All You Can Drink. It’s the perfect way to let loose if you've conquered yet another hell week with the help of sheer willpower and a lot of caffeine. I assumed it was something bars in every average college town participated in. I was wrong.
Last week, I was talking with a few friends that study at Penn State about some of the entertaining specials our respective watering holes offer. They looked at me with confusion when I told them we had AYCD, so I explained what All You Can Drink was. You pay a set price of $9 or $10 and got to drink all the mixed drinks/beer you want from 9-1. While none of the alcohol is top shelf, it's always a good time. They responded with shock and awe.
I know at least two of the bars in Kirksville host AYCDs on Thursdays (Dukum and TP's), so their surprise sparked my curiosity. I turned to my trusty friend, Google, and found that All You Can Drinks are as mythical as the average unicorn in the typical college bar scene. So, here are five reasons we should not take Kirksville's All You Can Drink for granted:
1. It's a ridiculously amazing deal.
A mixed drink on an average night is about $6 a piece, not including a tip. With AYCD, you've come out ahead after only two drinks. You won't find that kind of deal in any major city in the US.
2. It's a great way to be social with people outside of your major.
After you've completed all of your LSPs and you finally pass CHEM 100, even though it has nothing to do with your future career (I'm not bitter), you really don't have to take classes outside of your major. During AYCD, you have the opportunity to talk to and befriend people with majors you didn't even realize existed.
3. You get the chance to see classroom friends in a more social setting.
We all have them. The friends that we only actually talk to while we're in a particular class and then don't really see any other time of the week. You've seen the intellectual side of their brain more times than you can count, but you've only gotten glimpses into the goofy and awesome human being that could actually become a friend. At AYCD, you get to finally form a friendship that doesn't revolve around this week's readings or super lab.
4. You get a free cup!
This one is a shout out to Dukum. They give you an actual cup to commemorate your drunken escapades if you pay full price. Bring the cup back the next week and they'll take a dollar off of your cost.
5. Some of the best college memories come from nights like these.
There's a really cheesy quote floating around the Internet that says, "Here's to the nights that turn into mornings with the friends that turn into family." I personally believe it's the truest cliche out there. Some of my most memorable nights in college have happened after AYCDs. You only get one chance to be young and stupid, why not take advantage of it?
So, if you're able-bodied and legal, try and support Kirksville's All You Can Drink a few times each semester (or every week if you want to take on that challenge). You'll come out with great memories and grow closer to friends. Plus, you can officially say you've participated in a classic Kirksville activity that helps make the town an eclectic place.
