St Patrick’s Day is on a Saturday this year. How convenient! Last time it was on a Thursday and I had work the next day. I woke up with a leprachaun doing a merry jig in my head and countless Guinness ‘tattoo’s’ up my right arm. My home was festooned with badges with St Patrick’s Day slogans on them. Unfortunately I didn’t seem to have any scarves or t-shirts, but judging by the tattoos stamped on my arm, I certainly didn’t give up trying.
I have no doubt this year will be much the same shenanigans again, but at least this time Sunday follows, not a day of work. So get down to one of these St Patrick’s day pubs, have a Guinness and some fun on one of the most widely celebrated saint’s day in the world.
St Patrick’s Day pubs in Johannesburg
The Linden Irish Club
Experience a slice of Irish heaven at this homely Irish pub with your friends and family. The Guinness will be flowing, there will be live music and potato stew. You can also watch the rugby match betwen England and Ireland. Get there early as tables can’t be booked. Tel 083 267 6327, www.theirishclub.co.za
Paddy’s Sports Bar
Paddy’s has got you covered with regard to St Patrick’s Day celebrations. In fact they go on the whole weekend. On Friday you can do a little jig from 20h00 to the Shamrock Irish Band whilst on Saturday you can ease your hangover with a pint of Guinness to the sounds of bagpipes from 14h00, followed by a 3-piece Irish band. After a day or weekend of drinking pints, you are likely to get involved in the Irish kareoke at 20h30. I am sure you could pop in on Sunday for an Irish coffee too. Tel 011-781-3826, www.paddyscorner.co.za
St Patrick’s Day Park View Walk
Take a walk (or pub crawl) through the Parkview suburb learning the history of the Irish people in the area whilst taking in beautiful homes and then have a pint of Guinness at the end. Put your green walking shoes on and bring your pets and your family. The walk starts at 14h00 on 17 March at Kilkenny Road, near the corner Of Wexford Road. Cost – R100. Tel 011-482-3349, www.parktownheritage.co.za
St Patrick’s Day pubs in Cape Town
Table Mountain goes green
Green is one of the symbols of St Patrick’s Day and in “light” of this, Table Mountain will be illuminated green on 17 March at 20h00. I’ll toast my Guinness to that!
The Dubliner
The Dubliner in Long Street is one of Cape Towns leading Irish pubs and well-known for its festive atmosphere. There’s Guinness on tap, live music every night and Irish meals from their kitchen. They are having a “warm up party” on Friday night for St Patrick’s Day with the major festivities happening on the Saturday. Expect lots of green, plenty of Guinness and prizes. Tel 021-424-1212, www.dubliner.co.za
O’Driscolls
Experience a taste of Ireland in South Africa at this popular Irish pub in the heart of the city. They are going all out on St Patrick’s Day, with a trip to Ireland up for grabs. Look out for the lucky leprechaun and you could be drinking your next Guinness on the Emerald Isle. Tel 021-424-7453, www.odriscolls.co.za
Perserverance Tavern
People have been celebrating in the Perseverance since 1808 and it’s my usual favourite for some St Paddy’s day fun. This year will be no different I am sure. Expect lots of Guinness, good pub grub and lots of people having a fun time. Dressing up is encouraged and if I am not mistaken, rewarded. I doubt I will be let in again, so have a Guinness for me! Tel 021-461-2440, www.perseverancetavern.co.za
St Patrick’s Day pubs in Durban
The Shamrock Inn
This traditional pub and restaurant is all about good food, good beer and good friends. It promises to be even more festive on Saturday, so rustle up a bunch o’ mates and give it a good bash. Tel 031-563-4462
Durban Undersea Club
Come and celebrate St Patrick’s Day with everyone’s favourite Irish band, The Blarney Brothers. Buy ten tickets and you can book a table. Irish band, Guinness, food … it sounds like a good night out! R100 per person. Tel 031-368-1199, www.duc.co.za
St Patrick’s Day pubs in Pretoria
Hatfield Square
Get yourself down to Hatfield Square on Saturday for a mega St Patrick’s Day party. There will be bands, prizes, giveaways and Guinness. Bands from Ireland include El Hombre Jokes and Atlantic Pirates with Haggis & Bong, Nothing Alike and Dixie Hillbillies included inthe local line-up. The party starts at midday and R50 will get you in. A pint of the black stuff will cost you further, but it’ll be worth it!
Did you know this about Guinness?
A Guinness draught contains less calories than a glass of orange juice.
Bearing that in mind, I may have to have a Guinness for breakfast on Saturday…
Be responsible – don’t drink and drive.
