Finnigan's Wake — Restaurant in Winston-Salem

This has been a place that I have frequented quite often. The food can be very inconsistent. Yesterday i had the beet salad that I often order the beets were very hard as opposed to other times I've gotten it and it was delicious. I did not complain just ate around them since the rest of the salad was edible. I was having lunch with one of my best friends. When it came time for the bill I paid with my card but my bestfriend had 100$ bill to pay her tab with. The waitress came back out telling us they didn't have change. We were appalled that at almost 5pm they did not have change. My friend asked well what do you want me to do? My money isn't good here? She felt as though because she was black that had something to do with her money not being taken. Extremely embarrassing for both of us. She goes inside to see what is going on because the waitress said she was going to get the manager. She heard other patrons at the bar saying the bill wasn't real so apparently the staff was talking about our situation to other customers. My friend comes back outside tells me what she heard and I couldn't believe it. I looked at the 100$ bill there was clearly a watermark anyone in the service industry should know how to read bills old or new. Eventually the manager came out told us the bill reader wasn't reading implying it was a fake bill. Now mind you that's a felony offense. We both couldn't believe what was going on not only were we embarrassed we were furious we had been lied to by the waitress that we tipped over 20% even after all of this. A friend of mine that works at the bank came up right as all of this was going on and told them the bill was real maybe their machine needs to be calibrated. The manager did end up taking care of my friends bill after all of this craziness but only after i spoke up about how insane the whole situation was. Poor customer service all the way around. Then for my friend to feel like she was being racially profiled was even worse. Still completely appalled about...

I cannot possibly express how thrilled I am to have this place back. It's back and better than ever (which I wouldn't have thought possible, given how darn-near-perfect it was to start with)!

Pros: truly phenomenal food, including vegetarian options out the wazoo, great service from folx who seem to enjoy their jobs, fantastic beer selection and knowledgeable bartenders, pub atmosphere that is somehow both spacious and cozy. It just feels like home! The employees are friendly in a totally-genuine, laid-back way, not in that fake-smile-because-I-need-the-tips-to-live kind of way. (But definitely tip generously, because this is still the USA, and these folx deserve it.)

Cons: Always SO hard for me to decide what to get, because everything I've ever had here knocks my socks off.

Pro-to-the-con: The staff is great at helping with recommendations, and if you want to try multiple of their millions of draft beers, you can get a four-beer flight.

Actual con: Parking can be a bit fiddly. The city farmed out the nearest lot to some expensive pay-to-park conglomerate in Florida or some nonsense, so be aware of that if you use the lot. Not the restaurant's fault, though. I can generally find parking on the street within a reasonable distance.

Anytime I'm eating out with someone in Winston, I leap at the chance to go to Finnigan's Wake. Seriously, run, don't walk.

This is my review from YEEEEEEARS ago, and as you can see, they've been consistent: Great beer selection, great food. They're wonderfully accommodating to dietary restrictions. Bartenders and servers are super. The customers, I've found, treat you like family; a real neighborhood pub....

Ah, Finigan's Wake in Winston-Salem! You're right, it's a bit of an anomaly, like a boisterous Irish pub that stumbled into a Southern town and decided to stay. It's this delightful mismatch that makes it so special. Just like Joyce's novel, it's a bit of a puzzle, a place that defies easy categorization. You wouldn't necessarily expect to find such a lively, authentic Irish pub in Winston-Salem, but there it is, holding court and drawing in crowds. And while the book is notoriously complex, Finigan's Wake the pub is refreshingly straightforward: good food, good drinks, good company. You hit the nail on the head with the food. "Ungodly, savory, and delicious" is a perfect description! Those generously portioned appetizers at those prices? It's a steal. And the fact that they cater to vegans with such a wide variety of options makes it even better. It's the kind of place where everyone feels welcome, whether you're a die-hard carnivore or a dedicated plant-eater. And you're spot on about the atmosphere too. It's a place to hang out, relax, and enjoy the craic. The staff are friendly and efficient, adding to the overall warmth and conviviality. Unlike its namesake, Finigan's Wake the pub is no puzzle. It's a solution to the craving for a hearty meal, a friendly atmosphere, and a good time. It's a classic in its own right, a Winston-Salem staple that continues to surprise...