Looking to escape that annoying AF relative who won’t stop talking about immigration? Tired of listening to Aunt Milda’s thoughts about socializing healthcare, when you just want to eat some damn stuffing?
If you need a drink on Turkey Day (or maybe you just don't want to cook a meal at all), there are options, folks.
Regardless of your reasoning for hitting up a bar on Thanksgiving, here are ten options for you in South Florida. Pro tip: Make sure to buzz your favorite spot(s) ahead of time and make reservations, if available. It is a holiday and we should all be thankful for the kind restaurant folks that work on this day! Bonus pro tip: Keep the tips flowing.
The Balcony on Las Olas. Hurricane season is not over. So, downing a Hurricane (or any of the Balcony’s delicious drinks) on Thanksgiving seems appropriate. In addition to a fully stocked bar, this Las Olas hotspot is offering a New Orleans-inspired, three-course Thanksgiving meal ($49 for adults) until 9:30 p.m., including cheese grits and braised ham, braised short rib with horseradish mashed potato popover and even a pumpkin crème brulee. 1309 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; thebalconylasolas.com. 754-200-6344.
Park Tavern. Thanksgiving isn't just for chowing down on turkey; it's also about giving back. Park Tavern has you covered on both fronts with their Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day festivities. Pre-game with some $5 shots of fireball whiskey and enjoy drink specials until 2 a.m. on the Wednesday before the big day. On Thanksgiving, head to the Delray spot for a $25 dinner including roasted, free-range turkey, cornbread stuffing, and buttermilk mashed potatoes with bourbon gravy. Make sure to bring canned food for Park Tavern's food drive: ten cans earns you ten percent off your tab. 32 SE Second Ave., Delray Beach; parktaverndelray.com. 561-265-5093.
Burlock Coast. A Thanksgiving feast that comes with a bottomless drinks package? Yes, please. Burlock Coast inside the Ritz Carlton in Fort Lauderdale is offering an extravagant buffet from noon to 8 p.m., including carving stations, a seafood display and a caviar station. Included ($129 for adults) are bottomless BC Brew, Rum Punch, mimosas and bloody marys. Cheers! 1 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; ritzcarlton.com. 954-302-6460.
Crazy Uncle Mike’s. Boca’s newest brewery is having quite the feast on Thanksgiving. And there will be beer from brewmaster Corey Wilson on Turkey Day. Enjoy your libations paired with items from a one-of-a-kind a-la-carte menu, including sweet potato pancakes with crispy tenders, ham croquettes and even some good ole-fashioned cookies and milk. 6450 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton; crazyunclemikes.com. 561-931-2889.
The Field Irish Pub & Eatery. A little Irish flair never hurts anything... even on an American holiday. So, venture over to the Field for a traditional roast turkey dinner ($22) – including pumpkin bisque and lollipop lamb chops - from noon to 6 p.m. After grubbin’, down a few Guinnesses and enjoy live Irish tunes from Celtic Bridge from 4 to 7 p.m., too. 3281 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale; thefieldfl.com. 954-964-5979.
El Vez. If you’re wanting your Thanksgiving to be a true fiesta, here’s your spot. In addition to cervezas and tequila, El Vez is serving up a Mexican-inspired Thanksgiving Plate for $31. Enjoy a spice rubbed turkey with mole poblano accompanied with green chorizo and squash blossom stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and sweet potato pie. Muy bien! 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; elvezfortlauderdale.com. 954-414-8336.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The casino is always open, and Thanksgiving will certainly be no exception. Enjoy several bars under one roof, including The Center Bar, L Bar and Council Oak Bar & Lounge. After you win at landing a beverage on Thanksgiving, you can try to win at some video poker, too. 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood; seminolehardrockhollywood.com. 866-502-7529.
Point Royal. Bottomless hard cider punch? Yes, that sounds appropriate for Thanksgiving. Enjoy the Point Royal concoction as part of its Thanksgiving Day Brunch Buffet ($75 for adults). In addition to heaps of roasted turkey, save room for the pepper crusted long bone ribeye, duck hash and roasted banana maple pecan cheesecake, too. 3555 S. Ocean Drive, Hollywood; pointroyal-fl.com. 954-602-8750.
Shooters Waterfront. Fort Lauderdale is the “Venice of America”. So, enjoy your Thanksgiving meal and a beverage waterside. In addition to a fully-stocked bar, Shooters Waterfront is having a Thanksgiving Buffet ($56 for adults) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., including herb-infused roasted turkey, sweet potato casserole and butternut squash soup, among other yummy offerings. 3033 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale; shooterswaterfront.com. 954-566-2855.
Mulligan’s Beach House. You can get a pumpkin mule, cranberry margarita or cran-apple mojito on Turkey Day at this Lake Worth spot. On the food front, enjoy a turkey plate for $14.99 or complete turkey dinner, with salad, roll and dessert for $19.99. Oh, and the view’s not too shabby either, being across from the ocean and all. 10 S. Ocean Blvd., Lake Worth; mulligansbeachhouse.com. 561-588-4133.
Triple B Bar & Grill. This Hollywood joint is always cozy, has great drink prices, and Thanksgiving will be no exception. If you get hungry – which you absolutely will because this holiday was made for eating – Triple B is offering a Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl and pumpkin pie for $8.99 while supplies last. The joint is open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursdays. 830 S. Dixie Hwy., Hollywood; triplebbarandgrill.com. 754-888-9978.