It’s always helpful to have an escape plan on Thanksgiving. Family time can get…overwhelming, to say the least, and having a place to go where you can distract yourself afterwards provides the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel (not to be too bleak about families—lots of people love the holidays). Dive bars tend to offer the best post-Thanksgiving day atmosphere. They’ll shroud you in their signature darkness, dirt, and cheap booze, which is why many of them made it onto this list, especially in the “city that doesn’t sleep” (read: doesn’t close bars on the holidays).

McFadden’s Saloon: To start on a more energetic and spirited note, this bar represents an option only if you’re into the whole hectic bar crawl scene. On Wednesday, November 26, Barcrawls.com is hosting just that, kicking off at McFadden’s. The Irish pub celebrates sports and major holidays in the same, typical fashion—with plenty of low-end booze. (800 2nd Ave.; 212-986-1515)

Doc Holliday’s: Open 4 PM to 4 AM on Thanksgiving day, Doc Holliday’s gets the need for people to find a drinking respite throughout the later hours during this family-celebrating time of year. This classic dive bar has a jukebox, so you can choose the soundtrack of your holiday woes…(or use it to amplify your cheer). (141 Ave A; 212-979-0312)

Brazen Fox: With a “reduced menu,” this bar/eatery will still serve hungry souls on the holiday meant to commemorate sharing between English “settlers” and those who’d been living in what we now call the US for ages before that. Something about the “fox” branding seems like it will bring bar-goers back to pre-colonial times. This relatively new bar is massive, offering sliders and a whole lot of beer. There’s a lot of space—possibly its strongest attraction for patrons. (106 3rd Ave.; 212-323-1063)

Turkey’s Nest Tavern: Every year on Thanksgiving, this aptly named bar opens its doors for the thirsty. A great dive with relatively cheap beer, Turkey’s Nest looks like it hasn’t changed much with the immediate area’s (North Williamsburg’s) yuppie transformation. Most importantly, it sells $5 beers in Styrofoam cups. (94 Bedford Ave.; 718-384-9774)

The Library: With hours beginning at 2 PM and lasting until 2 AM on Thanksgiving, The Library offers a dim exterior and actually cheap beer (not just NYC-cheap). Small tables in the back offer an intimate option if you come with friends/disgruntled siblings, while the bar serves as an ample expanse to drink by yourself, if you’re escaping from everyone else who wants to celebrate. (7 Ave A; 212-375-1352)

Rosemary’s Greenpoint Tavern: Arguably the best dive bar in Williamsburg, Rosemary’s has been around forever and stays open Thanksgiving evening—so you can come by after your turkey. There, you can continue to fill your stomach, this time with 32 oz. Budweiser’s in massive, Styrofoam cups for just $4. This bar stays open until the bartender says it does. (188 Bedford Ave.; 718-384-9539)

Agave: Offering a unique take on the Thanksgiving meal, Agave invites patrons to come in for a three-course prix-fixe “Southwestern” dinner along with a…drumroll please…tequila tasting (or a complimentary cocktail) for $55 a person. If you and a bunch of friends are staying in the city as opposed to visiting family elsewhere for the holiday, celebrating with tequila may not be the worst idea…(140 S 7th Ave.; 212-989-2100)

Photo via Flickr