STATELINE, Nev. – Tessie’s Cocktails & Chords, a hot new live music and craft cocktail lounge at Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe, will kick off Thanksgiving week with a Friendsgiving edition of its Sunday Session on Sunday, Nov. 22. Locals and visitors can trade canned goods for a complimentary drink in support of the Tahoe Fall Food Drive, then stay for drink specials, seasonal cocktails, and a live set from local favorite The Connor Party. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and live music will start at 9 p.m.

Guests who bring one or more canned or nonperishable food items will receive a ticket for a complimentary drink. All donations will go to the Tahoe Fall Food Drive, led by the South Lake Tahoe-based Marcella Foundation through its FeedTahoe program. This year’s drive aims to fill 500 bags of Thanksgiving sides to pair with 500 turkeys from the El Dorado County Community Turkey Drive, putting a complete holiday meal on the table for 500 South Shore neighbors. 

Live music will begin at 9 p.m. when The Connor Party takes the stage with a high-energy set of rock ‘n’ roll anthems, party favorites and sing-alongs.

Sunday Session specials will include $5 beers and $5 shots, buy-one-get-one deals on select bottles and more. Guests can also toast with friends over Tessie’s new seasonal cocktails, including the Saddleback Spritz, made with Aperol, apple cider, Prosecco and cinnamon dust, priced at $20, and the Irish Coffee, featuring coffee, Jameson Irish Whiskey and pumpkin-spice whipped cream, priced at $18. Groups can order the shot ski, which serves four Spark Plug shots, made with SKYY Vodka, Kahlúa, espresso and vanilla syrup, for $40.

Live music will continue through Thanksgiving week for locals and visitors in town for the holiday. Audio Circus will take the stage Wednesday, Nov. 25, with a high-energy set of rock and pop hits. On Thanksgiving night, Thursday, Nov. 26, Tessie’s will host its After Turkey After Party, with local band Pizza Fingers performing at 9 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m. both nights, and entry is always free.

Reservations are available at TessiesTahoe.com, and walk-ins are always welcome. Tessie’s is open from 5 p.m. to late Thursday through Monday. Guests with bar tabs of $30 or more receive parking validation. For more information, visit TessiesTahoe.com and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and X at @TessiesTahoe.