Forget the contrived, costumed craziness of Halloween.

Skip the forced, "we're all green" camaraderie of St. Patrick's Day.

New Year's Eve? That's strictly for amateurs.

If you ask me, to best night of the year to go out for a few friendly drinks with friends is ... drumroll, please ...

Tonight.

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving has a "homecoming" vibe about it. If you're in college, it's the first time to come home, see the folks and put the high school "band" back together.

Even if you've graduated, Thanksgiving Eve is the perfect night to gather at a familiar hometown watering hole and catch up with people you haven't seen in awhile. Almost nobody works on Thanksgiving. The entire holiday is built around eating and watching TV, both of which can be accomplished (if necessary) with a throbbing hangover.

If you aren't charged with cooking, cleaning, shopping or traveling, I recommend that you capitalize on this wonderful night (responsibly, of course) and offer for your consideration my list of favorite cocktail occasions on the calendar:

1. Thanksgiving Eve. (Reasons stated above).
2. The Sunday before Memorial Day. (It's when summer really takes hold.)
3. The Brewers' home opener. (Everybody in town plays hooky for that one.)
4. Any Badgers home football game.
5. The Sunday before Labor Day. (Especially if it coincides with opening week in the NFL.)
6. The opening hours of Summerfest. (It's great for 11 days, but the first few hours are precious.)
7. My birthday.
8. Your birthday.
9. St. Patrick's Day. (Espeically if it coincides during the NCAA Tournament.)
10. Halloween. (But only if I don't have to wear a costume.)

Use the Talkback feature to add your favorites. And, be sure to designate a driver or call a cab.