“735 Days of Anticipation” is the slogan for Toronto’s largest St. Patrick’s Day party, and there’s no better way to describe the wait. As restrictions ease, Rebel Nightclub will once again be the place to be on Saturday, March 19 as SPD Guinness hosts 5,000 partiers for a day of Irish festivities, live music, and lots and lots of Guinness.
Since 2014, Guinness SPD has been Toronto’s favourite place to spend St. Patrick’s Day, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has been deprived of the event since March 2019. As one of the first large-scale events to have been cancelled, it seems fitting for the party to be one of the first to return.
“It’s just so exciting to see,” says an SPD Spokesperson. “It feels great to be part of a safe and fun event that’s coming back as we go into the busy event season in the city.”
The all-day event kicks off with a complimentary pancake breakfast featuring an all-you-can-eat Lucky Charms cereal bar—which is exactly what it sounds like. Then, the endless lineup of entertainment begins as the 45,000 square-foot waterfront venue turns into an Irish celebration with fiddlers and dancers, a photo booth and interactive games like life-sized beer pong.
The open-concept layout means there’s something for everyone. Weather pending, three patios that overlook the city will be open for outdoor games to help guests meet and mingle with other green-clad partiers. Inside, live bands take the main stage, while the city’s favourite DJs spin the hottest hip-hop and dance tracks in two side rooms.
“The venue itself is really second to none in terms of audio-visual,” says the spokesperson.
Headlining the live music will be Dave Murphy Band, and In Living Cover, who had performed at the party for the last few years before its hiatus. “They always do a really exciting time slot when the party’s really going,” says the spokesperson. “They play a bunch of great hits.”
The St. Patrick’s Day party represents a fun start to spring as Ontario begins to ease out of restrictions. “The city’s excited and the early response has been great,” says the spokesperson. “Everyone that’s involved with the event is really, really excited to get back.”
Though guests can stay all day, timed-entry tickets are required and available for purchase between $17 and $24. Private booths with bottle service are also available.
