Best Bars for Thanksgiving Eve
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Whether you are trying to escape your family for a few hours or catching up with old friends, the night before Thanksgiving might find you looking for a place to gather for a drink. We’ve chosen a handful of local places good for a Thanksgiving eve reunion. Maybe we’ll see you at one of them!
The Avery, Providence
If, like us, you are long out of high school and the responsibilities of family and the holiday have prevented you from imbibing Thanksgiving eve, we recommend the Avery. With a gorgeous interior and a laid-back vibe, the Avery is a true gem on the Providence bar scene. While it’s smack in the middle of the trendy West Side, your hipster quotient doesn’t need to be off the charts to feel comfortable here. The beer selection is impressive in quality if not quantity, the bar staff is happy to recommend one of their expertly-made drinks; heck, even whiskey lovers will be happy with a decent selection at the Avery. We also love that the lighting is dim (makes the crows’ feet less visible) and it never seems too loud here, so you can actually converse with friends. Just make sure you tell those friends that the sign marking this off-Broadway bar is small so keep on the lookout. Just one more thing that adds to its charm. 18 Luongo Memorial Sq, www.averyprovidence.com
Gillary’s, Bristol
We have a certain affinity for Bristol, we were married there after all! And, after the reception ended in the space above the DeWolfe Tavern, we all ended up at Gillary’s. We’re sure the beer tasted better because of it, but boy did we have fun. The odd combination of Bristol locals, crusty fishermen and the wedding party was perfect. That fun atmosphere makes it a great bar for that pre-holiday night out with friends. If you get there early they have traditional pub fare available to provide a good base for all the drinks to come. That night we enjoyed the varied beer selection and several of the different cocktails on the drink menu. And don’t worry…this may be a town bar but the ladies got several tasty cosmopolitans that were just right. And no snickering from the guy sitting there who looked like Quint from Jaws. On Thanksgiving Eve they are hosting a party with a funk-influenced band called the DCQ Project. 198 Thames St, 253-2012, www.gillarys.com
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDave’s Bar and Grill, Warwick
Loud, casual, centrally-located and reasonably-priced, Dave’s is the kind of place that will satisfy everyone.
The drink selection is vast – especially the beers-on-tap – the service friendly if not always eager and there’s a good selection of basics on the menu that you can’t go wrong with – burgers, wings, and nachos. It’s hard not to have a good time at Dave’s, in part because it’s such a central gathering place that the likelihood is high you’ll run into people you know anyway. On Thanksgiving eve, count on plenty of you pals from Warwick Vets, Pilgrim, and Hendricken, all a stone’s throw from Dave’s. 2339 Post Rd, 739-7444.
Effin’s Last Resort, Smithfield
The sheer vastness of Effin’s makes it a fun and logical place to carouse if you went to high school, or just need a good place to meet, in the northern part of the state. There are lots of menu items to share (great grilled pizzas), strong drinks, live music and a dance floor…but also room to breathe. Chat up your neighborhood pals in the front bar, then leave them for a bit to play pool with your high school swim team in the back. Wednesday night features the insanely popular local band called Those Guys, and as it is dubbed “Gobble and Wobble” night, we’re expecting lots of fun surprises from the Effin’s crew. 325Farnum Pike, 349-3500, www.effinsri.com.
The Wild Colonial, Providence
Esquire magazine named this foot-of-College-Hill pub one of the best bars in America, citing its great beer selection and cult-following Trivia Night on Sundays as the reasons the bar is so terrific. Truth is, we like it any night of the week for their super-simplicity and friendly vibe. But on the eve of the day when we’re supposed to be giving thanks for the good stuff we have, we can’t think of a better place than this civically-minded pub to gather with friends. Whether they’re raising money for the food bank through their Grog and Dog Jog or trying to educate you about political issues during the Drinking Liberally series, this bar is more than just a bar. And we’re thankful for that! 250 South Water St, 621-5644, www.wildcolonial.com
Plus: Sweet Deals on Federal Hill
Thanksgiving Eve brings out the partiers in many clubs and hot Providence venues. We like the cluster of deals on Federal Hill this Wednesday... you could make a party on the Hill and never leave! Amici's One Year Anniversary Party happens to coincide with our national week of thanks, and to give back, they're celebrating complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails from 5-7pm. Down the street at Blush Wine Bar, the deal is even sweeter: they are picking up HALF your entire food and wine tab from 4-8pm! Amici, 242 Atwells Ave, 490-0409, www.amiciri.com, Blush Wine Bar, 332 Atwells Ave, 270-0050, www.blushri.com.
For more Thanksgiving deals and coverage, don't miss GoLocalTV fresh every day at 4pm and on demand 24/7, here.
Related Articles
- Modern Manners + Etiquette: How to be a Good Thanksgiving Guest
- Top Hostess Tricks for Thanksgiving
- 5 Great De-Stress Treatments for Thanksgiving Week
- 6 Ways to Avoid Thanksgiving Weight Gain
- Best Restaurants for a No-Cook Thanksgiving
