What is it? The new cool kid on New York’s cocktail scene, schmuck. is a Barcelona import, melding globally diverse culinary cultures and traditions. The cocktail menu is an expression of wild creativity and whimsy, playing with savory ingredients and irony; you may think you know what a Piña Colada is, but the folks at schmuck. want to (respectfully) challenge your definition. They’ve got two rooms–one with a bar, one with a long table. At Thanksgiving, the room with the table will be outfitted with a Thanksgiving spread from which guests are welcome to graze. If you want to attend on the day, jump on Resy or be prepared to get on the walk-in waiting list.
Address: 97 1st Ave New York, NY 10003
Thanksgiving Hours: 4pm–close
Expect to pay: ~$9/beer; ~$15/glass of wine; ~$19/cocktail; ~$10-$23/small plates
For those of us who can’t be bothered with centerpieces or sweaters or drunk uncles who refuse to keep their political opinions to themselves, great news: you can skip it. While most bars are indeed closed for Thanksgiving day, a few take their duty to the public seriously, keeping the doors open and the booze pouring. And why not? We reject that the only valid way to give thanks is by eating the same dry turkey, gummy mashed potatoes, and overcooked green beans. What if we don’t like football or pie or children? Is it so wrong to want to take advantage of open bar real estate? And maybe your family (chosen or blood) is great! Maybe everybody pitches in and the food is delicious and spirits are high. Well, that’s terrific, but it doesn’t preclude a post-dinner drink or two; a debrief, a nightcap, a check-in with oneself before lumbering home with a bag full of leftovers.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Thanksgiving in NYC
To help you in your endeavor, we’ve assembled a list of bars–not restaurants–that are open on Thanksgiving day. Some are serving food but most aren’t. And some are open at their regular hours but most are doing things just a tad differently, so keep that in mind. Whatever you do: don’t lose sight of the bartenders–they should be counted in your thanks, too. Just remember: regardless of their demeanor while serving, they’re not doing it purely for the love of the game and their landlords don’t accept gratitude as payment.
Updated November 6, 2025: We’ve looked around and put out feelers to try and get you bars far and wide, from Queens to Harlem and all points in between. There are grungy dives, elegant cocktail temples, and easygoing rooms where beer flows like wine. And we’ve touched upon it a little above, but it’s worth noting that most hotel bars/restaurants are open on Thanksgiving day, so if you don’t care about high prices and corny decor, no need to make mom and dad navigate the subway. Just don’t rely on last year’s list; some places have decided to give their employees the night off this year. It’s too cold and rideshare surge-pricing is too aggressive to take chances.
