Pubs, bars and social groups in Sheffield look forward to a ‘great craic’ this St Patrick’s Day.

Some pubs and bars in Sheffield have live music on today, such as Katie O’Brien’s, The Grapes and Perch Brewhouse. Many have also started handing out Guinness-branded hats for the occasion.

Nick Simmonite, 56, ambassador for Sheffield for the Night-Time Industries Association and chair of Sheffield’s UNIGHT, said: “We’ve been working together for the last at least 25 years to put something on; a bit of a St. Pat’s party.

“We’re just coming out of winter, spring’s around the corner, Guinness is flowing, a few Jameson’s, the odd bottle of Tullamore and we’re away.

“We’ll be gearing up for something more like a weekend night tonight. It can be messy, but we’ll look after people.”

Aleisha Robertson, 25, manager at Katie O’Brien’s, said they are hoping to get a bigger crowd through the doors this year, even though this year’s event is on a Monday.

Evan Norton, 26, trainee assistant manager at Katie O’Brien’s, said: “Some people as well have probably booked work off tomorrow or today, specifically for St. Patrick’s Day just to go out.

“You’d be surprised at how many people actually do that.”

The Fox and Duck’s manager, Alex Dallas-Brown, 30, said the two universities in Sheffield help to “create an amazing atmosphere” and that St. Patrick’s Day started early this year.

The Broomhill Tavern’s manager, Alex Kelsey, 31, said: “It’s always a great way for people young and old to be social and enjoy sharing stories about their Irish relatives or friends.”

Cáitlín Ní Dhuibhir, 22, president of the Irish Society at the University of Sheffield, said that pub culture on St Patrick’s Day is not overly important, but it is a great way to celebrate and be proud of Irish culture.

She said: “Sometimes it can feel a bit lonely as there aren’t very many of us, but a lot of us are in our county jerseys and things like that to show a bit of subtle pride today, myself included.”