Salt Lake City Irish pub celebrates 20 years of St. Patrick’s Day events

Salt Lake City, Utah – One Irish pub in the area says that March 17 is one of the busiest days of the year for business, and 2024 will mark the establishment’s 20 years of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

“It’s our Super Bowl of the year for Piper Down,” David Morris, a partner of Piper Down Pub said.

The 2024 Piper Down St Patrick’s Day celebrations began on Friday, March 15, and were planned to go all day on Sunday.

“Every year, we start at 10 a.m. and we don’t stop till 1 a.m.,” Morris said. “Music goes all day — bagpipes, Irish music, Irish food. It’s like Mardi Gras.”

Morris stated that because of how packed the inside becomes around 3 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, the staff usually removes the tables from the bar.

“For a lot of people, it’s just one day a year,” Morris said. “For us at Piper, it’s 365 days a year. But this is when the spotlight is on us, and on this culture.”

There is a countdown to St. Patrick’s Day on the pub’s website, and online customers claim there is also a countdown inside the bar.

“This is literally one of my favorite holidays,” Piper Down patron Robin Lawrence said. “Celebrating, cheering, getting to know new people.”

Despite having lived in Utah for eleven years, one customer said that this was his first time celebrating the holiday at Piper Down. Nevertheless, he intends to return because of the community.

“Listen to music and enjoy that camaraderie of everyone else celebrating the same thing you’re celebrating,” Morris said.

Morris urged customers to approach the bar with their orders ready and to drink responsibly. Additionally, he advised customers to tip bartenders with kindness.

“St. Patrick’s Day is just a really good excuse to celebrate your roots,” Morris said.