Biggest Bar Night of the Year: What's on Tap

Thanksgiving Eve is traditionally the busiest bar night of the year and Berkley  business owners are gearing up for a fun night and holiday weekend.

is expecting a good showing for its new act, Even Exchange, which will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight Wednesday. The jazz, soul and funk band was the house band at , general manager Lewis Sawyer said.

"We're more of a restaurant," he said. "But having the band here will be great. We are expecting about 100 patrons to join us."

There is no cover charge. Check O'Mara's events calendar for more entertainment throughout the holidays.

But O'Mara's isn't the only Berkley hot spot where celebrants can gather with friends and family Wednesday – and even Thanksgiving Day.

• : Join the pub the night before Thanksgiving for Drinksgiving Eve. Have a good time and take a cab home, Blarney Stone requests on its Facebook page. There will be a special performance by local reggae/funk band Lucky Brown, Labbatt models with freebies, vodka models with freebees, food and drink specials, and more.

• : The "American Beer Garden" has 53 beers on tap, is in walking distance for many Berkley residents and is ready for the big bar night. In fact, it is expanding its hours. Visit the Berkley Front starting at noon Wednesday.

• : The Grill plans to be busy, and will have its regular Wednesday night specials on tap: $3 bottles of Michigan beer, $2.50 pints and $3 well drinks.

• : Join the email club for special deals and discounts. The sports bar will be open 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day so patrons can "take a break from their families," as the venue's website suggests. 

Designate a driver

It's OK to have fun and let loose, but it's always good to plan ahead for a designated driver. One way to do that is to call in a professional.

James Beach, owner of Big Daddy's Taxi Service and Transportation in Royal Oak, is preparing to be busy driving patrons of bars around Oakland County on the night before Thanksgiving.

"It's one of our biggest nights," Beach said.

He advises party-goers to make a reservation.

"It's a lot cheaper that way," he said, explaining that people who think ahead will get a flat rate, whereas those who phone in a taxi will pay a $2 fee for pickup and then $2.75 a mile.

"For example," he said, "a ride from Royal Oak to Detroit will cost about $40 with a flat rate, instead of $50 to $55 on the meter."

Call Big Daddy's to make a reservation at 248-408-8586 or 248-577-8897, ask your server to call you a taxi or designate a driver to ensure you get home safely.

Manage your consumption

The Designate, a Troy-based, on-call professional driving service, launched a new Smartphone application in October to help users manage their nightlife.

Available on iPhone and Android platform Smartphones, the free tool is a blood alcohol concentration estimator designed to help users gauge their ability to drive based on factors, including sex, weight, number of drinks and type of beverage consumed. Once calculated, the application will indicate the likelihood the user is impaired and will arrange a safe ride home.

Search app stores for "The Designate BAC Estimator." The app is free.

The Designate operates seven days a week from 5:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. in Metro Detroit. The Designate provides on-demand, chauffeur and special event services. For more information, call 888-929-8282 or log on www.thedesignate.com.