[UPDATE] So Fresno’s the drunkest city again — who cares?
UPDATE: Hey, so: false alarm. Fresno has not been voted drunkest city again. Not yet, anyway. Totally my bad; I chose to pretend this Fox News article — dated February 4, 2011 — was legitimate.
Thanks to the anonymous reader who kindly pointed out the error in the comments. If we knew who he was, we’d buy him a drink at the Brig later.
Hey, and feel free to keep commenting. The info may be old, but the topic is still something worth talking about.
Original: Hey, look at that. A certain men’s magazine has named Fresno America’s drunkest city for the second year in a row.
Instead of again going into detail about why this is bullsh*t, let me refer you to the blog post Mike Oz wrote last year on this very subject. An excerpt:
1. One of the main factors was DUI arrests. As anybody here knows, Fresno PD is out in full force trying to nab DUI offenders. In fact, we’ve been profiled by USA Today as a model for the rest of the country. Really, it sounds like Fresno won the title of “City with the most DUI checkpoints.”
2. Sometimes I think these researchers are drunk. Let’s just say that I don’t exactly trust their methodology. In 2005, this same magazine named us the 14th fittest city in the U.S., then turned around a few months later and ranked our eating habits 89th out of 101 cities, giving us an F. Make sense? Not really.
Our view on the matter hasn’t changed a bit: these lists are totally subjective and totally without merit. Want proof? The Daily Beast, that other frequent list maker, doesn’t even feature Fresno in its list of drunkest cities.
What say you, citizens? Is there something to Fresno’s ranking, or is it just a pile of hooey?
[Thanks to reader mdub420 for the heads up.]
Responses to "[UPDATE] So Fresno’s the drunkest city again — who cares?"
Hiccup.
I’d like to thank my crappy childhood for inspiring me to drink. Mom, step-dad (1), step-dad (2), step-dad (2*), step-dad (3), step-dad (4), you all were great.
For those of you in other cities, take note: Fresno rocks! Come to the Brig anytime to celebrate with us.
Hiccup.
*married #2 twice
sorry but its not bullsh*t; i’ve traveled extensively around the country and culturally we take the cake… there is NOTHING to do in fresno that doesn’t offer or revolve around alcohol; take a gander through post no bills…. and i’m not going to watch community theatre just to avoid alcohol… didn’t we just have a blog post about our favorite BAR in fresno??
sit outside any corner store in fresno and watch what people buy… you think they’re going home to make sculptures outa full tall cans?
If you don’t want to go to a place with alcohol in the tower you can get some sandwiches, ice cream, hotdogs, or tea but i think thats pretty much it but i’ve yet to see those places become social hubs at night
buuuuuuurrrrrppp.
I’d like to thank my employer for allowing me to work hard all week.
At first it was just harmless binge drinking friday night, saturday night, and all day sunday to recover from the hard work week. But now I just stay drunk to numb myself the pain and misery of having to work.
It’s gr..buuuuuuuuurrrrrpppp. great!!
“What say you, citizens? Is there something to Fresno’s ranking, or is it just a pile of hooey?”
writes the beehive staffer who recently posted the brig as one of her “Fresno faves”
I dunno, man. Obviously, people in Fresno drink.That’s pretty much what you’re saying. It doesn’t really we drink more than anybody else.
What I think is interesting about the two “drunkest city” studies is that one factors in DUI stats and one doesn’t. We’re at the top of one list and not listed on the other at all. Plus we have a nationally recognized DUI enforcement program.
I think it’s pretty obvious that this isn’t about nightspots or how many things there are to do in Fresno. If anything, our DUI stats should probably there’s plenty to do in Fresno — because people are out getting drunk and doing it.
Burp to that. Just another reinforcement for FPD. We do like the booze in this town. Hard to believe we beat out towns like Vegas or Miami though. Oh well, let’s get drunk, and throw up in the car.
I’m pretty sure Fresno can have/appreciate a great bar and still not be the drunkest city.
this demonization of vice has to stop.
seriously now, who are the other cities trying to fool?
You’re making a questionable argument. Just because a bar or a restaurant with a bar becomes a social hub at night, does not mean that the patrons there are getting ridiculously drunk. Just because I frequent bars doesn’t mean I’m drinking like an alcoholic.
That’s like arguing that because Taco Bell has lots of 24 hour locations in Fresno and people go there late at night, Fresno is the shitty taco eating capital of the country.
You’re leaping over lots of other important factors in your efforts to slur Fresno; never mind your amazingly vague anecdotal evidence. “Oh, Rob has been lots of places” does not make you an expert.
Hey,
Just an FYI Everyone needs to focus on the article and the link you are reporting. The link:
http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/Americas-Drunkest-Cities/Fresno-CA.php#slidetop Is actually to last years article. Take a look at the comment feed, I don’t think they would keep the comment feed from last year going.
Additionally a Google search doesn’t show any results for this years list. Once again some great reporting. Keep up the great work.
A couple points. Keep in mind I’m not debating what position we should rank in the drunk tank because I don’t really think there is debating that Fresno likes to drink. I think history has already been proven that and besides most cities like to drink. And I’m also not debating whether or not there are things to do in Fresno because that’s just a stupid debate. There are tons of things to do here that don’t require alcohol.
Here is how my simple mind thinks and why it thinks that we are slightly above average on the wino scale:
The fact that our city actually NEEDS a full fledge DUI Task Force is a problem. Just because the city makes tons of money off the fines doesn’t mean it’s not necessary. It’s embarrassing we make national news for how effective it is. It’s kind of like having herpes and telling everyone how good the cream you’re using works.
Recently, a majority of our media outlets (KMJ, The Fresno Bee, ABC30, and KMPH) reported that Fulton 55 wasn’t going to have their liquor license approved by opening night. The same outlets then followed up the report that booze would be flowing as soon as they obtained the license. We all know that the media tries to report what the public cares about and what sells ads. Does this really need to be on the 10 o’clock news? Or, is it such a big deal that people need to know so they can drink in advance of going? What’s the message? It just speaks to what people’s priorities are in Fresno. I know, I know. Fulton 55 still had a great turn out on opening night and that’s a good thing. Just saying.
You talk as if this were a BAD thing! Honestly people — this is the best news I’ve ever heard! If everyone’s drunk — then we must have some fine bars around town (and we do!).
Just appreciating a little humor in it.
Ughh!!! That’s the article I saw too. Now I’m believer in what everyone says. Fox News is a bunch of bull.
Hey, that’s all we can do. The timing of the posts was, indeed, funny.
Ah Fox News. Telling their version of the truth since September 12, 2001.
Boooooo! Still drinkin. Bring fresno back to the top!
Give Fresno credit where it’s really due. Why don’t they come out with the top cities to get high in?
I really dont think that fresno is any different than any other city
I did notice when I moved here from LA that alcohol does seem to be at the top of subjects people here do talk about though
I dont know about you guys but even on my facebook scrolling thru on a friday or saturday nite way more than half the people on my firends list are talking about getting trashed
Another funny thing is if you log into FB around 2 am you can see all the drunk posts people put up then the next morning they are all gone LOL
I havent seen anyone report this positive, but hilarious nugget.
Fresno ranked 16 on The Best and Worst Cities to Work list
http://www.careerbliss.com/press-releases/the-best-and-worst-cities-to-work
My assumption is that people rated Fresno highly because they’re so grateful to have their job, ANY job, when the other option is to stand in line for 4 hours at forever 21.
People, People, People. Fresno is a tee totaling town compared to any city in the deep south! Y’all hearhh, now: Come on down ‘n see us sometime, cause we be ah drinking like a beached whale in a sponge full a moonshine!