Every dollar counts when you’re out drinking with friends, especially if your go-to bar also serves food, hosts events, or charges a cover on weekends. But what if there was a simple way to save money instantly—without needing coupons or special promotions? Enter: the gift card strategy.

Using digital gift cards at bars and restaurants can be one of the easiest and most effective ways to trim down your total tab. Whether you’re grabbing a casual beer or planning a night of apps and cocktails, buying the right gift card in advance (or even at the moment you pay) can reward you in ways cash and credit can’t.

How it works: the instant win of gift cards

Most people think of gift cards as something you give during the holidays. But when used strategically, they’re a smart way to buy yourself a discount. Platforms like Fluz offer instant cashback when you purchase a digital gift card to use at participating venues—some even for the exact amount due. This means you can earn money back on your tab in real time.

For example, if you plan to spend $40 at Buffalo Wild Wings, you can earn cashback with a Buffalo Wild Wings gift card instead of paying with a debit or credit card. The same goes for spots like Chili’s, Dave & Buster’s, and Applebee’s—popular hangouts that double as bar and grill joints.

Why bars and casual restaurants are perfect for this strategy

Bars attached to full-service restaurants are ideal candidates for the gift card hack. Not only are they often Fluz partners, but they also tend to accept digital gift cards seamlessly. Many of them even allow gift card usage on happy hour specials, meaning you can double your savings—once on the discount, again on the cashback.

And if you’re at a venue that doesn’t accept third-party gift cards, Fluz still has your back. You can use a Fluz virtual card via Apple Pay or Google Pay at checkout and get up to 1.5% cashback.

Maximize group outings with smart payments

Group tabs can get messy. If you’re the one offering to pay and collect from everyone later (via Venmo or Cash App), using a cashback gift card means you’ll get rewarded for footing the bill—even if it’s only temporarily.

Imagine a $100 tab at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse. If you get rewards with a BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse gift card, you could earn cashback on the full amount, even if your friends pay you back later.

Quick tips for making it seamless

• Always check if the venue is a Fluz partner before purchasing.

• Buy the gift card right before paying to match the exact total.

• Save unused balances for your next visit—most don’t expire.

• Store your cards in the Fluz app or your mobile wallet for easy access.

The bottom line

Paying your bar tab with a digital gift card isn’t just convenient—it’s strategic. It lets you take advantage of instant cashback, stretch your budget further, and turn your nights out into reward-earning opportunities. And with options like earn cashback with a Chili’s gift card or get rewards with a Dave & Buster’s gift card, the savings stack up fast.

Before your next round, check the Fluz store list and see which of your favorite bar-and-grill chains are listed. Spending smarter has never been this simple.