Got no job? Got no money? We’re here to help
By Kirsten Ott Palladino and Meghan Kotowski
Though gas prices are slowly increasing (a sign that the economy is turning around, say financial experts), the newest figures show that unemployment in Georgia has just hit a staggering 10 percent. In light of this news, we thought we’d help you out a bit by scouring the city for ways to save some Benjamins or stretch your dollar as far as it can go. From dining deals and stylish steals to free shows and cheap cocktails, SP’s got your budget-friendly to-do list in the bank.
1,2, FREE Bliss Atlanta Midtown and Downtown spas reward their frequent customers by giving them the third service free when they buy two of the same services. Now through Sept. 30. www.blissspa.com.
SIP, SHOP, SAVE On Friday, July 24, from 5 p.m. to close at any of the three Sage locations, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine, sip some Smartwater, and save 25 percent on all of your favorite fashionable regularly priced clothing labels. www.sageclothing.com.
HEAD BANGERS Van Michael’s New Talents salons offer cuts starting at $23. Plus, Van Michael gives free bang trims between cuts. www.vanmichael.com.
BACK TO SCHOOL Through Aug. 31, Mint Julep offers 20 percent off for coeds. With your student I.D., you can rack up on fresh looks from schoolgirl faves like Lilly Pulitzer. 326 Pharr Road. 404-814-9155. www.mintjulepga.com.
THE SCRAMBLE GAMBLE Pacci Ristorante’s got a deal for the risk-taker in all of us. On Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through August 30, diners order off a special breakfast menu. At the end of your meal, a Pacci employee flips a coin while you call it, determining whether you must pay the bill or receive those special breakfast items free of charge.
FREE SANDWICHES If money’s tight and you’re trying to decide between food and alcohol (we know it can be a tough decision), head to Morton’s the Steakhouse Downtown in the SunTrust Plaza building. If you sit at the bar between 5 and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, you’ll be served free steak sandwiches. 303 Peachtree Center Ave. 404-577-4366. www.mortons.com.
GO FISH Ra Sushi offers half-off sushi and appetizers from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays, the restaurant’s Flying Fish Lounge menu offers guests half-off sushi and appetizers from 8 to 11 p.m. 1080 Peachtree St. 404-267-0114.
www.rasushi.com.
COOL OFF Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria may be known for its New York-style pies, but it’s also the home of $1 mini-cones of housemade gelato. 300 Marietta St. NW. 404-974-2941. www.maxsatl.com.
PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE On Thursdays, JCT Kitchen & Bar sells $24 carafes of Patio Punch (serves four). Other specials include $5 specialty martinis, margaritas and sangria; $1 goodies including oysters, JCT. deviled eggs and pimiento cheese toasts with pickled sunchokes; and live music beginning at 6 p.m. 1198 Howell Mill Road. 404-355-2252. www.jctkitchen.com.
THE RIVER FLOWS THROUGH IT WaterHaven, the new Southern restaurant near Georgia Tech, offers half-price appetizers in the bar Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., and all-day drink specials, including$4 and $5 mojitos on Mondays; $5 wine on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as $3.50 Full Sail beer every day. 75 Fifth St. 404-214-6740. www.waterhavenatl.com.
YOU SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY If you join Fifth Group Restaurants’ Frequent Guest Rewards Loyalty Program (it’s free to enroll, as the $15 charge gets credited back to members the first time they dine at a Fifth Group Restaurant), you’ll get a free entrée certificate on your birthday, as well as on your sign-up anniversary, along with a ridiculous amount of other savings opportunities. www.fifthgroup.com. In other birthday news, Drinkshop will give you one of its free made-from-scratch libations on your birthday with I.D. proof. Second floor of the W Atlanta-Downtown, 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. 404-582-5787.
C’MON, GET HAPPY Gordon Biersch, in its newest Buckhead location as well as Midtown, keeps it real with $1 off Gordon Biersch Lagers on Wednesdays, $2 off all wines by the glass and $5 martinis, margaritas and mojitos on Thursdays, and $3 mimosas and $5 Bloody Marys on Sundays. Every weeknight from 4 to 7 p.m., nosh on $4.95 appetizers. www.gordonbiersch.com.
