Finnegan's Wake has never tried to be the newest place in town.
It wasn't built to chase trends, reinvent itself every season, or impress anyone with polished perfection.
It's simply a place people return to.
For nearly two decades, people have gathered here on the corner of South and Walnut in downtown Springfield to celebrate birthdays, nurse heartbreaks, argue over trivia answers, watch the match, grab one more round after work, or stay longer than they planned because they ran into someone they hadn't seen in years.
Some came in once and became regulars.
Some met lifelong friends.
A few met their future spouse.
Finnegan's Wake has been part of hundreds of stories without ever trying to be the center of attention.
We've just always tried to take care of the room.
Around the Ozarks featured Finnegan's Wake in their Savor the Ozarks series, a closer look at the food, the history, and the downtown Springfield charm that's kept people coming back for nearly two decades.
See what they had to say about our corner of South and Walnut.
Read the Full Story →
Long before they owned the place, Anne and Clayton were simply part of it.
Anne worked at Finnegan's Wake.
Clayton kept finding reasons to stop by.
What started as familiar faces across the bar turned into conversations, then dates, then a life built together.
Years later, they took over the pub they had both grown to love.
These days, you'll still find them around. Greeting regulars by name. Checking in with staff. Talking to first-time visitors who wandered in looking for a burger and a pint.
They're owners, sure.
But before that, they were customers.
They understand what makes a neighborhood bar matter because they experienced it themselves.
Finnegan's gave them a life together.
They've spent years making sure it remains a place where other people can make memories of their own.
People call Finnegan's Wake a dive bar.
They're not wrong.
We've got exposed brick, worn-in wood floors, neon signs that have seen some things, and a ceiling that people somehow remember years after their first visit.
The chairs don't match perfectly.
The music depends on who's working.
Some nights are packed shoulder-to-shoulder.
Other afternoons are quiet enough to hear the clink of pint glasses behind the bar.
But what keeps people coming back isn't the décor.
It's the people.
The bartender who remembers your order.
The trivia team that saves you a seat.
The stranger who becomes part of your conversation by the end of the night.
The feeling that you don't have to be anybody other than yourself when you walk through the door.
Every neighborhood spot has its rituals. These are ours.
For years, teams have gathered around the tables every Wednesday night to test their knowledge, settle friendly rivalries, and chase bragging rights.
For many Springfield families and friend groups, Finnsmas has become part of their holiday tradition.
Whether you're Irish by heritage or simply Irish for the day, everyone is welcome to join the celebration.
For more than 20 years, Finnegan's Wake has been proud to call downtown Springfield home.
We've watched downtown grow into one of the most vibrant parts of our city, and we've been fortunate to grow right alongside it.
What has always made downtown special isn't just the buildings or the businesses. It's the people. The restaurant owners, artists, musicians, volunteers, event organizers, and neighbors who pour their time and energy into creating a place where people want to gather.
That's something we've always loved being a part of.
Whether it's a concert on the square, a community festival, a local fundraiser, an art walk, or simply a busy weekend downtown, we're usually the first to tell people to come join the fun. When downtown is thriving, everyone benefits, and we've always believed in supporting the people and events that make this community such a special place.
Along the way, we've built lasting friendships with fellow business owners, community leaders, and generations of customers who have made Finnegan's Wake what it is today.
At the end of the day, we're not just proud of what we've built inside our doors. We're proud to be part of a downtown community that continues to grow, evolve, and give people reasons to come together.
Supporting our community has been part of Finnegan's Wake since day one.
Over the past two decades, we've worked alongside our customers, staff, neighbors, and community partners to raise funds and awareness for causes that matter throughout the Ozarks.
Through charity trivia nights, beer gardens, special events, fundraising partnerships, and a few memorable promotions over the years, we've contributed more than $150,000 to local organizations and provided more than $100,000 in in-kind donations.
Organizations we've been proud to support include the Child Advocacy Center, Killuminati Foundation, Downtown Springfield Association, Discovery Center, Ozarks Food Harvest, OACAC, and many others.
As co-owner Anne often says, giving back was never something separate from the business. It was always meant to be part of it.
“The support we've received from this community has allowed us to give back in ways we never could have imagined when we first opened our doors. We're grateful for every customer, partner, and friend who has helped make that possible.”
The numbers are meaningful, but what matters most to us are the relationships behind them. We're proud to support the organizations and people working every day to make Springfield a better place to live, work, and gather.
Welcome.
Pull up a chair. Order whatever sounds good.
Join a trivia team. Wear the ugly sweater.
Cheer a little too loudly during the big game.
Stay for one drink or stay until closing.
You don't have to know anyone when you walk in.
There's a good chance you'll recognize a few faces the next time you come back.
Because Finnegan's Wake has never really been about being the best bar in town.
It's about being your bar.
And around here, there's always room for one more at the table.
The year Finnegan's Wake opened its doors.
Of trivia nights played and arguments settled over obscure facts.
Of pints poured for friends, neighbors, visitors, and regulars.
First dates, celebrations, reunions, and stories shared across the bar.
Corner of downtown Springfield that's felt like home to a lot of people.
Whether it's your first visit or your hundredth, we'd love to see you. Stop in for a burger and a pint, bring your team for trivia, celebrate Finnsmas with us, or just grab a seat at the bar and stay awhile.
There's always room for one more.