St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are around the corner, and it’s a great opportunity to add on to that pot o’ gold. Spread good luck all week long with promos that make your guests feel luckier than a four-leaf clover.

Party Starters

Drink specials are a must for St. Paddy’s Day revelry. Create excitement around your deals with something like Magic Hour, where guests get special happy hour pricing. From traditional Irish pints to clever concoctions, get lucky with these tasty party starters:

• Green and Beer It: Traditional Irish beers are a given, but green beer will always be a hit with partygoers and gets people in the doors. It’s also typically a cost-effective option if you plan on hosting a big event.
• Whiskey Business: Guests will look for this staple at your shindig. Whether regular drinkers or those that just sip on the special day, whiskey specials are a must. Create whiskey flights that guests can try or mini variations on Irish coffees made with different whiskeys.
• Charmed Cocktails: Have fun with these. St. Paddy’s Punch, Irish mojitos, and Shamrocktinis are all fun ways to entice guests to indulge and spend a little more. And a staple of Dublin pubs, Bloody Mary oyster shooters offer something different to help you stand out from competitors.

Irish Fusion Twists

If it’s convenient for your restaurant cuisine, there’s no harm in sticking with the green theme (desserts, eggs, pancakes, etc.) However, if green isn’t your thing, serving up your take on traditional, authentic Irish foods is a perfect way to appeal to diners. Corned beef and cabbage can easily incorporate into favorites like nachos, pizzas, and egg rolls. Consider charming appetizers such as St. Paddy’s Loaded Fries, using West Creek® Corned Beef Brisket, Irish soda bread with a house made spread, or a boxty with all the fixings.

Social Savvy

St. Patrick’s Day can be one of the highest-grossing days of the year for bars and restaurants. Keep your social marketing light, fun, and clever to help you stand out and connect with your target audience:

• “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” Promo: Have followers share tasteful photos, pick the most creative, and award a gift card or free appetizer.
• Trivia/Storytelling: Ask followers to submit their favorite Irish myths and legends or post Irish trivia questions and award prizes throughout the month.
• Irish Gig: Challenge followers to create a video of their best dance skills and have them vote on the best ones.

Paddy Time

Whether it’s a block party, parade, festival, or smaller celebration with authentic food and beer, any way you choose to get involved in the festivities is likely to bring you some good cheer over the weekend. Here are a few more ideas to help get guests in the spirit:

• Pub Crawl: Partner with other area restaurants/bars to host a pub crawl and create a passport where guests can get stamped at each business and snag specials.
• Vendor Village: Host a vendor market featuring small businesses that sell Celtic and Irish goods.
• Blarney Brunch: Take advantage of the Saturday and Sunday after St. Paddy’s with a post-party brunch to boost sales even more.
• St. Paddy’s Pop-Up: Deck out your bar in green or go for a traditional Dublin pub design. Make it a ticketed event with live music, games, and specials for an all-inclusive experience to up the excitement.