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

On the biggest bar night of the year, manager Jason Womack said there's not "a lot of crazy" at the Clawson bar.

"We're kind of an easy going, laid back place," he said. "People come here when they want to go out, have a good beer and relax."

He said Black Lotus sees a steady stream of shoppers stop in for a break during the holidays. "It's kind of their oasis," Womack said.

Join the Mug Club for food and beer discounts at Black Lotus, or check out what's going on at the brewery and other taverns the night before Thanksgiving:

• : Late night happy hour: Enjoy $2 pints from midnight to 2 a.m.
• : Owner Tom Melistas says if you come to the Tavern on the big bar night, expect the same deals you would get any Wednesday night. He recommends a craft beer in a 23-ounce, football-shaped glass. Offerings include Michigan Screamin' Pumpkin Ale, Blue Moon, Sierra Nevada, Founders Dirty Bastard and Guiness Black Lager. Also available: Bard's Tale gluten-free beer and non-alcoholic varieties.
• : Wednesday specials include $2 draft beer and $2.50 Captain Morgan and Bacardi drinks.
• : Wednesday specials include Whiskey Wednesday drink specials and late night gyro and fries with beverage meals for $3.50 from 6 p.m. to midnight.
• : Dancing available from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The Mark James Band will perform.

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 Bigg Daddy's Taxi Service and Transportation in Royal Oak, is preparing to pick up patrons who attend bars around Oakland County on the night before Thanksgiving.

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

He advises that partygoers make a reservation to save money and plan ahead.

"It's a lot cheaper that way," he said, adding that people who call 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 (reservation), instead of $50-$55 on the meter."

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

Managing your own consumption

'The Designate' launched a new smartphone application in October to help users manage their nightlife.

Currently available on iPhone and Android platform smartphones, the lifestyle application tool is a blood alcohol concentration estimator designed to help users gauge their ability to drive based on several key factors, including sex, weight, number of drinks and type of beverage consumed. Once calculated, the free 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 Designate is a Troy-based on-call professional driving service that 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.