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A Technical Website Review of Finn’s Pub – MKS Web Design

Written by Anthony Richter
Posted on October 12, 2025

Quick Summary (TL;DR)

Finn’s Pub website is a fast, mobile-first WordPress site built with Bricks Builder and BEM-styled custom CSS. It captures the local Kansas pub vibe with clear navigation, up-to-date events, drink specials, and good local SEO for keywords like “Manhattan KS bar.” Strengths: speed, usability, easy updates, strong local SEO. Improvements: minor contrast/font sizing tweaks, add RSVP or featured cocktail and more dynamic community content. Overall: inviting, authentic, and effective for driving local visits.

Full article

First Impressions & the Kansas Pub Vibe

Walking into the Finn’s Pub website, you can tell straight off its all about the community and creating a classic Kansas bar experience. The homepage warmly invites you in with bold “Neighborhood Pub” branding, bright colors, plenty of event info and a clear “come on in” vibe that really fits the local energy in Manhattan, KS. It’s not overly flashy – and that’s intentional. The site’s design reflects the no-fuss, fun-first attitude that makes Finn’s the go-to local spot for regulars, students, and townies both.

What I Built With

  • WordPress + Bricks Builder: The foundation. Bricks Builder let me create flexible layouts, lightening-fast load times, and a visual design workflow.
  • Advanced Themer: Used heavily for BEM CSS class structure and style conversions.
  • BEM CSS Methodology: BEM (Block-Element-Modifier) naming keeps all custom CSS scales well as the site grows.
  • Custom CSS: A solid base of custom code — speed, consistency, and pixel-perfect tweaks beyond the builder’s controls.
Cartoon bar scene with people and drinks on counter.

UX & Design Experience

Layout & Navigation

  • Mobile First & Responsive: Every page adapts smooth for mobile, tablet or desktop viewing. Navigating menu sections, events, and contact info is a breeze.
  • Clear, Simple Navigation: Menus are obvious, quick, and easy to find.
  • Interactive Features: Event calendar, weekly specials, and music schedules are right where customers want them.
UX Element What’s Good What Could Be Better
Navigation Ultra-clear, quick access Maybe a little more animation at times
Events/Calendar Always up-to-date, easy to read Add a quick RSVP button in next round?
Drink Specials Highlights deals right away Maybe showcase a featured cocktail?
Accessibility Strong contrasts for readability Could tweak font sizing further

Look & Feel

  • Visuals: Bright, energetic, and matched to Finn’s real-life pub personality.
  • Content: Features like “upcoming events” and community shout-outs add authenticity.
  • Atmosphere: Even online, the friendly, approachable feel comes through. No pretentious stuff, just Kansas charm.

SEO & Speed

This site was built with Kansas web design SEO best practices in mind. Page titles, meta-descriptions, internal linking, and alt-text are all optimized for “Manhattan KS bar”, “Kansas live music”, “Finn’s Pub”, and “friendly Manhattan pub”. Performance is top-tier, because Bricks Builder and quality CSS keep it super snappy.

Finn's pub website displayed on multiple devices
finns pub portfolio mks web design

Tools/Approach: Why Bricks Builder & Advanced Themer?

Bricks Builder offered total control and lightweight code, compared to heavier builders. It’s great for rapidly iterating layout ideas.

Advanced Themer, especially the Class Converter, made applying BEM naming conventions a breeze — all styles move from builder controls to clean CSS classes automatically, reduceing bloat and making future edits dead-simple.

Custom CSS is sprinkled throughout for extra speed and precision, using BEM to ensure styles never get out of hand. No style conflicts, no crazy !important hacks.

BEM CSS Sample

.pub-header__nav { ... }
.event-list__item--highlighted { ... }

BEM means things stay logical and future-proof.

Quick Pros & Cons

  • Pros
    • Fast as heck, mobile-pretty, super friendly for users
    • Local SEO is on point
    • Easy to update for owners/staff
  • Cons
    • Not trying to be the “trendiest” site—stays true to Kansas personality
    • Would like to integrate more dynamic community content later (that’s next!)

There is always something to do at Finn’s Pub, and that’s reflected in the website — it straight up shows the energy and focus. Design-wise, it’s what you’d expect for a Kansas bar, but with a modern edge and care for both speed and SEO. Sometimes the color contrast could be tweeked a little, but that’s just nit-picking. Nothing is perfect!

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for web design in Kansas that blends local spirit with modern tools, this Finn’s Pub project is a great example. The site is inviting, simple, and gets you stoked to visit — just like the pub itself. Built for the people, by the people. Cheers!

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