Maybe Just Close Your Restaurant on St. Patrick’s Day

Everybody knows that drunk people make the worst restaurant guests. For restaurants hoping to leave their floors un-vomited-upon this St. Patrick’s Day, follow the lead of lauded Savannah chef Mashama Bailey and just skip it. In an Instagram post, her restaurant, the Grey, announced it would be closed for the holiday, and offered the following explanation: “While we love a good #party as much as the next person, we also treasure our sanity.” Hard same.

It’s worth noting that St. Patrick’s Day is a Big Thing in Savannah. Half a million people are expected to visit this weekend, according to a recent report, which is more than three times the city’s actual population. “Picture 2 a.m. at a bar in New York City’s East Village. Multiple that by 9,000, subtract 10 years from my life, and add a waterfront, no open container rules, and really lax fake ID policy. That's what St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah is like,” says Eater managing editor and Georgia native Sonia Chopra.

Other restaurants in Savannah roll the dice. Top Chef judge Hugh Acheson’s local restaurant, the Florence, will be staying open this year. “But we are far from the fray,” the chef tells Eater, “and the chance of getting thrown up on or served green beer are minimal.” Good luck, Savannah restaurant workers, our thoughts are with you.

• @TheGreySavannah [Instagram]