The Finches

Just what Dublin needs - another pub with delusions of grandeur. The Finches perches in that awkward space between traditional Irish watering hole and wannabe trendy spot, like your uncle trying to recreate his glory days at a college party. Initially, I walked in with the lowest of expectations, my critic's notebook practically pre-filled with withering observations.

But damn it all if The Finches didn't start to grow on me, like some persistent bar-room fungus that turns out to be an artisanal cheese. The first crack in my cynical armor appeared when I noticed the vintage paintings adorning the walls - not the usual mass-produced "Irish countryside" prints you find in tourist traps, but actually interesting pieces that suggest someone here has an eye for more than just pulling pints.

The pool table isn't sticky (a miracle in Dublin pub terms), and the multiple TVs are strategically placed so you can catch the match without developing neck strain - a simple courtesy that's surprisingly rare in this city of neck-craning sports fans. The bar itself maintains a cleanliness that hovers somewhere between "actually trying" and "not trying too hard," which is exactly where you want a proper pub to be.

Let's talk about the cocktails, shall we? At €20+ for two, they're playing in the big leagues of Dublin's drinking scene. But here's the thing - they're actually decent. Not "Instagram influencer with a ring light" decent, but "seasoned bartender who knows their stuff" decent. The kind of drinks that make you forget you were planning to stick to plain pints.

The live music situation deserves mention, if only because it manages to thread that impossible needle between "loud enough to create atmosphere" and "quiet enough to hear your drinking companion's latest workplace drama." I caught a two-piece band that somehow made cover songs sound like they weren't trying to murder your eardrums - a rare feat in Dublin's pub scene.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room - or rather, the finch in the rafters. This place has its issues. The restrooms could use an intervention from whatever TV show handles pub renovations these days. And yes, sometimes the atmosphere can swing wildly between "cozy local" and "why is everyone staring at their phones in silence?"

But here's where The Finches really throws you for a loop - it's got soul. Not the manufactured, focus-grouped kind that consultants try to inject into new establishments, but the genuine article that only comes from serving as a community hub. You'll see locals who've been coming here since before I was born sharing space with young professionals who think they've discovered Dublin's next big thing. Neither group is entirely right or wrong, and that's precisely what makes it work.

The staff, bless their hearts, manage to maintain that perfect Irish pub balance of being there when you need them while leaving you alone when you don't. They're knowledgeable about their drinks without being pretentious, friendly without fawning, and efficient without making you feel rushed. It's a masterclass in pub hospitality that many higher-priced establishments could learn from.

For sports enthusiasts, The Finches offers what might be some of the best viewing setups in Dublin. The multiple screens mean you won't miss a crucial play because someone's head is blocking your view, and the sound levels are actually managed with some semblance of logic during big matches.

Look, I didn't want to like The Finches. Dublin has enough pubs claiming to be something special while serving up the same old experience in slightly different packaging. But this place has wormed its way into my cold, critical heart like a perfectly poured pint settling in its glass. It's not perfect - what pub is? - but it's genuine, which counts for more than all the craft cocktail programs and artisanal bar snacks in the world.

If you're in Dublin and looking for a pub that bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary without falling into the trap of trying too hard, The Finches might just be your perch for the evening. Just don't blame me if you end up becoming one of the regulars. I tried to warn you about its subtle charms.