Photos: St. Patrick’s Day celebration canceled due to coronavirus in Austin

Danielle Lopez, from left, Tom Corbett, Director of Operations Jeff Stringer, owner John Erwin and Joe Badalamenti commiserate outside B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub at Mueller on Tuesday, after the St. Patrick’s Day celebration was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. The city of Austin closed all restaurants and bars due to the coronavirus on Tuesday. [JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN]

John Erwin, the owner of B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub at Mueller, contemplates the closure of his pub on Tuesday, after his St. Patrick’s Day celebration was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. The city of Austin closed all restaurants and bars due to the coronavirus on Tuesday. “We had 366 days this year, and this had to happen today,” he said. “The timing couldn’t have been worse but who can pick when you have a pandemic. Three weeks ago we were expecting this place to be crowded wall to wall. Now look at us.” But Erwin said he isn’t giving up. “We’re going to have a St. Patrick’s Day celebration but it’s not going to be today,” he said. [JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN]

Ken Baldwin, left, a bartender at B.D. Riley's Irish Pub at Mueller, consoles owner John Erwin on Tuesday, after his St. Patrick's Day celebration was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. [JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN]

Joe Badalamenti and Danielle Lopez wait for their shepherd’s pie to-go at B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub at Mueller on Tuesday, after the St. Patrick’s Day celebration was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. The city of Austin closed all restaurants except for curbside service due to the coronavirus on Tuesday. [JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN]

A spray bottle of cleaning solution replaces a pint of Guinness at B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub at Mueller on Tuesday, after the St. Patrick’s Day celebration was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. [JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN]