6 things to do the night before Thanksgiving

By most accounts, the night before Thanksgiving is the biggest drinking night of the year in the United States. The reasons are sensible and bountiful: nearly everyone in America (lest a few poor souls) is off the next day, Thanksgiving is the least mentally and physically demanding holiday (unless you’re cooking — thanks, mom!) and many folks have returned to their childhood hometowns, where high school friendships are rekindled over $5 pitchers.

Take that, New Years Eve.

But in Indy, there’s plenty to do beyond counting shots with that kid from your 10th grade algebra class. We’ve collected some of the best options — drinking and otherwise — for your big night out, before the big day in.

The Mandatory Mustache Bash 

The 7th annual Mandatory Mustache Bash may be the best way to wax nostalgic with your childhood friends. You couldn’t grow facial hair back then. But now you can — and the Bash invites you to show it off. Prizes will be on hand for impressive ‘staches, and the drinks will be flowing. Don’t take the Bash’s title lightly. You need lip-whiskers to enter. Ladies and baby-faced men, worry not. The doorman won’t be checking if your mustache is real.

8 p.m., The Melody Inn, 3826 N. Illinois St., $10, (317) 923-4707 or www.melodyindy.com.

Juvenile

The night before Thanksgiving is about reconnecting with your childhood, and if you’re of a certain age (say, 27-35), Juvenile will bring you right back. The New Orleans rapper was a member of The Hot Boys in the late 90’s alongside some dude named Lil Wayne, then struck gold when he released his solo smash “Back That Azz Up,” thereby making an entire generation of adolescent boys do a double take.

9 p.m., The Vogue. 6259 N. College Ave., $30-$125, (317) 259-7029 or www.thevogue.com.

Download the IndyStar Mobile Apps

Twerksgiving

Thanksgiving doesn’t exactly scream “healthy living,” so why not work off some calories before you eat half a pie? Break a sweat on the dance floor at the appropriately-named Twerksgiving, where DJ Scene will be spinning until 3 a.m. Scene is a Las Vegas staple who regularly tours the country, and Indy has  him for the biggest night of the year.

8 p.m., Tiki Bob’s Cantina, 231 S. Meridian St., $10-$20, (317) 384-8622 or www.kidpresents.net.

The Annual Pre-Turkey Day Workout Party

You’ve got plenty of options to work up an appetite with a long night of dancing, and the Pre-Turkey Day Workout Party wastes no time in advertising what you’re in for: three of the city’s best DJs spinning great tunes deep into the night. Come dance to DJs Indiana Jones, Rusty Redenbacher and MetroGnome on the night you need a workout the most.

10 p.m., The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave., $5, (317) 253-4900 or www.oldsoulent.com.

Friends-Giving

Flat12 Bierwerks understands that coming home can be awkward — so they’re making the transition easier by decking the bar with retro furniture and decorations to ease you in. Friends-Giving will feature delectable seasonals like Lacto-Matic Milk Stout, Flat Jack Pumpkin Ale and Snickerdoodle Blonde. Flat12 is also accepting donations for CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, a local non-profit empowering older adults. So drink up and help out.

12 p.m., Flat12 Bierwerks, 414 N. Dorman St., free, (317) 635-2337 or www.flat12.me.

Ladymoon and Flatland Harmony’s 8th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner & Show

The Mousetrap is Indy’s go-to bar for folks who like to positive vibes and infectious grooves. In other words, it’s where jam bands set up shop when they’re in town. For the ninth year running, Indy’s roots-rocking heroes Flatland Harmony Experiment and Ladymoon will take the stage to celebrate this holiday of plenty with a free turkey dinner for you and your family.

7 p.m., The Mousetrap, 5565 N. Keystone Ave., $5, (317) 255-3189 or www.themousetrapbar.com.