After 32 years in business, one of Boston’s most iconic establishments, The Purple Shamrock is scheduled to close September 15, but not without one last hurrah. In true Shamrock fashion, a week of traditional Irish festivities has been planned to send the beloved watering hole off in style.
To help Bostonians bid adieu by way of whiskey, instead of whining, the Purple Shamrock will host an Irish Wake on September 13. An empty casket, trailed by bag pipers, will parade its way to a final resting place inside the Purple Shamrock where the food, music and stout will flow freely, helping to drown the sorrows of patrons as they reminisce about the good days shared amongst friends. Prayer cards will be distributed and a purple wake guestbook will be displayed at the door for guest to pay their respects and sign as they arrive. Limited edition “Last Call” Purple Shamrock T-shirts will also be available for purchase.
Kicking off the closing week, the Purple Shamrock will host local musician and Shamrock favorite Jim Plunkett for the last time on September 8from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Plunkett has been entertaining patrons at the Purple Shamrock on Thursday nights for 24 years. The happy hour performance is sure to memorable. In addition Samuel Adams will be on site beginning at 2 p.m. for a Stein Hoisting event.
September 15 not only marks the half-way point to St. Patrick’s Day, but is fittingly the Purple Shamrock’s last official night of business. To pay homage to the bar’s most celebrated holiday, “Last Call” at the Purple Shamrock will feature a full St. Patty’s Day menu, complete with green beer and live music. The Purple Shamrock encourages all to dress in their best St. Patrick’s Day garb and celebrate the tradition and success of the famed institution, right on up to last call!
“For 32 years the Purple Shamrock has brought people from all over together,” says Paul Wilson, director of operations at The Glynn Group. “While we are sad to see the Shamrock close on September 15, we are excited about some possibilities of a reincarnation in the future.”
