Top 10 Drinking Holidays
As a server, bartender, store clerk, or someone else responsible for selling or serving alcohol in the state of Illinois, it’s always wise to be aware of what’s going on around you, and that includes holidays. Being aware of holidays and other special events makes it easier to be on the lookout for things like minors attempting to buy alcohol, adults buying alcohol for minors, and signs of intoxication.
According to TIME Magazine, these are the Top 10 Drinking Holidays:
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Super Bowl Sunday
What’s the big game without beer to go with it? One factor making this tenth (last) on the list is that revelers know they will have to contend with the upcoming Monday.
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Mardi Gras
What used to be just about getting full on what you’re giving up for Lent has become a day of excess and revelry in every way, including of course, the booze.
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Halloween
What better way to feel ok about that silly costume than to be holding a drink with it?
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Fourth of July
We’re sure the founding fathers celebrated by imbibing, too.
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Derby Day
The Kentucky Derby wouldn’t be the Kentucky Derby without mint juleps.
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Purim
Sometimes called the Jewish Mardi Gras, it’s a celebration of Esther’s success in saving the Jews from death at the hands of the government. Purim is literally translated “lots,” and the celebration is true to its name.
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Cinco de Mayo
Commemorates the smaller Mexican Army’s victory over the larger French Empire. Who doesn’t want to raise a glass to the underdog?
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Thanksgiving Eve (aka “Blackout Wednesday”)
This one is owed to college students who come home for the holiday and meet up with old friends at the hometown bar they could never get into in high school. Non-college people liked the idea of shoring themselves up with a drink before the big family event too, so it’s become a major drinking night across the board.
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St. Patrick’s Day
Does anybody beat the Irish when it comes to drinking?
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New Year’s Eve
The last hurrah of the holiday season, and the day before all those healthful resolutions will kick in.
So, you probably already know these are big drinking holidays. Why should you care?
Anecdotal evidence and personal drinking stories aside, empirical data from the National Institutes of Health shows that heavy alcohol consumption is very event-specific. It’s not just the regular drinkers doing their regular drinking. On holidays, heavy drinkers will often become heavier drinkers. But perhaps more concerning, light drinkers will often become heavy drinkers.
Everyone is drinking more than they are used to, but for those who are typically light drinkers, evidence suggests the risks are higher. They are less likely to correctly judge their own limits, and that means more negative consequences of drinking. It’s worth mentioning that when a holiday event falls on a weekend, drinking is heavier still.
As a BASSET certified server or seller, it’s important to be aware of these patterns and risks. The onus is on you to not sell or serve alcohol to someone who has reached their limit, even if they don’t seem to realize they have. If you’ve already completed BASSET On The Fly’s online On-Premise or Off-Premise BASSET certification course, then you’re well-prepared to effectively meet this legal responsibility. If not, our course will give you the specific information and concrete examples you need to confidently handle holiday-specific drinking. Our online courses are just $12.99 and are completely self-paced so you can proceed through the material as quickly or slowly as you want. Enroll today!
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