It’s time again for that most American of holidays. I’m speaking, of course, of Repeal Day. Yes, it’s that glorious day in which booze swillers rejoice by raising a glass of hooch and toasting to the freedom to get toasted.

December 5 marked the 85th anniversary of the repeal of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution and to celebrate the occasion (and those other holidays, too), Eureka! is showcasing a Gingerbread Man Old Fashioned cocktail.

This high-octane affront to teetotalers, available through New Year’s Eve at all Eureka! locations consists of Old Overholt rye whiskey, house-made gingerbread syrup, Douglas Fir liqueur, chocolate, and herbal bitters. Additionally, the restaurant is partnering with Templeton Rye Whiskey to offer $5 Old Fashioneds all day long on Dec. 5. Templeton, Eureka!’s Santa Barbara location manager Mike Kennedy informs me, was Al Capone’s whiskey of choice (the location, by the way, is very dog-friendly, offering biscuits and water bowls on the patio). 

Veteran drinkers know, however, not to drink on an empty stomach. Fortunately, Eureka! offers some of the tastiest eats in Southern California. Among the menu items that pair well with their craft beers and small-batch spirits are a selection indulgent starters, including deviled eggs, mac ‘n’ cheese balls, lollipop corn dogs, truffle cheese fries, and osso buco riblets, among several others. Starters are essential to the drinker’s diet, as they provide for the absorption of alcohol into the system.

After a healthy partaking of appetizers and a round or two of cocktails, though, it’s time to fill up on something more substantial. The entree course provides the nourishment the drinker needs to keep on chugging throughout the day/night. And be sure to choose your meal wisely, as you don’t want any reminders of it the following morning. With that in mind, I recommend something in the way of comfort food, like a hearty burger. Eureka! is famous for their burger creations, so you’re in luck. My favorite of the bunch is the 28-day dry-aged burger, featuring carrot-fed Angus beef on a bed of arugula, garnished with aioli and tomatoes, and finished with a balsamic glaze.

Repeal Day is the celebration of your God-given right to get inebriated. Obviously, don’t operate a car or send texts of your genitals, but do raise a glass and say a little thank-you prayer to Bacchus, debaucherous god of wine, for the miracle that is fermentation. Cheers.