Though the Pilgrims did celebrate a harvest festival in late November, it wasn’t until the Civil War that Thanksgiving became a regularly-commemorated (and official) holiday, thanks to a declaration by Abraham Lincoln. Whatever the origins, most Americans today recognize the event as the start of the winter holiday season, a time to gather with family on the fourth Thursday of the month for an ample feast. And right before that, to meet up with friends new and old for some good, old-fashioned partying.

There aren’t any conclusive studies that Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest drinking day of the year, but anecdotal evidence shows it to be one of the biggest nights for liquor sales at bars and restaurants everywhere. College students head home and meet up with old buddies, working folk are freed to have fun by the forthcoming long weekend, and everyone takes the opportunity to de-stress in advance of a big family gathering.

Of course, law enforcement is aware of the night-before-turkey-day trend as well, and are out in full force to stop underage kids from being served and put a kibosh on drinking and driving. So check out our list of November 23 parties and drink deals, go find those old pals and buy them a round or two, but be sure to be safe in your merry-making. Happy Thanksgiving!

Club Hippo Thanksgiving Eve Bingo
Where: Club Hippo, 1 W. Eager St.
When: 8:30 PM

Howl at the Moon Dueling Piano Show & Party
Where: Power Plant Live, 22 Market Pl.
When: 7 PM
Specials: $5 Bacardi cocktails; $15 86-oz. “Adios Mofo Buckets of Booze”; $3 16-oz. Bud & Bud Light drafts

St. Demetrious Annual Thanksgiving Eve Dance
Where: The Hermes Center, 2504 Cub Hill Rd., Parkville
When: 9 PM
Price: $35 at the door
Drinks: BYOB or cash bar

Tweetsgiving
Where: Bad Decisions
When: 5 PM–2 AM
Specials: Seasonal drink list and the return of the popular (and dangerous) tweetbomb; $1 from each drink goes to the Maryland chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Thanksgiving Eve 80s Party
Where: Mother's Grille
When: 10 PM–1 AM
Specials: Rock out to all things retro and Nu Wave to Duran Duran, Devo, FLock of Seagulls, Culture Club, Billy Idol, ABC, Soft Cell & more

Thanksgiving Free 4 All
Where:  Mex, Luckie's Tavern, Luckie's Liquors, Angels Rock Bar, PBR Baltimore, Mosaic and Leinenkugel's Beer Garden
When: 9 PM–midnight
Specials: $25 entrance fee brings open bar all night

Thanksgiving Eve Party
Where: The Point in Fells
When: TBA
Specials: Live music downstairs with $5 Bombs, $4 Shocktops & Leinenkugel Oktoberfest; Upstairs bar will be open with $2 Natty Boh and $5 Bombs

Wednesday Night Special
Where: No Idea Tavern
When: 5 PM–2 AM
Specials: $5 all you can drink for females; $5 burgers

Photo via Flickr user chayday