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Drink prices - any way of knowing without having to ask like a cheapskate?

Discussion in 'Las Vegas for the Frugal (not Cheap)' started by johnnytwofingers, Jul 27, 2016.

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  1. johnnytwofingers

    johnnytwofingers Low-Roller

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    Ok, for starters, I'm frugal bordering on cheap...lol, and then add to that I'm Canadian so am working with a dollar worth 30% less. One things that kind of bothers me is the seeming total randomness of drink prices when you're paying rather than getting free drinks while gambling. In my experience, in some casinos you'll pay 4 bucks for a beer, in others you'll pay 14, and it's not necessarily even the cheaper looking places where you pay an arm and a leg.

    I hate asking how much a drink is before buying it, but I also hate getting a drink and having to choke up $20.

    Luckily some nice people like KKB provides us with happy hour lists:
    https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/my-updated-happy-hour-list.132592/

    I think there's probably no way of knowing without asking, but thought maybe there's somewhat of a rule of thumb that others here might know of that I'm missing out on?
     
  2. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

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    Ask for a menu.
     
  3. mike mc

    mike mc High-Roller

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    Two places have not changed in last 5 years I have been going casino royal 1 dollar beers, Stage Door 1 dollar beers
     
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  4. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    Dont feel bad about asking, They hear it 100 times every day.
     
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  5. Aces and Eights

    Aces and Eights VIP Whale

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    And the servers that you would ask, I'm sure understand themselves that many people don't want to pay $20 for a drink.
     
  6. LBTRS

    LBTRS Low-Roller

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    I was actually made fun of by a bartender at the Rumbar in the Mirage early one afternoon. I ordered a drink for my son and I and we drank it and I asked for the check...a male bartender handed me the check and it said $33 for the two drinks. I was caught off guard as I was not expecting $16+ for each drink.

    My wife walked in and came up to me and asked how we were doing. I responded "I was doing fine until I got the bill and seen this drink cost $16". When I said it I looked up and a female bartender was looking at me and rolled her eyes and turned around and was shaking her head as she walked away.

    That was the last drink I ordered in the Mirage that wasn't comped. We purchased our drinks elsewhere the rest of the trip and I asked the price before hand.
     
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  7. johnnytwofingers

    johnnytwofingers Low-Roller

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    The attitude of some people working in service jobs...if you're so well paid that $16 (plus tip!) for a drink is "no big deal", then why do you get all huffy if someone doesn't tip you for carrying an object across a room? Weird.
     
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  8. Multifarious5

    Multifarious5 VIP Whale

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    Just nicely ask the price. They work for a living, and they have to buy drinks on their own time off. Caring about price just makes you more human, and shows you're on a budget, like they are.

    Ask the price, buy a cheaper drink if need be, and just tip an extra dollar or two on the first drink as a nice gesture on their time. You'll save money, they'll make more. They'll often appreciate that you're on a budget, but choosing a cheaper drink to tip them better, versus just being the person with a bottomless wallet, who has no idea, or concern, with what a drink costs.

    P.S. a cheapskate isn't the person asking about drink prices, it's the person who doesn't ask, is high maintenace and rude, but then tips cheaply.

    The staff knows Vegas is overpriced. As long as you tip well and are nice, they don't care if you ask, and nor should you. (On a drink or two, if you ask the price on the entire cocktail menu, that's a different ball of wax.)

    I guarantee you they ask, or know prices, when they go out on the town. As long as you're nice, not too high maint, and tip well, you're golden.
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2016
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  9. HoyaHeel

    HoyaHeel Grammar Police & Admin

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    Yep, I absolutely ask prices. And I am peeved (and will review poorly and/or not return) at places who consistently use menus without prices. I will spend money on something I want - but I want to be able to evaluate my options fully upfront!

    (my husband and I are craft beer fans - when bars/pubs don't tell me up front that I'm paying $10 for a 10oz pour, I am furious! I understand why certain beers are expensive and I understand why certain beers are 10oz pours- but TELL ME before I order!)
     
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  10. h0und10

    h0und10 VIP Whale

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    unfortunately this is what keeps me away from the "lounges" and cool bars around the strip. I don't wanna get stuck paying 15 bucks plus a tip for a drink that is pretty average.
     
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  11. Multifarious5

    Multifarious5 VIP Whale

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    Absolutely Hoya, you know if they DON'T list. Price...it's not because it's going to be affordable. Im really bad on that, I won't even hit a restaurant before I look up their prices online.

    If their site doesn't list them (as more and more, annoyingly don't), I Google it again with the company name and "prices" and can usually find a 3rd party site with at least CLOSE estimates...it's just too annoying to go through the "no prices listed" song and dance then hit me with a crazy bill :D
     
  12. h0und10

    h0und10 VIP Whale

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    i like how MOST of the restaurants on the strip have a menu board outside so you can check the options and prices before you enter. I wish some of these bars and lounges would have this... but then of course no one would walk in lol
     
  13. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    Nothing like ordering some Double IPA or a Stout and getting it served in an 8 oz tulip then getting a bill for $8. This isn't stuff made by Belgian monks with 800 year old yeast strains either.
     
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  14. mdm4sfest

    mdm4sfest VIP Whale

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    I asked at Ballys pool how much a barardi and coke was. They told me $17.10. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
     
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  15. HoyaHeel

    HoyaHeel Grammar Police & Admin

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    OP, this is a good idea - allmenus.com is one site I've used (and Yelp often lists a link to a menu that might not be the official website for a place) if you're able to check before you head out to drink.

    (I typically google "bar/restaurant name + menu prices to try to find something) With social media these days, it's much easier to find menus listing prices when an official website doesn't....Another place to try is facebook or twitter (this is good for up to date tap lists for beer fans :)
     
  16. gotChopin

    gotChopin Low-Roller

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    I would just ask. I dont really care whatever I may feel others may be thinking about me. Cheapskate or not, it is just being practical. I bet most will feel right up there with you, wished they had asked like you. I dont think anyone will think youre a cheapskate but better yet, a guy who just wants to know the prices!! cmon!!
     
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  17. HoyaHeel

    HoyaHeel Grammar Police & Admin

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    I guess - I use the internet to help me decide where I want to go. Once I'm wherever I am - I ask (whatever I need to ask) because I'm over 40 and I just don't give a @#$ what a stranger working in a restaurant/bar thinks of me. I'm polite, I tip appropriately, and I rarely get ugly drunk these days. What more do they want from me? :goofy:
     
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  18. grosx2

    grosx2 Have fun storming the castle!

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    A "rule of thumb" on knowing how much a drink will cost at any random bar without looking at a menu or asking prices? What does this even mean?
     
  19. roycpa

    roycpa High-Roller

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    Opening line of "Any drink specials today?" will generally get you a response that gives you a pretty good idea of their prices. Also many have specials that aren't listed, so there's absolutely no reason not to ask! No one will care anyway, so ask away.
     
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  20. bshowell

    bshowell VIP Whale

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    That's the approach I use. And sometimes there actually ARE specials (outside of Happy Hour).
     
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