It’s the reason you can hardly describe what the inside or your favorite bar looks like, the reason you didn’t even make it there on your friends birthday, and the reason your parents think you may have a drinking problem. Yes, I’m talking about the art of pre-gaming. For anyone out there who isn’t sure what I’m mean by that, our friends over at Urban Dictionary define pre-gaming as “the act of getting drunk or generally intoxicated before a party or social event; regardless of whether or not there will be alcohol or other substances available at said event.” Basically, we drink before the bar to increase our social skills and avoid joining the giant group of people vying for two bartenders’ attention. Not to mention that we’re all just a bunch of cheap college students.
Whether you’re rolling in with a make-your-own six pack of crafts or taking straight shots of whatever you can find, we're all on a mission to achieve that perfect level of drunk. And if you’re like me, you’re probably overshooting.
Your pre-game drink of choice says a lot about who you are as a partygoer. What does yours say about you?
Natural Light.
There's a 90 percent chance that you had a Natty Light in your hand at some point during each game day tailgate you've partaken in. No one really likes it but it's cheap and tastes like college. Works as a perfect pregame drink for the guy/girl who had a little too much liquor the night before and needs a nice slow warm-up to another round of drinking.
Vodka water.
The vodka water drinker does not have time for any additional calories. Yea, maybe her drink tastes like watered down rubbing alcohol but she's probably skinnier than you and also has a little bottle of Mio in her purse, just in case.
Fireball.
If you're bringing Fireball to a pre-game chances are you're a pretty good time. No one shows up with a bottle of fireball without the intention of sharing. Pretty soon, the bottle's been passed around to everyone at the pregame and its owner doesn't mind at all.
Vodka Redbull.
Other-wise known in the great city of Tallahassee as the "Y-Bomb." Consumed in the same fashion as shot-gunning a beer but replace the beer with a highly-caffeinated energy drink and top it off with a vodka floater. To your parents it sounds like a heart-attack but to you it sounds like the best semi-formal pregame ever. The guys and girls cracking Y-bombs in the bathtub are preparing for a special night-- one they probably won't remember.
Craft beer.
Craft beer guy wears classes and a flannel. He's usually seen engaging in a very interesting one-on-one conversation while everyone else bops around the pre-game looking for more alcohol and some ice.
Tequila.
Straight tequila shots at the pre-game can mean a few different things. You're either celebrating something or trying to forget something. Whatever the case may be, tequila shot girl/guy is guaranteed to get the party going.
Whiskey Coke.
For the classic man's man. He would normally be content with a few domestic beers but for this evening he wants something a little stronger. Whiskey Coke drinkers are generally put together and are fully capable of holding a nice conversation with your mother.
Well, unless you're this guy...
Boxed wine.
"Slap the bag!" Ah, sounds like high school. Whoever is walking around with the bag of Franzia is probably a little too drunk for 10pm. But, he/she is light-hearted and friendly. Your Fellow pre-gamers appreciate your energy.
Four Loko.
Last, but certainly not least -- the Four Loko drinker. This is for the pre-gamer who's planning to have a big night on a small budget. Ringing in at about $3 a can and 12% alcohol content by volume, Four Lokos are the most frugal and least responsible way to pre-game your night out. Let's just hope you don't have a single thing to do the next day.
So, pick your poison ladies and gents. And remember, it's not alcoholism until you graduate.
