The Hoboken Guy

5 Essential St. Patty’s Day Party Tips

Posted on 05. Mar, 2009 in Leisure

This is NOT a Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Survival Guide.  There are tons of great ones already out in the Interweb.  Instead, this is more of a quick summary of tips gathered by a few experienced Hobokenites who have learned the best ways of partying during this drunkfest.  By all means, you do not have to listen to any of these tips, but I’m sure you’ll still have a much safer, fun and super wasted time if you did.

TIP #1: STICK TO THE HOUSE PARTIES
The best thing to do is avoid any Hoboken bars at all.  Yes!  It’s true.  You’ll probably have more fun by hanging out at a friend’s apartment and you’ll probably get more trashed too, considering you won’t have to go through those crazy crowds of sweaty drunkards just to get that second round of Guinness.  Most house parties host a Kegs n Eggs event and start the same time the bars open, sometimes even earlier if they’re leprechauns.  Don’t know anyone?  It’s all good.  I know a lot of people that have opened their houses to strangers.  To me, it’s almost like Hoboken houses turn into Fraternity parties, where you don’t necessarily need the chicks to get in, but maybe just need to know a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend.

TIP #2: IF YOU’RE GOING TO THE BARS,  GET THERE EARLY
Most bars open around 10am or 11am.  People will start falling in line 1 or 2 hours earlier as if it were Black Friday.  Before you leave, please eat a big breakfast.  Then drink just enough booze to give you a nice morning buzz.  The buzz will help you keep your sanity if your stuck in line.  It also helps you break out of your comfort zone and start conversations with people in line.  It’s not a good night for bar hopping so once you get into the bar, try and stay at that bar. If you leave, it might be hard to get back in or get into another bar.

TIP #3: TRY AVOIDING BARS ON AND NEARBY WASHINGTON STREET
The majority of people coming to party this Saturday live outside of Hoboken and therefore they’ll probably only attack the bars that are closest to Washington Street (including bars by the waterfront and near Bloomfield Street).  This area is considered the party zone, complete with fights and girls peeing on the streets.  Hoboken residents who still like partying outside of homes attend bars west of this party zone.  Try bars off of Willow Street such as 10th and Willow, ROGO’s or Zack’s.  They will still be crowded, but definitely not as crazy as Washington Street bars.

TIP #4: DON’T DRINK IN PUBLIC, YOU WILL GET CAUGHT
I know friends who have mixed alcohol with Snapple or Coke bottles and have been caught.  Don’t try it.  You might be able to get away with it, but if you don’t, say hello to a $1000 fine. Last year, Hoboken police made a $188,000 buckeroos for disorderly conduct and the city has implemented zero-tolerance drinking in public policy.  So be smart about it.

TIP #5: IF YOU HAVE OUTDOOR HOUSE FURNITURE, BRING IT INSIDE
Many of my friends have told me about their outdoor furniture, plants, door mats and mailboxes have been either vandalized or stolen.  With so many drunk people, you have no clue what might happen to your favorite outdoor chairs.  Store everything inside and if you see people vandalizing other people’s property, report it.  I’m sure people will be puking and peeing everywhere.  Just look out the window at around 8 or 9pm.

That’s it!  Hope everyone has a safe and fun time.  Get wasted for me.  Cheers!

Tags: party, st.patrick's day