In a recession, we all need to make sacrifices, but come Hell or high water, I’m hanging onto my Friday nights out like those still hanging onto the glimmering hope of the Democrats digging us out of this mess. Until then, I choose sacrifices of a different breed. Girls, leave your hangups at the door: tonight, you’re drinking for free.
1. The Sad Bartender
It’s hard to believe, but some bartenders don’t think they’re “all that.” The best clubs may have bartenders that look like Abercrombie models, but hit up some of …

Go to a Ladies’ Night!  Try to find ones your female friends don’t know about.  Then say you want to take them out to a place where they drink for free.  That’s when you ask them to buy you a couple rounds.  If you combine that with a couple of other tricks I’ve tought you, you’ll be in pretty good shape.  If you have 3 or 4 ladies with you, and they each buy you a round (or two) you’re sitting pretty on a free night of drinking.

Not tipping a dollar every time you order makes you seem cheap.  However, if 5 drinks cost you $25, nobody will be too upset if you only tip $4, that’s 16%.  If you’re buying $2 cans of PBR (most bars in Brooklyn), then 5 drinks cost $10 and nobody’s going to be upset if you don’t tip $5 on that particular tab.  Just be reasonable. 
A friend of mine was in New York and was at a place serving $11 drinks.  When he only tipped a dollar they kicked him out …

A Martini-type drink often has almost twice as much liquor as a mixed drink.  However, they are also often the same price.  If you’re really not in the mood for Rheingold and don’t feel comfortable bringing in a flask, then this is an option you need to consider.

The Schnorrer knows that going out drinking with his friends can be a very expensive proposition. It is is ingrained in his conscience that the best defense is a good offense so he sets the tone for the night:   As soon as he and his goombas walk into the bar, he announces that he is going to have a beer and that he insists on getting “the first round”.  With this gambit, he  establishes that each of his drinking buddies will be picking up the tab for a round, while …

Some bartenders might think you’re wasting their time, but if you know there are specials, don’t be afraid to ask what they are. You’d be surprised what specials aren’t even advertised.  There’s been a few times where because of a misunderstanding I ordered something I thought was included in the special but wasn’t. 
Likewise, stick with well liquors.  If you’re mixing anyway, it doesn’t really matter.  Some bartenders will try to up-sell.  If you order a Gin and Tonic, they’ll come back with “Bombay or Tangueray?”.  That DOES NOT mean those …

If you live in New York City, you have no excuse to be ignorant of the fact of where you can get cheap shots and completely free drinks on your birthday.  Know that all-you-can-drink for twenty dollars for two hours isn’t that great a deal.  A 2 for 1 special that lasts all night is going to pay off more, as grabbing $5 drinks in 2 hours is near impossible in a crowded bar.  If you are paying a cover, then you shouldn’t be paying for drinks. 
Also, just because it’s …

Another no-brainer.  3 Buck Chuck (Charles Shaw on the back left hand side of Trader Joe’s Wine Shop on 14th St. btw 3rd and 4th) is probably one of the cheapest buys you can come by for its alcohol content.  If you can stand it, Astor Wines and Spirits (Lafayette and E 4th St.) is even cheaper than some of the liquor stores in Harlem, Brooklyn, and Queens.  There you can pull out an $11 handle of vodka if that’s the type of drunk you’re looking for.  40s are another …

Everyone should know this by now, but get a local bar.  Go there on weeknights with a couple friends and chat it up.  Tip well.  You WILL become a loyal patron and get free drinks.  Even better, you might actually hit it off and make a new friend with your bartender.  This will now be the perfect place to take dates if you are going on the type of date where you need to pay money and liquor them up.  I have a place where I can take a girl …