My spouse and I enjoy selecting tunes on the jukebox at our neighborhood bar, but we also aim to stick to a budget. One trick we use is choosing longer tracks so an hour of music costs fewer dollars. Jukeboxes rarely offer a 20-minute epic like Rush’s “2012,” but we often find nine- and ten-minute cuts such as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” and The Doors’ “The End.”
Hunting for jukebox bargains is just one way to trim expenses during a night out. Whether you want enough left over for a third beer or simply want to spend less while out on the town, there are plenty of other tactics to reduce the bill.
1. Seek Out Happy Hour Specials
Perhaps the most straightforward method to keep drinking affordable is to know where and when the best happy hour specials run. Most bars list that info online, and there are apps that make locating local happy hours easy. Still, sometimes a phone call is required.
For instance, while researching this piece I found a nearby pub that reduces draft beer from $3.50 to $2.50 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. every day. But just a mile away I found a bar with a great jukebox and no website where drafts are $1.50 during happy hour — which is all day. I learned that by calling (the place lacked a website, but its number was on Google).
Calling is also smart if you prefer particular mixed drinks. A bar’s site may promote a two-for-one special on well drinks during happy hour, but what exactly counts as a “regular well drink?” It pays to ask.
2. Opt for Less Expensive Beer
Draft beer at a venue is almost always cheaper than bottled versions. Many beer enthusiasts argue draft beer is theoretically superior. But InternationalBeerFest.com notes that it depends on multiple variables. Personal taste matters, and storage practices and the condition of tap lines can influence flavor as well.
Then there’s the “ego factor.” Some folks prefer a beer bottle because the brand conveys something about the drinker. You’ll need to decide whether saving cash or showcasing your beer choice is more important. I’m not recommending you force down drinks you dislike just to save a few dollars. But at least sample the cheaper draft before dismissing it.
You can also taste-test the least expensive beers and well drinks to find what you like, then stick with the cheapest satisfying options. For example, a spot near me sometimes sells $1 cans of PBR.
3. Do the Beer Math
We’ve discussed subtle sales ploys before, including ones tied to what behavioral economists call “extremeness aversion.” Consider the beer-pricing experiment William Poundstone shared in his book, Priceless: The Myth of Fair Value. Researchers presented participants with beers at various price points across three tests. Here’s the outcome:
Test One (two choices offered)
Beer A for $1.80: 20% of “customers” chose it
Beer B for $2.50: 80% chose it
Test Two (three choices offered)
Beer A for $1.60: 0% chose it
Beer B for $1.80: 80% chose it
Beer C for $2.50: 20% chose it
Test Three (three choices offered)
Beer A for $1.80: 5% chose it
Beer B for $2.50: 85% chose it
Beer C for $3.40: 10% chose it
Notice how easy it was to get more people to pay $2.50 when a higher-priced option was present, even with a $1.80 option available! Don’t be swayed by a pricier choice on the menu. Start with the cheapest and move up only if you don’t enjoy it.
Also do the math so you’re not tricked by sizes. Which offers the best value per ounce: a 22-ounce mug for $3 or a 16-ounce glass for $2?
4. Spend Less on Food
Watch for food bargains too, since you might be tempted to order a snack with your drink. Some bars run half-price appetizer deals during happy hour.
Another way to cut food costs is to share a plate or appetizer. My spouse and I frequently split food at the bar, and we’ve only once been charged a “plate fee” (it was $2 that time) for dividing a meal.
Free snacks are even better. We used to frequent a bar that offered unlimited free peanuts and actually encouraged tossing shells on the floor! With $1.50 drafts and complimentary nibbles, you can have an inexpensive night out.
Final Thoughts
If you’re determined to be frugal, you can do even better than just being cheap. You might even end the night with more cash than you started with! (For that aim, read up on ways to make money at the bar and foolproof bar bets.)
Have a drink at home before you head out, and alternate stronger drinks with water while at the pub. At home many beers run about $0.65 per can — far cheaper than bar prices — and a homemade margarita will cost several dollars less than one mixed at a venue. And be sure to plan for a designated driver; a DUI can turn an inexpensive evening into a very costly one.
Your Turn: What are your best tips and tactics for saving money at the bar?
