Finn McCools Irish Pub Sosua

Spicedwine

Member
Apr 25, 2006
568
19
18
It is rare I make comments anymore, because, I agree it is mostly grumpy old people wanting to complain or start bickering. In this instance I find it unusual that a bar/restaurant in the Dominican Republic would only have the prices listed in US dollars. The currency of the country is the Dominican Peso and while it driven by US currency, many of the well established restaurants have menus in local currency and don't seem to be reprinting them everyday. Is the profit margin so small that this would be a concern? I doubt it! Just my 2 pesos worth.
 

DR Solar

Bronze
Nov 21, 2016
1,626
365
83
Cheap old guys~

Let's see if we can stir up some more interest for Big Frank's bar here and keep this thread at the top.

1.) One guy here who keeps complaining about the menu is on a very tight budget. I know him very well. Known him for many years. He is a good guy, but he is not going to be a regular of Big Frank's no matter what...not unless, of course, Big Frank is giving away drinks, and has the place packed with chicas...and there is a Short Time motel built above or behind the bar.

2.) Another guy on here is a musician. His only interest is, A.) Is Big frank going to have Live music; yes or no? If Yes, can we get a gig? If no, go screw yourself. We dont' care about your place. End of story. I know musicians. I work with with them in Europe as my main source of income. I understand their self-preservation instinct; I don't fault them for it. But their interests are purely agenda driven.

3.) Another man commenting here wouldn't care if Big Frank was giving away free drinks all day long. He didn't like O'Shay's. He didn't like Rocky's. And he ain't going to like Finn McCools. His dislike is agenda driven as well. He's not American, and he doesn't care for sports bars in the least. I get that too. It's not for everyone.

At the end of the day, the people who will like an Irish Bar in the DR tend to be people who like to sit down with the owner of an establishment and shoot the sh1t, pick each others brains, exchange information and stories, have a laugh, and drink a cold beer. In Scandinavian, we call these places "Brown Pubs." They're very popular among blue collar workers, sports fans, writers, and poets, artists and students. They're not for everyone, simply because everyone has different tastes.

Baskin Robbins has 31-flavors of ice cream, why? For what reason would it be necessary to carry 31-flavors? Could it be because everyone has different tastes?

For those who like to talk to someone knowledgeable, who knows the business--and has been in the business for over 50yrs, and who loves telling stories and listening to stories, this could be a new place you might want to sit down with the owner and shoot the sh1t.

This is the FIRST time that I've seen you upset Frank12. You are published and we/I have read some wonderful stories. Frank12 has always been a respected and a very amusing poster that I always look for. A teacher. An entertainer. An adventurer. A published author. A philosopher. And just a deceit person IMHO.

I trust his views.

Big Franks new place is his. It's his place. It's his money. If others have a better idea, menu, prices in any $, good food and what ever TV ... then why have YOU not opened your own?

You don't like whatever... then don't go. It appears that most of you don't like anything for soooo many reasons but I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU BASH A PLACE THAT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO NOR ARE YOU EVEN NEAR IT... to enter and see FIRST HAND what the place is about.

Sorry. As Frank12 says....
 

frank12

Gold
Sep 6, 2011
11,848
36
48
This is the FIRST time that I've seen you upset Frank12. You are published and we/I have read some wonderful stories. Frank12 has always been a respected and a very amusing poster that I always look for. A teacher. An entertainer. An adventurer. A published author. A philosopher. And just a deceit person IMHO.

I trust his views.

Big Franks new place is his. It's his place. It's his money. If others have a better idea, menu, prices in any $, good food and what ever TV ... then why have YOU not opened your own?

You don't like whatever... then don't go. It appears that most of you don't like anything for soooo many reasons but I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU BASH A PLACE THAT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO NOR ARE YOU EVEN NEAR IT... to enter and see FIRST HAND what the place is about.

Sorry. As Frank12 says....

Haha, thanks! I'm not upset. I just know most of the people commenting here. A few of them i know really well...i know their taste, I know their hang-outs. They're not going to like Big Frank's place for various reasons, and some them is because of these:

A.) They're on a very tight, limited budget, and eat spaghetti every night for dinner.

B.) They don't like sports.

C.) They're Jehovah Witnesses.

D.) They don't like cold beer.

E.) They're left handed, drive on the wrong side of the road, and do not like listening to far-fetched, crazy stories.

F.) They're Libras or Virgos...or worse born under the wrong sign.

G.) They're so old that Social Security has stopped their checks.

H.) They don't like the Irish (Big Frank is Irish-American), have something against the Irish, and find the Irish to be extreme exaggerators and embellishers of Irish folklore.

I'll think of more reasons after a second or third glass of red wine.
 

barker1964

Silver
Apr 1, 2009
3,413
2
38
Haha, thanks! I'm not upset. I just know most of the people commenting here. A few of them i know really well...i know their taste, I know their hang-outs. They're not going to like Big Frank's place for various reasons, and some them is because of these:

A.) They're on a very tight, limited budget, and eat spaghetti every night for dinner.

