Amid restrictions, local St. Patrick’s Day celebrations start early, stay strong

By 11 a.m., the line had cleared and fest goers were inside or on Flanagan’s side patio, mostly seated, per state-mandated COVID-19 guidelines. Michelle Disher, Flanagan’s bar manager, said the pub had prepared for long lines early and a packed house throughout the day.

“We’re doing pretty good, we’re keeping (it to) groups of 10 (and) anybody that’s inside, if they’re standing, their mask has to be up. If they’re outside, I really can’t control it,” Disher said. “But anybody standing up inside has to have a mask on.”

Tracie Hall, a friend of the Flanagan’s owners who was helping to serve beer on the patio, said the outdoor seating was a last-minute decision once the weather forecast looked like it was going to cooperate.

The patrons, Hall said, “are being great. They’re sitting down where they’re supposed to be, and if we have to say anything to anyone, they’re going right with the flow. It’s been fabulous. I wasn’t really sure what St. Patrick’s Day was going to mean this year, because it’s not our typical giant party (and) sea of people, but I love it that people who want to be out are able to be out, and they’re being safe about it.”

The celebrations started before the sun came out in Dayton at the Dublin Pub with multiple groups were seated on the patio enjoying breakfast and music.

It was a much different picture than last year, when lockdowns and public health orders due to coronavirus caused many bars and restaurants to downsize or scale back celebrations entirely. Famously one of the largest in the region in pre-pandemic years, Dublin Pub established a reservation-only system for Wednesday, with no walk-ins available.

A regular year at Dublin Pub could host up to 10,000 people coming through the bar. This year, only about 300 people at a time will be on the premise, according to Steve Tieber, Dublin Pub owner.

“I woke up at 3:15 a.m.,” Tieber said. “It’s one of those nights you’re thinking about everything and the anxiety that comes with it. But my big issue today has always been just trying to keep the place as safe as possible and trying to manage the people.”

Ten pop-up tables were spread out across Dublin Pub’s extended patio, a last-minute add-on Tuesday morning once Tieber saw the weather would be ideal on Wednesday. Reservations for indoor seating went online on March 2 and sold-out within two days. Tuesday’s outdoor seating reservations sold out in under 24 hours.

“It’s kind of contrary to running a business where you want people to come in,” Tieber said. “You almost feel like you don’t want people to come in, but we want the people who made reservations to come on down. It’s just hard to do it. It’s a very hard and difficult day.”

Many University of Dayton students and non-student Daytonians said the added restrictions and the no-standing rules haven’t ruined the day’s fun. No patrons said the new guidelines made them less excited to get out for St. Patrick’s Day in Dayton.

The seating restrictions “just help out, and it clears out walkways,” said Dayton resident Jadon Dix while drinking on Flanagan’s Pub patio. “Sometimes I do find that you’re in a conversation and you get into it so you might stand up and then it’s like, ‘Hey you got to sit back down’ ... . But other than that, it’s been kind of beneficial in some ways.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has made running a business a new kind of challenge every single day, Tieber said.

“There’s some great carry-out laws that the governor’s changed, the pop-up patio thing the city of Dayton is doing is awesome. ... and that coupled with being in the Oregon District during Out on 5th, it’s going to be an electric summer. But, we just got to get through the COVID-19 and get people healthy and safe.”

Now, with more than 2.4 million people in the state receiving at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, some see St. Patrick’s Day as an extra reason to celebrate.

“It’s nice to have a sense of normalcy after so long,” said Madeline Herbert. “There’s no dancing, but we’re getting there.”

Herbert said she planned on going to Dublin Pub last year, but COVID canceled her plans.

This year, she woke up at 4 a.m. to get ready to meet friends and family for their 5:45 a.m. reservation at the pub.

It isn’t just bars and restaurants getting into the holiday Wednesday.

Those who wanted to indulge their sweet tooth could visit Ashley’s Pastry Shop in Oakwood for shamrock cookies, rainbow cupcakes and traditional soda bread.