Thanksgiving is a great American holiday. We get to enjoy the company of friends and family, eat a huge meal without guilt, and watch football, or maybe play football in the yard, all afternoon. But what happens at the end of the day when you’re finally hungry again but had too much turkey? Maybe the relatives are getting on your nerves, or Denver will get lucky and the temperature will climb into the 50s. Who wants to stay at home then? Gather the friends and family and get out of the house for a few hours at these Denver bars that will open on Thanksgiving Day. Now that’s gratitude.  

The Night Before

Platte Park Brewing Company
PPBC is having its second annual Friendsgiving Dinner starting at 7 PM on Wednesday, November 25. The brewery is asking people to bring a side dish or pie to share and the brewery will provide the turkey. Also $1 of every pint sold will go to Food Bank of the Rockies. (1875 S Pearl St.; 303-993-4002)

ViewHouse Downtown
The Thanksgiving Eve Party starts at 9 PM at the ViewHouse in Ballpark on November 25. Try your hand at Turkey Bowling and other courtyard games and also enjoy a DJ, dancing, and a snowboard giveaway from Breckenridge Brewery. For table reservations and bottle service, call 720-282-1548. (2015 Market St.; 720-282-1557)

Thanksgiving Day

United Way Mile High Turkey Trot
Start your Thanksgiving Day by running four miles in the morning followed by a beer. The 42nd annual Turkey Trot will once again be at Washington Park, and those 21 and older who finish will receive a commemorative pint glass that can be filled with delicious Great Divide beers in the post-race beer garden. The race is $45 per person ($35 for 60 and older) and begins at a friendly 10 AM in the morning. (Washington Park) 

Denver Christkindl Market
Denver’s favorite holiday food and gift market will be open starting November 20 and will remain open daily until December 23. The Christkindl Market is a traditional German Christmas market where visitors can find unique and handmade gifts. The market will also serve up delicious German food and drink including a beer garden sponsored by Paulaner. The market will be open Thanksgiving Day from 11 AM to 4 PM. (Skyline Park on the 16th Street Mall; 16th and Aparahoe)

Carbon Beverage Café
This newly opened beverage bar in LoHi will be open regular hours on Thanksgiving and will serve a variety of tasty libations to keep everyone warm and cheerful throughout the day. The café opens at 6 AM, so grab a coffee on the way to Thanksgiving dinner and then stop by afterwards for craft cocktail or a glass of wine. If the weather cooperates, try the outdoor patio. Next door, Habit Doughnut Dispensary will also be open for a sugar fix. (1553 Platte St.; 720-428-8565)

Grist Brewing Company
This Highlands Ranch brewery will be open from 10 AM to 3 PM on Thanksgiving Day. That should give everyone plenty of time to refill growlers for the holiday weekend. (9150 Commerce Center Cir., Ste. 300; 720-360-4782)

Highland Tap and Burger
The folks at HTB will open at 5 PM before the Thursday night football game begins. The bar will be full service, but the kitchen will only be serving a light menu, which is all you'll really need. If the temperature cooperates, bring the dog and enjoy the outdoor patio. (2219 W 32nd Ave.; 720-287-4493)

Highland Tavern
The Highland Tavern will only be open for drinks on Thanksgiving, no kitchen. Get some Turkey Day exercise by playing ping pong. Bar will open between 6 and 7 PM and will stay open as long as people are enjoying themselves. (3400 Navajo St.; 303-433-1990)

World of Beer – Belmar
This location in Lakewood will be open on Turkey Day from 6 PM to Midnight for football watching and beer drinking. This location does not have a kitchen, so no food will be served. (7260 W Alaska Dr., Unit A; 303-934-2304)

World of Beer – LoDo
The WOB on the 16th Street Mall will open at 6 PM on Thanksgiving Day. For those who need a light snack at the end of the day, the kitchen will be open and serving flatbread pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and those buttery delicious German pretzels. Enjoy the taps until 2 AM. (1550 Blake St.; 303-534-2337)

ViewHouse
Both locations of the ViewHouse will be open on Turkey Day for those who don’t feel like cooking at all. For the holidays, guests who enjoy the bar’s signature martini, the decadently delicious Peppermint Godiva Chocolate Martini, will help a great charity with $1 from every glass going to the Care for Colorado Toy Drive. Enjoy a drink on the outdoor courtyards if the day is sunny. (Downtown, 2015 Market St.; Centennial, 7101 S Clinton St.)

Photo via Flickr user timsackton