Let’s face it, you’re going to drink on St. Patrick’s Day. And you’re probably going to drink quite heavily. Probably a lot more than you usually booze on Sundays. But since the holiday falls on a weekend day, you’re more likely to tie one on this year. It makes sense. Everywhere you look there’ll be green beer, Irish stouts and whiskeys, and all the cabbage and corned beef you can stuff into your gaping maw.
But if you just wake up, start chugging Irish Car Bombs, and run face first into St. Patrick’s Day, you’re going to either be asleep by noon or have a really bad, hangover-filled Monday morning at work. And nobody wants to sit through a Monday morning office meeting after a day of binge-drinking Jame-o and Baileys.
That’s why we asked some of our favorite bartenders to tell us their tips to ensure that you have a fun, safe, and hangover-free St. Patrick’s Day.
Be nice to your bartender
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Brian Murphy, founder of The WhiskyX
“On St. Patrick’s Day, as every day, be nice to your bartender. You have to have a Guinness and Irish Whisky — there are so many great ones. But be responsible. There’s no need for that Monday morning hangover.”
Stay home
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Jack Keane, bartender at Sundry and Vice in Cincinnati
“What advice do I have for novice drinkers on St. Patrick’s Day? Stay home. If you have to be out, remember that it’s a marathon and not a sprint. Don’t forget the water.”
Take an Uber
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Chloe Doyle, tap room manager at Independence Brewing Co. in Austin, Texas
“Don’t drive. At all. Grab a ride out and get a ride home. The amateurs are out and they think they’re still good to drive after bar hopping to 12 different bars.”
Don’t forget to eat breakfast
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Melinda Cooper, bartender at Brasserie by Niche in St. Louis
“East breakfast, stay hydrated and take a B12 vitamin before you start. You’re going for longevity here. Don’t be afraid to lay off the sauce for ten minutes and have a soda. Worst comes to worst, try to have a banana, a glass of water, and a couple of ibuprofen before you pass out.”
Pace yourself
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Daniel Condliffe, bartender at JSix in San Diego
“Unless you’re working and have to show up at the end of the night when everyone is already past gone (like most bartenders) holidays are usually an all-day ordeal. Be sure to keep up with eating and water up.”
Don’t waste Guinness by chugging it
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Meredith Barry, beverage manager at Grand Tavern by David Burke in St. Louis
“If you find yourself with a Guinness and Jameson in front of you…do not be persuaded to chug…you will lose. Also, drink water and eat food, please. You want to last the whole day and have memories of it”
Avoid Shots
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H Joseph Ehrmann, owner of Elixir in San Francisco
“What advice do I have for novice drinkers on St. Patrick’s Day? Sip good Irish whiskey (seek out Single Pot Still) alongside your favorite beer. Avoid shots.”
Eat throughout the day
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Sam Vause, general manager at Brim House in Toledo
“Take it slow, keep your wits about you, and eat eat eat! Proteins break down carbohydrates. Stick to an Irish Jiggs dinner with lots of beautiful meats and stay away from pasta.”
Have fun
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Nick Fogel, beverage director of The Late Late in New York City
“Drink high-quality Irish whiskeys and savor them. Have fun. Drinking on Saint Patrick’s day is about community and friendship so take your time and don’t make yourself sick by drinking too much too quickly.”
