The sun won’t be the only thing getting blacked out on Monday afternoon.
Liquor and beer distributors across New York are dropping eclipse-branded hooch just in time for the big event, and bars across the zone of totality are planning big parties as frats at SUNY schools are set to host raging keggers.
Luke Kapczak, 21, a sophomore at SUNY Oswego, told The Post that “the eclipse is all everyone is talking about” on campus, and school officials had canceled class on Monday afternoon so students could make the most of the day by partying into the darkness.
“People are excited that there are no classes, and obviously there’s going to be some parties,” Kapczak said, adding, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing.”
“I’m probably going to wake up early, around 9 a.m., and I usually don’t find out what’s going on until Friday, Saturday, I’ll have an exact idea of whose going to throw a [party],” the undergrad said on Wednesday.
“I assume Sig Tau, one of the bigger frats on campus will throw a party, because they usually do stuff like that, [along with] a few other frats,” said Kapczak, adding that non-Greek life students would be welcome.
“It’s just literally on their lawn, so you just show up, drink a little bit, eat … They’ll bring out a few tables, there’s some pong, [drinking] games, whatever, and probably people usually just go from there to the next place. They are really close to the main street where all the bars are.”
Edward Olszewski, 20, is also a sophomore at SUNY Oswego who is planning to enjoy the parties.
“For the actual day itself, I’ll probably be at one of the frat houses,” Olszewski said.
“There’s definitely going to be a party. I know there’s also going to be, like, a little on-campus thing, with food I think, and music. I know that’s happening on campus, but like, I’m obviously not going to go to that; I’ll be with my boys.”
Olszewski added that he was planning to stop by the campus event to snag a free pair of protective glasses — which are necessary to prevent vision damage, even if you’re wearing beer goggles.
The Lake Ontario college town of 17,000 was expecting some 6,000 tourists for the big event, Kapczak said.
“I know from some of my other friends, some of their friends are coming up for the day.”
When asked if any of his friends were coming to Oswego for the occasion, Olszewski said, “No – but I really wish they would! I really wish they would.”
Captain Jack’s Goodtime Tavern in Rochester is kicking the party off with a “Total Eclipse of the Heart” sing-off contest at 1 p.m. Monday, followed by eclipse karaoke — featuring songs about the Sun and Moon.
Patrick’s Rooftop in Buffalo is selling $25 tickets to watch the event from the highest bar and patio in the city — a bargain compared to some Manhattan viewing locations which are charging upwards of $100 to see what will only be a partial eclipse.
“Get ready to be amazed as the moon casts its shadow on the sun, creating a breathtaking celestial spectacle right over Lake Erie!,” its website reads.
Outside the city, Lake Erie Wine County is promoting a “Lights Out” tour in the path of totality, and the party started early — three days early. For $60, pregaming New Yorkers can get a four-day pass to the region’s 21 different wineries, culminating in Monday’s big event. The designated driver can snag the pass for $15.
And revelers that were staying at home and cuing up Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” are also being marketed eclipse-themed booze.
Breweries in the Adirondacks were hawking drinks like “Total Eclipse of the Park,” a black IPA brewed by the Lake Placid Pub
Raquette River Brewing in Tupper Lake also has a Black IPA on tap for the occasion, according to WCAX.
“The sky is going to go black for three minutes so we figured why not make a black IPA,” the brewery’s Tanner Hockey reportedly said.
One wine rep pitched the the Radius Red Blend Eclipse to The Post, and claimed its “notes of dark fruits and vanilla, [make] it the perfect watch companion.”
“Whether you’re traveling to see it or hosting a watch party at home, picking a beverage that is as dark and dramatic as an eclipse is important to bring the experience to the next level,” said Rodolphe Boulanger, the Vice President of New World Wine Merchandizing at Total Wine & More.
TINCUP Bourbon is selling a “Totality Bundle” for a Total Eclipse Sour cocktail that “aims to evoke the same sense of wonder and excitement [as the eclipse], making it a perfect addition to any eclipse-themed gathering or party”
The libation “is the outdoor whiskey brand, so celebrating the eclipse is natural to them,” the company claimed.
Other drinks to pair with the blackout include Mount Gay Eclipse – a Barbados Rum which was named after a 1910 total solar eclipse visible over the Caribbean nation and Bell’s Oberon Eclipse, which is “quite tasty and easily drinkable,” according to Beer Advocate.com.
However, with normal life set to resume on Tuesday morning, teachers and employers may not be too forgiving of hungover revelers, something that Olszewski is keeping in mind.
“I think it’s more going to be a chill, have maybe four beers, hang out with the friends, more of a chill gathering, I would say — more than getting slammed and throwing a rager, you know?,” he said.
“It’s more like having some beers and inviting some friends over — but obviously like the sorority girls are our friends, and the frat guys.”
