Sara Bozich

Open for Christmas

Wondering what bars and restaurants are open on Christmas Eve and Day in the greater Harrisburg area? Well, you've come to the right place.

As in recent years, you'll find there are a variety of options for eating and drinking on both nights.

Below is a round-up of some local taverns and eateries that are planning to have some holiday hours this year, and I'll continue to update as I know more. If you know of any additions, please e-mail me or add them in the comments. Happy Holidays!

Weekend roundup - Thanksgiving Edition

Happy Turkey Day! I wish you all a safe, happy and well-fed holiday. I'll be daytripping to family in Pittsburgh, then back in town to relax, Christmas shop and check out the new club, Reflex (neé Eclipse).

If you're skipping the hassle and drama of cooking - or just looking for some supplemental dishes (made by someone else), read Sue Gleiter's article on where to go.

For those of you who aren't going home - or who would just rather go out for the big meal, be sure to check out local hotels for special Thanksgiving buffets. Holiday Inn Mechanicsburg, Hershey Lodge and The Hotel Hershey, Four Points Sheraton, Felicita Garden Resort and Spa and non-hotel Liberty Forge all have options.

All said, there is a ton going on this weekend. Here's a rundown:

Halloween Happenings 2009

**UPDATED** Now with more Halloween events!

Halloween is extra special delicious this year, not just because I'm going to not one, but two Halloween parties that require special attire. It's special because Halloween falls on a Saturday. Unlike our other major holidays, which suck up not just a night or a weekend, but for weeks or even a "season," Halloween is pretty much a one-shot deal. Not that that stops anyone - just sayin'. But this year, there's the chance for authenticity.

And I don't really know how you're going to choose your "authentic" Halloween activity. There are just too many options.

Grab your calendar and make your selections. All the goodies are after the jump.

Restaurants (and bars) open for Christmas

**2009 UPDATE: If you landed here looking for what bars/restaurants are open for Christmas 2009, please CLICK HERE for a current list. **

It's one of the most asked questions of the year - who will be open for Christmas? Christmas Eve can be a big bar night, but most bars, restaurants and businesses close up shop on Christmas Day. I've tried to compile a list of the bars/restaurants that will be open these two days in the Harrisburg area. I'll update as I know more. If you know of any others, please e-mail me or add them in the comments. Happy Holidays!

• Arooga's (West Hanover & Camp Hill locations) - open until 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve; open AT 5 p.m. on Christmas Day
• All DowntownAfterDark properties (Bourbon Street, Hardware, etc.) - closed Christmas Eve; open at 8 p.m. Christmas Day
• Brick Haus - 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Christmas Eve; 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Christmas Day
• Flinchy's - open all night Christmas Eve (kitchen closes at 5 p.m.); open Christmas Day in time for the first football game!
• Fenicci's (Hershey) - open from noon to 11 p.m. Christmas Eve; bar opens at 6 p.m. on Christmas Day
• The Hotel Hershey
  • The Fountain Cafe - 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. both Christmas Eve and Day
  • The Circular Dining Room - dinner served from 6-9 p.m. both days - all booked
  • The Iberian Lounge - 4 p.m. to midnight both Christmas Eve and Day
• The Hershey Lodge
  • Hershey Grill - 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Christmas Eve; 1-9 p.m. Christmas Day
  • Lebbie Lebkicker's  - breakfast 7-11 a.m. both days; Christmas Day buffet noon to 5 p.m.
  • The Forebay - 5-11 p.m. Christmas Eve; noon to 8 p.m. Christmas Day
  • The Bear's Den - 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. both days
• Garrason's Tavern - 11:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m., reopening at 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day
• Brewhouse Grille - regular hours Christmas Eve; open at 4 p.m Christmas Day
• The Coliseum - opens at 5 p.m. on Christmas Day

Thanksgiving Eve Festivities

Aaaahhhhhh! It's the biggest bar night of the year! It's Thanksgiving Eve.

Downtown will be packed; please travel safely. Read last week's column for some ideas of some different things to do tonight. If you're looking for live music, try PennLive's After Dark blog for what bands to catch.

Basically, everything is open, and nearly everyone is out.

Tomorrow, the pickings are slightly slimmer. For dinner, see yesterday's post on where to find your Thanksgiving buffet. After dinner, catch drinks at Brewhouse Grille in Camp Hill (opens at 2 p.m., free munchies and drink specials), Malone's on Derry St. (opens at 4 p.m., free jukebox all night) or Flinchy's (bar opens at noon - bring your leftovers). Hardware Bar and Bourbon Street will be open, too. Add Ceoltas to that list, with open mic night to boot. Both Arooga's locations open at 5 p.m.

Got more? Add 'em in the comments. Where are you going out tonight and on Thanksgiving Day?

Smoking Ban Exceptions: Dauphin County

You can find the list of approved smoking ban exceptions for Dauphin County here, or after the jump:

Who is open for Christmas?

**2009 UPDATE: If you landed here looking for what bars/restaurants are open for Christmas 2009, please CLICK HERE for a current list. **

**2008 UPDATE: If you landed here looking for what bars/restaurants are open for Christmas 2008, please CLICK HERE for a current list. **

A friend wrote to inquire about which bars may or may not be open late on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Here is what I found out:

Appalachian Brewing Company - open until 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve (get your growlers!); closed Christmas Day
Bourbon Street Saloon - closed Christmas Eve; open Christmas Day
Brick Haus - open until 2 a.m. both days
Carley's Ristorante & Piano Bar - closed both days
Carmella's Trattoria - open until the bar is empty on Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day
Coliseum - closing at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve; open at 5 p.m. Christmas Day
Fire Alley - open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve for gift certificate sales only; closed Christmas Day
Flinchy's - open until 2 a.m. on Christmas Eve (kitchen closes at 6 p.m.); open at 8 p.m. Christmas Day
Harrisburg Hardware/Eclipse - closed Christmas Eve; open Christmas Day
Garrason's Tavern - Christmas Eve 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.; closed Christmas Day
Mangia Qui/Suba - closed both days
Molly Brannigans - closing at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve; open at 6 p.m. Christmas Day
Pep Grill - closing early Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day
Sawyer's Cantina - closed both days
Scott's Grille - open from 4-10 p.m. Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day
Scott's Olde Towne - closed both days
Stock's on Second - closed both days
Troegs Brewing Company - open until 3 p.m. Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day
West Shore Hardware Bar - closed Christmas Eve; Christmas Day 18 to party, 21 to drink

If you know of other bar/restaurant holiday hours, please e-mail me!