Unusual St. Patrick’s Day in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee County, for one day at least, the luck of the Irish ran out.
The St. Patrick’s Day tradition of 6 a.m. bar openings and all-day, and allnight partying, fell victim to the coronavirus pandemic.
No green beer. No Guinness on tap. No corned beef and cabbage at the bar.
Instead of joy, music, laughter and drinking, Tuesday was met by the sound of silence, the sad sight of padlocks on the doors of some of the area’s venerable Irish-themed bars.
Gallagher’s, The Trinity, McGillycuddy’s Bar, Mo’s Irish Pub, the doors shut, the bars dark.
“Closed. See you again soon,” read the sign in the window of the door at The Trinity.
The bar owners obeyed an order from
Milwaukee County officials, who closed all bars and restaurants, until further notice.
Peering into the darkened bars, you could see glassware and stools, the green, white and orange balloons, the colors of the national flag of Ireland.
Carry-out and curbside service was still possible.
At O’Lydia’s Bar, on South First Street, they were doing carry-out only.
“I don’t even know why I’m stocking this,” said Linda Sackett, the owner, as she loaded a pull tab vending machine.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do with all the food and supplies that we’ve got for one of the busiest days of the year,” said Sackett who employs 28 people at the business. “But on that note, the safety of the population is much more important than selling a sandwich.”
It was a time for caution. There will always be another St. Patrick’s Day.