It’s no secret that turning 21 is a big deal here in the United States. While other countries allow their citizens to drink much younger, we wait, and binge drink, and wait, and drink in basements, and wait, and drink in stuffy dorm rooms, and wait, and buy fake IDs and wait, until we finally reach the magnificent 2-1.
It’s not so much about being able to drink, but more of being able to drink where we want, when we want (for the most part…) without having to worry about getting caught. It’s about going to bars and hanging out with your friends while sipping on a brew. Personally, I just want to be able to go to sports bars with my friends to watch a game! That’s it. That’s all I ask. Ok, and a glass of wine with dinner.
So, let’s ring in our 21st in style. Here are some creative ways to celebrate your last big birthday until you hit 30… (Totally freaked you out there, didn’t I?)
*Please be safe when you go out! Binge drinking and blacking out is never recommended!
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21 “Shots”
Uh, no, I’m NOT suggesting you take 21 shots of alcohol – that, my friends, is a recipe for death. I’m talking 21 Nerf gun shots. I said it: Nerf guns. Who doesn’t love a Nerf gun? I know I do! So the birthday girl/boy gets to take 21 Nerf gun shots throughout the night, and their victims have to do whatever they say, whether it be taking a shot, buying them a drink, or going up to that stranger and telling them how fantastic they look. -
The Traditional Bar Crawl
Have your friends who are 21 put together a list of their favorite bars. Then, grab a group for a bar crawl. Unless the bars are pretty close, it’s not a bad idea to look into a party bus, or some kind of designated driver of some sort so that you don’t have to worry about hopping on the T or catching cabs. Have a challenge at each bar: try their craziest drink, hit on the bar tender, or sing karaoke. -
Beer Olympics
Host a beer Olympics with your friends until midnight when you hit the bars. Each team comes as a different country, or if you want to get creative, think up your own themes for each team. For example, bobsledders vs. swimmers vs. figure skaters vs. skiers vs. hockey players. -
Sunset Grille & Tap
Rated one of Boston’s Best for 2011, this bar will leave you with PLENTY of options. I’m talking 112 drafts and 380 total different beers! Check it out, right in Allston!
130 Brighton Ave.
Allston, MA 02134
617-254-1331 -
Live music and brew
Does listening to a live band while sipping on a Whiskey Sour sound perfectly delightful? Try out T.T. the Bear’s Place, Boston’s Best 2011 in the small, live music club genre. Plus, it’s in Cambridge, so maybe you’ll meet some cute Harvard boys while you’re at it.
10 Brookline St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-492-0082 -
Dancing diva?
Are you an advocate for shaking that butt on the dance floor until you can’t stand any longer? Then Middlesex Lounge is the place for you, rated Boston’s Best 2011 dance club!
315 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02115
617-868-6739 -
Spoil yourself shopping!
It’s your 21st! Go hit the shops and get yourself something nice, guilt-free! Check out Good on Charles Street, rated Boston’s Best 2011 for artisan jewelry.
88 Charles St.
Boston, MA 02114
617-722-9200 -
Divulge in decadent dessert
It’s your birthday… you BETTER have a cake! Or some tasty treats! It’s a day when calories don’t count, so head to Flour Bakery and Café in Washington Square (yes, you guessed it, it’s Boston’s Best 2011 for bakeries)!
1595 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02118
617-267-4300 -
One word: brunch
When I read these words, I knew I hit the jackpot: “It’s no wonder that the restaurant boasting the city’s best poutine – a natural hangover cure – would also dish out this year’s best brunch.” That’s right, this brunch spot, The Gallows, is rated Boston’s Best 2011 for brunch! Although we all love Eagle’s Deli, let’s venture out of our normal routine for the ever important 21st birthday brunch, shall we? -
The best burger in town
Nothing says, “I’m going to drink tonight” better than preparing with a juicy burger. Because come on, everyone knows that in order to have a successful night, your stomach needs to be ready. So prepare it with the best burger in Boston at the Bristol Lounge in the Four Seasons Hotel. Yes, it’s a Boston’s Best of 2011. Or, you could get my favorite fatty meal: the Hungry Man at Eagle’s Deli.
Four Seasons Hotel
Boston, MA 02116
617-351-2037 -
Casino night!
Find a friend with a car, and head to Foxwoods for a casino night! Gamble, drink, see a show, eat delicious food, pretend you’re in Vegas for a night… whatever! -
Get to a game!
Always want to go to a Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins, or Pats game? Then what are you waiting for, use your 21st as an excuse to get tickets and take your friends! (Or, rather, have your friends take YOU!) And while you’re at it, hit up some of the great sports bars in Fenway or around the Garden. Sports and beer, what’s not to love?! -
MA’s
You knew it was coming. I tried to give creative ideas for being in Boston… but when it comes down to it, there are plenty of us (cough cough, me) who just want to bring in midnight with the crew at BC’s staple dive bar, MA’s. Your friends will buy you that Mind Eraser and put on your favorite tune, and you’ll be good to go. It’s close by, cheap, and full of good company. What’s not to love? -
Stay in.
PSYCHE. Get off that lazy butt! -
Stay in… in style
Ok so you really don’t want to go out. You want to save some money and just drink at your place with your girls. Fair enough! Make it count! Order awesome food in (Fin’s, perhaps?!) and make a drinking game out of your favorite TV show or movie. For example, a Say Yes to the Dress drinking game, where you drink every time someone says “dream dress,” cries, or argues about budget. This is ALWAYS a recipe for a good time. -
Potluck competition
Here’s a nice trick: have a potluck dinner before going out and instruct your friends to bring a dish and drink. Make it a competition to see who can bring the tastiest entrée. I’m a big advocate for competitions… you can even make up an entire rating system that might include a category such as best drink/dish combo. -
SKY DIVE!
What? Yeah! You’ve always wanted to, so hop to it! Or out of it, I should say. Try out Sky Dive Cape Cod. *Note: drinking and diving NOT advised. -
Throw a surprise party
Ok so this one is out of your control for YOUR 21st, but plan a bash for your friend’s birthday! Make it elaborate and be sure it stays a secret, which is very difficult! If you actually pull this off, let us know! The only surprise party I have ever been a part of that has worked was for my mom’s 50th birthday (kudos, Papa Wojno). They’re pretty awesome when done correctly, I must say so myself. -
Skip all your classes and day drink to daytime TV
So you’re turning 21 on a weekday? It’s a holiday… right? So treat it like one! Skip your classes, start the day with some mimosas and some Price is Right, then grab your friends for some daytime TV drinking games. You could get pretty creative between the soaps and TLC. -
Stay in bed… all day long
So this one assumes that you went all out at midnight. So preplan that day you’ve always wanted to spend guilt-free in bed. You and your roommates can order Eagle’s Deli breakfast so that you don’t even have to go to Lower. Have movies, magazines, good books, and whatever else set to go, so that it’s you and your bed nursing that hangover in style. -
Go buy alcohol at Res!
Most under-21s I know go to random places they know will take fakes no problem and avoid the super convenient Reservoir liquor store. It’s your time to go hop on the bus, and proudly march into Res, hand them that ID and say, “Have a nice day.” Sometimes, it’s those little things in life that are worth celebrating, am I right?
Of course I can’t finish this article without wishing you all happy 21sts and begging you to be safe when you go out! Happy birthdays, BC!
Photo Sources:
http://bcregister.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html
http://125beers.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/107-sunset-grille-tap-boston-ma/
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/toys/4311795