This Thursday, November 16, is Beaujolais Nouveau Day—the day that France's most famous vin de primeur (a wine that may be sold the same year it is made) is released upon the world. French restaurants across the city are throwing parties to celebrate, starting on Thursday and continuing through Saturday, and we've rounded them all up below. Need more explanation? Last year, Stranger food writer Tobias Coughlin-Bogue wrote the following:

Amid the sodden misery of November in Seattle, there is always one bright spot: Beaujolais Nouveau Day... Why do you give a shit about some obscure French wine? Well, because Beaujolais Nouveau is such a magical, overabundantly fruity wine that it can help you forget that you live in the end times. Yes, the storm drains look like they're on the verge of an actual apocalyptic flood, the sun is blocked out by your work schedule, and an unhinged megalomaniac is about to seize [has seized] power, but there you are, sipping a bright, buoyant glass of Beaujolais Nouveau, nibbling on something delicious, and perhaps even closing your eyes for a moment to imagine that you've expatriated and are enjoying all this lovely food and wine in some cozy cafe in Lyon. Au revoir, President Trump.

THURSDAY

Bottlehouse
Raise a glass to the debut of the 2017 harvest of Beaujolais Nouveau, and celebrate with pours straight from the keg of wine producer Joseph Drouhin's special release, a curated cheese tasting table, live music from Tsunami Piñata, and a seasonal menu inspired by Parisian street food.
Madrona

Bastille Cafe & Bar
Bastille has been celebrating the annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau the third Thursday of every November since they opened in 2009. They'll have tastes, glasses, flights of wine, or bottles of Cru Beaujolais, paired with an irresistible-sounding selection of small plates like confit rabbit tartines, wagyu beef tartare with salt and vinegar chips, and giant Comté gougères (cheese puffs). Très français!
Ballard

L'Oursin
The quaint French bistro joins in on the Beaujolais Nouveau Day fun with a cheap and cheerful "deux-pour-un" event that doubles as their first anniversaire. Enjoy an all-night happy hour with $5 Gamay (both "nouveau et vieux") and bar snacks.
Central District

Le Pichet
Le Pichet will ring in this year's release of Beaujolais Nouveau with the popular vin de primeur by the glass, bottle, or pitcher and live vintage jazz from Bric-a-Brac duo and Greg Ruby. The festivities promise to run until très tard.
Downtown

FRIDAY

Columbia Tower Club
Welcome the season's new wines at this 25th annual festival with excellent French wines like the Beaujolais Nouveau, a buffet featuring fine French-influenced cuisine, French music (live and DJ), and a silent auction of rare treats that include wine, hotel, and restaurant certificates.
Downtown

SATURDAY

Maximilien
Chef Christian Potvin has cooked up a romantic three-course menu to accompany the new release of Beaujolais for a "sensuous, joyous" meal that promises to transport your senses to Paris, with music provided by the French band Rouge. Wine is available by the glass, bottle, or sampler.
Madrona