B.) They don't like sports.

C.) They're Jehovah Witnesses.

D.) They don't like cold beer.

E.) They're left handed, drive on the wrong side of the road, and do not like listening to far-fetched, crazy stories.

F.) They're Libras or Virgos...or worse born under the wrong sign.

G.) They're so old that Social Security has stopped their checks.

H.) They don't like the Irish (Big Frank is Irish-American), have something against the Irish, and find the Irish to be extreme exaggerators and embellishers of Irish folklore.

I'll think of more reasons after a second or third glass of red wine.



What's the problem with Virgos.....LOL
 

slowmo

Well-known member
Aug 1, 2016
1,236
872
113
Parking is not a problem as that is an area where the town allows sidewalk parking.
 
Haha, thanks! I'm not upset. I just know most of the people commenting here. A few of them i know really well...i know their taste, I know their hang-outs. They're not going to like Big Frank's place for various reasons, and some them is because of these:

A.) They're on a very tight, limited budget, and eat spaghetti every night for dinner.

B.) They don't like sports.

C.) They're Jehovah Witnesses.

D.) They don't like cold beer.

E.) They're left handed, drive on the wrong side of the road, and do not like listening to far-fetched, crazy stories.

F.) They're Libras or Virgos...or worse born under the wrong sign.

G.) They're so old that Social Security has stopped their checks.

H.) They don't like the Irish (Big Frank is Irish-American), have something against the Irish, and find the Irish to be extreme exaggerators and embellishers of Irish folklore.

I'll think of more reasons after a second or third glass of red wine.

I just have a problem with Philadelphia eagles and their fans
 

chico bill

Silver
May 6, 2016
14,016
7,976
113
Stopped in there for a beer yesterday.
It's obvious that they are going through newbie issues.
The help isn't sure of the computer etc.
I didn't eat so I can't comment on the food.
However the bar tab was printed out and handed to me on a piece of wood with a wooden clothes pin screwed or glued to the wood block. Kind of cumbersome. And the printout had amounts in pesos, euros and I think pound Sterling. Not necessary. We use pesos.
I had to ask which one was the correct amount. Remember drunk old people can't read tiny print. Just print it in pesos.

I had to park some 150 yards away - OK I can walk but I wouldn't have stopped in if it was raining or threatening rain. The hookers weren't out yet so I didn't have to do the gauntlet.

As far as atmosphere the echo of the revving motos is deafening. I mean so loud you can not hold a conversation when they are passing which is ever 10 seconds. In high season this may be more frequent?
And as for live music the motos would drown it out unless the music was so loud as to be uncomfortable.

The place is clean and attractive so I'll return when they get their cable boxes and TVs fully set up for college football. The pictures on the screens yesterday were not HD but that's not a killer.

So we will see in a few weeks - I do love college football.

If you go watch that first step. That 10" first step off the sidewalk will test some knees and the balance of those who down too many drinks.
 

Expat13

Silver
Jun 7, 2008
3,255
50
48
In a small way maybe it has an impact. But, I think that someone who isn't around and has no experience and does not know the whole picture of what is going on will not sway things there. We shall see. :)

Agreed, I would guess those here who have strong disagreements, even if they were happy with the terms would probably represent 1% of his business.
 

oriole100

Bronze
Oct 9, 2005
807
18
0
It's not Micky D's. It's a sports bar. I can't find a place to park on PC. most of the time. I go earlier or I don't go. I know you can't please everyone. My 2 cents.
 

frank12

Gold
Sep 6, 2011
11,848
36
48
Stopped in there for a beer yesterday.
It's obvious that they are going through newbie issues.
The help isn't sure of the computer etc.
I didn't eat so I can't comment on the food.
However the bar tab was printed out and handed to me on a piece of wood with a wooden clothes pin screwed or glued to the wood block. Kind of cumbersome. And the printout had amounts in pesos, euros and I think pound Sterling. Not necessary. We use pesos.
I had to ask which one was the correct amount. Remember drunk old people can't read tiny print. Just print it in pesos.

I had to park some 150 yards away - OK I can walk but I wouldn't have stopped in if it was raining or threatening rain. The hookers weren't out yet so I didn't have to do the gauntlet.

As far as atmosphere the echo of the revving motos is deafening. I mean so loud you can not hold a conversation when they are passing which is ever 10 seconds. In high season this may be more frequent?
And as for live music the motos would drown it out unless the music was so loud as to be uncomfortable.

The place is clean and attractive so I'll return when they get their cable boxes and TVs fully set up for college football. The pictures on the screens yesterday were not HD but that's not a killer.

So we will see in a few weeks - I do love college football.

If you go watch that first step. That 10" first step off the sidewalk will test some knees and the balance of those who down too many drinks.

