While it may be expected to see crowded bars on a Friday or Saturday night, one Charlottetown pub is drawing in customers at a different time of day.

The Olde Dublin Pub’s Saturday Sociables series has been packing the bar on Saturday afternoons between 2 and 5 with live music and entertainment.

Nick Holland, operating partner at the Olde Dublin and Claddagh Oyster House, said the business has been full every week.

“[It’s] great to have a slower day part turned into our busiest time of week,” Holland said.

The Olde Dublin is part of a growing trend of daytime social events, which has people across the country rethinking the norms of traditional nightlife culture and challenging the idea that celebrations must happen after dark.

“There’s a couple of places that we saw in other markets move things to a daytime crowd and we were probably one of the first to… elevate it in this town and market,” said Holland.

Saturday Sociables has been taking place at the Olde Dublin every weekend since Christmas. The last social event of this series is set for March 28.

‘A Saturday night vibe’

The idea behind Saturday Sociables started a few years ago, said Trent Birt, one of the organizers.

The success of Rankin’s Winter Warmers, a similar event held in Halifax, is what really triggered organizers, Birt said.

“We just felt as though a little older demographic was looking for something to do on a Saturday,” he said, noting the events are geared toward those 45 and up.

“It’s more or less of a Saturday night vibe on a… Saturday afternoon.”

An earlier start — and end — is something that appeals to many of the event’s attendees.

“I hate to admit it, but I’m in the older demographic and, you know, it’s nice to be home at six o’clock in the evening,” said Wayne Higgins, who attended his second Saturday Sociable this past weekend.

“It’s a nice way to get out. You don’t have to spend the whole night being out and dragging yourself the next day,” he said, adding there are lots of people his own age that attend the afternoon events. 

“It just brings more people out. P.E.I. has such musical talent here. It’s amazing and you cannot help but have a good time.”

‘We need to be talking to one another’

For Brad McLean, a heavy equipment operator from Cape Breton, attending Saturday Sociables provides an opportunity to be the “friendship guy.”

“I’m going around sharing a bit of love to everybody and trying to make some new friends and share some positivity,” he said.

McLean said he’s been to two Saturday Sociable events, and the sense of community he’s felt has made him want to move to the Island.

“The first time I came in I was overwhelmed by the friendliness and the love and the support I got from everybody,” he said.

“This time around, I feel like it’s even more of a family atmosphere. It’s like people are so supportive and want to have fun and talk and drink and it’s amazing.”

When it comes to social events like the ones at the Olde Dublin, McLean said they’re very important.

“People need it, whether we realize it or not… I need it, you need it, we need to be talking to one another.”

McLean said when he moves to P.E.I., he will continue to be a regular attendee at the events. 

“This is my new home.”