Irish music blared as children of all ages took to the stage to perform traditional dance as the crowd clapped them in time.

The room was a sea of green with hats, wigs, football jerseys and shamrocks the popular choice.

The kitchen specials, not surprisingly, were beef and Guinness pie and Irish stew.

General manager Marek Bilski said they served a week's worth of food in one day and expected to pour well over 1000 pints of Guinness.

Jan Andrews, originally from Belfast but who now calls Canberra home, brought her father Patrick Ellwood to the club to enjoy a piece of home.

"The club has really captured the essence of freedom, community and Ireland," Mrs Andrews said.

"It's a place for people with a like background that Canberra is all about, it's part of the multiculturalism we have that we need to embrace and celebrate."

She said celebrating St Patrick's Day in Canberra was just like back in Ireland - just with more Australian accents.

One of Mrs Andrew's friends, Mick Uren, reminisced about visiting Ireland and feeling at home the second he stepped off the plane. He said that was the spirit St Patrick's Day embodied, that everyone was welcome and could come together for a good time.

Lori and Alf Charlton have been life members of the club since it moved to Weston in the 1980s and have barely missed a St Patrick's Day since.

Mr Charlton said he didn't need any excuse to enjoy a Guinness which is his drink of choice year round.

Mrs Charlton added it was full of protein and was good for the blood which was why in the north of England it was given to patients after surgery.

"Either that or it takes your mind off things," Mr Charlton said.