Cab Company Offers Free Rides On St. Patrick’s Day

What’s St. Patrick’s Day without a drink or two with close friend’s and family?

Pubs across the desert are packed with patrons ringing in the Irish holiday.

The mood was festive at Dickie O’Neal’s Irish Pub and Restaurant of Palm Springs.

So, what’s the best part of St. Patrick’s Day?

“The beer,” said Josh Downs.

Tiffany Chavez bought a glass of green beer, which is a Bud Light with green dye.

“I promised my brother he’s all the way in Colorado, and I promised him that I would be at the Irish pub and I would drink a green beer for him,” said Chavez.

The most popular item on the menu was of course corned beef and cabbage.

“Without corned beef and cabbage, it’s not St. Patrick Day,” said Helica Perez.

Patrons also took extra precautions to be safe.

Many of them walked to the pub rather than drive.

Others are called cabs to pick them up.

Managers at Dickie O’Neal’s said they would even go as far as to book patrons a hotel room if they determine the patron couldn’t make it home.

“The cops are gonna be out tonight,” said Joey Leffel, a co-owner of Dickie O’Neals. “We have a partnership for $69 to reserve a room over at the Shiloh Inn, which is a block away.”

American Cab Co. is offering free taxi rides until 2 a.m.

The cab will you up from any bar or restaurant in any of the nine cities in the Coachella Valley and take you to your home.

“Whether you’re slightly impaired or you’re over the limit or think you’ve had too much at all, we want to make sure people get home safe,” said Andrea Carter, with American Cab Co.

But don’t forget to have a great time.

On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish.

“Irish Mexican all the way,” said Chavez.

The number to American Cab Company’s dispatch center is (760) 322-4444.

Several law enforcement agencies including the San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department are holding DUI checkpoints.

So, use that number — better to be safe than sorry.