Irish pubs across Tasmania are expecting their busiest day of the year today as St Patrick’s Day celebrations kick into high gear.
The Irish in Launceston opened early at 8am instead of its usual 4pm start, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner with live music throughout the day.
“It’s like the whole culture of the pub, all of the Irish people come in,” venue manager Alice Eades told Pulse.
“Everyone’s smiling and happy and we’re so glad to be able to do it.”
The pub is offering Guinness specials and merchandise giveaways, with five or six bands and solo acts performing throughout the day.
“It feels like we’re on the other side of the world,” she said.
Molly Malone’s Irish Pub in Devonport is serving a tailored St Patrick’s Day menu featuring Irish soda bread and Dublin Coddle – a hearty stew with pork, sausages, bacon and potatoes.
Hotel manager Kat McGuinness said the day consistently draws the biggest crowds of the year.
“If you’re going to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, you should be doing it at an Irish pub,” she said.
“It’s just not quite right if you’re doing it anywhere else.”
The New Sydney Hotel in Hobart has extended celebrations to five days this year, compared to three days last year, culminating in today’s big day.
Owner Ashan Rodrigo opened at 7am with 130 people already booked for breakfast.
“We started music at nine o’clock in the morning and we won’t stop till we close the doors,” Rodrigo said.
The venue broke records last year serving nearly 50 kegs of Guinness.
This year Rodrigo has ordered 75 kegs across the five-day celebration.
“The old school Irish community are playing traditional music right now,” he said.
“If you want a real traditional experience, this is the place to be.”
