There’s a magic age here in the U.S. It’s a sweet spot that once you hit it, for 365 days you’re the envy of the rest of the country.

Younger people can’t wait to be you; older people wish they still were you; happy 21st birthday my friend- you’ve finally reached one of the most eagerly anticipated milestones in your young adult life. You had your super sweet 16. You graduated to adulthood with 18. But how should you ring in your “Turnt 21st” in true frat star fashion? Get loose, get tipsy, get whatever you want to call it, but make sure you get out there and celebrate with style.

1.  At the bar 

Probably the classic 21-year-old move is to hit the bar. It’s simple, straightforward, and an easy way to ring in your inebriation legality. What else says “I’m legal!” like sharing your special night with about 200 fellow semi-drunk 20-somethings? At a bar, you can roll up with 10, 20 or 30 of your closest friends and host a small-scale bar takeover for the night. How should you celebrate you ask? There’s one easy answer: enjoy a drink! You can try the semi-obligatory 21 drink challenge where you race your ever-rising state of inebriation to consume 21 alcoholic beverages before the end of the night. You can make a drink checklist where you have to complete certain actions while drinking (for example, hooking up with a bartender, dancing on the bar and/or pool table, etc.) You can go bar hopping, taking confidently cocky revenge on every single bouncer in the city that the night before would have laughed in your face. You can do anything your little 21-year-old heart desires based on the simple fact that you can. Want to feel like royalty for a night? Turn 21 at a bar and just count the amount of people that want to be your friend, congratulate you and buy you drinks. Grab your flannels and prepare to pound some Jaeger Bombs. It’s birthday time.

2. At a club 

Not a bar person? Looking for something a little classier than a drunkenly cheered happy birthday by an ocean of unfamiliar faces? Sounds like you need to hit a club. Put on your big boy clothes, you’re finally old enough to see the scene Hollywood, New York and Miami have sensationalized and sexualized for years. Turning 21 at a club means you get more drink options at a more upscale environment, and for those of you with cash to throw, VIP bottle and table service options. When you say, “the city,” it doesn’t matter if you’re referring to LA or Chicago or New York, your nearest metropolitan area is sure to house untold numbers of live, exciting, turn-up spots waiting for your arrival. Take a small group of close friends and tear up the town. If you really feel like living the true frat star lifestyle, rent a limo and let everyone know when you arrive and that the party has officially begun. Given, you may have to deal with some extra people, and it will be a little pricier than a good ol’ fashioned bar night, but the music, lights, and dancing will be sure to make this birthday one to remember (or not). 

3. At the beach 

Who says you have to go out to have a good time? There’s nothing wrong with a chill 21st birthday bash with your boys- just so long as you still make it one to remember. Celebrate on the beach with a bonfire. Take a friend’s boat out for a day on the high seas or have a cookout in the park. Going out without actually going out can be a great, inexpensive and chill way to kick back and relax your way into your 22nd year. You can invite as many or as few people as you want and you have more control over all the planning details. What’s even better, there aren’t any age restrictions this way, so all of your underage friends are more than welcome to come, too. It’s low-risk, low-cost and high-reward. Grab some fun friends, get some cute girls and remember: there’s no cover charge for the beach. 

4. At a friend’s house 

Don’t want to trash the local park with your 21st birthday antics? Problem solved: trash your friend’s house.  There is nothing wrong with throwing a house party for your birthday. You can make it Project X style, or you can follow in the footsteps of Superbad and anything in between. One of the perks of celebrating with a house party is that you have complete control over everything. From the alcohol bought to the guests and music, you’re the birthday boss and what you say goes. Get beer, get shots, get chasers. Splurge and get a birthday keg, because why not?  Not sure what to include in your birthday banger? The answer is games. Sure, beer pong is classic, but involve everyone in the festivities. Chances are your guests didn’t just come to sing, eat cake and leave. Play group games like Chandliers, Slap Cup, Flip Cup or any other social activity that will bring everyone together. And don’t forget, big kids need toys too- sprinkle in some beer bongs, an octobong or a ShotSki to ramp up the fun. My personal favorite (featured at my own 21st bash last week), is the Shotñata. What may appear to be your ordinary, run of the mill piñata, can double as a grown-up gift with the same childhood charm after being filled with dozens of your favorite travel sized, single shot bottles. Before you know it, your simple birthday party will have erupted all over the ground in a shots shower of rum and vodka. It will turn your party into a celebration rivaled only by those on Cinco de Mayo and New Year’s Eve. Get hyped and get rowdy, gentlemen. 

5. At your house 

Now, if you’ve exhausted all of the previous ideas and still nothing sticks out to you, you can A) stop being so picky, or B) celebrate at your own house. Warning: in most cases it would require you to completely front the bill for decorations, alcohol, food and every other expense, and you’d have to personally deal with the aftermath and clean up, but in the end, you’ll have hosted one of your most anticipated birthdays with your closest friends and family. Blast the music with the good vibes and enjoy a casual day drink in your own back yard. Crack a beer, put your feet up, and just live for a little, because sometimes the perfect way to turn up is to sit down. Who needs the chaos of a bar or the expenses of a club? Fire up the grill and grab your favorite pair of croakies. Winter birthday? Put a little schnapps in the hot chocolate and cozy up. Here you can reflect on the decades past and anticipate those to come.   

You only turn 21 once, so make your birthday count. It’s ok to do something a little reckless because today your ID is your get-out-of-jail-free card. It doesn’t matter if you live for the club scene or if a kicked back day drink is more your style, do something. Go somewhere. Just keep in mind, after all this celebrating, you’re going to need a break. Factor in at least one recovery day so your body can feed off of something more substantial than alcohol and bar peanuts. Turning 21 is a big deal, so make sure to treat it as such. Get out, it’s party time. And remember, “stay thirsty my friends.”