Australian MP Drinks Beer From His Sneaker: The Story Behind Australia’s Shoey Tradition

May 22, 2025: In a uniquely Aussie send-off, Western Australia MP Kyle McGinn has made headlines for celebrating his final day in Parliament with a “shoey”—the iconic and slightly revolting Australian tradition of drinking beer out of a shoe.

McGinn wrapped up his tenure in the WA Parliament not with a speech, but with a sneaker full of lager. “There was only one way to do it,” he declared, cracking open a can, pouring it into his own sneaker, and chugging it to cheers and laughter from fellow MPs. The act was captured on video and has since gone viral across social media.

What’s a Shoey?

For the uninitiated, a “shoey” is a beloved (and bizarre) Aussie ritual often performed during celebrations or moments of triumph. It involves drinking alcohol—typically beer—from a shoe, often one’s own, before promptly slipping the damp footwear back on.

It might sound off-putting to outsiders, but the shoey is seen in Australia as a cheeky, egalitarian gesture of celebration—equal parts humor, humility, and party spirit.

McGinn Joins a List of Shoey Legends

Kyle McGinn now finds himself in quirky company. Others who’ve performed a shoey include:

• Daniel Ricciardo, F1 driver who popularized the ritual on the global stage
• Jimmy Fallon, American late-night host
• Sir Patrick Stewart, yes, Captain Picard himself
• Hugh Grant, British actor who gamely joined the shoey ranks

McGinn’s farewell shoey may not be enshrined in political history books, but it’s certainly a memorable way to close a chapter—with foam, flair, and a little funk.

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Net Reaction? Classic Aussie Humor

Online reactions have ranged from amused admiration to classic Aussie banter:

• “Only in Australia do MPs retire with a shoey.”
• “The Parliament floor will never be the same again—literally.”
• “Respect. Wet sock and all.”

Love it or gag at the thought, the shoey continues to be one of Australia’s most enduringly bizarre traditions—and Kyle McGinn just took it to Parliament.