CHOW DOWN Both locations of the Real Chow Baby (West Midtown and Cobb Galleria) feature the Chow Hour: two-for-one appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m. Mon.-Thu., and $9.99 for create-your-own stir fry (one trip only). www.therealchowbaby.com.
EASY SLIDER The Shed at Glenwood features Slider Night every Wednesday, with each slider setting you back just $3. 475 Bill Kennedy Way. 404-835-4363. www.theshedatglenwood.com.
TAKE HALF DBA Barbecue takes its draft beers (Abita, Sweetwater and Terrapin) down to half-price on Thursdays, with $2 pints and $7 pitchers. On Sundays, score $3 Sweet Tea vodka cocktails all day (brunch and dinner). 1190 N. Highland Ave. 404-249-5000. www.dbabarbecue.com.
BRUNCH FOR $4.99 Seriously. Alon’s Bakery & Market in Dunwoody sells made-to-order brunch favorites such as a frittata with sautéed fresh veggies, herbed omelet Panini and baker’s french toast with dried apricots—all for an unbelievably low price. 4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road. 678-397-1781. www.alons.com.
STARLIGHT SIX DRIVE-IN: Two flicks for the price of one! All you need is a working radio to hear the movie, and you can bring your own food and booze. Admission is only $7 per adult, $1 per kid. 2000 Moreland Ave. 404-627-5786. www.starlightdrivein.com.
ART STROLLS: Peruse a plethora of beautiful and interesting galleries during Castleberry Hill’s 4th Friday Art Stroll on Friday, July 24; future dates include Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11. www.castleberryhill.org. Also, the monthly First Thursdays ArtWalk offers a fun-filled stroll through some of Downtown Atlanta’s finest venues. www.atlantadowntown.com.
FREE MOVIES: That’s right, you heard us. Catch recent releases and classic faves on Thursdays through Aug. 27 at Atlantic Station’s Movies & the Market (www.atlanticstation.com); Tuesdays through Sept. 22 at the W Atlanta-Perimeter’s Dive-In Movies (make reservations at www.opentable.com); and Saturdays through Aug. 22 at Movies Under the Stars at the Mall of Georgia (www.mallofgeorgia.com).
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: Every Sunday through the end of October, enjoy free music at Unplugged in the Park at Park Tavern, overlooking beautiful Piedmont Park. 500 10th St. 404-249-0001. www.parktavern.com. And Smith’s Olde Bar often hosts “3 for 5 Nights,” featuring three acts for $5. 1578 Piedmont Ave. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com.
$1 BASEBALL We know our home team isn’t doing as great as they could, but a Braves game is an easy, cheap way to have fun. Get to the box office early for $1 seats in the upper pavilion (later they go up to a whopping $6). Ride Marta to the game for a mere $3.50 round trip. www.atlanta.braves.mlb.com.
LAUGH IT UP Atlanta’s nationally renowned Whole World Improv Theatre offers a handful of shows each week, with super-affordable $16 tickets on Thursday nights. 1216 Spring St. 404-817-7529. www.wholeworldtheatre.com. Meanwhile, the up-and-coming Village Theatre offers top-flight comedy Thursdays through Saturdays for only $10. 404-688-8856. www.villagecomedy.com.
MEDIEVAL TIMES Indulge in 11th-century fare while valiant knights joust for the glory of the king. Purchase of a regular, full-price adult admission gets one child or teenager in free now through Sept. 7. Must mention code KTF97SUN when ordering.
5900 Sugarloaf Parkway. 888-935-6878. www.medievaltimes.com.
THE HIGH MUSEUM Who doesn’t want to see Monet’s Water Lilies or the hidden treasures of the Louvre? The High offers half-price admission (that’s $9, my friends) after 4 p.m. That includes guided tours and lectures—and avoiding the large weekend crowds. 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-4444. www.high.org. SP
PHOTO CREDITS (CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER LEFT):
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images, Courtesy of the W, Courtesy of Medieval Times, Courtesy of the Shed at Glenwood, Courtesy of DreamWorks, Courtesy of Gordon Biersch, shutterstock.com, Courtesy of Ra Sushi, Courtesy of the Village Theatre, Courtesy of Mortons the Restaurant
