The TPC Survival Guide

April 23^rd has arrived so you know what that means:  The Tacoma Pub Crawl!  Get ready for a day of drinking, drinking, using the restroom, and then more drinking.  Someone must really like us up there because the weatherman is calling for gorgeous.  Beer, friends and sun?  Looks like all the right ingredients for an amazing time.

The party starts at the Harmon Tap Room (y’know, the one next to Doyle’s) at 2 pm.  Sign your waivers, pick up your shirts and then get to the aforementioned drinking.

But before any of that, please read these following tips and guidelines.  They might just save your life!  (Or at least a dollar or two.)

1. Wear your shirt.  The shirts have been in our possession for a week, and objectively speaking?  They’re pretty awesome.  Like “iPhone self-portrait in the bathroom mirror” awesome.  Wear it and be the envy of all your friends and neighbors!  Also, a few bars have told us that they’ll only honor happy hour prices to those in TPC shirts so it’s in your best financial interest to put on your shirt as soon as you get it.

2. Pace yourself.  A pub crawl is not a race; it’s a marathon.  You might want to think about strategies at this point; otherwise, you’ll be calling it a night by bar three.  Maybe start with a microbrew and then switch to lighter beers?  Maybe have a glass a water by your side at all times?  Maybe don’t do that Jaeger bomb?  Try not to be that guy or girl who misses out on all the cool, life-changing, “you had to be there” moments that happen right after you leave. 

3. Mingle. Get to know your fellow crawlers!  The crawl is an all-day event so branch out from your usual social group.  Smile at that girl with the button nose.  Drink with that bearded hipster sipping the Rainer tall boy.  In short, make new friends!  We’ll be passing out name tags and markers for your socializing convenience.

4. Eat.  Take advantage of the special happy hour prices and give that beer in your belly some solid company.  You also might want to think about calling ahead so your meal will be ready for you when you stumble in.  The wait for food in a bar full of dozens of pub crawlers has got to be rough.

5. Bring cash.  Don’t you hate it when you’re in a rush to leave a bar but you have to pay with a card?  You know the scenario:  You flag down the waitress for your tab.  You wait.  You get your check.  You wait.  She picks up your card. You wait.  You get your card back, finagle over what to tip, write down a number, decide that the “1” you wrote down looks like a “7” and then scribble that out, write down a new amount and hope that the bar doesn’t overcharge you.  Paying with cash is so much easier.

6. Wear comfortable shoes.  Look at the name of the event.  Expect to periodically move your feet in some way.  Your three-inch Louboutin stilettos will feel like spikes by the end of the night.  Don’t be that girl (or guy) stumbling pigeon-toed from bar to bar!  Wear your most comfortable walking shoes and avoid the bunions.

7. Don’t drive.  Don’t even think about driving.  Nope.  No way.  Walking is your friend, a taxi is your friend, a (sober) friend is your friend.  We also have a sweet discount rate at the Hotel Murano for those who’d like to just collapse into a nice, comfy bed when it's all over.  Just tell the Murano you’re with the pub crawl when making reservations and they’ll hook you up.

8. Ask about extra credit bars.  In addition to the official bars on the route, extra credit bars will be available for the more serious drinkers.  These bars will be in-between and after the regular pub crawl bars.  The goal is to score at least one drink in these establishments.  The names of these extra credit bars aren't written down so ask one of the pub crawl representatives for more details.

The Tacoma Pub Crawl is upon us.  Be safe, be happy, be drinking!  We look forward to seeing you there.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Pt. 3

When a birthday party needs dance music, DJ TuMuch will be there.  When a wedding calls for first-dance-between-bride-and-groom music, DJ TuMuch will be there.  When a humdrum corporate meeting devolves into an impromptu breakdance battle and the only song Marty from accounting will pop-lock to is Rob Base and DJ EZ-Rock's "It Takes Two," DJ TuMuch will be there.  You need music?  Mobile DJ TuMuch is the man to go to.  Check out his website for more info.

Crawl, Don't Run

We here at TPC Central believe in safety.  We advocate drinking in moderation, designated driving and any other legal thing that gets you back home in one piece.  That's why we're shocked--SHOCKED!--to hear that some people think that we'll be actually running from bar to bar.  Running, as in putting one foot in front of the other repeatedly in a hasty fashion.  While drinking.  Gulp.

The confusion may stem from each member of the TPC Committee being a part of Tacoma Runners (join now!), where we enjoy nice, frosty beers AFTER our runs.  But that's a different animal entirely.  Let us clear the air:  There will be no running at The Tacoma Pub Crawl!  Crawling, yes. Drinking, yes.  Running, nooooo.     

Not only is drunk running a dangerous proposition, but think about the spanking new shirts you'll be soiling with your run sweat.  You're going to want to keep those shirts forever to remember that special day where you boozed and boozed with dozens of strangers.  Sweating is a sure way for those shirts to end up in a box in your garage, next to that other box full of Grandpa's old socks.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Pt. 2

Though its name sounds like the location of a shadowy government organization, Brenthaven is actually a local company that makes sleek, sturdy, professional-looking sleeves, cases and bags for all of your Apple products! Always dragging around your MacBook Pro? Worried about scratches on your iPad 2? Check out Brenthaven's eco-friendly, lifetime-guaranteed products on its website and official Facebook page!

Flyer Than Your Average Pub Crawl

You like that, don't you?  Click on the picture for the more in-your-face version.

Big thanks to Linda N. for her time and effort in creating the flyer for us.  Special big thanks to her for fitting our official mascot "Crawly" (unofficial name, though) on there as well!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Pt. 1

Team TPC would like to take this time to highlight some of our very generous sponsors. Their support helps make the Tacoma Pub Crawl into a one-of-a-kind social event. We appreciate all the support, guys!

One of our first sponsors was Project: U. Project: U’s goal is to bring together 20- and 30-somethings with a passion for supporting Pierce County through volunteering activities and fundraising events. We’ve had the privilege of attending some of these shindigs, and not only are we impressed with their dedication to supporting the community, we like that they know how to have a good time, too!

Look up their Facebook page for more info on Project: U.

Cap and Trade

The response so far for the inaugural Tacoma Pub Crawl has been encouragingly insane. So insane that we're forced to put a cap on this thing. If Charlie Sheen has taught us anything this week, it's that you can overdose on awesome. We're advocating awesome in moderation.

The first 80 people to pay are guaranteed a spot. Any more than that and we'll have to register as a militia.

Tacoma, Get Ready

The Tacoma Pub Crawl, a celebration of the gritty, soggy city we call home, is coming at you Saturday, April 23rd. Expect a day full of mingling and drinking, Tacoma-style.

We’re happy to announce that all of the funds this year are going to United Way of Pierce County. Have you donated yet? If not, give cash or check to your Crawl Representative or pay through that nifty PayPal button on the right side of the screen. Also let us know your shirt size(s). You don’t want to be the guy or girl stuck with a shirt that doubles as a boat sail.

The cut off date to pay the $20 fee is March 15th. For those procrastinators who miss that date, you can still pay by April 1st but the fee is bumped up to $25. If you also blow that deadline, you may have some deep-seated commitment issues we can’t help you with.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today!