In a city where it seems you have to mortgage away your life savings just to live here sometimes you have to make some tough decisions when it comes to spending. Especially when it comes to nightlife, dining, and fun time! The majority of us are barely getting by as most of our paychecks are handed over for rent, bills, and the basic necessities of life. Hey, one must have enough toilet paper on hand at all times! We New Yorkers are a city of people that work hard and play hard. After a long work week we still find a way to go out 
and party, even if that means digging into our cash pile meant for bills, or we dig in the couch cushions and coat pockets for enough change to have some drinks. Isn’t it a thrill when you come up on some dollar bills you had stuffed into a pocket and forgot about months ago? Heck, I need to find some way to keep my thirst for good booze quenched!
One of the best tools I have discovered for saving cash are the abundance of discounted websites that have gained popularity over the past few years. Sites like Living Social, Groupon, Google Offers, and ScoutMob are terrific sites that offer some amazing discounts on dining, drink, and social events. Why spend full price when you can take advantage of so many great deals out there? Save a buck or two! A new site that I found out about recently is called Course Horse. It’s a site that offers experiences in a variety of subjects by way of taking a mini-course in them, all at discounted rates. It’s a great way to try something out without spending a ton of cash on it. Of course I jumped at the “Beer & Bourbon Tasting for $10”! My inner lush was ecstatic when my good friend Julia B sent me the email for it. Was totally worth it for a fun night out over a few hours of beer and bourbon tastings.
I purchased two tickets for me and my other good friend Monique R (yeah, she of the amazing cooking skills that I keep pestering to start her own bistro). We both enjoy a good beer and quality spirits so we were both looking forward to this and were not disappointed. It was held at one of my favorite watering holes – Idle Hands. This bar has a fantastic bourbon and whiskey list, along with a rotating group of craft beers on tap. Plus, they play hard rock and heavy metal music. Pure win! It’s in a downstairs space under another bar, is kind of dark, a bit grungy, and just a cool spot if a beer, bourbon, and Iron Maiden to Foo Fighters is to your liking.
We grabbed a table and waited patiently for the event to start. Good thing we purchased our tickets in advance as it got packed with a terrific turnout. The tasting event came with two full pours, three beer tastings, a bourbon tasting, and an order of tater tots! Can’t ever 
go wrong with tater tots! The featured beer company of the night was Sierra Nevada and the bourbon was Larceny. We got to sample their brews from the IPA’s to Pilsners to Porter styles. The Imperial Porter was pretty damn good! Like a dark bitter chocolate and coffee flavor. The bourbon was outstanding. Caramel and honey tones with a smooth finish, and drank nicely along with a smooth finish.
The reps from both came by and served us each tasting along with a little explanation of each. We never had to leave our seats! The reps were very educational, fun, and friendly. The beer rep was especially thorough and we could tell he really enjoyed his beer. Plus, there was some swag given out such as beer coasters, key chains, and even a lip balm made from beer hops and mint.
We had a great time! Again, this was totally worth the $10 fee and lasted around two hours. Sweet!
I’ve signed up on-line, and downloaded all these discount site aps to my phone. You should too. Take advantage of every opportunity to save some cash while still enjoying life. Damn, it’s expensive to live in NYC to begin with. Party on a budget! These sites make it much easier on the wallet.
Now as for my liver, that is another story…..
Sounds awesome. NYC never been on my places to go list but it is beginning to creep onto the list
Hi Lanthie!
There are so many good deals to take advantage of that this one was a no-brainer. Even though NYC is expensive there are a lot of cheap things to do and take advantage of here.
Not much of a drinker, I mean I’m not a drinker at all, living with a pathetic and chronic alcoholic in the house really kills it. I enjoyed the part about New York though 🙂 So you say that it’s not worth it living in New York? Because is that expensive, or you’re talking about specific regions?
Hello Gabriel!
Thanks for dropping by and reading my blog.
Sorry to hear that about your family life. Hope you read some of my other posts – just skip the booze ones!
