"It's a day when everybody finds a little bit of Irish in them and it is a chance to get together and enjoy each other's company."
Visitors from all over the world found their way to Hennessy's and he said there were many Irish people from other parts of the country who usually celebrated in his bar.
"We have one person who comes here every year. This will be his sixth year in a row."
Mr Hennessy said patrons would - of course - all be drinking Guinness.
"We usually go through 25 kegs - six weeks' supply of Guinness - in one day."
That was below the record of 40 kegs sold during the Irish versus Russia Rugby World Cup game last year.
Rotorua's Lava Bar will open at 10am, earlier than usual. Bar manager Tony Gallacher said it was the first time they would open early. They would be serving breakfast, have specials throughout the day, plus have the usual games and giveaways.
It will be all green at Rotorua's Seismic Gastrobar, and owner Mericia Waqanimaravu said they would even serve green beer. But the most unique item would be the "one and only Irish kava" - the usual muddy-coloured kava would be turned green.
Mrs Waqanimaravu said they would have competitions and activities for patrons throughout the day.
"There's going to be heaps of competitions including finding the pot of gold, finding the leprechaun and best-dressed Irish."
Meanwhile, there'll be a St Patrick's Day Green Walk. People will celebrate the day by taking a guided Rotorua Cultural Heritage Walk which will start at 10am at the Rotorua Arts Village, 1240 Hinemaru St.
LOCAL HOTSPOTS
Lava Bar: Open 10am. Live music from lunchtime and DJ from 10pm. Closing 3am.
Hennessy's Irish Bar: Open 9am. Irish band Taste of Irish from 8pm. Closing to be decided.
Seismic Gastrobar: Open 10am. Live music including the Sam and Eric Show from 7pm. Close to be decided.
Contact Susana So on (021) 159 3601 or send an email to rotorua@newcomers.co.nz
Email: whare.akuhata@dailypost.co.nz
