New York is a party city. It hosts plenty of lively, high-energy events, and some of them include drinking and revelry. If you are nodding your head yes in recognition, here are 10 suggested strategies to enjoy a night out in town.

1. Less is more. Limit the number of drinks you take while partying—especially on summer days when it’s easiest to get dehydrated. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it makes you dehydrated.
2. Weaker is better. Trade in solid liquors like vodka, rum, or whisky for drinks with less alcohol, like wine or beer.
3. Skip the pre-party. Drinking before you go out to the main event could end up cutting your celebration short.
4. Plan ahead. The city that doesn’t sleep offers a party every day of the week, so tailor your party time to fit your schedule. That way you won’t be drinking on nights before you have to get up early for work or an important appointment.
5. Eat beforehand. Drinking on an empty stomach means your body will absorb alcohol more quickly. Eating before you drink helps keep the alcohol in your stomach longer, while your body digests the food. This helps slow down your body’s processing of alcohol. Eating after you’ve already started drinking does not work as well.
6. Water yourself down. Remember to have a glass of water before you drink alcohol—and keep on drinking water all through the rest of the night. This is the best way to make sure that you don’t pass out from dehydration.
7. No shots. It’s hard to drink in moderation if you’re taking shots. Choose a drink that you can sip slowly and truly enjoy.
8. Strong, then weak. Pace yourself by switching off between alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. This strategy will also help you avoid getting dehydrated.
9. Try the one-per-hour rule. The body of the average adult can process one alcoholic drink per hour. If you have no more than one drink an hour, you will get buzzed but not drunk.
10. Opt out of the rounds. If you’re taking turns buying rounds of drinks, you may feel obligated to have another drink, even if you don’t want one.

Have a safe, joyful night out!