Senior discounts on adult beverages? Here’s how.

HEADLINE HEALTH – We’ve never seen an advertised “senior discount” on adult beverages, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work out similar deals.

Let’s start with the fact that as a senior, “enjoy in moderation” applies now more than ever. Harvard Medical School advises:

“Drinking too much alcohol can have negative physical and mental health consequences, including heart and liver problems, memory issues, mood disorders, as well as an increased risk of cancer and a weakened immune system.”

It’s time to take it easy on the booze. Which may not only preserve your health, it can ease your budget. With these thoughts in mind, here are some ideas on making your own “senior discounts” on adult beverages:

The “2-for-1 senior special.”

Sunday brunch and Bloody Marys just seem to go together. We’ve seen restaurants offering “bottomless Bloody Marys” and “bottomless mimosas.”

…article continued below

– Advertisement –

These offers are best avoided as they are incompatible with enjoying in moderation. Instead, ask your server for a single shot of spirits divided between two drinks. Ask that you be charged for one Bloody Mary and one Virgin Mary. Work the same idea with a T&T, Bacardi and Diet, or any other single-liquor mixed drink. In some jurisdictions, you’re not allowed to have two drinks in front of you at once; in this case, the bartender will simply hold your second glass at the bar.

Also, order your mixed drinks “tall,” such as “T&T tall” or “Cape Cod and soda tall.” You’ll get twice as many sips for the same price or perhaps with a small upcharge. If you simply want to cut the amount of alcohol in your drink, ask your server to use one ounce of spirits only. While this won’t reduce the price of the drink, it will reduce your alcohol consumption.

“Blue beer”

This is more a mnemonic device to help you remember than it is about the hue of your beverage (though Ricker’s Blueberry Cider from Maine is very blue and very tasty).

But what we’ve noticed is that lower-priced beers for some reason tend to have the word “blue” in their names: Pabst Blue Ribbon (brewed in Milwaukee), Labatt’s Blue and Labatt’s Blue Light (Canada), and Blue Moon (Colorado). Each of these “blue beers” is competitively priced compared to many other options in the tap line. If in doubt, ask your server which brew is on special or has the best price.

Happy Hour.

This one is easy. Seniors often prefer to have dinner in the afternoon rather than in the evening. Look for a happy hour with discounted pricing starting at 4 pm and you’ve got the best of both worlds. Just bear in mind that happy hour is about saving money, not increasing your consumption.

…article continued below

– Advertisement –

Bring your own beverage.

This is the ultimate money-saver for enjoying your favorite beverage while dining out. Start with an internet search for “BYOB” combined with your zip code or the name of your town. Or call around to a few establishments and ask what their policy is. Just beware of “cork fees” which means they charge you for opening your own wine and serving it to you.

Size matters.

Some establishments are now offering beer in pours larger than the standard 12-ounce mug and 16-ounce pint. While a 22-ounce pour may sound tempting, it’s only going to cost more money, increase your alcohol consumption, and even become flat or warm before you get to the bottom of the glass.

Also beware of “Oktoberfest” events, which tend to prefer one-liter (33.8 ounce) beers and half-liter (16.9-ounce) pours of wine. If you still want to do Oktoberfest, ask that your one-liter beer be split between two wine glasses – one for you, one for your drinking partner. In any of these cases, stick with the smaller pours and pay less.

Set yourself free.

Choose an alcohol-free beverage and the price comes way down. Sweet tea, coke, and lemonade aren’t great everyday choices for your heatlh, but enjoying one of these beverages once a week as an alternative to alcohol can be a smart, satisfying, and money-saving choice.