How To Drink Like An Irishmen And Enjoy The All-Day St. Paddy’s Celebration
The party starts early – it’s one of the few times it’s acceptable to have a beer with breakfast – and goes until your eyes roll back into the head.
Hopefully, there’s a pillow to catch your fall.
It’s St. Patrick’s Day and it’s one of the biggest party days of the year. It’s when hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people (depending on one’s location) go out and celebrate.
Many cities have parades – some massive, such as Boston, Chicago, New York and Savannah, Ga. – and everywhere Irish bars are packed from opening time to closing time.
Even for party veterans, lasting all day and night can be a challenge. And that’s not the point, anyway, for St Patrick’s Day is all about enjoying the moment. Or actually the moments, because there are many.
The worst thing you can do is go down early, missing much of the fun.
Top 6 Drinking Tips For St. Patrick’s Day Survival
1.) Eat Before Drinking. This is the most critical tip. Once you get going, food choices are going to be limited, plus you’re not likely be game to interrupt the partying and drinking to eat. Plus, once you are drunk, no amount of food is going to make you sober, or even sober you up a bit. The best way to last a long time drinking is to eat a good, filling meal before you start partying. And at the end of that meal, have a banana.
2.) Start Slowly With Your Drinking Pace. Ease into those first few beers. Sip them. Savor them. Save the pounding for later, so when things crank up, you’ll be reaching your party peak.
3.) Avoid Shots, At Least initially. There’s always some ringleader who tries to get the group going by doing shots of Irish whiskey right off the bat. Avoid this; as above, save it for later. Shots are the fastest way to going down early, so pick your spots.
4.) Have Occasional Waters With Your Beers. This is easier said than done, but even if you carry a bottle with you, drink water. Do it when you start to feel your first buzz, then again when that buzz resurfaces with a bit of a stronger feeling. Do this at least three times, and particularly after a shot, in the first couple of hours. Having water at this important early time will extend your day and maybe even help you make into the night.
5.) Avoid Drinking Games Like Flip Cup. This is a fast track to passing out early. If you’re going to do it, wait until late in the afternoon when you’re already buzzed and have been out a while.
6.) Treat The Day As A Marathon, Not A Race. Let the losers down multiple shots, kill their beers and act like the bad-ass partier. You watch, they will be the first ones staggering around the bar. And also the first ones kicked out of the bar. This is one day when the bar staff and management is quick with the hook, so don’t be one of those who are forced out of the party.
Remember, to have the most fun on St. Patrick’s Day, treat it like it is, a marathon of good times, not a race to get drunk.
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