Bobby Palta

The bar tab of a 1787 farewell party for George Washington is still intact. The Founding Fathers drank 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, 8 bottles of whiskey, 22 bottles of porter, 8 bottles of hard cider, 12 of beer, and 7 bowls of alcoholic punch. There were only 55 attendees. In September 1787, just before the signing of the U.S. Constitution, George Washington attended a farewell gathering in Philadelphia with fellow delegates of the Constitutional Convention. What makes this night memorable is not just its historical significance, but the surviving bar tab that documents the staggering volume of alcohol consumed. With only 55 men in attendance, the tally reveals a feast of indulgence: dozens of bottles of fortified Madeira wine and claret, substantial amounts of whiskey, porter, and cider, along with large bowls of communal punch. By today’s standards, the sheer quantity seems almost unbelievable, averaging more than a bottle per man before considering the punch and beer. This extravagant send-off was not unusual for the era. Alcohol was a central feature of 18th-century social and political life, often consumed at levels that would astonish modern observers. Taverns and banquets were places where ideas were debated, alliances forged, and trust built, fueling not only camaraderie but the revolutionary spirit itself. The farewell party’s surviving record gives us a rare glimpse into the daily lives of the Founding Fathers, reminding us that these men, though monumental in history, were also human, fond of celebration, fellowship, and raising a glass to their new nation. Madeira wine was George Washington’s personal favorite, and he often ordered it by the cask. © Historyfeels #archaeohistories