Thanksgiving may be all about food, but for many, the night before is all about drinking. It can be a dangerous precursor to the holiday.

At Arooga’s Grille House and Sports Bar in downtown Patchogue, employees have to prepare for one of the busiest drinking nights of the year.

“Just make sure we’re over staffed,” said bartender Mike Flynn said. “We have a backups on liquor. Make sure we don’t run out of everything.”

With such a big influx of people, Suffolk County, Nassau County and state police are stepping up patrols and DWI enforcement.

“It’s definitely needed,” Flynn said. “The town does get wild. So hopefully, everyone just does their job and keeps everyone safe.”

"If you make the choice to go out and drive impaired, you very well could ruin your life or somebody else's,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said. “Don't make that choice."

Catalina says a $10 ride share is better than a $10,000 fine.

"We will be out at various checkpoints throughout the county,” Catalina said. “We're not going to tell you where, but there will be checkpoints. And if you're stupid enough to get caught up in one of those checkpoints, you will be arrested."