Depending on the state of your family's interpersonal relations and the amount of emotional baggage they have stowed away, Thanksgiving will either be a joyous or hellish experience.
If it's the former, you might be in search of a place to knock back a few with some of your relations from out of town. But if it happens to be more of the latter, a few places to escape to after getting your fill of all the psychodrama are needed. Either way, we've got you covered.
See also: Chow Bella's Guide to Everything Thanksgiving in Metro Phoenix
Both the night before T-Day and the evening hours of the holiday itself will feature a surfeit of more than a dozen celebrations at metro Phoenix after-dark establishments. Festivities will offer the opportunity to pre-game Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 27, or have a nightcap following the big meal. That includes chances to down a few shots of Wild Turkey (natch) or shake a tailfeather to EDM at spots around Tempe, Scottsdale, and Phoenix.
Hi Fi Kitchen & Cocktails They'll be celebrating Thanksgiving Eve both inside Hi Fi and out along Indian Plaza during the "Party like a Pilgrim" block party on Wednesday, November 27. A two-story dance floor will be set up for the event, $4 Ole Smoky cocktails and shots will be served, an extended happy hour from 2 to 7 p.m. is planned, and both DJs and live music will be offered from 2 p.m. until 2 a.m. Admission is free.
C.A.S.A. Sunbá The folks at this popular Mill Avenue joint will really get into the T-Day spirit during the Futzgiving Street Party on Wednesday, November 27. To wit: Patrons are encouraged to dress in pilgrim and Native American costumes and photo ops with Tom the Turkey will take place. The DJ lineup includes performances by Nuck 'n Futz, RiZkee, and DJ Diamondz. Champagne Thanksgiving dinners will also be available from 8 to 10 p.m. for $20. Gates open at 8 p.m. Admission is free with a canned food donation.
Crudo Avian-inspired spirits and libations will be the focus of Crudo's "Give Em' the Bird" celebration on Wednesday, November 27, as resident mixologist Micah Olson and special guest bartenders Jason Asher and Clint Spotleson will create handcrafted cocktails utilizing Wild Turkey, Aylesbury Duck Vodka, Black Grouse Scotch, and other fitting intoxicants. Meanwhile, executive chef Cullen Campbell will conjure up such dishes as pastrami-style chicken wings with mustard vin for patrons to gobble up. The fowl fun starts at 9 p.m.
El Hefe Thanksgiving is all about reuniting with kith and kin, right? That's what Scottsdale club scene expat DJ Fashen, who relocated to L.A. a few years ago, will be doing over the holiday. He'll make a return to his old stomping ground on Wednesday, November 27, as the guest of honor during El Hefe's "Giving Thanks for Fashen" party. But despite what the Facebook flyer for the event may portray, we're guessing that he won't be sporting a pilgrim hat. Doors open at 8 p.m. and Fashen hits the decks at 11 p.m. El Hefe will also be open on Thursday, November 27, starting at 7 p.m. for post- Thanksgiving shenanigans.
Fat Tuesday Got an unsightly beast of a holiday sweater? DJ Hazardous wants to see you sport it in style during the Ugly Sweater Party on Wednesday, November 27. Along with the other members of the Party Time Crew, the club selector will host the Thanksgiving Eve affair and spin EDM alongside fellow DJs like Cyberpunk, Wisko, and Def. Drink deals include $3 specials on Miller Lights, Skyy Vodka, Fireball, and Jägermeister. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is free.
Sandbar Mexican Grill All three Sandbar locations will host "Twerky Day" celebrations on Wednesday, November 27, each featuring live music and DJs dropping hit tracks. A variety of holiday-themed libations and eats will also be on tap, including $4 Wild Turkey 101s, $4 pumpkin beer, and $5 cranberry margaritas. The parties start at 8 p.m. Admission is free.
The Shout! House Anyone who happens to be participating in Movember might wanna consider heading for this rock 'n' roll piano bar at Westgate on Wednesday, November 27, since they'll score free admission to its Mustache Bash. Females and those fellas who aren't rocking a handlebar can get in on the same deal by sporting faux facial hair, and everyone's welcome to partake in $2 domestic drafts and $3 premium drinks. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the dueling pianos start at 8 p.m.
Hula's Modern Tiki Partake in enough of Hula's themed specialty cocktails and happy hour food and drink deals, which will be offered all night long, during its Modern Thanksgiving party on Wednesday, November 27, and you might just believe you've been whisked away to a holiday celebration on an island paradise. (Note: Your mileage may vary.) A live band will also perform during the affair, which runs until 11 p.m. Admission is free.
Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row A major holiday hootenanny is planned for the hometown country music superstar's Saddlebag Trail spot on Wednesday, November 27, which its staff has dubbed the "biggest bar night of the year." DJ Brett Ortiz will spin country and western hits from 9 p.m. until close and both bottle and VIP service will be available. Call 480-382-1505 for more info. No cover.
The Monarch Theatre Turkey meets twonking and twerking when EDM artists Brillz, Broadway Slim, and Decade serve up a heaping helping of foundation-shaking dance jams on Wednesday, November 27, during the appropriately titled Bassgiving party. Doors open at 9 p.m. General admission is $20, and VIP access (which includes express entry, a commemorative lanyard, and access to an exclusive viewing area) is $35.
Club 24 The DJs of Rebel Disco will venture outside their regular hangout at Bar Smith for the Blackout Wednesday affair at this CenPho club. Special guest Justin Miller (of DFA Records fame) will spin alongside the Rebel Disco crew during the event, which takes place on Wednesday, November 27, and specials include $1 Mystery Turkey shots, $4 well drinks, and $4 domestic beers all night. Doors are at 9 p.m. Admission is $10 (with $5 off for those who RSVP via Facebook).
Lustre Rooftop Garden Al Page will drop dance hits, funk, soul, and other sumptuous beats during a Pre-Thanksgiving party at the open-air bar on Wednesday, November 27. As always, Lustre will offer impressive views of downtown Phoenix at night and a selection of handcrafted cocktails. Starts at 9 p.m., and there's no cover.
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Monarch Theatre Pete "SuperMix" Salaz and a few of his friends plan to lay out quite the impressive spread on Thanksgiving, although it's going to be more audio than edible. The esteemed house music guru and a slew of special guests will dish out a massive T-Day buffet of beats of the funky and four-on-the-floor variety during his annual RedMonkey: Work That Turkey dance party on Thursday, November 28. Salaz is flying in fellow house veteran Jask Thaisoul to spin up his pastiche of deep electronic rhythms interwoven with jazzy, soulful, and disco grooves while attendees work off the mass quantities of calories they likely ingested earlier in the day. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $10.
Lux Coffeebar Sean Watson and Bennie Beatnik will gather their nearest and dearest on Thursday, November 28, for a Thanksgiving night filled with beats, booze, and (of course) dancing. Both DJs are gonna be in the mix all evening as the bar staff crafts specialty holiday cocktails for those in attendance. The party starts at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.
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