St. Patrick’s Day is over. A police spokesman said crowds were moderate. Business was good for the food and drink industry. There were no major problems.
The Seal Beach Police Department arrested 11 people for public intoxication on Sunday, March 17, “which I think is unusual for St. Patrick’s Day,” said Sgt. Ron Lavelle.
He said the Seal Beach Lions Club provided 101 people with rides home between 2:30 and 11 p.m., using three vans.
According to a Lions Club press release, the bars became quiet at 11 p.m., so the ride service ended that night.
The police were out in force, as they always are on St. Patrick’s Day.
Police set up shop on Central Avenue at Main, next to Javatinis, as they always do.
Police Chief Joe Stilinovich was there in the afternoon along with his officers. Grant money helps pay for the annual cost of the St. Patrick’s Day police presence on Main.
With four Irish bars and several restaurants licensed to sell alcohol, tourists and residents flock to Seal Beach Main Street to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint.
“I can say St. Patrick’s Day was interesting,” Lavelle said.
Lavelle, who is the public information officer for the Seal Beach Police Department, described the St. Patrick’s Day crowds as moderate.
Lavelle’s estimate was subjective. He did not venture to guess the number of people who came to Main Street Sunday.
“It never looked super crowded,” Lavelle said.
He said all four of Main Street’s Irish bars—O’Malley’s, Hennessey’s, Clancy’s and the Irisher—had lines of revelers waiting to get in during the day.
Lavelle said there were lines outside O’Malley’s and Hennessey’s for almost 12 hours, from 11 a.m. To 10:30 p.m.
“O’Malley’s appeared to consistently have the longest line,” Lavelle said. When he looked inside The Hangout, that restaurant seemed to have a substantial number of customers inside, Lavelle said. “I think for the most part, the taverns did pretty well for themselves.”
