Why Wednesday Night is the New Friday

As we gear up for turkey day, there’s another holiday tradition that’s been gaining steam for a solid 20 years—the night before Thanksgiving, aka “Drinksgiving,” aka “Blackout Wednesday,” aka “Thanksgiving Eve.” Over time, it’s become the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season, and for a good reason. Let’s dive into why this Wednesday night has begun to rival New Years and St. Paddy’s as the best party night of the year.

Back to the Roots

So, why has the night before Thanksgiving turned into an absolute rager? Well, it’s all about timing, and a bunch of fired-up college students. You see, as all these young scholars set aside their finger-paint and return home for break, they quickly realize that they’re locked-up with their parents. And what better way to spend that first night with your loving parents than to escape immediately and go party with idiot friends at a local dive-bar? Absolutely none.

The Perfect Storm for a Celebration

What makes this night uniquely awesome? First off, no work, or classes, on Thursday–it’s a federal holiday. Secondly, most of us don’t have any family responsibilities until the turkey hits the table. True, setting the table and kissing Grandma might be a touch difficult when you’re hungover, but it sure beats the alternative.

The History

They say Drinksgiving wasn’t really recognized until 2007. That’s about when the term started showing up in the interweb. But if you talk to some salty BarWarriors, they’ll tell you that that’s total bullshit. These Old Salts have provided 100% verification that, as younger idiots, they were partying to the max as far back as the early 90’s. That’s when Gen-X could throw down without worrying that the photo of them puking Jager from their nose would end up on HR’s hot desk.

But since those ancient, pre-historic times, the party has been surging thanks to social media. We grabbed these numbers from the Tampa Bay Times: “2017 beer sales went up 270% and liquor sales went up 114% on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving compared to the week before in 2016. Food sales only went up 28% in the same time period.”

Honestly, those Tampa numbers aren’t that impressive. It was probably a handful of CENTCOM bros using the command credit card to crush happy hour at Bad Monkey.

Social Media Frenzy

Seriously though, Instagram and Snapchat have caused Drinksgiving to blow up. Everyone’s posting stupid shit under their anon accounts. Usually it’s a pic about an epic reunion or hometown dive, which sure beats our FB stream of adorable babies and suburban BBQ’s. Not only do we fully support the quest to find out who is the ultimate BarWarrior, we also realize that posting is a great way for us to remember where we parked last night. So be on the lookout for hashtags like #Drinksgiving and #ThanksgivingEve flooding your feeds.

A Word of Caution

Now, while it’s all fun and games, it’s super important to remember to party responsibly. Make sure you’ve got a designated driver or a ride-share app handy. No one wants their Thanksgiving ruined by bad decisions made on Drinksgiving. And please hydrate! The last time we tried to sweat it out on Thanksgiving morning, we shot off the treadmill and hit our head on the weight rack. Concussions really amplify the tryptophan.

Why Does It All Matter?

Because it’s awesome. And you’re awesome. Have fun, stay safe, and Happy Drinksgiving!

SUMMARY:

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, often referred to as “Thanksgiving Eve,” “Drinksgiving,” or “Black Wednesday,” has become known as one of the biggest party nights of the year in the United States. There are several reasons and historical factors that contribute to this phenomenon:

1. Family and Friends Return Home: Thanksgiving is a time when many people travel back to their hometowns to be with family. Wednesday night becomes a prime opportunity for reunions with high school friends, extended family members, and others who have returned for the holiday. Bars and local establishments capitalize on this influx of returning locals by hosting events or special promotions.
2. A Non-Working Thursday: Since Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, most people don’t have work on Thursday, making Wednesday night a convenient time to socialize and relax without worrying about work commitments the next day.
3. College Students on Break: Thanksgiving break for college students typically starts on Wednesday or even earlier in the week. This means that college students, often a significant demographic in nightlife and bar scenes, are available and eager to take advantage of a night out.
4. Kickoff to the Holiday Season: Thanksgiving Eve unofficially marks the beginning of the festive holiday season. This time of the year is associated with celebration, relaxation, and social gatherings, setting the tone with a night of revelry.
5. Escape from Holiday Stress: For many, the preparation for Thanksgiving Day can be quite stressful, involving cooking, cleaning, and hosting duties. Going out on Wednesday night offers a chance to unwind and take a break from these preparations.