As college students we all do everything in our power to get drunk, go out and party like Rockstars in every imaginable way until we hit the ripe old age of 21. We buy fake IDs, try using older relative’s old licenses, slip money under our underage ID’s to easily persuaded bouncers and some just flirt their way in or show off the girls to distract them from looking at that birth date. When it finally happens, that infamous day we turn the big 21, all the stuff officially can hit the fan. I’m about to let you in on a few tips of how to make the most out of your coming of age with some insight into how Brandi On The Rocks did it with all the carisma and “class” I knew how.
1. Get a good group together
I flew in my best friend, had cousins, siblings and other friends from out of the area make it their business to treck up to my campus to be part of this momentous occasion. Make phone calls, create Facebook events and send out texts to everyone and their mother because this is going to be YOUR night and you want everyone who matters (and even some who don’t because let’s face it they all owe you a drink) to be a part of this night.
2. Make a plan and expect the unexpected
Pick a place you want to get some good eats in before the real drinking commences. You’re gunna need something in your belly so you can throw it up later. Then pick the first bar you want to hit. After that it’s all relative. Who cares how long you stay there or where you go next. The point is you may very well get too drunk at dinner to care. Setting up a giant plan will only set you up for disappointment in the long run seeing as spontanaetiy and drinking creates a much better willytail for success. On my 21st we ended up having to leave the first bar we were at because my brother decided it was necessary to moon the bouncer. Then when we headed to the next bar they wouldn’t let me in because my birthday was technically on Sunday and we were out Saturday night. Regardless of the fact that it was 1 am and technically Saturday they were douchebags and wouldn’t let us in. I then attempted to fight the bouncers and failed since I was barely capable of walking at that point let alone taking down two 250 lb grown men.
3. Make sure you got beds
We booked a hotel room not far from campus but right in the downtown area right next to all the best bars. This allows any of your friends that live on campus or in houses nearby to get back home but allows you maximum party capabilities, the option for hotel after party and space for all your additional out-of-towners. While it’s all good and normal to have 10 random friends come and sleep on the floor/cushions of your couch/that chair you have/in your bed with you…let’s spring for an extra room this time and make it a little easier and more comfortable.
4. Make sure everyone knows its your big 21 (not that I even need to remind you to do that)
Tell the bouncers, the bartender, random strangers, the DJ, that hot guy/girl…EVERYONE. You need to get as many free drinks as possible. If you’re a girl, where something fabulous. This is the one night it’s acceptable to wear that hot little dress and heals to the same bar you go to every weekend. If you want you can be obnoxious with the “I’m 21” crowns and buttons and flashing crap. Not my style particularly but to each his own. Honestly you’ll be so drunk you won’t even notice that people find you irritating and if they find you irritating just feel bad for them that they aren’t on your level!
5. Keep this birthday going as long as possible
My 21st lasted for like 2 weeks. We celebrated that Friday drinking on campus. We celebrated that Saturday going out to all the bars. We did a “nice” drunken dinner that Sunday and used up our hotel room as much as humanly possible. Later there was a casino, clubs and more bars. Every morning upon waking up I’d be greeted with a shot and a beer by one of my friends or my brother. They kept me drunk as long as I could so that I’d never have to deal with the oncoming hangover that was sure to destroy my insides and my weekend. If you wake up drunk try to keep yourself that way. Don’t overstay your welcome of the 21st and parade around for a month trying to get free drinks. At some point it will be someone else’s turn so quit hogging it. But I’m just saying, as much as you can. Any new place you go to in the following week or two creates a new time to use the “It’s my 21st Birthday :D” line.
I hope my experience of turning the big 2-1 has given you some insights into how to make the most out of this momentous occasion. Because after you turn 21 no other birthday will be quite like it. And then it’s just a slippery slope into feeling like an adult–and who the hell wants that!?
