St Patrick’s Day is a must for those who love Irish traditions and a good pint of beer. All over the world, various parties and celebrations mark this iconic day, bringing people together in pubs and restaurants to pay tribute to Irish culture. These venues play a central role in the celebration, providing the perfect setting to immerse yourself in the warm and lively atmosphere of Ireland. Find out how to transform your establishment into a veritable St Patrick’s Day temple and offer your customers an unforgettable experience.
Summary
1. Create an authentic Irish atmosphere
Use green and white decorations
March 17th, St Patrick’s Day, is much more than just a celebration—it is a worldwide tribute to Irish culture and a homage to Ireland’s patron saint, who is said to have used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. Across the globe, St Patrick’s Day is marked by festivities and vibrant decorations, with cities like Dublin, New York, and even regions in France turning green for the occasion.
To create a lively Irish atmosphere in your pub or restaurant, opt for traditional Irish-themed décor: green flags, fairy lights, beer steins, shamrocks, and leprechauns. Use green, white, and orange tablecloths, napkins, and placemats to reflect the Irish flag. You can also scatter paper shamrocks on tables or provide staff with personalised T-shirts in Irish colours.
Take inspiration from Dublin’s Temple Bar, a renowned district where celebrations come alive each year. Recreate this warm and festive ambience by serving classic Irish dishes like a shepherd’s pie with an Irish twist and offering local drinks in a welcoming setting. Don’t forget to add a few historical anecdotes about St Patrick to immerse your guests in the tradition.
Play traditional Irish music
Irish music brings an authentic touch to St Patrick’s Day festivities. To set the mood, create a playlist featuring The Dubliners, The Pogues, and other lively Celtic tunes. You could also host a live music session with a band playing traditional instruments such as the fiddle, bodhrán, or bagpipes.
For added fun, organise an Irish sing-along session where customers can join in on well-known folk tunes. This shared experience will quickly become a highlight of the night. By combining décor, music, and entertainment, you can transform your venue into the ultimate St Patrick’s Day hotspot!
2. Offer a special St Patrick’s Day menu
Traditional Irish dishes
Irish cuisine is hearty and comforting—perfect for a St Patrick’s Day feast. Create a themed menu featuring classic Irish dishes such as: Irish stew a slow-cooked lamb or beef stew with vegetables, the Shepherd’s pie which is a rich meat pie topped with creamy mashed potatoes and finally a Baileys cheesecake or Guinness chocolate cake for a sweet Irish twist.
Irish drinks and cocktails
No St Patrick’s celebration is complete without traditional Irish drinks. Offer a selection of Irish beers like Guinness, Kilkenny, and Murphy’s, alongside themed cocktails such as Irish coffee or Shamrock sour.
3. Host exciting festive activities
Competitions and games
Make the celebration unforgettable with interactive entertainment that gets everyone involved. Organise a best Irish costume contest or a green hat competition, encouraging guests to dress in Irish colours. You can also host an Irish history and folklore quiz, covering topics such as the origins of St Patrick’s Day, legendary Irish heroes, and traditional customs.
To boost participation, offer small prizes like St Patrick’s Day-themed goodies—personalised T-shirts, green bead necklaces, festive headbands, or even discount vouchers for your venue. Promote these competitions in advance on your website and social media to generate excitement.
For extra engagement, introduce Irish heritage-inspired games, such as a shamrock scavenger hunt around the venue or a leprechaun’s pot of gold treasure hunt. These activities will be fun for all ages while also sharing a bit of Irish history in a lighthearted way.
Face painting and festive accessories
Face painting adds a playful touch to the event. Offer customers Irish-themed designs, such as shamrocks, the Irish flag, or Celtic folklore symbols. Provide festive accessories like leprechaun hats, novelty glasses, or green necklaces to enhance the party spirit.
To encourage participation, reward those who join in with small gifts, such as a complimentary drink or a fun souvenir you can also collect feedback. Share photos from the event on social media to create a sense of community and extend the celebration beyond the evening itself.
By incorporating competitions, interactive games, and creative workshops, your venue becomes more than just a place to eat and drink, it becomes the heart of the St Patrick’s Day festivities. This is a fantastic way to build customer loyalty, create lasting memories, and establish your pub or restaurant as a must-visit spot for Irish celebrations !
4. Promote your event in advance
Use social media
To attract as many customers as possible for St Patrick’s Day, it is essential to plan your communication strategy. Social media provides the perfect platform to share the history and origins of the celebration while showcasing your own themed events.
Create eye-catching visuals in St Patrick’s Day colours with Irish elements such as shamrocks, the green-white-orange flag, and Celtic folklore symbols.
Don’t hesitate to include historical anecdotes in your posts. For example, share facts about St Patrick’s past as a slave or how Irish immigrants helped spread the tradition to the United States. This type of content enhances the cultural aspect of your event while engaging your audience with interesting information.
Use relevant hashtags like #SaintPatrick, #IrishPub, or #IrishCelebration to expand your reach. To maximise the impact, create a dedicated event page on your website or app, allowing customers to explore your programme, book their spots, and check out your special menu.
Offer special promotions
Encourage customers to make reservations or join in the festivities by offering special deals for the occasion. You could introduce group discounts or offer a free drink to those who come dressed in theme. Pre-sale tickets or meal-and-entertainment packages can also simplify planning for your customers.
By offering a mix of options and attractive pricing, you can appeal to different audiences, from groups of friends looking to party to families searching for a fun night out. Promote these offers on your social media and website with clear and engaging calls to action.
By combining smart digital marketing with well-thought-out promotions, you increase your chances of filling your venue on St Patrick’s Day. Not only will you make the event a commercial success, but you’ll also give your customers an authentic and unforgettable experience.
5. Create unforgettable memories
Photobooth and themed accessories
St Patrick’s Day is a fun celebration, perfect for creating lasting memories. Set up a photobooth in Irish colours where customers can take fun pictures with festive props. Offer them the option to print their photos or share them on social media.
Souvenir gifts to boost customer loyalty
To keep customers coming back, consider offering small souvenirs to mark the occasion, such as customised glasses, keychains, or bracelets in St Patrick’s Day colours. These little touches will strengthen the positive image of your venue and encourage guests to return for future events.
Get ready for St Patrick’s Day now!
By following these tips, you can turn your pub or restaurant into a must-visit destination for celebrating St Patrick’s Day with style and warmth. Let the party begin!
Ready to transform your venue and kick off the festivities? The only thing left is to create your online ticketing system with Weezevent and customise your mini-site in Irish colours to welcome your guests. Don’t forget to set up an easy access control solution for smooth event management.
