Campustown is no stranger to the celebratory number 21 that has become a right of passage to adulthood.

Several bars in the area offer special drinks for the birthday girls and boys.

“Bars here do what is called a ‘shot tour,” said Jason Crimmius, manager of Charlie Yokes. “Every bar has a special birthday something or other.”

Charlie Yokes’ shot tour involves a bartender’s choice of specialty shots, ranging from straight alcohol to fruity concoctions.

“Mine is usually a RumChata, a shot of Fireball whiskey and then usually a Tootsie roll or something not as strong to finish it off,” said Betsy Henson, one of Charlie Yokes’ bartenders. Henson said a lot depends on what shots are given, such as the gender of the person, who they are, and how much they have had to drink before the tour.

“The most fun part about our birthday special is that we ring the bell and cheer,” Crimmius said. “We make a spectacle out of it.”

Trent Fichter, assistant manager of Welch Ave. Station, said his bar has a different approach to birthday specials.

“We offer a free beer or drink of the customer’s choice,” Fichter.

Fichter noted the bar does not offer a series of shots, but said Welch Ave. Station’s method is better for business.

“it allows time for [the person whose birthday it is] to sit down and drink their drink, which can encourage the friends they are with to buy drinks as well…instead of offering a shot and having them slam it,” Fichter said. “Then they’ll just move onto the next bar.”

The path to adulthood is a long and grueling one. But, sometimes the best thing to do is to relax and responsibly enjoy a nice, cold drink.