With the spring semester winding down, those preparing to leave State College tend to look to alcohol-related activities to occupy their time. Seniors especially find any excuse to head to their favorite bar and enjoy a few drinks with friends. And then head to the next one, and the next one…and thus, the impromptu bar tour begins.

Some are more planned than others (shout out to We Should Be Dead By Now Bar Tour), complete with matching tanks and concrete itineraries, but ultimately they all end the same: a parade of intoxicated soon-to-be-grads populating the downtown area.

In light of the imminent bar tours set to hit downtown these last two weeks, I have decided to create this public service announcement for what you should and shouldn’t do to ensure the best time is had by all.

1. Pregaming

Do: If you must, a mimosa never hurt anybody and may be the perfect start to your morning if you had a rough night.

Don’t: We may all be used to tossing back a few before heading to the bars, but this is an entirely different game. I’d stay away from the pre-shots if I were you.

2. Sticking with the Group

Do: Pick a few buddies to hang close with while you’re at the bar. That way, you’re all on the same level and can retrieve each other when it’s time to go.

Don’t: Hold people up. Spending 30 minutes to an hour at a bar is more than enough time and you don’t want to be in one place for too long. I promise the Yuengling will be just as good at the next bar.

3. Spending Money

Do: Bring cash. It’s probably the safest way to go so you don’t spend over a certain amount. Plus, after the bar tour is over, there is no evidence to show what damage was done. Ignorance is bliss.

Don’t: Open tabs on your card, especially at some of the later stops, because this could lead to you buying a round of shots for the entire group. Let someone else do that.

4. Dancing

Do: Once you’ve got the liquid courage, by all means, dance your little heart out. The more stages and tables, the better.

Don’t: If you do decide to elevate yourself and put on a show, don’t make a fool of yourself – you probably can’t twerk as well as you thought.

5. Surviving

Do: Pace yourself. The point of a bar crawl is to have a good time with your friends, and  hopefully remember it. You’ll be good and drunk before you know it.

Don’t: If the plan is to go to 10 bars, then it’s probably not the brightest idea to order jager bombs at your first stop. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a race.

For everyone going on bar tours, be safe and most importantly, have fun! Don’t forget to submit your creative themes here.