MEDICINE HAT, AB – Local restaurants have been waiting on this day for two years.
Last St. Patrick’s Day restaurants and bars were forced to close. This year they are open again, and eager to welcome you back.
Devon Potvin, the owner of The Silver Buckle, says he already has festivities planned.
“We always do green beer, a ton of prizes,” Potvin said. “I’m usually dressed up like a six-foot leprechaun.”
Across town at Local, similar activities are in the works.
“St. Patrick’s Day we got the green beer which is probably the biggest festivity,” said bar manager Darin McKay. “We’ve already got phone calls today asking if we’ve got it. Guinness and a lot of Jameson being drunk tomorrow that’s for sure.”
The provincial guidelines say liquor can’t be served after 11 p.m.
Both restaurants are excited about being open for this St. Patrick’s Day. They want to remind you they’re still strictly following provincial health restrictions.
“Wear your mask in and out, table six feet apart, same household, mask when moving around,” Potvin said. “We’ve got a lot of additional protocols that we do with cleaning behind the scenes.”
Potvin says customers are used to the protocols and no one wants to be the person that shuts the place down.
Local is taking advantage of the space inside, planning a covid-friendly celebration.
“Six people max per table. Definitely have our tables spread out and same household,” McKay said. “No walking around and mingling, so it will look a little bit different than past years, but good to be open.”
McKay says it’s nice the restaurant is busy again, especially on a weekday. Both restaurants open at 11 a.m.
Although restaurants don’t require reservations, they are highly recommended as spots are already filling up.
