BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- St. Patrick's Day is a chance to act wild and dress wild.

"It's a chance to meet people, gather and have fun and enjoy each other," said a man named Izzy.

Local Irish pubs like McMurphy's and Tam O'Shanter enjoy the business, which they say triples on this day.

"It jumps up a lot. We can't hold everybody inside that's why we open out to the parking lot," said Angie Bauer or McMurphy's.

And while the younger crowd may end the night late enjoying their green beer, it's the older crowd ABC 23 found starting the party early.

ABC 23 found Edward Potter and Joan Neal drinking around noon.

"I haven't got too many more years left and I want to make the most of all of them," said Potter.

"I didn't think it was too early to drinking. I just thought we were going to drink all day and all evening," said Neal.

And when she's done? "I'll have to call my grandson to pick me up. He's at college, he'll come pick up his nana and we'll go home," said Neal.

And while not everyone is as responsible, pubs and bars are making sure to be responsible if their patrons get too drunk.

"First, we'll cut him off," said Bauer.

"We volunteer to drive them or get them a cab or ask for a number to call their relatives," said Manny Mendez of Tam O'Shanter.

"We just want everybody to have a fun and safe time," said Bauer.