Being frugal does not mean that they can’t have fun. We all know that going to bar can be a bit expensive and you only have limited choices because you don’t want to spend all your money with booze. Now people let us all admit it, we can’t live without having a little fun and drinking booze has been part of our lives and even our ancestors used to getting drunk as well. The cost of going to the bar can add up quickly without you noticing it, which is why we are giving you some simple tips to help you save money on a night of bar hopping and you can even do it with your friends to make the night more memorable and fun!
- Free tasting – Many bars offer free tastings of beer or any hard liquor like tequila, and wine. This will give you a chance to try and compare different liquors that will suit your body. It is also a super fun event and it will help you save a lot of money. Now the question is how to find them? The answer is simple, check the local bars near you or you can check for ads online like Craigslist and in Facebook. The bright side of free tasting of liquor is that you can find new friends so you can hang out with them and do a free tasting bar hopping the next time around. Please note that not all bar offers free tasting. Some of them require fees but lower than what you expected.
- Check prices online – Before you decide to go on a night where you want to spend a night in the bar, make sure to check their prices online and then take a look at the menu online. This will allow you to get a better idea on their food and drinks and the good thing is that, you are already aware of the prices so you can plan ahead of time. If you go there with a group of friends, consider splitting the price of the appetizers with them rather than everyone ordering their own meals that they want to eat which will let you spend more. Planning what you are going to order from appetizers to the main course and to the booze will get you advantage and you can budget your money in advance.
- Eating a light meal before the night – You need to eat before you go the bar and it will prevent you from paying for more food at the bar. Foods in the bar are intimidating and at the same time tempting to order. The names that they give them are unique and makes you wonder what does it taste like and how did they do it. (I am guilty to that because every time we go to our favorite bar and my husband will ask me if what I want and I will just say “Any will do” then husband orders pizza. Yes, beer and pizza is a perfect combination!) Okay back to the topic, so there you go guys. Never go to the bar without eating a light meal but a little advice, do not drink if you are full or it will require you to drink more so you can feel the effect of the alcohol.
- Happy Hour – This is far my favorite time in the bar. A cocktail in the bar will cost you around $10 up to $15 which will add up after one shot because it is not just enough to feel that tipsy feeling that we are aiming to feel when we are drinking. I am not sure if all the bars offer the so called “Happy Hour” but the happy hour usually offers the best deals on food and booze at the bar. Well it also depends on the establishment as some only offers food and some of them offer booze but the happy hour can go late hours. During weekdays, some bars offer early morning or late night happy hours. Make sure to do a quick online search to check if any bars offer late night specials in your town or city that you live in. There is no harm in asking and they might give you a discount if they know that you are new in town!
- Deals – I told you, the term “Deals” come in many forms and one of them are deals from the bar. Many bars in the United States offer deals during the week on drinks and foods. Are you familiar with deal sites? You can always check on Yelp, Livingsocial and Groupon to find discounts on drinks and foods near you. You don’t have to worry at all because all the deals are printable and less hassle to get. All you need is your email address or contact number and that’s it! You can now enjoy your free deals.
- Beer Pong – Playing and drinking at home with friends is one of the best thing to do before going out. It is one of the best ways to save money once you make it to the bar with your friends. You can also get a chance to hang out with your friends beforehand and get ready together or put make ups on together while enjoying drinks on the cheap at home. Drinking can also be done with your relatives if they do drink. But me, I prefer drinking with my husband or alone. Don’t you know what once you are drunk or feeling a bit tipsy, you are going to explore some hidden talents that you don’t even know existed in you? (LOL) But yes, this is true! Study shows that drinking can take away all those stressful days and it can help your body relax too.
- Fun Bar – I remember going to the Philippines in Davao City particularly. They have this amazing bar where not only you can drink beer but you can also play a game called “Jenga” and the funny thing is that you need your hand and eye coordination in order to win that game. How are you going to win if you are getting more drinks every time you destroy the entire block? (Haha) That is the beauty of the game and that is to getting drunk and wins the game. Choosing a bar that offers dancing, trivia and games wherein you can always take advantage of the other fun activities rather than just sitting in the corner whole night drinking and might as well spending more money.
- Skipping few shots – One of the best tricks to save money when you are out in the bar with friends is to skip few shots and drink ice cold water instead. Drinking ice cold water in between drinks may do too because drinking too much liquor can also be very dehydrating and that is why you need more water in your body. Getting very dehydrated while drinking is the number cause of a hangover the next morning. Do not mind your friends if they tease you and skipping a few shots won’t hurt you! It is a way to make sure that you do not feel terribly feel bad the next day. Don’t worry; asking for ice cold water will not cost any penny. Also when drinking, you don’t want to rush and drink all your shots. Take it easy and give it a minute or more. Taking a smaller sip is not going to hurt anyone and back it up with a conversation while you are drinking or drink less throughout the night.
- Paying with Cash – Okay, most of the people that goes to the bar pay their bills with credit cards. There is an advantage to it because your cash on hand will not be touched but the disadvantage of it is that it leaves the tab open. That my friend is a bad way to spend your fun night at the bar and you may lose focus on how much you are spending and lost track of it. Preventing that bad situation is easy! Use cash instead of your credit card so that you will on top of your game. Setting a budget beforehand and bringing the only amount of cash that you think you will need is a way to help you curtail your spending and drinking. Oh a little piece of advice, always save some money for a cab or public transportation! Please do not pay for the cover charge instead it will just increase the overall price of your entire night. Try avoiding bars with cover charge so you can spend your money on more foods and drinks.
- Shots or Pitchers – Been there done that already and I know that buying shots for your entire friends can be fun but your hard-earned money will be gone in a snap and gulp. Purchasing a pitcher of beer for the table with your entire friends is a great opportunity to become the star of the night and it will go a lot further compared to the price of one shot glass or one shot of beer to every person. Drinking beer is healthier than drinking hard liquors because beers are made of wheat. (Wheat is healthy. Haha) Okay guys, I am sorry but I love ice cold beer and I am not fond of drinking hard liquor. The other secret to getting cheap drinks is to ask for a beer on tap or house liquor. If you want hard liquor, ask for the house liquor as this will be your affordable option. Still going for the expensive ones? Well you can actually enjoy those expensive ones and if you feel that the effect is there already go for the cheap ones as you are not going to enjoy the drinks if you are too drank already.
- Simple Drinks – The more complicated your drinks will be, the more expensive it gets. That is a general rule in all the bars around the world. In a busy night at the bar, ordering a complicated drink is never a good idea and the entire bar goers knows that one simple rule. You will be disappointed once you tasted your drink and it never tastes as good as your first try before you even knew that it was your actual favorite drink. Bartenders won’t have the patience and most especially all the time that they need in order to perfect your mixed drink properly so do not expect for the taste to be somehow delicious. In this case, you will not get a good deal and stick with rum and coke instead. Not unless you are a regular customer in the bar and every one in there knows you already and all you have to do is go to the bar and say “The usual please” oh how I would love that! But I prefer to hop in beer pubs instead.
Do you have any other more tips for saving money at the bar? Please do not hesitate to share us your thoughts in the comments below!
Please drink moderately and know your limits. Happy drinking!
