Boston & Thanksgiving

Definitely check the websites / social media of these places, or call to verify if they're open. I can't speak to their potential "Thanksgiving experience" but their beer lists certainly are excellent.

Lord Hobo
Row 34
Meadhall
Lulu's
Tip Tap Room
Brewer's Fork
Stoddard's

 

Where are you staying? Some bars will be closed during the day but open up in the early evening. Lord Hobo has done this in the past. I think all liquor stores are closed and breweries, if any bother to open, would not be allowed to sell beer to go on Thanksgiving.

 

Not sure what "experience Thanksgiving" means, maybe go to Plymouth?

If you're looking for a restaurant meal on Thanksgiving, Boston Magazine has a list of places open http://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2017/11/05/boston-restaurants-open-thanksgiving/

It looks like both Five Horses Taverns (Boston and Somerville) will be opening at 5PM, which have pretty good, if not the best, beer lists. Temple Bar in Cambridge is open 12-9 and has a fairly decent beer list, although not as good as Five Horses.

 

Don’t go to Plymouth. Everyone I know who has gone there tells me: “It’s just a rock.”

Thanksgiving night is the biggest townie/homecoming drinking night of the year. I’d head out towards more of the neighborhoods (Somerville, JP, Dorchester etc) and look at some of those bars.

 

If you're around Black Friday and don't mind heading a bit North, Night Shift Brewing in Everett is having a release for their Bourbon/Rye BA imperial stout, Darkling. There are a couple variants as well as some 'experimental' taps flowing throughout the day. I'm intrigued so I'll most likely find my way there after hunting down some BCBS (fingers crossed for Northwoods). You can read more about it here: https://www.beeradvocate.com/events/info/84430/

A bit further North in Malden, I forget the name of the bar, but it's going to have a bunch of quality stouts on tap for Black Friday, including a handful of BCBS releases (see: chance to do a vertical on site). I'll look it up if you're interested. Idle Hands Craft Ales is in Malden, too. They pump out some good NE IPAs.

My two favorite bars around the city/Greater Boston would be Sunset Grill (HUGE selection) and Deep Ellum (super thoughtful tap list, hipster vibe, good food). They're conveniently right down the street from each other.

Hockey-wise, run down to the North End Friday afternoon for the B's-Pens game. Starts at 1pm, so you could either grab some tickets, watch it at The Fours (my usual spot right across the street from TD Garden), or head to any of the other bars around that area. Obviously the Italian food is great that way. I suggest grabbing a slice at Ernesto's or Regina, getting some pastries at Modern (better than Mike's + shorter lines), or enjoying some whiskey and cigars at Stanzas. Oh, and Trillium isn't too far away either. There are a couple good bottle shops around there where you might be able to get some good finds from VT + ME.

I know Armsby Abbey in Worcester is open on Thanksgiving. It's a shade under an hour West of Boston, but the tap list + bottle selection is one of the best in the country (Hill Farmstead, Trillium, Cantillon, Oxbow, etc. currently available). A bit of a hike, but worth it.

Beer-wise, grabbing some Trillium from the source is always a good idea. Outside of the whales or brewery-only beers, I enjoy the BA stouts from Clown Shoes (out of Ipswich). The 87 by Night Shift is a solid hoppy IPA. People seem to enjoy the IPAs from Fort Hill Brewery (Jigsaw Jazz, Fresh Pick). There are plenty of other easy-to-get beers that I frequent in MA so I'll add them when they come to mind.

Enjoy the trip. Cheers, man!

 

I've always thought the night before Thanksgiving was the bigger townie/homecoming drinking night of the year. Most people come home on Wednesday and see their friends and then spend Thanksgiving day and night with family. Though you do also have the football games in the morning as well so maybe both days are big.

 

I was kidding about going to Plymouth, although Plimoth Plantation is very historical and they have special meals for the holiday.

If in Allston definitely hit Lulu's, and I personally would skip Sunset. Lulu's has what is probably the best tap list in town. I actually stopped by yesterday for lunch and at least two of the groups at the bar were brewery folks.

The Fort Point/Seaport area is a good spot to check out. You can pick up cans at Trillium, Fort Point Market, and CBC. There's Flour for a casual lunch or Row 34 for a fancy seafood dinner and great beer list. Among many other good food options.

Have a fun trip!