Bartab: Social Drinking at its Finest

Remember those silly virtual gifts that you could send to your friends via Facebook? Well, these online gifts are about to get real. If you spend a lot of time on Facebook (of which I admit I am guilty, and not just because I work with social media) you can’t help but notice the new application that is causing a sensation called Bartab. Officially launched only a month ago, the application allows users to buy vouchers good for real drinks—cocktails, beer, wine, you name it!—for friends from both Facebook and their cell phones. The best part is that the drinks cost the sender and recipient only $1 apiece. All your friend has to do is show the bartender the voucher from a cell phone and pay the $1 to collect the drink. Currently available in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, the service plans to keep expanding nationally with bars in Washington DC, Chicago, and more getting in on the action. So, instead of sending your friend a pixilated pint from Facebook, purchase them the real thing. I promise they’ll be more than happy to accept! —Kate Bryan

Check out the Bartab website or their Facebook and treat your friends (or yourself!) to a $1 drink!

U’Luvka Vodka Signature, $55

U’Luvka Vodka Signature Has won dozens of gold medals and awards Inspired by the 17th century Polish Royal Court (some say vodka saved the life of King Sigismund III) Distilled 3 times from wheat, rye, and barley Flavors of spice, citrus, aniseed, and butter For the discerning drinker who likes the taste of vodka Buy U’Luvka Vodka Signature, $55, at DrinkUpNY.com Buy Marquis by Waterford Vintage Oversized Martini Pair Glasses, perfect for drinking it straight, $29, at Macys.com

Auchentoshan Scotch Single Malt 18 Year, $110

Auchentoshan Scotch Single Malt 18 Year Single-malt whiskey Triple distillation for a more delicate flavor Hints of citrus, green tea, toasted almonds 1 of the 3 remaining distilleries in the Scottish Lowlands Great over ice with a dash of lemon Buy Auchentoshan Scotch Single Malt 18 Year, $110, at GrandWineCellar.com Buy Calvin Klein Gable Double Old-Fashioned Glasses, set of 4, perfect for lowballs, $80, at Macys.com

Inocente Tequila Plata, $50

Inocente Tequila Plata  Made from blue agave Floral flavors with hints of raspberry and vanilla Triple distillation for a cleaner taste For those who like to drink it straight Buy Inocente Tequila Plata, $50, at ColumbusWines.com Buy Bormioli Rocco Party Margarita Stemware, set of 4, fill it with something frozen, $34.50, at Amazon.com