Where to party on Thanksgiving Eve 2024 in Phoenix

A word to the wise: you might want to warn your family that you could be feeling a bit “out of sorts” or “under the weather” at the annual Thanksgiving gathering — or maybe even the entire weekend.

Why? Because Thanksgiving Eve, one of the busiest drinking and partying nights of the year, is happening on Wednesday.

As such, many nightspots, bars and venues across the Valley have celebrations planned in honor of the occasion, including concerts, dance nights, parties and other events.

Here's a look at some of the most notable nightlife and music events on Wednesday, Nov. 27, in metro Phoenix.

Tacosgiving Block Party

Cobra Arcade Bar, 801 N. Second St.

Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey. Case in point: Cobra Arcade Bar is hosting a taco-themed outdoor festival and block party on Wednesday night featuring DJs, drink specials and "good vibes." Aja Cruz, Yellawave, DJ Torres and other local selectors will provide the beats while outdoor bars will serve up libations. Guests can also enjoy classic coin-op games and tacos from local vendors. The 21-and-over party runs from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Admission is free.

Daft Punk Night Thanksgiving Eve

Bar Smith, 130 E. Washington St.

Seeking a Thanksgiving Eve celebration that’s “harder, better, faster, stronger” than other parties? SoCal-based tribute act Daft Punx will bring the iconic helmets of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo to life with a night of indie dance, electro and French touch grooves. The Club Decades DJs will also perform. The robot rock commences at 10 p.m. General admission tickets are $15 and a fast pass is $20.

FansGiving

Rockbar, 4245 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale

Local desert reggae band Black Bottom Lighters will gather with their nearest and dearest for their annual FansGiving show at Rockbar in Scottsdale. Fans and friends of the band will be along for the ride, as will openers — and fellow reggae-rockers — Highest Conspiracy, The Hourglass Cats and Chad Rubin. Doors are at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the show. Proceeds will benefit nonprofit restaurant The Joy Bus Diner.

Twerkey Wednesday

Stardust Pinbar, 401 W. Van Buren St., Suite C

Hit the illuminated dance floor at Stardust Pinbar and shake a tail feather during the twerk contest for a chance to win a cash prize. DJ April will spin tracks from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and ladies can enjoy select drinks for half price all night. Early arrival is recommended. No cover charge.

130 Club Friendsgiving

Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Ave.

DJs J-Me Lee and Pootiecat will offer a Thanksgiving Eve edition of the 130 Club. Expect to hear plenty of hip-hop and R&B of the Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino variety being spun in Valley Bar’s Music Hall starting at 9 p.m. No cover.

Thanksgiving Turkey Chop

Bang Bang, 420 S. Mill Ave., #201, Tempe

A feast of face-melting riddim and dubstep be blasted through Bang Bang’s sound system by Toronto-born DJ/producer Daniel Eusebio, better known as uSAYbFLOW. Hope your eardrums are ready. Local DJs Lodezz, Crimsin and Mvttress will warm up the crowd starting at 10 p.m. General admission tickets are $20 and VIP options start at $600.

Friendsgiving Fest

Westgate Entertainment District, 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale

This Thanksgiving Eve “bar stroll” at Westgate offers the chance to party with your crew at hotspots like LumberjAxes, Fat Tuesday, Wicked Wolf and Carousel Arcade Bar. Each location will have happy hour prices, music and more. Check-in begins at 7 p.m. and the first 500 attendees get a commemorative shirt and lanyard. Participation is free, but an online RSVP is requested. Donations to St. Mary’s Food Bank are encouraged and anyone who brings a canned or non-perishable food item gets a $1 drink at participating bars (limit one per person). Each additional donated item earns an entry into a drawing for prizes, including suite tickets to Billie Eilish’s Dec. 13 concert.

Xtra Ticket Thanksgiving Eve Party

Last Exit Live, 717 S. Central Ave.

Deadheads of the Valley, rejoice. Long-running tribute act Xtra Ticket is bringing back its annual pre-Thanksgiving show at Last Exit Live. The grooves will be heavy as they cover some of Grateful Dead’s best-known tunes during the evening-long jam. They’ll be joined by guitarist Mario Saravia of Legion of Mario fame. Get truckin’ starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Re:Sound Music & Friends: Beneath the Red Light

Melinda's Alley, 50 E. Adams St.

The DJs of local EDM label Re:Sound Music will spend the night before Independence Day filling the speakeasy-like setting of Melinda’s Alley with deep and melodic house music at their latest dance event. Expect a certain energy, vibe and flow to the affair, which starts at 9 p.m. The curated lineup will include sets from Crosstown Rebels, Knee Deep in Sound, Selador, Defected and a secret DJ that will be announced on the night of the party. Capacity is limited. Tickets are $25 per person.

Broadway Rave

The Rebel Lounge, 2323 E. Indian School Road

Know the lyrics to every song in “Hamilton” by heart? The Broadway Rave is your place to be on Thanksgiving Eve. Touted as “a dance party for adult theater kids,” the event features DJs spinning songs from “Wicked” and other hit musicals. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $23 at the door.

Night Before Thanksgiving

Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row, 323 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert

If sipping brews and booze while country musicians play twangy tunes sounds like the perfect way to spend Thanksgiving Eve, Whiskey Row is happy to oblige y'all. The Kruse Brothers will perform from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by Jake Jones at 8:30 p.m. and DJ Valentine spinning from 10:30 p.m. until last call. VIP table service is available by calling 480-442-0465.

Communion: GRAVESGIVING

Stacy’s at Melrose, 4343 N. Seventh St.

Rivetheads can kick off the holiday weekend on a gloomy note at this special Thanksgiving Eve edition of Communion, the goth/industrial/dark electro dance night. DJs Beautiful John, Apollynon, and D_Void will spin hard-hitting and ultra-moody tracks from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Admission is free.