Finn MacCools — Restaurant in Town of North Hempstead

The first time we brought my Irish Mom here, a harpist was playing on a spring weekend afternoon, such a warm memory. The "east end of Long Island renovation" ripped all of the Irish Trad charm out what once was a cozy, classy Irish restaurant.

I usually cook all the holiday dinners for my family but this time I was being treated to going out and I had such fond memories of Finn MacCool's, that is where I chose to go and my brother is a regular. It was not worth the effort to travel to pay for rude servers, average food, and poor preparation. We ordered the soup du jour. It arrived without bread. When we asked for bread we were told there was no bread IN THE RESTAURANT other than raisen soda bread. I could not believe that so I asked another passing server and she repeated there was no bread in the restaurant.

I ordered the Fish & Chips. The menu describes the dish with coleslaw, malt vinegar and tartar sauce. I asked the server for malt vinegar. He looked perplexed. When he turned around from our table he threw his hands in the air in exasperation. Although not being Irish, he has worked there a long time. Malt vinegar is always served with Fish & Chips and it is catagorically listed on the menu. So why the hard time? I don't go out to dinner for this. So not welcoming, so not Irish!

This was not at all what we expected for our holiday dinner. Menu items not having accompaniments that are normal, the server being put out to provide a usual condiment and the atmosphere with zero charm.

Finn McCool's has come a long way from where it was: a classy restaurant with charming, abliging waitstaff and excellent food to a non-descript place with surly, contrary servers and poor...

Not usually a review person but damn, that was an atrocious expirience. Waitress should have never asked if we wanted bread on our table because she didnt bring any when we said yes. By the time we finished our bland, luke warm apps we still had a 30 min wait until we recieved our entrees which only came after asking 2 different staff members what the status with our order was. Upon asking a 2nd time they managed to actually put their phones away, check the kitchen and see that our dishes were ready. Of course our food had been sitting there for a while unnoticed. Consequently the nearly raw burger and 2 stouffers quality meat loaf dishes were literally cold. This place was not busy, in fact it was over-staffed. 5 different wait staff employees with empty hands couldn't manage to collectively make this a good expirience which communicates as the establishment not caring about their customers. Clean house or close the doors. worst dining expirience in years.

Note: Our family went here a few years back on St. Patrick's day. The place was a mad house yet one irish waitress who appeared to be no younger than 60 provided amazing service while literally limping around as the only waitress working that evening. Our corned beef and cabbage was very good. Today I noticed they renovated, painted the whole place white + added fancy decor. Seems like they have lost their local dive feel and quality service. Really unfortunate such a great place has gone down the tubes. I'd give one star if it weren't for that one St. Pat's day. Will not be...

They did an excellent job in renovating the restaurant. Looks beautiful and inviting. Bartenders Derek and Ashley are OK? Good drinks and food. You can still get the Irish classics as well as the " newer" menu. I come here every Sunday night. Glad to see them back! IT'S NOW 6/4/2017. After a few months of going in on Sunday nights, I have to revise my review. Don't bother to order dessert. The brownie & ice cream dessert costs $9.00 and is worth about $5.00. Of the 2 bartenders who work on Sunday night, one is good and one shouldn't be there. That bartender forgets simple things like getting you a glass of water even though you ask a few times. I won't identify her by name. I think if you go into a bar once or twice a week you should be treated with respect. It just doesn't seem to be happening at Finn MacCools. Not much more to say. I just changed by rating from 5 stars to 2 stars. I'll give them one more try. It is simply not worth $50.00 for 3 drinks, a burger, and a poor dessert. I wish them the best of luck but with a bartender like Ashley...It's unfortunate that after over 15 years as a customer I won't return. They did a good job on the remodel but they should have done the same with...