Find the best events and nightlife spots, order food, drinks, and taxis, and stay safe with these great apps for an unforgettable night out.
While you may go out with your friends and have a great time, the truth is that the best nights out don’t happen by accident. They’re planned. An unforgettable night out is different for everyone, but with the right apps, you can have the perfect date, night out with friends, or night out at the club. And in these times of coronavirus, when it’s hard to predict which establishments will be open, closed, or even shut, these apps can be a big help in keeping you safe and informed.
Here are all the apps you need to plan the best night out, right from your phone.
Best Apps to Know What’s Going On
Even if you live nearby, you don’t always find out about big events happening in your area until it’s too late. Apps that tell you about the best events and help you get there are the first step to an unforgettable night out.
1. BandsInTown
We love BandsInTown, which is free for iOS and Android. It scans your phone’s playlists, apps like Spotify, and even what bands are writing on Facebook and Twitter to discover your musical tastes and get notifications when your favorite artists and bands are playing nearby. You can set alerts for specific shows, set the distance you’re willing to travel to attend concerts, and check out a detailed list of events. Once you know exactly where you want to go, you can book tickets and invite your friends from the app.
2. Gravy
Gravy is a bit more comprehensive than BandsInTown. It shows you all kinds of events and trendy places based on your interests and location, and that’s where it really comes in handy, as it adapts to your mood. You can choose from a variety of moods, such as “Lively,” “Fashionable,” or “Smart,” or just type in “Whatever” for a random selection.
3. BarChick
Another great option is BarChick. This global guide to bars, pubs, cafes, and trendy spots is ideal for anyone who enjoys a good drink. Whether you’re looking for a place to grab a local drink or traveling abroad, whether you want to discover the latest cocktail creations, trendy clubs, craft breweries, or hidden gems, BarChick offers detailed reviews and recommendations from a team of experts who understand the importance of finding the perfect place to enjoy a great drink.
Best Apps to Know Where to Go
Whether you’re a local or just a visitor, it’s a good idea to know about the best local bars, restaurants, and clubs.
4. TimeOut/Yplan
TimeOut, which recently integrated with Yplan, is ideal for both dates and evening outings with friends. With the TimeOut app, Yplan shows you a list of the best bars, concerts, temporary events and parties in your chosen city, with address and directions, price details, and even lets you pay through the app. Just show your ticket on your phone. Sometimes Yplan can even buy tickets for sold-out events. The app is free for Android and iOS, but Yplan only covers a few major cities, such as London, New York, Dublin and San Francisco.
5. FourSquare
If you’re not sure where to go for a meal, a date or a drink, Foursquare can help you find the perfect spot. It boasts a huge global community that rates and reviews places all over the world, so you can see any place before you go. Once you get there, you can check to see if your friends have arrived too, thanks to the Radar feature.
6. Open Table
Meanwhile, you can skip the wait and plan your meal in advance, thanks to OpenTable’s recently launched food delivery service. This extensive restaurant directory lets you book a table with a single click. You can make reservations months in advance or try your luck on the same night. Simply enter your location, preferred time, and how many people will be dining with you, and voila. A table will be waiting for you.
7. Untappd
Untappd is a dedicated app for beer lovers that offers bar recommendations and craft beer tastings. You can also use it to find the nearest bar that serves your favorite beer. It will suggest new beers for you to try, and you can connect with your friends to see what they’re drinking. It has been described as the Facebook of beer lovers.
Best Apps for Enjoying the Evening
8. Uber
Once you know where you’re going, you need to get there. That’s where Uber comes in. Uber can definitely make your evening perfect. You don’t have to wait forever for taxis to ignore you while you try to flag them down, and you can track their route in the Uber app. There’s no need to waste time looking for parking or waiting for a bus.
9. Boppl
When you’re at a bar or club, you don’t want to miss anything while you’re waiting for your beer. Boppl is a great app that saves you from having to wade through the crowds to order and then go back to pick it up. You can simply place your order through the app and track its progress to know when it’s ready. You can even pay and tip through the app. It’s also very useful if you’re with friends and want to order takeout, but you don’t know the nearby places and don’t want to wait in a long line while they prepare the food. Boppl shows you nearby restaurants and bars and notifies you when your order is ready so you can go pick it up.
10. Shazam
Finally, Shazam, the popular song recognition app, is a must-have for a night out. Its unique technology lets you simply hold your phone up while listening to a song you like, and the name, artist, and other information will appear. Whether you’re listening to a new dance track at the club or a catchy Sinatra song while enjoying a delicious plate of pasta, Shazam will help you expand your playlists without the embarrassment of asking a friend if they can recognize the song.
How to Stay Safe on a Night Out
Even the best night can be ruined by bad dates, bad weather, or transportation issues. Luckily, your phone may have apps that can prevent your big night from ending badly. Uber comes to the rescue if you miss the last bus, making it easy to find a cab. It also eliminates the risk of being caught by an unauthorized taxi driver or a violent driver, as every Uber car is accountable and you can track its location.
Apps that allow you to pay with your phone also help keep you safe by eliminating the need to carry credit cards or cash. With Uber’s integrated payment options, you can get home even if you forget or lose your money at night. Boppl lets you pay for your drinks and food with your phone, giving you the freedom to leave the house without it, with less risk of losing or having it stolen.
Finally, all of these apps are incredibly useful resources during these uncertain times of the pandemic. You can check up-to-date opening and closing times to avoid looking through the windows of closed restaurants, and find bars that are discreet and follow social distancing rules to avoid putting yourself and others at risk. With apps that keep you informed when you’re out and about, you can make smarter, more responsible choices while still enjoying your time.
Whether you’re looking for events, finding the best bar, ordering food, or staying safe on your night out, these apps have everything you need, all with just a few taps on your phone. Start planning your next outing now.
