Pub Crawl 6 Tips for the Seis de Mayo

BY JESSICA FORRESTER

Downtown Woodstock always is buzzing with activity, and holidays are no exception. If you already have plans for Cinco de Mayo and the Fourth of July, don’t worry. You still can hang out downtown for the Seis de Mayo Pub Crawl on May 6 and the Star Spangled Pub Crawl on July 1. Mark your calendars for the WDSTKtoberfest Pub Crawl on Sept. 30, as well.

At each event, running 2-6 p.m., crawlgoers can visit participating bars and restaurants, to enjoy themed food and beverage specials. For more information, visit https://visitwoodstockga.com/event-group/pub-crawls. Keep an eye on the Downtown Woodstock and Visit Woodstock GA Facebook pages for maps of participating restaurants, to help you plan your route.

If you’ve never been to a pub crawl, keep an open mind! The events are a great opportunity to try new things and meet new people. Invite a group of friends to go with you, and enjoy the atmosphere. If you take photos at the events, share them with edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com, for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue. Here are six tips to help you prepare for the pub crawls. Drink responsibly, stay safe and have fun!

1. Dress appropriately. Make sure you dress comfortably — check the weather before you go — and wear shoes that are suitable for walking. Ladies, four-inch heels might look cute before you leave the house, but they’re not practical for walking across downtown after you’ve had a few drinks. And, make sure to wear clothes with lots of pockets, so you don’t have to keep up with a purse.

2. Eat beforehand. Woodstock has great options to grab a bite to eat. Consider enjoying a meal high in protein and carbs before you start your pub crawl — or at least order food to accompany your first drink! According to the University of Notre Dame, having food in your stomach will help slow the processing of alcohol, helping prevent its effects from sneaking up on you too quickly. Carbs and protein will help keep you full and give you the energy needed to enjoy the afternoon out.

3. Stay hydrated. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which can dehydrate you. And have you met the Georgia heat? Make sure you drink plenty of water or other nonalcoholic beverages before you go, and throughout the afternoon, to keep hydrated.

4. Pace yourself. It’s important to avoid drinking too much too quickly. Take breaks between drinks, and listen to your body, so you can hit as many stops as you’d like. A pub crawl is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t push yourself to keep up with the number of drinks others in your group are having.

5. Stick with your group. The military’s commitment of “no man left behind” should apply at pub crawls, too. Stay with your friends, and make sure everyone knows where the group is going next.

6. Make a transportation plan. This last tip is one of the most important! If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a designated driver, or plan transportation in advance. If all of your friends will be partaking, meet at someone’s house, and use a ride-sharing service to get to and from downtown safely.