As the days slowly stretch out and the warmth returns, social activities lure us out of our hibernation and back into the community. Eating out with friends at your favourite restaurant or meeting up at the local pub heralds the new season. Sampling menus across town sure is a fun way to eat, however you will probably notice, especially if it’s been a while, dining out prices have gone up along with the price of raw ingredients, electricity and entertainment. But rather than missing out completely, be strategic about where and when you dine out and keep your spending to a more digestible total.
Meet up for lunch instead of dinner
Depending on where you go, a dinner menu will nearly always be more expensive than the cuisine available at lunch. While your options may be more limited, with more casual and less complicated meal choices on offer, you may also find that you are served more promptly during lunch. Timing your main meal around the middle of the day is also said to be beneficial for digestion. If you’ve picked a place with a pretty setting you also get to enjoy any views on offer, view which may be lost if dining at night.
Choose ‘happy hour’ or ‘first sitting’ options
We all know about happy hour at pubs, but did you know some restaurants have ‘happy hour’ dining slots which gives you access to slightly cheaper meals and drinks, sometimes with a slight variation to the menu. A set time on set days helps to fill seats at what might otherwise be a quiet time for restaurants. Other restaurants offer incentives when you book their first sitting by providing a discount. Use these opportunities to get served more quickly and fed earlier, meaning you have more of the night to party (or be tucked up in bed by 9pm if that’s your preference). A great option for parents of littles on a date night who need to get back to the babysitter on time.
Pay before you eat
Some restaurants employ a pay in advance model for their earlier sittings to get guaranteed bums on seats for quiet times. Websites such as Groupon, Scoopon and Red Balloon have meal packages in most major cities, to suit any budget.
Cheap Tuesday
It’s not always on a Tuesday actually, but often pubs and clubs will have set specials on set days. For example, your local leagues club may have a kids eat free Monday or a $20 pizza night on Tuesdays. Clubs also offer member discounts, meaning you shave a few dollars off each item on your bill when you flash your members card. Pubs are usually known for generous servings and familiar dishes as well as weekly specials, such as a discounted Burger or Schnitzel night. If you don’t mind a noisy backdrop while you eat and have a large appetite, pubs and clubs are a great choice. Keep in mind the food is often better value at these places in the hope you’ll buy a few extra drinks and stick around for longer.
Last minute deals
Save up to 50% on a meal by booking a table with EatClub.com.au and secure a spot at a leading restaurant looking to fill its empty seats. Perfect for those nights you know you want to go somewhere but haven’t yet booked.
Tasty TAFE
Want fine dining without the price tag? Tuck into a three-course meal for between $30-$45 at your local TAFE restaurant and experience meals cooked by an up-and-coming chef. TAFE restaurants, some of which are award winning, deliver first class training facilities and showcase high quality cuisine cooked and served by students refining their craft.
Birthday benefits
Some restaurant chains offer discounts when you join their birthday club, giving you access to a free meal or drink on the day of your birthday. Find out which venues in your local area have offers and discounts for members on their birthdays and be sure to sign up to their membership before your actual birthday so you receive the voucher in time to use on the day, though check the terms and conditions as some vouchers may be valid for the whole of your birthday month.
Like most things in life, if we plan in advance and consider our choices carefully, we can often save money. Don’t let rising costs stop you from having a night off from cooking dinner. Support your local hospitality industry as often as you like with a little organisation and some savvy scheduling.
Alison Gallagher is a freelance writer, resourcefulness expert, entrepreneur and mother of two young children. She has been featured in various publications including Stellar Magazine, Australian Health and Fitness Magazine, and Cleo Magazine. Alison is particularly passionate about sharing practical tips on how to live simply, sustainably and seasonally.
