Seven questions for a (real!) Irish barkeep

Ever wonder what it’s like to work behind the bar during St. Patrick’s Day revelries? We caught up with Jim — a pro bartender and manager of Molly’s Pub and Shebeen in Gramercy to give us the scoop. Not only is he a native Irishman hailing from Derby City, but he’s been pouring drinks in Gotham for 16 years.

So, how does St. Patrick’s Day in NYC compare to Ireland?
St. Patrick’s Day is not a big situation in Ireland. It’s a religious holiday — there’s a parade in Dublin that lasts about 45 minutes and that’s it.

What’s St. Patrick’s Day looking like this year at the pub?
I’ve ordered 30 barrels of Guinness for the day alone. It’s a terrible tipping day. The regulars don’t come in. We get a lot of people from out of town, like Jersey or upstate.

Are there any orders that make you cringe?
“Irish” Car Bombs — they’re terrible.

Does that drink even exist in Ireland?
Nope. Purely an American invention!

How drunk do people get on the 17th?
People have a good time but we never had to throw anyone out.

Witnessed any memorable drunken incidents?
You don’t want to know. It’s a day when firemen are very much appreciated. They get a lot of special attention, and I’ll leave it at that.

What about alcohol-induced hook ups?
I’m too busy to notice. We do get a lot of nice ladies in here. Oh, and nice gentlemen too.

Molly's Pub & Shebeen, 287 Third Ave., 212-889-3361