Melbourne's Irish Festival Is Back With St Patrick's Day At P.J.O'Brien's

St Patrick's Day is fast approaching and Australia's leading Irish pub P.J.O'Brien's is hosting the biggest party in Melbourne on Friday 17 March.

Whether there is proud Irish lineage to honour or just a passion for the Emerald Isle, Australia's six million Irish and Irish descended will come together to celebrate St Patrick's Day, with festivities including marches, musical performances, dancing and plenty of drinking and eating around the country.

As the streets of Dublin flood with festival-goers across a four-day celebration and the New York parade attracts millions, Melbourne's party is on the banks of the Yarra River at P.J.O'Brien's Southgate.

From 1,200 to 1,500 Irish and Irish-at-heart merrymakers are expected throughout the day. Expertly poured pints of Guinness will flow forth from dawn until well beyond dusk, paired with traditional Irish grub. Some of Australia's best Irish music acts; dancers and pipers will entertain from morning to night in the year's biggest quest to celebrate the shamrock.

Starting the day right, revelers can enjoy the Traditional Full Irish Breakfast from 8am-11am, with a plate loaded with Black and White Pudding, grilled pork sausages, bacon, mushrooms, fried egg, grilled tomato, baked beans and toast (vegetarian option available). In the spirit of St Patricks' Day, breakfast can be enjoyed with a pint of Guinness or a glass of sparkling for the special price of $25.

Red Rock Venues' new Executive Chef Graeme McLaughlin has worked in some of the best restaurants in Australia and around the world, including Heston Blumenthol's Three Michelin starred The Fat Duck, where McLaughlin rose to the coveted position of Head Chef. Working closely with P.J.O'Brien's Head Chef, Marion O'Sullivan, they have created a selection of special St Patrick's Day dishes to complement the standard pub fare, making P.J.O'Brien's one of the hottest picks for food on the day.

Special dishes include the Cheese & Spring Onion Boxty, a traditional Irish potato pancake, which is complemented with Jameson & maple syrup glazed bacon and sour cream. The Bacon with Braised Cabbage special is served with a side of seeded mustard mash and creamy Jameson sauce, a hearty meal to line the stomachs as the party continues throughout the day.

Entertainment is key to a good St Patrick's Day party and 2017 will be no exception with a lineup guaranteed to keep revelers in high spirits. Irish bands and musicians performing on the day include The Coogans, Pat McKernan, Zeon, The Bad Penguins and Marty Kelly. DJ Shadow will keep the party going late into the night. Face painting is popular with young and old, commencing from 10am.

"Every year, we see more Melburnians come to P.J.O'Brien's to celebrate St Patrick's Day. Last year we served up 250 breakfasts, poured more than 3,500 pints of Guinness and were under the pump to keep up with the demand of St Patrick's Day lunches. With this year's celebration falling on a Friday, we are preparing for our biggest year yet!" says venue manager Aoife Reilly.

Famous as the pourer of 'The Perfect Pint', head bartender Cian O'Niell is also becoming known for his expertise in more indulgent tipple. His signature Irish cocktails include the Double Black Martini, a rich Guinness-enhanced version of the espresso martini, the Black-Currant Velvet, which serves up a lighter and sweeter way to enjoy 'the Black Stuff' and more. His new cocktail launching this St Patrick's Day is An Irishman in New York, a zesty Irish twist on a Manhattan with Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth and Cointreau.

Designed and constructed in Ireland, and considered by Guinness Worldwide Brewing to be Australia's leading Irish Pub, P.J.O'Brien's is the country's most authentic destination for St Patrick's Day celebrations.

P.J.O'Brien's is supporting the celebrations at The Valley once again in 2017. People are encouraged to get their green on and celebrate St Patrick's Day at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Friday 17 March. Taking over the Pavilion Deck, P.J.O'Brien's will keep the Guinness flowing long into the night, while there will also be Irish food stalls to provide an array of delicious food options plus plenty of live entertainment including Irish dancers and singers.

On the track, the highlight of the night is the Group 2 William Hill Alister Clark Stakes. P.J.O'Brien's is inviting people whole family together and celebrate St Patrick's Day in style at The Valley. Gates open from 5.15pm. To book visit www.thevalley.com.au

What: St Patrick's Day at P.J.O'Brien's Melbourne

Where: Ground Level, Southgate Melbourne, 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank. Opposite Flinders St Station on the banks of the Yarra River.

When: Friday 17 March 2017

8:00am: Full Irish Breakfast until 11am
The Coogans: Irish acoustic duo on guitar and fiddle

10:30am: Irish Dancers from the McAleer Irish School of Dance

11:00am: Pat McKernan: Irish entertainer and singer of Irish ballads of popular tunes

12:00pm: Full lunch menu from 12pm - 3pm with dishes such as Beef & Guinness Pie, Irish Stew, McDonnell's Irish Chicken Curry, Irish pork sausage, the new Irish Parma and other traditional dishes.

1:00pm: Pipers

1:30pm: Zeon

2:30pm: Irish Dancers from the McAleer Irish School of Dance

4:00pm: Pipers

4:30pm: Marty Kelly with special guest on the fiddle

7:00pm: The Coogans: Irish acoustic duo on guitar and fiddle

10:00pm: The Bad Penguins

9pm-close: DJ Shadow

Guinness Pint Man special appearances all day!

Bar menu is available from 3pm until late.

Bookings: Bookings and prepayment essential from 8am-11am. To book for breakfast or lunch visit http://www.pjobriens.com.au/
Breakfasts are $25 per person (includes a pint of Guinness or a glass of sparkling) or $12 for the wee ones (with a soft drink)

Need more Australia - Melbourne Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...