5 Tips on How To Survive Drinking Festivals

Spring time usually kicks off a wide range of festivals. In Atlanta these festivals are even scheduled well into the fall. Although food festivals are a big hit, drinking festivals are super popular as well. Heck, they may even be more popular. For one ticket price you typically have unlimited pours of alcoholic beverages. You have beer festivals, wine festivals, and even seltzer festivals. Sometimes it is a combination of all those plus liquor. You definitely want to leave feeling like you got your money’s worth. However, you don’t want to leave wasted and nursing a hangover the next day. Or even worse, blacked out and not remembering the (hopefully) fun times you had at the festival.

As I gear up for Seltzerland in Atlanta this weekend, I am reflecting on drinking festivals I’ve attended in the past. There was always at least 1 person I spotted that didn’t survive the festival. You go because you want to have fun you and you want to get your buzz on. But you don’t want to be the person getting sick halfway through the event with no exit plan because you didn’t set yourself up for festival success.

Below I am giving you 5 tips to help you survive any drinking festival you attend. They may seem like common sense, but even seasoned festival patrons need a reminder sometimes.

Don’t Pre-Game

You are probably going to meet your friends ahead of time and arrive at the festival together. I know it is tempting to get the party started early by having a drink or 2 before you leave. However, you have to remember that there will be plenty to drink once you get there. Most drinking festivals I have attended last an average of 4 hours which is plenty of time to get you buzzed. Trust me when I say you will want to skip the pre-festival drinks.

Pace Yourself

Hopefully your goal for attending a drinking festival isn’t to get absolutely hammered. That’s no fun for you or others, but that doesn’t mean you can’t and shouldn’t enjoy yourself. Whether the festival features beer, wine, seltzers, liquor, or a combination of all 4, you will want to slowly work your way through the selections. You will have plenty of options and hours to work your way down the list. You don’t even have to drink everything and can ask for smaller pours. The festival isn’t a contest to see who can drink the most the quickest. Take your time and appreciate the drinks you are sampling.

Drink Plenty of Water

One of the best ways to control your buzz and to avoid a killer hangover is to stay hydrated. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water in between your libations. Water is your friend. Water is even more essential if you are attending a festival outdoors. Between the alcohol and the sun, you will definitely be dehydrated. If you want to take it a step up, you can add a Pedialyte or Liquid IV packet to your H2O. These will hydrate you faster and more efficiently than just water alone. Another great way to super hydrate is to grab a Biolyte or having one waiting for you upon arrival back home.

Get Food in Your Tummy

You ever wake up after a night of drinking and wonder how you got so drunk? I am sure at least one of those times you came to the realization that the reason was drinking on an empty stomach. Don’t be that person. Eat before you get the the festival or grab food there before you start holding out your cup for libations. Some of these festivals have food included in the ticket price. If not, you can guarantee there will be food available for purchase. I mean who doesn’t get a case of the munchies after a few drinks? So you should get hungry at some point. Definitely factor food into your drink festival itinerary. I promise you will still get a buzz with food in your tummy.

Know How You Are Getting Home

Parking at these festivals is usually a bit of a pain in the butt. Plus, we don’t want you out there drunk driving so look into alternative options. It’s best to have a plan already in place before you arrive. Some festivals even offer rideshare discounts that you can take advantage of. Make sure you keep your cell battery charged so you can call an Uber or Lyft when it is time to go (trust me, I had my phone die when waiting for my Lyft after Dragon Con and it sucked). I have also known of some festivals to offer designated driver discounted tickets so another option is to bring one along for the fun. And if you live in the city with easy, accessible public transportation then that is always a good option as well.

Keep these 5 tips in mind when you are attending your next drinking festival. You will be sure to have all of the fun, make the most of the festival and look back with no regrets. Cheers to a happy and safe festival season!