O’Malley’s Brings the Luck of the Irish to Woodbury

The Irish pub will host events from March 11-18 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

By: Avery Cropp | From the issue: March 2012

Photo: Courtesy of O'Malley's Irish Pub

O'Malley's Fish and Chips

Though many Minnesotans who long for the luck of the Irish on March 17 attend the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in St. Paul, Woodbury residents know something that the rest might not: the best St. Patrick’s Day celebration may be just 10 minutes away at O’Malley’s Irish Pub.

“Usually throughout St. Patrick’s Day we’re at capacity during the whole day. People come in for the bloody mary bar and breakfast and then go to St. Paul for the parade.” Says Sarah Heiller, one of the restaurant managers. “I work every year and I’ve had people come in two or three weeks later and tell me ‘you didn’t even say hi to me,’ and I say ‘I didn’t even know you were here.’ We’re usually three to four deep at the bar, and it’s a lot of fun.”

This family-owned restaurant pays homage to all things Irish throughout the year. During the week leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, they celebrate with increased specials and events, open to anyone who wants to share in the ambiance of an authentic Irish pub.

O’Malley’s opened on St. Patrick’s Day in 2005 and has been going strong ever since. Folks will find a little bit of everything for everyone on the Irish/American menu, corned beef, Guinness and Green Beer included.

According to Heiller, St. Patrick’s Day traditions and events at O’Malley’s haven’t changed much over the years because the events they create work. The only addition has been to add a tent party with live music outside the bar to accommodate the crowd and keep the pub’s original purpose: to create friendships within the community.

“The reason O’Malley’s started—not to sound cheesy or anything—was because of a guy with a dream to open a local pub,” Heiller says. “The family moved from Wisconsin to Woodbury, and the idea behind it was to have people over and get friends and neighbors to come and meet each other.”

Heiller and Todd Hanson, another restaurant manager, say that idea has carried over to their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Neighbors and friends are invited, the O’Malley family comes to the pub, and events are tailored across all age groups throughout the week: from a kid’s day, to customer appreciation days, and a pint-glass giveaway that starts on Feb. 23.

O’Malley’s St. Patrick’s Day lineup:

Monday, March 12: Customer Appreciation Day. Parkview Chiropractic is giving free massages, and your first house drink is free.

Tuesday, March 13: Facebook customer appreciation day encourages customers to ‘like’ O’Malley’s on Facebook, or if you’re already a friend, you reap the reward of a free drink with the promo word! Tell the server or bartender the word to claim your drink.

Wednesday, March 14: 25% off all burgers.

Thursday, March 15: Last day of the pint-glass giveaway promo; stop in to make sure that you have all four.

Friday, March 16: $9.95 for our famous two-piece fish and chips with a free pint of beer all day!

Saturday, March 17: St. Patrick’s Day will be properly celebrated with an outdoor tent-party and live music.

Sunday, March 18: Kiddie St. Patrick’s Day party starts at noon. Go to O’Malley’s for lunch and enjoy face painting, balloons, crafts and fun.

St. Patrick's Day at O'Malley's Pub in Woodbury