Why Wednesday Night is the New Friday
As we gear up for turkey day, there’s another holiday tradition that’s been steadily gaining steam for the past two decades: the night before Thanksgiving. Known far and wide as Drinksgiving, Blackout Wednesday, or just Thanksgiving Eve, this unassuming Wednesday has become the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season—and honestly, it’s starting to rival New Year’s Eve and St. Paddy’s Day as the best party night of the year. Let’s break it down.
Roots of the Holiday
So, why has the night before Thanksgiving turned into an absolute rager? Simple: timing and college kids. When college scholars put down their finger-paints and return home for Thanksgiving break, they quickly realize that they’re stuck at home with Mom and Dad. And what better way to embrace this sudden captivity than to escape immediately and party with their high school crew at the local dive bar?
Exactly—there isn’t one.
The Perfect Storm for a Celebration
What makes this night uniquely awesome? First off, it’s a federal holiday. No work and no school make Drinksgiving the perfect midweek excuse for bad decisions and unforgettable memories.
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.
And you might never know what secrets Grandma can teach you.
90’s History
They say Drinksgiving wasn’t really recognized until 2007. That’s about when the term started showing up on the interweb. But if you talk to some seasoned BarWarriors, they’ll tell you that’s total bullshit. These Old Salts have provided 100% verification that Gen-X was partying hard on Thanksgiving Eve as far back as the early 1990’s.
Ah, the 90’s, what a glorious time to be alive! A time when you could throw down without worrying about your Jäger-fueled antics ending up on HR’s desk thanks to Instagram.
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. According to them, beer sales on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving in 2017 rose by 270%, liquor sales jumped 114%, and food sales increased a meager 28% compared to the week prior. Translation? People are going to bars, not restaurants, on this sacred holiday-eve.
But, to be honest, 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.
Try a few of these extraordinary fall recipes:
A Word of Caution (Because We Care)
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. NOTE: Concussions really amplify the tryptophan.
Here are a few tips from your friendly neighborhood BarWarriors:
- Designated Drivers Are Heroes: Have one, or use a ride-share app. Seriously. Don’t mess around.
- Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Trust us, water is your best friend. A Thanksgiving hangover isn’t just painful—it’s cruel when you’ve got a turkey to carve.
- Pace Yourself: Drinksgiving is a marathon, not a sprint. Save some energy for Grandma’s pumpkin pie and whiskey the next day.
Why Does It All Matter?
Because it’s awesome. And you’re awesome. So, this Thanksgiving Eve, grab your crew, hit up your favorite local bar, and make some memories (preferably ones you’ll remember the next day).
Have fun, stay safe, and Happy Drinksgiving!
TLDR:
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
