Though the Pilgrims did celebrate a harvest festival in late November, it wasn’t until the Civil War that Thanksgiving became a regularly-commemorated (and official) holiday, thanks to a declaration by Abraham Lincoln. Whatever the origins, most Americans today recognize the event as the start of the winter holiday season, a time to gather with family on the fourth Thursday of the month for an ample feast. And right before that, to meet up with friends new and old for some good, old-fashioned partying.

There aren’t any conclusive studies that Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest drinking day of the year, but anecdotal evidence shows it to be one of the biggest nights for liquor sales at bars and restaurants everywhere. College students head home and meet up with old buddies, working folk are freed to have fun by the forthcoming long weekend, and everyone takes the opportunity to de-stress in advance of a big family gathering.

Of course, law enforcement is aware of the night-before-turkey-day trend as well, and are out in full force to stop underage kids from being served and put a kibosh on drinking and driving. So check out our list of November 23 parties and drink deals, go find those old pals and buy them a round or two, but be sure to be safe in your merry-making. Happy Thanksgiving!

All Access Thanksgiving Eve
Where: Drinker’s West, Noche, Drinker’s Pub
When: 8 PM
Specials: If you sign up online, get $ .50 well cocktails and $ .50 Bud Light Drafts from 8-10pm. (You must add your name to the guest list to get the specials.) Also, Thanksgiving tacos.

Kildare’s Gobble Off
Where: Kildare’s Irish Pub
When: 8–11 PM
Specials: All day: $3 rotating pints; 10 PM–midnight: $2 Blue Moons, $2 you-call-its
Contests: Best gobble wins prizes

Ragin’ Thanksgiving Eve 2011
Where: Mad River Old City
When: 9–11 PM
Specials: $3 Sailor Jerry Cocktails; $8 Sailor Jerry Buckets; $1 Bud Light Bottles; $8 Buckets of Bud Light Ponies
Contests: Hottest Pocahontas costume wins prizes

Holiday Happy Hour
Where: Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant
When: 5–7 PM
Specials: $1 off all Brews & Drinks, Complimentary holiday food favorites; Additional drink specials; Frozen turkey give-away

Holiday Kick the Keg Night
Where: Memphis Taproom, Resurrection Ale House
When: 9 PM
Specials: TBA

Thanksgiving Eve Party
Where: Public House Logan Square,
When: 9 PM–2 AM
Specials: Bottle service offered

Thanksgiving Eve High Gravity
Where: Sidecar Bar & Grille
When: 3 PM
Specials: High-gravity beers will be on tap

Thanksgiving Eve Bash with the Benderz
Where: Tavern on Broad
When: 8 PM–2 AM
Specials: Regular happy hour 5–8 PM; $3 domestic drafts & Jameson cocktails until midnight

Jive Turkey
Where: The Trestle Inn
When: 8 PM–2 AM
Specials: DJs Black Narcissus & Agent Tully spinning soul & funk; drink specials TBA; RSVP here

Patron Night
Where: Xochitl
When: 8–11 PM
Specials: Half-off all Patron drinks, shots, flights and margaritas; half-off chicken and carnitas tacos

Thanksgiving Eve with Splintered Sunlight
Where: World Cafe Live
When:  8 PM
Price: $13 or $18 for reserved seating

Photo via Flickr user chayday