Oh no, I love living in NYC. It’s totally worth it if one can afford it. We get by. Sure, it’s expensive but I am willing to pay so as to not live in the suburbs. Have a great Sunday!
Thanks, I will do my best and skip the posts about booze 🙂
I’ve never been to America or New York for that matter but I’ve felt like I was in New York when I visited London two year ago, I felt free, I felt the wind like I never felt before, it was surreal. Hope to visit New York at some point in my life, but I had to choose the city to live in I’d choose LA 🙂 It warm at all times, there is sand and the ocean is warm, I can finally learn to swim 🙂 Being twentyfour and not knowing to swim is kinda pathetic.
I liked your facebook page so you bet I’ll read your posts and share your content 🙂
Have a great sunday too 🙂
Thanks Gabriel.
From what I have heard London and NYC are a lot alike. I’ve been to LA. It’s ok, but lacks the character that NYC has in my opinion. Also, I like the cold weather and seasons so it doesn’t bother me too much. Definitely learn to swim – it’s fun!
This is a great blog and a cool way of learning about the nyc scene…one I would love to dabble in….. its on my bucket list
Lisa
Hi Lisa!
Thanks for dropping by. Glad you like my blog! 🙂
Definitely check out NYC at least once. Go in spring or fall when weather is better. So much to see and do here.
I appreciate the compliment! Thanks for reading.
I’m a lover of the Groupon deals and take advantage of just about every food one comes my way, for the good places that is.
It looks like you got yourself a pretty awesome deal too. And, to get tater tots as well? Just plain awesome!
Hey Emily!
Yup – tater tots were the icing on the cake! Beer, bourbon, and tots = perfection!
Gotta take advantage of the good offers! I use them a lot too. Hey, save a buck!
New York certainly is an expensive place. Sounds like you got a great deal for $10 Phil! Wish I could find something in the UK that good a deal.
Thanks for all the tips on the discount sites, I’d not heard of a few of those.
Oh, I definitely agree with your point on the toilet roll too!
Hey Guy!
There are always good deals to be had if one digs deep enough.
Yes, check out those sites and see if you can use them over there.
We all need extra TP in the house!
I’m super jealous 🙂 Sounds like a great time!
Hi Frugal!
It was a great time, and cheap too! Gotta take advantage of those good deals!
Hmmm. I had never considered checking those sites for things like tastings and such. What a great idea! Thanks for expanding my horizons.
Hey Kitt!
These sites can save you a lot of cash when going out to eat, bar hop, or go to events. Check them out and sign up for them.
it isn’t cheap to live – period – but especially in a big city or near one. I remember the days BK (before kids) when this type of activity was more frequent! Have a great day!
Hello Clay!
Thanks for stopping by. I agree – nothing is cheap nowadays. Just to live is expensive. Sites like these help the wallet a bit.
Have a great week!
Sounds like a fun night with interesting drinks and food on the side. Long ago I used to live in Manhattan, NYC . But I was born there and only lived there till I was 5, so I don’t remember a thing. Have fun! 🙂
Thanks Susana. Yes, it was a fun time. Great beer and booze tasting on the cheap!
I am a teetotaler, but glad you had fun!
hmmm and yeah you might want to check into ‘that another story called liver’ sometime 😉
Hi Nina!
Thanks for reading. Hey, there are a lot of good deals other than the drinking offers on those sites. I just abuse the boozy ones now and then!
Ah, my liver and I have a love/hate relationship going on. 🙂
I wish I lived in a large town so I could use deals from those websites. *sigh* someday.
Hi Chloe!
Thanks for dropping by my blog. I am sure there are some good deals where you live. Don’t give up!
Why can’t they do stuff like that here in Iowa? OH YEAH, I REMEMBER…Because Iowa is LAME!!! I have a feeling if I lived in NYC, I would be broke, homeless and an alcoholic. But I would have a Hell of a time!
Matt – living here in NYC I am almost broke, homeless, and alcoholic!
Definitely alcoholic.
Good times!