.

Mark Newberry

  • Pros: Great Place with Live Music and Great Food
  • Cons: none, only if it is wrong to have too much Fun! :)
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/21/10

great live music and friendly atmosphere

by Lorraine Maher

I’ve always enjoyed going to Finn McCools pub mainly for the live music and friendly atmosphere. I can honestly say that I have only ever had positive experiences at Finns.

The area where the band set up usually turns into a lively session on weekends, or, having performed there myself, a cozy friendly session during acoustic nights. It’s cool because people can still enjoy their quiet drink on the other side of the bar if they prefer. Marion runs the open mic on Wednesday nights for all us musicians out there!! It’s definitely worth checking out. I personally love the acoustic nights- Wed and Thurs nights. Nothing like having a beer while listening to great live music (said in true irish style!!!)

The first thing I noticed about Finn McCools (besides the irish celtic décor!) was its extremely welcoming atmosphere. I find the staff to be most helpful and pleasant, it’s also nice to sit at a bar and have the barperson make genuine conversation with you!!! That’s the way it’s done in Ireland!!

As far as their menu goes, they have great variety and great food. You gotta try the traditional irish soda bread…tastes just like home-no joke! I usually order lots of the starters with my friends during happy hour and it makes for the perfect night!!

Great live music, warm & friendly atmosphere and staff, topped off with good food and drink… you can’t go wrong!!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/19/10

Real Irish Music at Last!

by TinaL

Has anyone been to Finn McCool's Irish Pub-Santa Monica lately? We dropped in last Sunday afternoon for a pint and some Fish and Chips. Holy Moly! Marian Tomas Griffin and friends were performing. This is some of the BEST Irish music I have heard since our trip to the West of Ireland last year. And the staff are even Irish as well. The fish and chips ( served in newspaper) was a huge portion and delicious, as was the Seafood Boxty ..I hear she is playing on Saint Patrick's Day. I for one will be in line to see that performance. PS The Guinness was the best I have had in the States. Poured by a system imported from Dublin.

  • Pros: No Plastic Paddy Music Here..This is the real McCoy

The Details on Finn McCool's

Place Categories:

  • friendly irish pub atmosphere
  • great vegetarian food
  • love place
  • warm good staff
  • great live music
  • good great beer
  • great service
  • fantastic menu
  • worst service
  • beautiful young people
  • friendly servers
  • big cobb salad
  • great chips
  • fantastic buffalo wings
  • perfectly seasoned potato soup
  • great variety
  • good drink
  • great neighborhood bar
  • best chef
  • best french fries
  • great bangers
  • great veggiefriendly dishes
  • full bar
  • upsacle irish bar
  • awesome irish experience
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