Sign in

Australian MP pours beer into his sneakers, drinks it. All about the drinking tradition Shoey

The Australian MP's gesture of pouring beer into his shoe and drinking to do a “Shoey” received mixed reactions from his peers and colleagues.

Updated on: May 24, 2025, 09:03:26 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

A video of an Australian MP’s parliamentary exit has taken over social media, with many wondering about his style of saying goodbye. The MP, Kyle McGinn, ended his final day in parliament by removing one of the sneakers he was wearing, pouring beer into it, and then drinking the beverage out of the shoe. What seemed bizarre to many is a drinking tradition among Australians called “Shoey.”

Australian MP Kyle McGinn drinking beer out of his shoe to do a “Shoey”. (YouTube/@parliamentofwesternaustralia)
Australian MP Kyle McGinn drinking beer out of his shoe to do a “Shoey”. (YouTube/@parliamentofwesternaustralia)

What is a Shoey?

According to a 2019 report by the New York Times, it is a tradition where alcohol, usually beer, is poured into a shoe someone is wearing. After finishing the drink, the wet shoe is given back to the person to wear.

Also Read: What is the hair-flipping ritual performed by women to welcome Trump in UAE? All about Al-Ayyala

Though the origins of the Shoey are murky, several famous people have done it.

The list includes Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo, film stars Sir Patrick Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Hugh Grant, and Gerard Butler. Several musicians have also done Shoey, including Machine Gun Kelly and Stormzy.

“Might as well get this over with”: Kyle McGinn

“I thought so long and hard about how to finish this speech, and my constituents in the Goldfields, I think, will be particularly appreciative – there’s only one way to do it,” McGinn said, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I’m used to getting told off, so we might as well get this over and done with, but I would like to say to the members and the constituents across WA, thank you for two fantastic terms. Cheers,” he continued before chugging his drink.

How did Kyle McGinn’s peers react?

The gesture reportedly amused some members, while others remained unimpressed. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Legislative Council President Alanna Clohesy ordered McGinn to take his palace after he pulled off the stunt.

“The honourable member is very well aware that he ran a very fine line in offending the dignity of council, so I’m assuming his speech has concluded,” she said.

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of digital newsroom experience. Specialising in high-engagement storytelling, she blends viral trends with traditional journalism to cover the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. Her reporting spans real estate and personal finance struggles in hubs like Bengaluru and Gurgaon, the NRI experience, and corporate shifts like tech layoffs. Trisha also frequently tracks global figures and writes human interest stories. Offline, Trisha is an avid reader, history enthusiast and solo traveler. She balances her journalism career with family life while actively integrating AI tools into her modern storytelling approach.Read More

Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.