Drink specials bring people to watering holes

The recession hasn't stopped local bar patrons from having a drink: They're just sipping, instead of chugging it.

Christy Vietmeier, bartender for Shooters Sports Lounge and Billiards in Sebring, said her regulars are drinking slower and spending less. But the bar's owner, Rich Auster, figured out a way to counter that - bring on the specials.

"We have drink specials everyday of the week ... and a lot of people are coming in for the specials," Auster said.

The bar's specials, like happy hour two-for-one drinks, give regulars like Beth Angeletti some spending leeway.

A drink that would cost $6 at chain restaurant bars' gets Angeletti two at Shooters.

"A lot of people don't make that in an hour. That's minimum wage for some people," Angeletti said.

During this Thursday's happy hour, flyers for their upcoming Halloween night and weekly specials were scattered over the bar table tops.

On it was ladies night, drink specials on Fridays and buy a wrist band and drink free for a few hours.

Vietmeier, who's worked at the bar since its opening in July 2008, has seen bar patrons who frequented more expensive taverns stop by her bar.

"One way or another, they're going to find the cheapest price. It's like grocery shopping," Vietmeier said.

Other taverns like Wild Turkey are getting through the recession with their weekly lunch specials. And others like Beef O'Brady's in Sebring are holding steady.

"We've kept our same specials and haven't seeing any changes up or down," said Will Lovett, general manager of Beef O'Brady's.

Auster, Shooters' owner, is using different specials to attract families, the happy-hour crowd and the pool players.

"The key is to get more people into your place so to get more volume," Auster said.