How local Irish businesses are stepping up for St. Patrick’s Day weekend

Here are three you can support in East York to celebrate on St. Patrick's Day and the weekend

greeting cards with Gaelic/Irish text on a shelf at the Irish Design House
Irish cards showing Gaelic text in The Irish Design House, on March 7 (Claudia Lozano/Toronto Observer) 

On the weekend of March 17, the colour green will be seen all throughout the city. On clothes, on posters and even on the CN tower. The city is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, and so are many business owners who are organizing special events, menus and discounts.

According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, St Patrick’s Day is a feast day that celebrates a patron saint of Ireland. Nowadays, it is celebrated with annual parades and the day is a chance to showcase Irish celebrations.

Scattered around the city, many local businesses are Irish-owned. Here are three you can support in East York to celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day and the weekend for an authentic experience.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Toronto, 1991 taken by Ron Bull (Toronto Public Library Archives)

Kilt & Harp Pub

Craving a pint of Guinness? Head to Kilt & Harp Pub for a special St. Paddy’s day menu.

The Kilt & Harp Pub on Danforth, shown here on March 7, offers a St. Patrick’s Day menu. (Claudia Lozano/Toronto Observer)

On the corner of Moberly Avenue, a little Irish pub with a red wall opened up 11 years ago. “It has been pretty good, I’ve enjoyed it. Especially St Paddy’s Day!” said Meruyn Wallace, owner of Kilt & Harp Pub.

Inflation and the pandemic have affected the Kilt & Harp’s business, Wallace said.

“It’s going to be years until it picks up, but a lot of people aren’t spending as much money as they used to,” Wallace said. “And everything is going up. You can’t hike your prices that much because it drops your business even more.”

Located at 2046 Danforth Ave, join them on March 17 from noon to 8 p.m. Enjoy an Irish stew and a pint of green beer.

Diners can also play pool and take a stab at playing darts. There will also be a one-night special karaoke night, a first for the pub. Before the pandemic, the pub has welcomed an Irish band. So, which singer will you choose? Bono, Hozier, or Niall Horan?

Irish Design House

The Irish Design House welcomes you with a variety of artisanal work as soon as you walk into the store.

Although St. Patrick’s day isn’t as big of a gift-giving holiday as Christmas, people can find a perfect gift made in Ireland.

Products such as candles, clothes, and birthday cards can be found. 

The store, with its Irish music playing, makes customers feel like they are in an authentic Irish boutique, as a customer service worker explained. 

Located at 756 Queen St. E., this Irish store started as a pop-up in August 2014, but quickly settled permanently in the Riverside neighbourhood. The store is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesdays to Fridays, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.

Irish Design House store on Queen St E, March 7 (Claudia Lozano/Toronto Observer)

Allen’s 

Allen’s on the Danforth has been open since 1987, and as an Irish restaurant, special dishes will be made for St Patrick’s Day. 

A variety of choices are on the menu like the famous Irish stew and roasted lambs. Close to Broadview station, located at 143 Danforth Ave. from 11:30 pm to midnight.

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Posted: Mar 19 2023 12:00 pm
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Filed under: News Spotlight On Small Biz Things to do