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Best Bars For Black Wednesday In Orange County

Tequila Header
(credit: Thinkstock)

Considered by some to be one of the biggest college party nights of the year, Black Wednesday is a night to celebrate vacation, holidays and not having to go to work the next day. Whether you're itching for a hangover that you're allowed to nurse with hearty Thanksgiving food, or just want to get close to the retail store you're staking out for Black Friday, use this guide to get the most holiday cheer that booze money can buy.

fish king - clam chowder
(credit: Fish King)

Kings Fish House
7691 Edinger
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 793-1177
www.kingsfishhouse.com

Bella Terra is a great place to shop and cruise around, so be sure to swing by Kings Fish on Thanksgiving Eve to get a little slice of seafood before diving into all that hearty holiday food the next day. Its drink selection is magnificent, with almost 40 different bottles of red and white wine to go along with its excellent surf selections. Its premium sake is chilled to perfectly match its sushi choices as well. Nearly two dozen specialty drinks are guaranteed to keep you festive all through the night.

Bootlegger's Brewery
(credit: Bootlegger's Brewery)

Bootlegger's Brewery
401 S. Richman Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 871-2337
www.bootleggersbrewery.com

Any brewery willing to give you a sampler of its many tasty beers is worth your cash on the day before Thanksgiving. After all, nobody wants to waste cash on such a great party night. Five dollars gets you five choices of fresh brew, and they aren't your typical liquor store variety. This place is almost always filled to capacity, but the quality of beer and patrons makes for a less-than-hostile environment, suited perfectly for a holiday on which thanks must be given.

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The Bee Hive
6431 Edinger Ave.
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 892-5777
www.facebook.com

The Bee Hive is a sports bar through and through, from the scantily clad bartenders to the tattoo and truck-friendly environment. Mix that with a dive bar atmosphere, and a Black Wednesday tradition has sprouted up for many frequenters of this Huntington Beach landmark. During the holidays, the Hive sometimes opens up as early as 7 a.m. to let people get their pre-turkey boozing done early in case a visit to the in-laws is in the works. This place won't come close to hurting your wallet, so feel free to splurge the night before the spread crushes your bank account and stomach.

jimmy bones
(credit: Jimmy Bones)

Jimmy Bones
1815 E. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92856
(714) 532-4920

Jimmy Bones is one of those hole-in-the-wall Orange County secrets that does not need a website to gain a following. This place oozes charm, in more of a bearded, football-watching variety than anything super classy. This place is a great stop on Black Wednesday for two big reasons: It's close to I-55, and it's down the street from a hospital, just in case you and your friends get in way over your heads. Also, it's located down the street from Chapman University Dodge College, so expect to meet up and talk shop with film students to discuss your favorite Thanksgiving films while pounding a few suds.

goat hill tavern
(credit: Goat Hill Tavern)

Goat Hill Tavern
1830 Newport Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 548-8428

Take a handful of hipster, a dose of dive and a pinch of peculiar and you get Goat Hill Tavern, a bar so dedicated to drinking that dozens upon dozens of beers are displayed on a gigantic whiteboard for your inebriated eyes to gawk at. Seriously, the near 150 choices of alcohol is enough to make sure this Black Wednesday will never be forgotten -- and possibly never be remembered. This place has a big community college scene, so Black Wednesday is guaranteed to be popping. Come here on Thanksgiving Eve for a toast to humanity and enjoy some laid-back vibes before you have to get all dressed up to visit grandma.

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Jesse Seilhan is a writer, editor and photographer from the California Bay Area. After moving to Long Beach, Jesse continues his passion for writing and music by covering concerts, interviewing top artists, and giving a dose of wisdom in a crazy, mixed-up musical world. His work can be found at Examiner.com.

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