Libation liberation has Irish eyes smiling on St Patrick’s Day

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro was overjoyed as he announced patrons of pubs were able to drink while standing, just in time for St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet enjoy St Patrick’s Day celebrations at The Mercantile Hotel in the Rocks, Sydney. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“I‘m not sure if it’s the luck of the Irish or the citizens of NSW, but today we get to stand and have a beer.”

Deputy Premier John Barilaro was overjoyed on Wednesday as he announced patrons of pubs were able to drink while standing, just in time for St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Or “participate in the vertical consumption of ­alcohol” in COVID-speak.

Almost exactly a year ago, pubs across the state called “last drinks” for an unforeseen period of time.

With only a day’s notice, on March 23, 2020, pints were stored away and doors were slammed shut, leaving hospitality venue owners in a state of disbelief as foot traffic shrivelled up.

“It was devastating, to be perfectly honest,” Mick Comerford, general manager of the The Mercantile Hotel said. “We wondered if we should throw all our beer down the sink.”

His Irish pub is located in the Rocks, near the Sydney CBD. The business is dependent on tourists and corporate workers, which have been virtually non-existent throughout the pandemic.

The news that people could stand while drinking on St Patrick’s Day was music to the Irish native’s ears. “We have a very busy, nice vibe here today,” Mr Comerford said. “We were getting very sick of telling people off when they were standing up, so to be packed with standing customers brings a real sense of freedom.”

Hospitality venues like pubs, bars and clubs still cannot exceed one person per 2sq m. Previously, patrons had to remain seated at all times.

The NSW government has continued to tout its ability to prioritise public health and safety alongside preservation of the state economy.

“Ireland is still in stage five lockdown, where you can’t even go out to get a coffee” Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said alongside Mr Barilaro at The Mercantile on Wednesday. “That gives you some perspective of how blessed and lucky we are to live in this country, in this state.”

Later, Mr Perrottet and Mr Barilaro stood side-by-side and chugged a pint of Guinness.

Meanwhile, in Victoria, AFL fans have been banned from standing in their seats when crowds return to Marvel Stadium this weekend.

The hospitality industry has been hard hit throughout the pandemic, and the latest announcement will provide some sense of relief.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Tuesday said thousands of quarantine workers would soon receive second doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and Phase 1B of the rollout would begin, which meant restrictions could be eased further.