Bar closures grow as owners give up on St. Patrick’s Day plans

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Early this morning some of Santa Barbara's most popular St. Patrick's Day locations for celebrations called it off in a united way.

Messages moved quickly on social media, texting, over the phone and on their doors.

The Press Room, O'Malley's, and Old Kings Road have turned out the lights and closed. At least for the day and maybe more as it is decided by each owner.

Dargan's is closed but has Irish to go meals. Menus are out front on a table.

Joe's Cafe is also closed today for bar service and all restaurant operations.

NewsChannel 3 had reported Monday that O'Malley's was doing a deep cleaning with special solutions as part of its stepped up response to the coronavirus Covid-19. Customers were going to be limited in numbers and spacing. Now the number is zero there and many other places in the well known entertainment zone in downtown Santa Barbara.

The James Joyce and the Red Piano closed Sunday, also in the 500 block.

Many restaurants are going to take-out including Pascucci, Los Arroyos, the Chase, The Project, Santa Mezcal, Gino's pizza and Ca' Dario.

A number of craft breweries are selling their product in cans and bottles to go.

There are many lists being posted on social media including one from the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization.

(More details and video will be added here later today)