Finley Dunnes Tavern

I decided to try a different sports bar near my apartment to watch the Bulls game and I picked here. I guess it’s not a Bulls bar but a sports bar is a sports bar and we’re in Chicago.
Basically they play music way too loud, maybe it’s because it was Saturday but I’ve been to a lot of places in the neighborhood on a Saturday that don’t crank it up so high. Our server was good at checking on us but other than that, it just wasn’t special. I didn’t hate anything about the place nor love anything about it.
I feel like I would like this place though because it’s nice inside with a lot of TVs and the location near the Paulina/​Addison brown is great.

We only come here for one thing and one thing only: the Hillbilly nachos. Imagine nachos with tatertots. They’re the best. We’ve ordered them to go and shared them with friends; everyone loves them.

Stopped by for a late dinner. Me, wife, and 8 year old daughter. As usual, my daughter got the chicken fingers. My wife got a quesadilla and I got the Rysn burger. I haven’t been here in years as I’ve moved away, and it is the first time I’ve eaten here.
Food was great, service was friendly. We’d come back for sure.

Finleys has always been good to me… as far as service, food and staff. its become a small yet comfy hang out with great food. the ryan burger is incredible, and the staff always takes care of you. spent a night there catching up with an old college friend and the manager went out of his way for us as we suffered through a 18 inning college baseball game til 1am on a Monday. who does that? although located by an ex flame who I don’t see that much the desire to make finleys my new go to bar may win out over love scorned. in any event great place to drink, watch sports (theres even a backroom) or listen to music and chill for the night. plus theres free popcorn!!!

Hole in the wall local spot. We came here on Friday to watch the Bulls game with a group of about 6. They have free darts and free popcorn to pass the time. The drinks and beer are decently priced, the food is actually pretty good, and the service is great. You can get your beer in plastic cups and they let you keep the cups if you want. This is the perfect spot for a low key hangout with friends.

We have heard about finleys, and finally stopped in. Great bar, awesome staff and the only place to watch a Hawks game besides the UC. Loved the fire wings and the veggie flat bread.

Super chill place with friendly bartenders. A bunch of us came in here after a bachelorette party, with our own cups made for the party, and they humored us and filled up our cups with whatever we ordered. Great popcorn and music. I don’t remember everything, but what I remember was good!

Great server. The food is really underrated. Chicken sandwich and onion rings are so good. Can’t beat $ 2 high life everyday.

I hosted a private event for my staff & their family in the backroom of the tavern. We had fruit salad, veggie tray, wings, fiesta rolls, mini burgers, meatballs, and pizza. All of the food was fresh and delicious. Server Amanda was very friendly, attentive, and accurate in taking orders for beverages or requests that I had. Manager Keith was very friendly and easy to work with in coordinating for the event. When I told my staff we were having the event here, they were all very excited, so you can assume this is like 10 Unilocal reviews in one. Thanks FD, and we’ll be back!

If you’re looking for a good value, low-​key sports bar, you could do a lot worse than Finley Dunne’s. Food is very good for basic bar fare and the staff is always friendly. The owner is often around and a nice guy.
There are some regulars who are a bit entitled and annoying, but that’s hardly the bars fault. Decent amount of screens so you can watch a game from pretty much anywhere in the bar.

Love Finley Dunnes. The only negative isn’t really something they can control, unless they turn away business, and that is not a realistic thing to expect. This place blows when organized groups come in. For some reason, there have been a number of group events involving kids. Teens. Lilttle kids. This is a neighborhood bar, not a Chuck E. Cheese. I am not going to go out of my way to be rude to make a point, nor am I going to walk on eggs in a bar. At one point, I said «Dammit» about something, and some dad came over and told me to watch my mouth in front of his kids. I suggested he find a more appopriate locale for a child-​inclusive outing.
Now for the good:
–Beer list is one of the better in Lakeview. Definitely plenty of options.
–Like every other review has mentioned, free popcorn.
–The wings are damn good. Good-​sized, great sauces, especially the garlic parm.
–The rest of the menu is good. Nothing to come here for especially, but everything I have had has been solid.
–Plenty of TVs, and they are good about putting at least one on the game you want to see.
–Clean bathrooms.
–Back room available for fantasy football drafts.
–Good drink specials. There are always a couple things that actually are a good deal and that you actually want.
–Keith.
–Right by the Paulina brown line stop.

This place has so much to brag about but what keeps us coming back is the service. There are plenty of places in the neighborhood to spend your hard earned cash but it is nice to feel like a regular even if you’ve only been here a few times. The bar food is solid and beer selection is pretty good too. This is our spot for all major sporting events, an especially hard day at work and late night celebrations of life events.

