[amyjess]

> We can walk to a swanky wine bar, and afford drinks rather than drive 45m to one where we just split a glass and grimace at the bill.

I didn't even know the regional differences in drink prices were so pronounced until I was talking on the phone with my cousin a few months ago. I live in Dallas, and she lives in NYC. I was talking about how I was about to go out for drinks with friends, and I ended up mentioning that how most of the bars here have one night a week where wells (and, at some places, U-call-its) are under $3. Her mind was blown. She didn't even know drinks that cheap were a thing anywhere.

That was one more entry in the "why I'll never live in a place like NYC" list.

[ElysianEagle]

There absolutely are places even in Manhattan where you can get at least beer for pretty cheap, like $3 - $4, depending on the night. Sure, there's more than enough expensive cocktail places around, but there's enough options for those not looking to blow too much on drinks.