Councilor urges Rochester businesses to stop promoting St. Patrick's Day parties

Rochester City Council Member Nick Campion is urging several businesses advertising St. Patrick’s Day parties to rethink their plans.

A handful of establishments — including Dooley’s Pub and Legends Bar — had been circulating materials promoting drink specials up until 5 p.m. today. One such advertisement, posted by Legends, said: “The governor says all bars have to close at 5:00 pm 3-17-2020 so we want to send our loyal customers away for the next 10 days with a big party to remember.”

[Update: Campion wrote Tuesday that he has since talked with managers from Dooley’s and Legends. Both conversations were productive, he said, and the establishments have worked to change some of their messaging.]

Five o’clock is when Gov. Tim Walz has ordered all bars, restaurants and other public gathering places to begin closing down. The order, which lasts 10 days, was enacted in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Please take this seriously,” said Campion. “Every person that is infected is likely to cause the businesses to stay closed longer. Every bar and restaurant should be upset by these last minute gatherings because, not only do they put lives at risk, they cause all businesses to have to stay closed longer as the community manages the pandemic.”

In an email to stakeholders Tuesday, the Rochester Downtown Alliance sought to reinforce the message coming out of City Hall.

“While we understand today is St. Patrick’s Day and many of you had celebrations planned at your businesses, the health and safety of our community should be everyone’s first priority. The City of Rochester strongly encourages businesses to honor the spirit of this executive order early and to minimize large gatherings prior to 5pm today.”

Cover graphic via Dooley’s Facebook page [since been taken down]