One of my favorite all-​time bars!
If you’re a fan of the Blackhawks then you’re in luck! Finley Dunnes Tavern is an *OFFICIAL* NHL sponsored bar to show Blackhawks games. Every one of the staff members are friendly, professional, and incredibly personable. Each time I go there I feel like I’m a part of the Finley Dunnes family.
Also, great food! Be sure to try their Ryan burger.

There’s something wrong with this place… they have great beer AND great food. I’ve never been to a place that had amazingly good food and good beer. There has to be something for me to complain about but I can’t find it. Further research is needed.
The breakfast burrito is amazing!

I love this tavern! Best wings in Lakeview! Lots of great bar grub! Keith the bartender is the man!!! Tell em TC sent you!

Best local tavern! Recommend the Finley burger. Always cheap $ 2 beer. Also great selection of better beers.

How do I love thee Finley Dunnes? Let me count the ways:
*Best Hawks bar in the city, hands down. Lively crowd, great staff, sound ON, and they play great stuff like Slap Shot during the intermissions.
*Joe is a fabulous owner. The bar took a bunch of bar patrons on a party bus to a Sox game and spent some time talking to him. He’s a truly great guy and it shows in the bar.
*Keith is also the man and it’s a sad evening when he isn’t working a Hawks game. He always keeps things fun and supplies me the shots when HolyHossa scores.
*Other staff — never had a bad experience with anyone at the bar. I’m always impressed with watching the ladies handle so many tables and navigate the crowds on busy nights.
*Food — delicious and reasonably priced. They get some of the meat from Paulina Market so you can have a dog wrapped in bacon. Pizzas must be ordered with both pepperoni and bacon, and I love the pretzels that come with both cheese and cinnamon butter as dipping choices. My boyfriend loves the Ryan burger.
*Beer — good tap selection with a mix of regular and craft. There’s always a beer of the month that is $ 4…this month is Leinie Summer Shandy which makes me very very happy.
*Popcorn — free popcorn, fresh popped in the corner. Don’t miss it.
*Finley regulars — the bar is always full of fun people to chat with. I’ve gotten travel advice for Ireland and met a fellow Texan transplant.

This is the best wing deal in the city, in my opinion. I’ve been to other 25 cent wing places and the wings are nowhere near as good as at Finley.
When we first walked in, it definitely felt like we were walking into somebody else’s bar, there are clearly regulars here. However, the waitstaff is very friendly and didn’t make us feel weird about it. Also, they were always there when we needed more wings or drinks, but never overbearing.
The wings are the only food I’ve had at Finley, but I love them and wouldn’t doubt the rest of the food is great, too. The wings come in a mild flavor, hot, chicago fire (definitely not the spiciest around, but pretty sufficient heat for your average wing eater), and barbeque. We go for barbeque and Chicago Fire every time.
The space is deceptively large and there are coat hooks under the bar tables, which is great. There used to be a photo booth here, but sadly it is now gone.
The only reason I dock this place a star is because every time I’ve been here, whichever two drinks I order first are always out or no longer on the menu. So it’s hit or miss with the drinks and no real standouts on the drink list except for the deals.
Come and have 10 wings… or twenty… or…50 (yep, I’ve done it). That and a couple beers will set you back only $ 20. This place rocks.

$ 2 Rolling Rocks every day.
«Tavern» is your typical neighborhood spot. I’m here almost every week. Sometimes twice. The waitresses here are nice, and can get pretty chatty. The food is really good, especially for bar food. The drinks are cheap, and the vibe is real chill. I feel like Tavern can serve many purposes. If you’re into sports, the place can get crowded during certain sporting events. If you want to chill & just hang out, it can be pretty empty so you can just enjoy some food and drinks while hanging out with your friends.

I’ve been busted.
Finley Dunne’s server, Carrie, called me out for my 3-​star Unilocal review. If I bring my improv team there every single Thursday for orange whips and 25-​cent wings, how can I deliver anything less than a superior rating?
At Finley Dunne’s you get…
… free popcorn.
… excellent service (as long as Carrie is there. She’s the best server in the city.)
… cheap, usually good chicken wings on Thursdays.
… a usually low-​key, chilled atmosphere.
… coat hooks (an underrated, but necessary convenience in winter).
Now, I have been to Finley Dunne’s on nights when it’s packed to the rafters. In that case, you might as well stand on the corner of Lincoln & Cornelia and hope for food and beer to come by. The place can be woefully understaffed at times. (If you walk in and see a corporate party, leave immediately.)
Oh, and they changed their Orange Whip recipe to a very sad concoction. I weep for this.
I am there almost every week, and I wouldn’t come back if it hadn’t earned a 4-​star place in my heart.
We cool, Carrie?