O'Hanlon's Pub opens early for St. Patrick's Day in Regina

It didn’t take very long for some people in Regina to wet their whistles and embrace St. Patrick’s Day.

Several bars and pubs take full advantage of March 17 by opening earlier than usual. That was the case at O’Hanlons Pub, welcoming guests for the day beginning at 10 a.m. It worked out too, because shortly after the doors opened the first customers of the day strolled in for a morning beer.

“We were on the way to the office and we thought we’d have a little fun with the day and stop in for a pint on the way to work,” said Kiriako Iatridis.

Pilsner is tossed aside on this day and instead replaced by the Irish staple of Guinness. That’s what Iatridis and his co-worker Brendan Lee enjoyed.

“I’ve always got a Guinness or two in my hand on St. Patrick’s. Today we’re just going to grab the one pint and said ‘hey, let’s start it off right’,” said Lee.

“You know what they say. A Guinness a day keeps the doctor away.”

The pair insisted the beer wouldn’t cloud their judgment at their job. Both work in the creative industry, involved in photography.

“Hopefully the pictures don’t get too slanty,” joked Iatridis.

The morning patrons were only just a taste of what was to come for the pub.

“It’s a complete gong show but with a very great atmosphere,” forecasted Andrew Shanks, the co-general manager, based on previous years.

Last year he explained there were 74 kegs of Guinness sold, or so he thinks.

“It’s kind of hard to keep track when you sell that much.”

While the pub – which is a favourite among many of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day enthusiasts – has many things to offer, according to Shanks, there is one thing they do not have, and intend to keep it that way.

“We got a little bit of everything for everyone unless you want green beer, then sorry, we don’t have it for you. We just don’t do green beer. It’s just not our thing.”