If you like college football, then you definitely need to go back on Saturday and sit with Big Frank. He will have as many games on as possible. He will have money riding on all of the games. It will be fun. He lives for college football....as do I.
 

user123

Active member
Aug 16, 2017
369
239
43
Yes, the prices are in dollars, but everything is very reasonably priced, and it cuts down on having to reprint menus constantly--as the Dominican peso fluctuates nearly every day, week, and month.

Stupid idea. Hope it fails. DOP has been steady to USD for months. :dead:
 

the gorgon

Platinum
Sep 16, 2010
33,996
83
0
If you like college football, then you definitely need to go back on Saturday and sit with Big Frank. He will have as many games on as possible. He will have money riding on all of the games. It will be fun. He lives for college football....as do I.

frank, i promise to come join you when Miami starts winning again...

then again..
 

SKY

Gold
Apr 11, 2004
15,032
5,144
113
post deleted by mod, infraction given.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
May 5, 2007
9,246
93
0
Stopped in there for a beer yesterday.
It's obvious that they are going through newbie issues.
The help isn't sure of the computer etc.
I didn't eat so I can't comment on the food.
However the bar tab was printed out and handed to me on a piece of wood with a wooden clothes pin screwed or glued to the wood block. Kind of cumbersome. And the printout had amounts in pesos, euros and I think pound Sterling. Not necessary. We use pesos.
I had to ask which one was the correct amount. Remember drunk old people can't read tiny print. Just print it in pesos.

I had to park some 150 yards away - OK I can walk but I wouldn't have stopped in if it was raining or threatening rain. The hookers weren't out yet so I didn't have to do the gauntlet.

As far as atmosphere the echo of the revving motos is deafening. I mean so loud you can not hold a conversation when they are passing which is ever 10 seconds. In high season this may be more frequent?
And as for live music the motos would drown it out unless the music was so loud as to be uncomfortable.

The place is clean and attractive so I'll return when they get their cable boxes and TVs fully set up for college football. The pictures on the screens yesterday were not HD but that's not a killer.

So we will see in a few weeks - I do love college football.

If you go watch that first step. That 10" first step off the sidewalk will test some knees and the balance of those who down too many drinks.

Sounds like that place needs a whole lot of sorting out, you will never find me there unless things change Thanks for the report, saves a lot of trouble of checking myself
 
May 5, 2007
9,246
93
0
Let's see if we can stir up some more interest for Big Frank's bar here and keep this thread at the top.

1.) One guy here who keeps complaining about the menu is on a very tight budget. I know him very well. Known him for many years. He is a good guy, but he is not going to be a regular of Big Frank's no matter what...not unless, of course, Big Frank is giving away drinks, and has the place packed with chicas...and there is a Short Time motel built above or behind the bar.

2.) Another guy on here is a musician. His only interest is, A.) Is Big frank going to have Live music; yes or no? If Yes, can we get a gig? If no, go screw yourself. We dont' care about your place. End of story. I know musicians. I work with with them in Europe as my main source of income. I understand their self-preservation instinct; I don't fault them for it. But their interests are purely agenda driven.

3.) Another man commenting here wouldn't care if Big Frank was giving away free drinks all day long. He didn't like O'Shay's. He didn't like Rocky's. And he ain't going to like Finn McCools. His dislike is agenda driven as well. He's not American, and he doesn't care for sports bars in the least. I get that too. It's not for everyone.

At the end of the day, the people who will like an Irish Bar in the DR tend to be people who like to sit down with the owner of an establishment and shoot the sh1t, pick each others brains, exchange information and stories, have a laugh, and drink a cold beer. In Scandinavian, we call these places "Brown Pubs." They're very popular among blue collar workers, sports fans, writers, and poets, artists and students. They're not for everyone, simply because everyone has different tastes.

Baskin Robbins has 31-flavors of ice cream, why? For what reason would it be necessary to carry 31-flavors? Could it be because everyone has different tastes?

For those who like to talk to someone knowledgeable, who knows the business--and has been in the business for over 50yrs, and who loves telling stories and listening to stories, this could be a new place you might want to sit down with the owner and shoot the sh1t.

Geez Frank12, you're being pretty judgemental here aren't you? Sounds like the prices are too high to be successful, maybe Big Frank should get some experience in the bar business before taking on a venture such as this
 

Expat13

Silver
Jun 7, 2008
3,255
50
48
Geez Frank12, you're being pretty judgemental here aren't you? Sounds like the prices are too high to be successful, maybe Big Frank should get some experience in the bar business before taking on a venture such as this

40 years of bar business experience is not enough? I don't know Franks logic, I can only speak for myself but I think (especially based on this thread) that maybe the USD thing is part of a "weeding out" process. Meaning, its a small place and who the hell wants it's seats taken up by cheapo, complainers who will be counting every basis point on the currency exchange. That type of customers takes up a seat for hours sipping on warm beer. There are already a gauntlet of those bars selling drinks at a f#$%-all profit. You can save even more pesos on beer just sitting outside the bodega near Crazy Ranch. I say, smart move!