Dress up in an American-inspired costume and head to Buffalo Bar for its first annual Festival of the Free from lunch to late this Saturday. Chow down on American fare, sip American beers and whisky, play games and listen to live music in the bar’s Outdoor Craft Beer Garden during the day before moving in to Hank’s Whisky Lounge in the evening. NOLA Portside will be celebrating its recent opening with a massive Fourth of July Opening Party from 6:00 pm this Saturday. Enjoy American beers, share platters and the sounds of Louis Armstrong’s grandson Herb Armstrong and his band playing live.

Miss Kay’s is opening all three levels of its inner-city venue – including the secret speakeasy bar – and offering two-hour food and drink packages from 3:00 pm at its Fourth of July Party. Get dressed in your best costume, compete in beer pong tournaments and eating competitions, and savour Motown and American party hits from the afternoon ’til late. The Manhattan Line in South Bank will be hosting its own dress-up Freedom Party, with DJs from 1:00–5:00 pm, fake fireworks and sparkler dogs, homemade lemonade and even an appearance from Abe Lincoln. In Coorparoo, California Native will also be celebrating its official opening, with face painting from 12:00–3:00 pm and a live jazz band playing from 6:00–9:00 pm.

Embassy Bar will open the doors from midday for its Fourth of July Party, which will include an all-day spicy wings eating challenge and a special themed menu, as well as live American rock tunes from 1:00 pm. Get your costumes on and head underground for the Fourth of July Tailgate Party at Fortitude Valley’s Greaser. Admire some sweet rides in the laneway, take advantage of the all-American tap beer takeover and pop-up barbecue, and listen to live music from Teen Sensations and more from 4:00 pm to late. Those with hearty appetites best get their bellies to Mighty Mighty cue & brew around the corner, where incredible three-course set menus await. Set your appetite on options like wagyu brisket meatloaf, bug and hen gumbo and warm apple pie with Sailor Jerry custard.

South Bank’s South Side Diner will be bringing the party from 5:00 pm, with food and drink specials, themed tunes and a whole lot of fancy dress. The Smoke BBQ in New Farm will not only be serving an all-American menu and cocktails, but it will also have a stand at the Teneriffe Festival for those who miss out on table bookings. Gresham Lane’s Red Hook will be pumping out themed food and drink specials like the Patriot Burger with red, white and blue sauce and Budweiser boilermakers from 4:00 pm this Saturday.