7 Friendsgiving events to toast Turkey Day with your crew in Phoenix

Friendsgiving may have started as a supplemental event or alternative to the traditional (and occasionally awkward) family Thanksgiving dinners, typically held at friends’ homes. But Valley restaurants and bars are hopping on the trend and offering plenty of options for you to gather with your friends (and any “back home ballers”) prior to, and even on, turkey day.

From literal potlucks to prix fixe meals, special events and drink specials, there’s a lot to do with your friends this Thanksgiving. Here are seven events ideal for gathering your crew before the holiday.

Turkey Tiki Takeover at Quartz

Nov. 25
341 W. Van Buren St., Suite BThe downtown cocktail lounge will host a potluck party and shake up some spins on tiki classics. The event, which starts at 7:30 p.m., is free and will take place in Quartz‘s main lounge. Guests are encouraged to bring a dish to share with your fellow revelers. The bar recently rolled out a new cocktail menu at its lounge and its hidden bar, The Cave, so it’s also a good excuse to try one of the bar’s latest crystal or desert-inspired sips. If potlucks aren’t your thing or you don’t have time to cook, the bar also offers a selection of small bites, including recently added snack boxes packed with items such as charcuterie or conservas.

Friendsgiving Prix Fixe Dinner at Kid Sister

Nov. 25
4810 N. Seventh St.Monday night at Kid Sister is “BYOF: bring your own friends and let us do the rest.” The wine bar and bistro will offer a special three-course Friendsgiving meal for $55. Guests will be served a potato rosti with horseradish cream, smoked salmon and chive to start. Entree selections include steak Diane or a vegetarian lasagna di rotolo. Both are accompanied with spiced carrots. A basque cheesecake with candied hibiscus closes the meal. Guests can add supplements to the dinner, including focaccia or salad. This is a ticketed event and reservations can be made on Resy.

Wingsgiving at CC’s on Central

Nov. 27
2800 N. Central Ave., #A100CC’s on Central serves some of our favorite wings in the Valley. But if you’re not in the area during the daytime, it can be challenging to get your hands on the restaurant’s explosively flavored dry-rubbed wings. Wednesday may be your chance. With Wingsgiving, CC’s is inviting some friends into the kitchen. Mobile pitmaster Bearded Barbecue and Love Me Tender, which makes wings for Bad Jimmy’s on Mondays, will join CC’s in the kitchen to craft a cornucopia of wings, starting at 7 p.m., available for dine-in or takeout.

Fifth Annual Friendsgiving at Pedal Haus

Nov. 27
Multiple locationsPedal Haus Brewing will host a spirited pre-Thanksgiving bash at its locations in downtown Phoenix, Tempe and Chandler. The brewery plans to release its seasonal Peppermint Porter, which will be available for $5, in addition to $4 pints of Day Drinker Light Lager and $6 seasonal margaritas all day. The brewpubs will also have food available and live music on tap from 5 to 8 p.m. 

Drinksgiving Trivia Party at Butler’s Easy

Nov. 27
8375 N. Seventh St.Test your turkey day knowledge with this special trivia night at the North Phoenix bar Butler’s Easy. Trivia, which kicks off at 7 p.m. will have a holiday slant, with some food-related topics including “What’s it cost? Thanksgiving edition.” Soul food truck King’s Plate will be on hand and the bar will be crafting holiday-themed drinks, along with its regular roster of creative, well-executed cocktails, like the vanilla bean milk-washed gin cocktail, Lavender Fog.

Friendsgiving Late Night Party

Nov. 27
24 W. Camelback RoadFor those looking to burn the midnight oil with their pals, the bottle shop and bar Joy Lush Club has a Friendsgiving party for you. This free event will feature a DJ, flash tattoos from Neon Bloom Ink, turkey caricatures by Terror Caricatures, food from mobile pizzeria Gabeesh Italian Eats and drink specials at the bar. The party begins at 8 p.m.

Friendsgiving at Ground Control

Nov. 28
4860 N. Litchfield Road, Litchfield ParkThe West Valley coffeehouse and taproom Ground Control Craft Food & Drink will offer a special food menu and hours on Thanksgiving day. The Litchfield Park gastropub will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “for anyone who needs a place to go on this holiday of thankfulness,” a post on Instagram says. Ground Control will serve a $20 Friendsgiving Special that includes smoked turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, a King’s Hawaiian roll and choice of a pint or glass of wine. This is one of a slew of events Ground Control is hosting in advance of its closure on Dec. 13. The owners announced the coming closure along with promises of a comeback. “Until we close our doors – for now – we ask you to please come out and support as much as possible. Moving locations is very expensive and we would appreciate all the sales we can to make this happen,” the post says.