Slaving over a hot stove all day is not the only option for people on Thanksgiving. Denver’s bars and restaurants want to entice people out of their homes and make the holiday a social one by opening up the doors and serving up fine eats and drinks. Whether the meal is traditional turkey with a glass of wine or going all Colorado with lamb chops and a beer, there are plenty of options for getting out of the house on Thanksgiving and celebrating the holiday with family, friends and neighbors.
Mile High United Way Turkey Trot: Kill two turkeys with one stone Thanksgiving morning at Washington Park by joining the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot. First, run or walk the 4-mile course around the park to burn some calories, then have a pint of liquid refreshment from Great Divide in the beer garden right after. Registration opens at 8 AM with the race starting at 10 AM. Registration is $45 per person. Washington Park (corner of S. Franklin & E. Louisiana Streets)
The Corner Office: The Corner Office downtown will feature a “Southern Comfort” experience on Thanksgiving. The menu will include family-style servings of traditional dishes including roasted turkey, honey glazed ham, cornbread chorizo stuffing and mashed potatoes and gravy and much, much more. The restaurant will be open from 8 AM until 9 PM. Cost is $35 per person with alcoholic drinks extra. Reservations are suggested, but not required. (1401 Curtis St.; 303-825-6500)
Highland Tap & Burger: As always, HTB is open and welcoming on Thanksgiving. The restaurant will open for the evening at 4 PM and offer the late night food menu through the evening, and the bar will be fully operational with football on the TVs and happy hour drink specials until 6:30 PM. (2219 W 32nd Ave.; 720-287-4493)
Ignite Burgers & Bar: Over in the Ballpark Neighborhood, Ignite says come on over for “Friendsgiving” day on Thursday from 11 AM to 8 PM and get a Thanksgiving feast with all the yummy extras and no clean up. Football will be on the TVs and drinks specials will be happening. Call to make reservations. (2124 Larimer St.; 303-296-2600)
Kachina Southwestern Grill: Up in Westminster, Kachina is offering a “Back to Our Roots” dinner from 11:30 AM to 9 PM on Thanksgiving. Menu items include Chicken Tinga Tostada, Colorado Quinoa, Red Bird Farms Achiote Brined Turkey and Ruby Red Trout. All items will be served family style. Bottles of wine and the full cocktail menu will be available, however, Turkey Day drink specials will include the Devil’s Cider (Chamoucos Reposado, Leopold’s Orange Liqueur and mulled cider), Native Sage (Herradura Silver, sage-infused honey, lemon and grapefruit) and Mexican Coffee (Patron Café, Kahlua, coffee and whipped cream). Cost for the dinner $40 for adults and $15 for children, with alcoholic drinks extra. Reservations suggested, but not required. (10600 Westminster Blvd.; 303-410-5813)
Jake’s Food & Spirits: For those who want to spend the day watching football, head to Jake’s to see all three Thanksgiving NFL games on 11 TVs. Jake’s will open at 11 AM. (3800 Walnut St.; 303-295-3800)
Odyssey Beerwerks: The Odyssey Beerwerks Taproom will be open from noon until 6 PM on Thanksgiving so people can get their growlers filled with yummy beer for the holiday. The brewery will also be serving Hot Cinnamon Scotch Ale, only available at the brewery. Football will be on the taproom's one and only TV. Get a laugh watching Chief Brewer Josh and Canning Crew Zookeeper Karen attempt to be beertenders for a day. (5535 W 56th Ave., Ste. 107, Arvada; 303-421-0772)
The Palm: Located in the Westin Denver Downtown Hotel, The Palm will be open from noon to 8 PM on Thanksgiving and offer a three-course Thanksgiving menu for $55 per person ($24 per child) as well as the a la carte menu all day. Thanksgiving menu courses are listed on the website and reservations can be made online as well. (1672 Lawrence St.; 303-825-7256)
Rialto Café: The Rialto Café on the 16th Street Mall will start serving a Thanksgiving brunch at 9 AM. Alongside traditional Thanksgiving favorites of turkey and mash potatoes, brunch will also feature breakfast items like eggs benedict and breakfast burritos. There will also be a bloody mary bar and bottomless mimosas. (934 16th St.; 303-893-CAFÉ (2233))
The Tavern: The Tavern Uptown, Tavern Tech Center and Tavern Littleton want you to get up off the couch after that afternoon nap and meet with friends. All three locations will open at 5 PM on Thursday and at the Tech Center and Littleton enjoy Ladies Night from 9 PM to Midnight with complimentary house wine, well drinks and domestic drafts. (Uptown, 538 E 17th Ave.; Tech Center, 5336 DTC Blvd.; Littleton, 2589 W. Main St.)
Session Kitchen: Session Kitchen wants to prep you with a pre-Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday, November 26, with a three-course dinner featuring West Coast oysters, lamb top rounds, cauliflower ravioli and chocolate beignets. The meal is $35 per person with an optional wine pairing for an additional $15. Call for reservations. (1518 Pearl St.; 720-763-3387)
Zengo & La Biblioteca:The next door neighbor restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving, but will be offering $5 margaritas on Wednesday, November 26, and Black Friday, November 28. (1610 Little Raven St.; 720-904-0965 and 303-572-3000)
Photo via Flickr
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