The Best Free Drink Apps
Four apps that turn a night out into free — or steeply discounted — drinks, no flirting required, though most only work in New York.
I've tried so many new cocktails using this awesome app, and gone on so many inexpensive adventures with friends because of it.
Our reviewerFree Drinks, Four Different Ways
These four apps get you free or discounted drinks at the bar, no flirting required — between them they cover New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and several other cities.
Hooch has by far the broadest reach: LA, NYC, SF, Miami, Dallas, Austin, New Jersey, Phoenix, San Diego, and even Hong Kong. For $9.99 a month it delivers one free drink a day from a featured bar, usually a choice of two to four options — sometimes simple beer or wine, often fancy $15-plus cocktails. Tipping generously (around $2 per drink, or $5 for two) keeps bartenders happy about the free pour.
The other three work only in New York. First Call runs $25 a month but offers enough bar options that two outings a month pays off the fee. FROTH is a free app offering a genuinely free drink any night of the week, though supply is limited and reserving early — especially on nights other than Friday — improves your odds. Happy Any Hour, also free, doesn't hand out free drinks but instead unlocks a discounted, on-demand happy hour whenever you want one.
Each app solves a slightly different problem: Hooch for width of coverage and a guaranteed drink, First Call for sheer volume of bar choice, and FROTH or Happy Any Hour for a free way to test the waters before committing to a paid membership.
Four Apps for Free (or Cheap) Drinks
Here's what makes each app stand out, and where you can use it.
01
Hooch
A free drink every day from a featured bar, with at least 2-4 delicious drink options at each one. Available in LA, NYC, SF, Miami, Dallas, Austin, New Jersey, Phoenix, San Diego and Hong Kong.
02
First Call
Similar to Hooch but New York-only, with tons of bar options — going out just twice a month pays off the membership fee.
03
FROTH
An entirely free app offering a free drink any night of the week in New York, though supply is limited so reserving early improves your odds.
04
Happy Any Hour
A free New York-only app that unlocks a discounted 60-minute happy hour whenever you want one, at any of the bars listed.
App Pricing Compared
Three of the four apps are free to join; Hooch and First Call charge a monthly membership.
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| HoochPopular | $9.99/mo |
| First Call | $25/mo |
| FROTH | Free |
| Happy Any Hour | Free |
Good to Know
The Bottom Line
Whether you want a guaranteed free drink, a wide list of participating bars, or a discounted happy hour on your own schedule, one of these four apps should get you there — just know most only work in New York.
