Bars expect crowds on Thanksgiving eve
CITYWIDE — Santa Monicans will be heading out in droves tonight, tying one on amid what has quietly become the second biggest party night of the year — Thanksgiving eve.
While retailers have been busy gearing up for “Black Friday,” local bar owners have been stocking up for the unofficial holiday kickoff for those who imbibe.
It’s not as lucrative as New Year’s Eve, but many establishments expect to double, if not triple, their sales tonight as those who normally might remain home watching episodes of “Lost” venture out into the night to celebrate and reconnect with old friends in town for the holidays.
The night has become so popular that some clubs bump up cover charges to rake in even more dough, while others switch things up, offering drink specials to remain competitive.
“This is going to be one of the busiest nights for us,” said Steve Young, a bartender at Finn McCool’s on Main Street, which had to cancel its regularly scheduled band because they expect a full house.“The atmosphere is totally different from the weekends. People are out looking to have a good time and don’t really care about how much money they spend. They’re just ready to let loose.”
At Britannia Pub just off the Third Street Promenade, co-owner Olwyn Perrem said she is expecting to see many familiar faces and some new ones as people look to “escape the madness” of holiday shopping.
“The night before Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to go out and party hard,” Perrem said. “Nobody has to work the next day, people are just really relaxed and looking forward to a few days off.”
Sales jump mainly because of an influx of college students and young professionals who return home and want to reunite with friends and family, bartenders said.
Debbie Ho, a student at New York University, was in Santa Monica shopping with friends on Tuesday night. Ho, who is home visiting relatives, said she plans to spend Wednesday night catching up with old friends from high school while partying at some Santa Monica nightspots.
“The night before Thanksgiving is great because you can stay out late and you don’t have to worry about what time you get up,” said Ho. “Well, that is if you don’t have to help stuff your turkey and all that. I think people go out on Thanksgiving eve because they really just need a release. You’ve been forced to spend all this time with family and now you just want to go out and go crazy for a night, have some fun before you have to face the relatives again.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 22, 2006. Read the original PDF.