A pub with locations in Clifton and Ramsey is offering free food for a year to any woman who honors the Irish tradition of proposing to her boyfriend on Leap Day.
The Shannon Rose Irish Pub is offering an appetizer, two entrées, a dessert, and two drinks for one meal per month over the next year to women who pop the question in honor of Bachelor’s Day, an Irish tradition that goes back to the fifth century, according to North American Irish news website Irish Central.
“We figured it would be a great offer to our local community, tying it in to our Irish roots. What we do best at the Shannon Rose is Irish hospitality,” said Marketing Manager Cailey Dimitropoulos.

Shannon Rose interior. – THE SHANNON ROSE PUB
This is the first year that the Shannon Rose Pub, which opened it’s Clifton location in 2007, has offered this deal. Dimitropoulos said that it will be honored to any woman who pops the question on Feb. 29, without a limit on participants.
Owner Ed Doherty and daughter Shannon have focused on paying homage to their Irish heritage since they first conceptualized the restaurant. Shannon spent time in Ireland doing field work by visiting pubs for menu inspiration and best practices. The Dohertys even imported all of their decorations for the Shannon Rose from Ireland, according to Dimitropoulos.
In September, the restaurant created what it calls New Jersey’s largest Irish coffee, having a 33 gallon mug with a spigot custom made to hold over 30 bottles of liquor and “gallons and gallons of coffee and cream.” It marked their halfway to St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and the restaurant had $1 Irish coffees offered all night.
“We’re just trying to be present in our community and have an offer that speaks to the community around us, always tying back to the Irish roots. We’re in February and going into our Saint Patrick’s Day season, which is our favorite time of the year,” Dimitropoulos said. “Leap year only comes every four years so this also kind of allows us to stay relevant in the conversation of what’s going on.”
Per couple, the offer is valued at $600.