Graphic by Max Weinstein
Gen-Z doesn’t party. Nobody wants to go out anymore. Or, as Lexi Featherston from Sex and the City said, “No one's fun anymore! Whatever happened to fun?”
We’ve heard these sentiments echoed for years, both on social media and in the real world. Gone are the days of college kids bar-hopping for sport.
In reality, 74% of Gen Z report having enjoyed a libation recently, according to a survey by IWSR. However, the survey also found Gen Z still drinks less than other generations, and a major reason for that is the price of alcohol.
A going-out top can run you upward of $15. A martini costs $18 plus tip and a basic cover fee at a nightclub can cost $20. It’s no wonder we “don’t party anymore.” Being sleazy is expensive.
I took to the streets of Syracuse to ask partygoers how they save money, and I put their tips to the test to answer the question: Is it possible to party for under $26 in 2026?
Pregame, Pregame, Pregame
Most partiers choose to skip the massive upcharge and do the bulk of their drinking at home before going out. In this economy, a single 12 oz. White Claw may go for up to $9 at venues like the Song & Dance, while an entire 12-pack costs only about $24 at a grocery store.
I chose an old-school degenerate throwback with my pregame drink of choice: a Four Loko. I know they’ve fallen out of fashion in favor of Cutwaters and Buzzballz, but I still love a good Four Loko. It tastes like a gnarly hangover, but it’s cheap, strong and the insane amount of sugar gives me a little boost of energy. After tax, a Sour Blue Raspberry Four Loko only costs $4.16 at the little convenience store next to the Bleu Monkey Café on Marshall Street.
I popped the tab around 9 p.m. and listened to Tinashe’s new critically acclaimed album, Popstar, front to back before making my way down to the bus stop at College Place.
Running Tab: $4.16
Take Public Transportation
A late-night ride share can cost over $26 by itself. A bus ride from campus to downtown, on the other hand, is free with an SU student ID.
I boarded the bus in front of the Life Sciences Complex a little after 10 p.m., and it only took 15 minutes to get to the downtown bus station. People say the off-campus Centro buses are sketchy, but I had no issues riding. It was mostly people right off work just trying to get home.
From the bus stop, I walked a couple blocks to Al’s Wine & Whiskey to meet a few friends for a birthday party. I was already at the right level of tipsy, so I didn’t have to buy a drink there.
Running Tab: $4.16
Limit Yourself
A guaranteed way to spend more than you intended is to drink too much.
“Know your limits, and plan so you don't go overboard,” born-and-raised Syracusan Shayna Zugaib, said, “because sometimes when you get drunk, you want to just buy more drinks.”
I chose a limit of two well drinks to stay within my $26 budget.
Pay in cash
Even though carrying cash may no longer be en vogue, it’s an easy way to set a spending limit for yourself. Once you’re out of money, you’re out.
“It's so easy just to tap or swipe my card,” said Gracie Patriarco, a Grad Student at SU, “but having a set amount of cash money in my wallet or in my pocket allows me to spend just that specific amount of money.
While this isn’t a surefire way to stick to a budget—ATMs do actually still exist—it keeps you mindful about how much you’re spending and what you’re spending it on.
Choose the right bars
In my research, I was recommended a plethora of bars that are “inexpensive”: Al’s Wine and Whiskey, Blarney Stone, Orange Crate, Three Lives, etc., but I ultimately chose to go to the Corner Bar in Armory Square, a recommendation from Shayna Zugaib.
Corner Bar was fairly empty, which was odd because it was a Saturday at 11 p.m. The music was a touch outdated–think Drake’s “NOKIA” and Tyler, the Creator’s “Sticky”—but it definitely had a dive bar charm.
I ordered a vodka soda, and it only cost me $5, plus a $1 tip. The drink wasn’t particularly strong, but still, where else can you get a $5 well drink on a Saturday night?
Running Tab: $10.16
After Corner Bar, my friends and I ventured to Kitty Hoynes, and chatted for a little while. I didn’t get anything to drink because I was still buzzing from the Four Loko. They ended up leaving Kitty’s around midnight.
After drinking, I’m always in the mood to dance, and unfortunately there aren’t many options in Syracuse. There’s Orbis Lounge, which has an inconsistent cover charge–usually between $10 and $20; There’s Benjamin’s on Franklin, which has a red-flag-raising dress code; Then, there’s Trexx, which is the closest thing Syracuse has to a gay club.
I walked from Kitty’s to Trexx because the cover charge is only $5 for people over 21 and it’s cash-only: perfect for this experiment because I’m already carrying cash.
I paid the cover charge, only to be greeted with a 2010s pop hits playlist – “Starships” by Nicki Minaj, “Titanium” by David Guetta and Sia, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some throwbacks, but I was expecting to hear much gayer music. Play some Charli XCX or some City Girls. Play something gay people actually listen to, puh-lease. I left after 15 minutes because nobody was dancing and the music was not getting better.
Running Tab: $15.16
Share With Friends
The cost of rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft has risen almost 10% since last year, with dynamic pricing causing the price of rides to change at the drop of a hat. This has prompted partiers to split rides among their friends. Since they’re typically pregaming together and leaving the bar together, it’s easier and cheaper to just get in the same car.
I probably should’ve ended the night when my friends did and split a ride with them, but my stubborn self wanted to dance. I caught the cheapest ride possible—a Lyft Wait & Save to Bird Library that cost me $10.95.
Total Spent: $26.11
Did I spend less than $26? No. Could I have? Probably.
There were definitely more corners I could’ve cut. I could’ve not tipped the bartender; I could’ve bought a cheaper pregame drink; I could’ve skipped Trexx altogether. But I got closer to the budget than I ever expected to.