👀 Everyone’s asking about 99 King

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Top o’ the mornin’, Saint John! May your day be bright, your inbox be light, and may the wind always be at your back… unless you’re walking uptown, in which case…it’s probably not 🇮🇪.

Here’s what’s feelin’ lucky this morning:

Let’s get it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

The Saint John Region is shaped by the people who call it home, including those who have chosen to build a new life here. Our Region, Our Home shares real stories of newcomers who are helping to strengthen our communities – like Nam.

After leaving the region for school, Nam returned, drawn by the career opportunities and the chance to put down roots. As a young professional, he values connection and leans on his network of supports, knowing that building community is just as important as building his career.

🏗️ Rents revealed at 99 King

That fast-rising tower beside King Square now has its first leasing website online, giving Saint Johners a peek at what it’ll cost to live in the long-awaited 99 King Street development.

One-bedroom units start around $1,785 a month for roughly 650 square feet, while two-bedroom apartments begin around $2,400. Larger suites and penthouse units climb past $4,100 a month, depending on size and views.

The 13-storey building will include 152 apartments, underground parking, ground-floor commercial space, and amenities like a gym and social room. About 32 units are planned as affordable housing through provincial programs.

After sitting as a hole in the ground for years, construction has been moving quickly thanks to prefabricated concrete panels being installed floor by floor. 

Tenants are expected to begin moving in sometime next year.

🍀 Saint John’s Irish roots run deep

Saint John has long claimed the title of Canada’s most Irish city, and the history helps explain why. By 1871, more than half of the city’s population was Irish in origin, the result of several waves of immigration through the Port of Saint John in the 1800s.

One of the largest surges came in 1847, when more than 15,000 Irish immigrants arrived in the city, many fleeing the Great Famine. In a historical piece published by the Irish Canadian Cultural Association of New Brunswick, writer Gay Fanjoy notes that those waves of immigration would permanently shape the social, economic, and political life of Saint John.

There was even an early proposal to name the new province New Ireland. It didn’t stick, but considering Saint John’s Irish roots, the suggestion wasn’t exactly far-fetched.

🎟️ We’ve got Fly Fishing Film Festival tickets

Last week we told you about the International Fly Fishing Film Festival returning to Wasted Day Brewing on March 22, bringing a lineup of short films about fishing, adventure, conservation and life on the water. The daytime showing is already sold out, but a 6pm screening still has limited tickets available.

The event will also feature the Hammond River Angling Association, which will be on hand to talk about its work protecting one of the region’s most important salmon rivers.

Ticket Giveaway
Festival organizers gave SJ Today a pair of tickets for the 6pm screening, and we’re giving them away to one lucky subscriber. Take a guess in the poll below and we’ll draw a winner in Thursday’s newsletter.

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Of course we’ve got to start by sprinkling in some Irish craic, so if you’re looking for a pint and a laugh, here are a few spots around town celebrating today.

🌈 St. Patrick’s Day Party at O’Leary’s Pub Doors open at 11am and the place fills fast with live music starting at noon from Frank James, Mike Chase, Keith Facey, Ryan Gautreau, Farraige, and O’Radio Factory. Expect a packed room, plenty of pints, and that once-a-year moment where half the city insists they’re Irish. March 17.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day at O’Malley’s Irish Pub Doors open at noon with the Irish menu starting 1pm featuring corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, rolls and dessert. Live music runs 3-11pm with a $5 cover starting at 4:30pm. Heads up… it’s cash only. March 17.

🥃 St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Whiskey Pairing at Thandi A five-course Irish-inspired dinner paired with premium whiskey, plus live music from Frank James and the Irish Trio. March 17.

🎻 St. Patrick’s Day Live Music at Cask & Kettle Sorcha’s Gunn plays Irish classics and sing-along favourites with shows in KV (4-6pm) and Uptown (7-9pm). March 17.

🍻 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Foghorn Brewing Two live music sets keep the toes tapping with traditional Irish tunes and pub favourites. First come, first served seating. March 17.

🎭 Theatre Talk Tuesday

The Play That Goes Wrong | March 18–21
Saint John Theatre Company brings the award-winning comedy The Play That Goes Wrong to the Imperial Theatre March 18–21. The production follows a troupe of amateur actors trying to stage a mystery play—while everything imaginable falls apart on stage. Evening performances begin at 7:30pm, with an additional 2pm matinee on March 21. Tickets are available through the Imperial Theatre box office.

James Mullinger Work-in-Progress Show | March 19
Comedian James Mullinger stops at Long Bay Brewery in Rothesay on March 19 at 7pm for a rare work-in-progress performance where he’ll test brand-new material ahead of an upcoming TV recording. The 70-minute show promises a rough-and-ready look at how stand-up comes together, with Mullinger openly trying jokes that may or may not survive the night.

Laughter All Around #4 | March 22
Picaroons General Store hosts the fourth edition of Laughter All Around on March 22 from 8–10pm, bringing a lineup of New Brunswick comics together in the venue’s circular performance setup. The show features Jon Forward, Arif Hussain, Ryan Whittaker, and Jason Gary, with host Jason Guptill guiding the night of stand-up.

Coming soon…

St. Malachy’s Presents The Sound of Music | March 26-28
Students from St. Malachy’s Memorial High School bring the classic musical The Sound of Music to the stage March 28 from 7–9:30pm at the school on Leinster Street. The production features beloved songs like Do-Re-Mi and My Favorite Things while telling the story of Maria and the von Trapp family as they navigate life and rising tensions in Austria before the Second World War.

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📸 Derek Grant | 📍 Long Wharf

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Today’s Tides 🌊

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who has kissed the Blarney Stone and has the pic to prove it…🍀

Geoff Walsh - Publisher