CINCINNATI -- There is no real evidence that Thanksgiving Eve is the most popular bar night of the year.
Still, Thanksgiving-related stress and holiday homecomings offer two great reasons to enjoy a night out.
Local bars and nightclubs understand. That's why many are offering a place to gather before turkey is served and have extended Thanksgiving-themed specials into the weekend.
Check out this list of places to go with friends, family or solo.
Thanksgiving Eve -- New Wave Night at Japp's
When: 8 p.m.-midnight Wednesday.
Where: Japp's Since 1879, 1136 Main St., Over-the-Rhine.
Details: No cover. Ages 21 years old and over. Japp's will kick it old school with bartenders mixing '80s cocktails that are not too sweet with homemade ingredients. DJ Mike Stankovich will play new wave music on cassettes, vinyl and CDs, and everyone is invited to dress in their favorite 1980s-inspired attire. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Thanksgiving Fest
When: 4 p.m. Wednesday-2 a.m. Thursday
Where: Howl at the Moon & Splitsville, 145 E. Second St., Downtown.
Details: Free. The dueling piano and luxury bowling bar at the Banks is offering $5 Bacardi cocktails, $3 Leinenkugel drafts and $20 86-ounce spiked punch buckets. There also will be a $100 Visa gift card giveaway and, of course, live music and bowling. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Cal Scruby
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday-1 a.m. Thursday.
Where: Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville.
Details: $15. All ages. Join rapper and Ohio State University alumni Cal Scruby at Bogart's the night before Thanksgiving. DJ ETrayn, Kev the Goon, Nyzzy Nyce, Yates Bruh, Alexander Dreamer and Nuk also will perform. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Dawg Yawp, DYAN, Brianna Kelly-Thanksgiving Eve at the Woodward Theater
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Where: The Woodward Theater, 1401 Main St., Over-the-Rhine.
Details: $7 advanced ticket, $10 at the door. Ages 18 years old and over. Enjoy three great bands at the Woodward. Doors open at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Thanksgiving Eve with Karaoke Fantastic at NST
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday-2 a.m. Thursday.
Where: Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside.
Details: Free admission. Ages 21 and older. Sing your heart out on Thanksgiving Eve at Northside Tavern with Karaoke Fantastic. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Thanksgiving Rockin' Eve with the Almighty Get Down and the Lovers
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday-1 a.m. Thursday.
Where: 20th Century Theatre, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley.
Details: $12 advanced tickets, $14 at the door, $2 discount with donation. Party for a cause this Thanksgiving Eve at the 20th Century Theatre. For four years in a row this neighborhood institution has hosted a party benefiting the Oakley Community Food Bank. This year the Almighty Get Down and the Lovers will bring the music. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Thanksgiving Eve at Darkness Brewing
When: 6-11 p.m. Wednesday.
Where: Darkness Brewing, 224 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue.
Details: Free admission. Street Chef Brigade will serve fried chicken, Bows and Arrows will provide the music and Darkness Brewing will pour its latest batch of craft beers. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Alumni Club -- Thanksgiving Eve at Moerlein Lager House
When: 8 p.m.-midnight Wednesday.
Where: Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown.
Details: No cover. $3 Hudepohl Pure Lager 12-ounce bottles and buckets of Little Kings for $10. Alumni Club is a fraternity- and sorority-themed party where people can reunite with school friends on Thanksgiving Eve. There will be a live DJ, and Moerlein's kitchen will stay open until 11 p.m. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Thanksgiving Eve at Mynt hosted by Yates Bruh
When: 10 p.m. Wednesday-2 a.m. Thursday.
Where: Mynt, 28 Fountain Square Plaza, Downtown.
Details: No cover. Ages 21 and older. Yates Bruh, DJ ETrayn and DJ DaveyC will make a mad dash to Mynt after opening for Cal Scruby at Bogart's. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Afro Caribbean Thanksgiving Eve Party
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday-2:30 a.m. Thursday.
Where: Cove51, 11473 Chester Road, Cincinnati.
Details: Ages 21 and older. Enjoy a lineup of international DJs ready to entertain. DJ TizieB (Cove51), DJ X, DJ FrankieD and others will perform African beats, soca, reggae, dancehall and more music. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Thanksgiving Eve Charitable Suds
When: 5 p.m.-midnight Wednesday.
Where: Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.
Details: Free admission. All ages. Rhinegeist is hosting a super-sized Charitable Suds event benefiting Fall Feast, the organizer of one of the largest free Thanksgiving meals in Greater Cincinnati. DJ Soul Step will provide the music, Rhinegeist will provide the beer and the Chicken Mac Truck will sell delicious grub from 7 p.m. to midnight. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Taft'sgiving -- State of the Reunion Party
When: 8 p.m.-midnight Wednesday.
Where: Taft's Ale House, 1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.
Details: Free admission. All ages. Taft's will tap its Bourbon Barrel Aged Beep Bop Boop Weizenbock at 6 p.m., followed by DJ Storm spinning tunes starting at 8 p.m. There also will be drink specials throughout the night. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.
Blue Wisp Big Band's 37th annual Thanksgiving Eve Extravaganza
When: 8:30-11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Where: Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside.
Details: Ticket prices vary. The Blue Wisp Big Band returns with two sets of festive big band jazz. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.
Thanksgiving Eve at Arnold's with the New Royals and Grace Lincoln Band
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday-12:30 a.m. Thursday.
Where: Arnold's Bar and Grill, 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown.
Details: Free. All ages. Enjoy a funky Thanksgiving Eve with live music from the New Royals and Grace Lincoln Band at Arnold's. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
After Dinner Social at Prvlgd
When: 10 p.m. Wednesday-2:30 a.m. Thursday.
Where: PRVLGD, 301 W. Fifth St., Downtown.
Details: Ages 21 and older. This is an upscale affair for people wanting to unwind after Thanksgiving dinner. Polished dress is suggested; gym shoes, ball caps or plain T-shirts are prohibited. DJ Bandcamp and DJ J.Dough will provide the music with a special guest appearance from Master Fresh. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Thanksgiving Weekend Black Party hosted by Ashanti at OTR Live
When: 10 p.m. Nov. 26-2:30 a.m. Nov. 27.
Where: OTR Live, 209 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine.
Details: $25. Ages 21 and older. R&B singer Ashanti will host and perform at this Thanksgiving weekend party at OTR Live. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.
Beat Faction: Thanksgiving Edition
When: 10 p.m. Nov. 26-2 a.m. Nov. 27.
Where: Below Zero Lounge, 1120 Walnut St., Downtown.
Details: Free admission. Ages 21 and older. Enjoy an evening of 1980s club alternative music. The lineup of musical hosts includes Gerald Shell, Christian "Mindcandy" Vesper and Brian "DJ Troll" Arnberg. Expect a heavy dose of synth-pop, industrial, dark wave, new wave, alternative, new beat and post punk music. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.
Queen City Radio presents: Food Coma -- a Slumber Party
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 26-2:30 a.m. Nov. 27
Where: Queen City Radio, 222 W. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine.
Details: Free admission. Ages 21 and older. The staff of Queen City Radio is hosting a Thanksgiving weekend pajama party. Drinks will be served in comfortable sleep attire as a way to unwind after time spent with family and the effects of food comas. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.
