The challenge is to promote the day without promoting overconsumption: this guide covers food, drink, pricing, staffing and the announcement, with a safe service plan built in.
Who comes in, and when
Crowds are bigger than a normal evening, and many guests move from bar to bar. Pubs see people from late morning, offices send groups for lunch, and families come for a corned beef plate before things get busy. Takeout is a smaller share than on other holidays, but a corned beef dinner for four does sell.
When the 17th lands on a weekday, the weekend nearest it carries the bar crowd, and the day itself is a lunch and early evening event.
Sixteen ideas to consider
Food sells the day; drinks follow it.
- A corned beef and cabbage plate at a set price
- A shepherd's pie or a Guinness-braised stew special
- A fish and chips special with a house tartar sauce
- An Irish breakfast served until midday
- A green dessert, such as a mint chocolate cake or a pistachio sundae
- A family corned beef dinner for four with sides, to go
- A pre-order catering tray for an office lunch
- A soda bread loaf sold by the piece
- A non-alcoholic drink menu, such as a ginger beer or a mocktail
- A beer flight capped at a few small pours, with food
- A pub quiz or a live music afternoon with a local band
- A designated-driver offer, such as a free soft drink or coffee
- A rideshare reminder on every table card
- A gift card bonus for use in March or April
- A loyalty bonus for guests who order direct
- An early-bird special that fills the lunch hours
Responsible alcohol promotion
Alcohol is the profit and the risk. Rules on drink specials, happy hours and promotions differ by state and sometimes by city, so check with your state alcohol authority before you advertise a price. Do not promote heavy drinking, unlimited drinks, drinking games or speed. Cap the number of discounted drinks per guest, serve food alongside, and make non-alcoholic options visible.
Train your team to spot signs of intoxication and give them permission to cut off service. Keep a manager on the floor, post a rideshare option and never serve minors.
Pricing and margin notes
Corned beef is a cost-sensitive item, so buy early and price the plate honestly. A fixed price for corned beef, cabbage and potatoes is easy to cost. Beer and cocktails carry margin, but a deep discount is a bad trade; use a themed feature drink at a normal price rather than a steep cut.
Planning timeline
Three weeks gives you time to order and promote.
Staffing and prep
Staff up on the bar, the door and the kitchen. Cook corned beef a day ahead, since it slices better cold and reheats cleanly. Plan for a security presence at a bar night and keep the exits clear.
Hold a short pre-shift briefing on service rules and the plan for guests who are overserved.
How to announce it
Announce the food first. Send an email and SMS two weeks before with the plate, the price and the hours, then post on social and Google. Add the events, such as live music, to your Google Business Profile.
For takeout trays, link your direct online ordering page with scheduled pickup. Studio can create a green-themed flyer in your brand and a short reel from the menu.
Mistakes to avoid
Skip the green beer gimmick if your bar cannot handle the volume, because dyed pints slow service and invite waste. A themed cocktail at a normal price is easier to pour and easier to track.
Do not run an all-you-can-drink deal, a countdown pricing scheme or any promotion that rewards speed. Do not use stereotypes of Irish people in your flyer or your copy; a clover, a pint of stout and a plate of food carry the theme without any caricature. Finally, plan for the day after: leftover corned beef becomes a sandwich special on the 18th.
St. Patrick's Day checklist
- Corned beef ordered and costed
- Local alcohol rules checked
- Drink caps, food pairing and non-alcoholic options set
- Staff briefed, security and rideshare plan in place
- Posts, email and SMS scheduled
- Takeout trays capped with pickup windows
| Weeks before | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 | Order corned beef, check local rules, set drink caps |
| 2 | Send email and SMS, post on social and Google |
| 1 | Brief staff, finalize the schedule and security |
| Day before | Cook and chill the corned beef, prep sides |