St Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday this year. This may seem slightly inconvenient, but really, it’s not. All it needs is some planning. And for that you’ve got this here blog.
Check out these bars around South Africa that are planning to get in on the Irish action, pick one or two or devise a route map and get your Guinness before the Sunday lull starts. This will leave you with enough time to recover before Monday hits.
St Patrick’s Day pubs in Cape Town
O’ Driscoll’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Cape Town holds great potential for a St Patrick’s Day on foot, with many Irish bars and pubs within walking distance from each other. O’Driscoll’s combines South African and Irish fair and you can intersperse you Guinness with local beers if you’re afraid that all this Irish hospitality will turn you into an Irishmen.
Corner of Hout and Burg St
021-424-7453, [email protected], www.odriscolls.co.za
Dubliner at Kennedy’s
Stroll up Long Street until you see this iconic Cape Town bar on the corner. Having such a strong reputation for being one of Cape Town’s most trusted watering holes, it’s easy to forget that this is the city’s first authentic Irish pub and bar. So what better place to pop in donned in your greenest attire on Sunday? Rumour has it that the waiters will be painted green, so there really is no reason to miss out on this one.
251 Long Street
021-424-1212, [email protected], www.dubliner.co.za
V&A Waterfront
Believe it or not, but the whole of the V&A Waterfront is said to be pumping green. For example, the Wheel of Excellence will be illuminated in emerald, just for the heck of it. There’ll be live music in the amphitheater, buskers dressed in green and many of the bars – like Mitchell’s Brewery and Ferrymans – with special promotions. You should also know that there are a number of great Waterfront restaurants. All you need to do is pitch up.
Forresters Arms
If you find yourself in the southern suburbs, then a drink or three at the trusty Forries should satisfy your St Paddy’s Day needs. The Newlands locals are bound to pitch up and join you for a few.
52 Newlands Avenue
021-689-5949, [email protected], www.forries.co.za
The Brazen Head
Stellenbosch students are lucky to have one of these Irish bars (scattered around the country) right in the heart of town. If you live close, or even if you’re in the mood for a drive out of town, Brazens is sure to have a merry vibe in the leafy courtyard. And when the hunger bites, you don’t even have to settle for student grub. Brazen Head’s menu offers a great variety of tasty pub food.
Corner of Victoria and Andringa St, Stellenbosch
021-882-9672, www.brazenhead.co.za
Table Mountain
Yes, you’ve guessed it; even Cape Town’s most iconic attraction will be illuminated in green on Saturday evening. That is, with renewable energy sources. Executive Major Patricia de Lille will flip the switch at 20h00. This is not only to show the world that we support the festivities, but also to highlight the work done by several Irish charities in the Western Cape.
St Patrick’s Day pubs in Johannesburg
Mick Desmond’s Irish Pub
This long established favourite have been at it for more than a decade so trust them to supply a good crowd and a good time. They’re open from 09h00 until 22h00 and there’ll be bands playing from 12h00 onwards.
Entrance is R20
Corner Salerno Rd and 5th Ave, Linden
083-267-6327, [email protected], www.theirishpub.co.za
Paddy’s Corner
You can’t go wrong with a name like that, now can you? The fun will start at 14h00 on Sunday and include a stagger performance by Ant Crawthorne’s five-piece Celtic/Irish band. Tuck into classic pub meals in between your green beers.
Corner of Bram Fischer Drive and Hunter St, Randburg
011-781-3826, www.paddyscorner.co.za
McGinty’s Irish Pub
Feel like you’re living it up in Dublin at one of three McGinty’s Pubs. Tuck into a traditional shepherd’s pie and wash it down with pints of Guinness. Even though they don’t advertise a special event, you can never go wrong with pitching up at an Irish pub on a day like this. It’s bond to be a blast.
Corner of Rovonia and Hill Rd, Morningside
011-883-4842
Bright Water Commons, Republic Rd, Randburg
011-789-4572
Corner of O’Reilly-Merry and 14th Ave, Benoni
011-425-6091
Ramkietjie Irish lunch
If you prefer celebrating by eating rather than drinking then the Irish lunch at Ramkietjie in Honeydew will definitely have you feeling the vibe. For R120 you can tuck into traditional dishes like soda bread, corned beef, Irish beef stew and Colcannon potatoes. Alter Irving will be performing some Irish classics.
Booking Essential
35 Peter Road, Honeydew
087-940-9920, [email protected], www.ramkietjie.co.za
Stonehaven on Vaal Irish lunch
Another lunch option is Stonehaven, situated on the banks of the Vaal River 45 minutes outside Joburg. This particular buffet will mix up the Irish and South African classics, so you’re sure to find something to your liking. The kids will love you for letting them join the Leprechaun & Shamrock Hunt before slurping down a Cream Soda float. Booking a cruise before or after lunch and make a day out of it.
Booking essential
Sylviavale Ave, Vanderbijlpark
016-982-2951, [email protected], www.stonehaven.co.za
St Patrick’s Day pubs in Durban
Blarney Brother at the Barnyard
The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway is hosting a one-night-only show on Sunday. The Blarney Brothers is Durban’s very own Irish band, and by the looks of their sparkling green jackets, it’s going to be a cracker. Doors open at 18h00 and the show starts at 19h30. Tickets are priced at R120 a person.
Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga Ridge
031-566-3045, [email protected], www.barnyardtheatres.co.za
The Shamrock Inn
This Irish pub and restaurant is all about good food, good beer and good friends. It promises to be even more festive on Sunday, so rustle up a bunch o’ mates and give it a good bash.
11&13, MacKeurtan, Durban
031-563-4462
Visit St Patrick’s Day’s official website and stock up on Irish jokes, songs and limericks to get you in the mood.
If you want nothing more than to stay home and relax, then perhaps this Green Tea and Vanilla Cupcake Recipe will inspire you to eat green.
*Image courtesy of Brendan Lynch
