Saskatoon pub readies for St. Patrick’s Day

With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, the manager of a downtown Saskatoon pub says preparations are already well underway.

“We’ve been decorating all week, getting prepared. We’ve got all our beer and liquor in for the day and now it’s just getting staff prepped up,” said Thom Bell, manager of Winston’s English Pub.

Bell said St. Patrick’s Day typically sees as many as 600 people make their way through Winston’s doors, with events kicking off with an Irish breakfast starting at 9 a.m.

While he said it’s fun to have the place filled up and bustling, Bell said staff will definitely have to lean on one another to keep up with the rush.

“It’s mentally and physically draining, it doesn’t matter how much you prepare for it,” he said with a chuckle.

Bell said he’s been working at Winston’s for 15 years, but still enjoys the bar’s busiest day of the year.

“I guess (there’s) a sigh of relief when you get to close the doors for the day, but it’s an exciting experience to build up to every year,” he said.