An AP writer tests out the Bartab app on their iPhone at Tres Agaves in San Francisco
I’m not even kidding!
Bartab is a new platform for sharing real drinks through online space. Using Facebook and any mobile device you can send yourself and friends real drinks for only $1 at some of the coolest bars in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles.
Well, technically, it’s $2, but the app is free (at least it’s free for Droid users), and $2 is cheaper than most drinks during happy hour in any of those cities. You pay $1 to send a drink and the person you send it to pays $1 to claim it. Plus, if your friends have had enough to drink you can send yourself one instead. Sounds easy, right?
Because it is. With over 600 bars and counting, Bartab is the easiest and cheapest way to send your friends drinks, and all you have to do to send them is be friends on Facebook, which if you’re sending them a drink, you probably already are. You don’t even need an iPhone, Droid or a phone with internet access to use Bartab, you can claim drinks through text message! You don’t even need to be at the bar to claim your drink right away–once a friend sends you a drink, you have three months to claim it before it expires. You can use your Visa or Mastercard to buy drink credits online in the ”My Account” section, which you have access to after you sign in with your Facebook account, and since the transaction system uses the latest secure technology, your information is safe.
Bartab was created by San Francisco-based company Webtab, and is their first social media venture that wants people to be start transactions virtually, but complete the real transaction in person. The new app seems to be a win-win for everyone–Bartab keeps $1 of each transaction, it costs bars nothing to join, gets users cheap drinks and brings in new customers to bars they might have otherwise never visited.
Bartab is planning to expand into over 17 markets in the next few months, including Seattle, Houston and Atlanta…and coming soon to a city near you! Bartab is also eventually looking into the ability to send your friends other beverages, such as coffee, or even food–like appetizers and meals.
In no time at all, we might not even have to pay a bill at the end of meals anymore…
I’m going to be testing out Bartab tonight for one of my favorite holidays (excuses) to drink Margaritas…Cinco de Mayo! Want to send me a drink? (Maybe I’ll send one back to you!)
Join Bartab now by connecting your Facebook account with their website….then add me as a friend on Facebook…and send me a drink! (and if I don’t know you…tell me you’re a reader of my site!)
Erika is a 20-something fashion, beauty and food-obsessed college student pursuing her Broadway aspirations in NYC.
