Business & Tech

Dexter Bars, Restaurants Prep for Pre-Thanksgiving Crowds

Bar owners say Wednesday will be one of the hottest party nights of the year.

While it doesn't have a designation on calendars and there is no "special section" for it in the greeting card aisle, Thanksgiving Eve is quickly gaining popularity as a holiday, with some calling it "the biggest bar night of the year."

"We do very well every year the day before Thanksgiving," Tom Banfield, owner of Banfield's Westside Grill on Zeeb Road said. "It's one of those days that's right up there with St. Patrick's Day. We get people from all over the area visiting with friends and family."

Banfield said every year the restaurant and bar hosts a celebration for customers. This year to help attract even more people, the restaurant has hired a Motown band to perform from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

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"This year has been 'the perfect storm' for bars," Banfield said. "Between the (Detroit) Lions, Tigers and Red Wings, and now Thanksgiving, we are able to pack people into the restaurant."

Amy Summers, an employee at said the restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 2 a.m. Thursday morning.

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"We'll have breakfast, lunch and dinner," she said. "We usually have several regulars and a lot of new faces come in the day before Thanksgiving. It's a lot of fun."

Lauren Rill of , said the restaurant caters more to families but will remain open until 10 p.m. Wednesday.

"It gets decently busy," Rill said. "We don't typically have the bar crowds, though."

Banfield said for those thinking about heading out to the bars over the holiday weekend, make sure to have a designated driver or back-up plan if you are going to consume alcohol.

"Our customers are a lot sharper when it comes to designated drivers," he said. "We watch them very closely and we offer the option to call a taxi if they need a ride home."


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