It’s Memorial Day Weekend. Vacations are on the horizon and barbecues, boating trips and parties are being planned. Many of us will get off of work early today and the festivities will commence. Seeing that a substantial amount of drinking is about to ensue, I thought there’s no better time than now to release ten of the Fabulous & Financially Savvy Tips for Saving at a Bar. Some are fabulous, some are tacky and some are just meant for pure entertainment – so read on to discover some ways to get your drink on without spending the cash during a night out on the town:

1) Two words: Pre-Game.

Having one mixed drink at home before you go out each weekend can save you $40 or so a month. Not to mention you save yourself the headache of having to head straight to the bar once you get to your destination – you’ll already have a buzz!

2) Pabst Blue Ribbon – A Frugal Girl’s Friend.

For those of you who don’t know about this incredibly classy and elegant drink, Pabst Blue Ribbon (or PBR as it’s widely known) is the 2 buck chuck of beers. (For my male readers, I’m sure this one is open to discussion, so feel free to debate your side…)

3) Have a flask? Use it.

It may not be the classiest thing, but buying a soda for $4 and mixing your own drink in a bathroom stall is awesome for 3 reasons:           

• You can make it as strong as you like.
• You just saved yourself about $6-$8 for one shot of vodka.
• You don’t have to worry about being nice to the bartenders, showing cleavage, or extra tipping.

4) Save on covers. Split the entrance fee with a friend and then sneak one of you in the emergency exit.

• Sneaking is the key here. If you get caught, you’re obviously losing money on the deal.
• Side note: This works great for the movies too.

5) You know that overly drunk guy who is simultaneously trying to hit on you while slurring his words and spitting? Yeah – let him buy you a drink. It’s the least he can do for getting spittle on your top.

Then run, don’t walk back to your friends!

6) Buy just one really strong drink like a long island iced tea or an AMF. You’ll be drunk in no time.

For those of you who can really handle your alcohol and are thus not affected by just one drink – revert back to # 3.

7) Conveniently forget your credit cards and cash at home and mooch off your friends.

Another variation of this is to wait until everyone else is drunk. Inhibitions are lowered and depending on who you’re with you can probably get them to buy you a free drink without even having to ask.

 8) Ever heard of pocket shots?

A friend recently introduced me to them. Essentially, it’s a variety of hard alcohol that comes in a pouch as opposed to a bottle. The pouches actually kind of remind me of the gel padding you get in a bra from Victoria’s Secret… but filled with rum instead of water.

 9) Always head to the same bar and make friends with the bartenders. 

Hang out with them, chat them up, learn their names. Making an effort to get to know your local bartenders can pay off in the form of either free drinks or if you do pay, really strong drinks. Remember to tip nicely when this does occur though or you may loose your friendly privileges right away.

10) Don’t eat before going out.

Yes, this is one is along the lines of the Trashy Ways to Save post a few weeks ago, and yes I also came across this idea on a website directed towards saving money and getting drunk faster.

So ladies, lets tie all of these tips together into our ideal situation: Don’t eat on a Monday, have a PBR when you get home from work, head out to your local happy hour, chat up the bartender, get your roommate drunk, mix your own drink in the bathroom using either a flask or pocket shot, let the drunk guy next to you buy you an AMF and once your roommate is good and tipsy – there’s free drink #4! Since you haven’t eaten all day, not only are you going to be drunk, but you’ll be able to stumble your way home feeling accomplished in that you haven’t spent a dime all day…

Really though, take the above for what you will. Some tips are meant to be helpful, some are purely meant to entertain. They all can work if pulled off successfully, but I am however, in no way responsible or liable for what my readers do once intoxicated (or before intoxication for that matter).

Keep in mind that the goal of this blog is obviously to gain or retain Fabulous & Financially Savvy status, so keep some (not all) of these tips on hand when heading out in the spring and summer months ahead. There’s some potential to save some cash (or just stretch it through a whole girls weekend) and there’s some potential to do some stupid and funny things. Remember that no matter what you decide, when you do go out drinking – please don’t drink and drive. Designate a walker, driver, call a cab, do whatever your situation entails to make sure you and your friends all have a fun & fabulous night and all arrive home safely.