BlackFinn Says Cheers to Green Beer at 7 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day

With nods from the Royal Oak Police Department and the Liquor Control Committee, city commissioners Monday voted to allow BlackFinn Restaurant & Saloon to open for business at 7 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day.

Commissioner Peggy Goodwin was the lone nay on the motion.

"This perpetuates the stereotype that the St. Patrick's holiday is a day to get up early and drink all day," Goodwin said by phone on Tuesday. "BlackFinn does not serve breakfast, so it’s all about the drinking."

Goodwin said she was also concerned about the holiday falling on a Saturday this year attracting larger than normal drinking crowds to downtown Royal Oak.

BlackFinn needed to go before commissioners because the popular pub's approved plan of operation provides the business to open no earlier than 11 a.m.

BlackFinn intends to submit a request in the near future for authorization to open earlier for other holidays and special events, attorney David Gillam said.

Duggan's Irish Pub and O'Toole's also open at 7 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day. Four Green Fields, also known for its traditional early start, closed its doors for business last May.