Last night, nine of my friends and I took advantage of ClickLinksForFreeDrinks.com, the website that is giving away 10,000 hours of free hour-long open bars in NYC.

I selected the Wednesday, 8 p.m. open bar at SideBar on E. 15th St. We arrived at 30 minutes before the open bar kicked off, and our hottie waitress, Sam checked us in. It was a very smooth process – she took out a clipboard and gave each of us a wristband as she crossed off our names.

Eight o’clock rolled around, and we all immediately took advantage of the free drinks. The special included well drinks and Bud Light. I was a little skeptical going into the whole thing, asking myself “Free drinks? This sounds too good to be true.” But  it all went down as advertised, free – no gimmicks. Even though they weren’t using Grey Goose to make the vodka tonics, the drinks were strong and did the job.

THE CROWD: Early to mid-twenties, full but not overwhelmingly packed, the guy to good-looking girl ratio was very promising and it seemed as if everyone was looking to have a good time. Real World: Austin alumni Johanna Botta even made a low key appearance with a group of friends.

TIPS: If you choose SideBar, make sure to get there a few minutes early -  and set-up shop at the back bar, this is where you’ll have the best opportunity to meet cool people and get drinks without a long wait. And remember this open bar trick: order two drinks at a time, and stash a couple along the railing, so when the open bar ends you can still drink for free.

SIGNING UP: It’s an extremely easy five-minute process.

• Visit the website, ClickLinksForFreeDrinks.com.
• Select your venue – choose from Village Pourhouse on 3rd Ave., SideBar, Village Pourhouse on Amsterdam Ave., and Southern Hospitality.
• Pick a date and time.
• Invite 10 friends.
• Show up and have a good time.

If America could be summed up in one day, that day is today, people!

With Super Tuesday, Fat Tuesday and Pancake Day all falling on the same date, we the people can now celebrate an exclusive, once in a lifetime tradition: Super Fat Pancake Day. (more…)

Like any good twenty-something, I’m on several random email lists, usually of the happy hour variety. When one of my favorite haunts in lower Manhattan emailed me about an open bar next Monday, I did a cartoon-style double-take. Not because I’m that excited about an open bar, but because in the subject line, this one was exclusively for supporters of Barack Obama.

I opened said email instead of deleting immediately, and read that the “suggested donation” was $25 per person, but more would be greatly appreciated, and that the proceeds would go directly to Obama’s campaign.

Maybe I should’ve been disgusted. Instead, I was intrigued. A politician’s supporters realize a great way to get the twenty-to-thirty demographic to donate…give them booze in exchange for the donation. Unlimited alcohol—and sushi!—for four hours, even. (more…)