You don't need a plane ticket. You don't even need to renew your passport. You just have to want to spend less on drinks—and who doesn't want that?
The Passport Program was founded in Colorado in 2013, and has since spread to 10 cities: Boulder, Brooklyn, Santa Barbara and Seattle, to name a few. The idea is simple. For $20, you can purchase a passport to your city, a booklet that contains drink specials redeemable at venues across town from Memorial Day (May 25) to Labor Day (September 7). Thankfully, LA has made the list this summer, with 84 local bars and restaurants participating. The specials vary—most drinks are $3-$7 off, with some bars designating a specific drink and others allowing the discount to be used on any cocktail. A few bars have even crafted off-menu items for the program. At each venue where you've redeemed a drink special, you'll receive a stamp in your passport (we're feeling a months-long drinking game coming on).
The LA passport, which goes on sale tomorrow at 10am, is focusing on venues in Hollywood or Downtown, including Far Bar, Harlowe, Villain's Tavern, The Hungry Cat, The Normandie Club, Power House, Seven Grand, Cassell's Hamburgers, Wolf & Crane and more. "No city thrives on nightlife quite like us," says Jonathan Nguyen, city manager for The Passport Program's LA branch. "This program is designed to help residents and visitors find new love, locations, and libations, in addition to providing specials for establishments that are LA institutions."
We're all for finding new love, locations and libations. And, you know, cheaper drinks.
LA's passport is available for purchase starting May 12; you can buy the $20 booklet on their website.