Police boosted as 1000 people attend Monday night drinks at Knox’s soon-to-close Irish pub

More than 1000 people have braved the cold and queued for hours for final Monday night drinks at their beloved Seamus O’Toole’s Irish Pub.

Some of the 1000-plus patrons queueing for what could have been their last night at The IrIsh. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Partygoers have packed Knox Ozone, as management at the precinct’s popular Seamus O’Toole’s pub prepare to call last drinks.

More than 1000 people lined up tonight to get into the pub, which is set to close this week after 17 years.

Regulars of “The Irish” began lining up at 6pm, and the 470-capacity venue was full at 8pm.

The long line stretched back 100m towards JB Hi-Fi, and those queing up faced a wait of more than 90 minutes.

Some decided to avoid the long line and head to nearby LouLous bar instead.

Those lucky enough to get inside enjoyed old-school hits and party anthems from a DJ, and pints galore of Guinness.

Westfield Knox centre manager Kristian Nicholls said last week the pub would close “later this month”.

While the venue is tipped to serve last drinks on Sunday, management has yet to officially confirm the venue will shut its doors.

Darren Bell, Peg Sanders and Joyce Webb line up.

Last night’s turnout was amplified by Facebook event ‘The Last Goodbye’, created by pub regular Jackson Griffiths .

“Obviously it’s overwhelming how many people have responded,” Mr Griffiths said.

Knox police Sergeant Mark Preston said 12 extra officers were rostered on to monitor the large crowds.

He said his officers were adequately prepared to cover any public order issues.

Police monitor the crowd around 11:30pm.

Sources say the pub might be going out with a bang, and close on May 27 as Monday is its biggest night of the week.

But Mr Griffiths said he understood the pub would still close on the widely-tipped closing date of this Sunday, June 2.

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The pub’s official Facebook page was deleted last week and staff did not say if the venue was closing tonight when contacted by Knox Leader this morning.

Ringwood’s Orange Whip nightclub and The Irish’s Knox Ozone neighbour LouLous plan to start weekly Monday night events to fill the void from next week.

Mr Griffiths said he understood most of The Irish’s Monday night crew are involved in Orange Whip’s new event, dubbed ‘Back Alley Social’.

Regulars Daniel Murphy and Jesse Claire get into the spirit. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Rowville’s Chris Mason, 23, said he had been an Irish regular since he was 18 and met his girlfriend there.

He said he was “completely shattered” when he heard the pub would close.

“It’s the place i’ve been going to since I was 18 and growing up around here. It’s sad to see it go,” he said.

Narre Warren’s Mikayla Navahas, 18, said she had been in the line since 7.30pm and was prepared to wait even longer to get in for one last session.

“We’ve only been here a few times and I wanted to get a few more years out of it, its such an iconic pub.

“I don’t know any other reason to come here (Knox), I don’t think anything can replace it,” she said.

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