"Let the Free Flow pour all night!"

Since coming to Singapore I have been in my share of clubs around the island, and one thing that I do like about the pubs, clubs, and bars are the promotions that go on from time to time and those that are regular events.

There are deals on buy one, get one free in many places during the happy hours (or 1 for 1 as it is called) along with discounted prices. So when a jug of beer can cost up to $30 in a pub, it's worth it to get the 2 for 1 at only $15 if you have the time and will power to finish it off. We all know that.

But for the ladies of Singapore it's a totally different story when it comes to going out on the town with friends to have a few drinks or just getting totally blasted and then crawling home to sleep it off. This is the land of "Free Flow" nights, taking place in many different places every night of the week.

Yeah that's right; ladies can go out every night and have free drinks on the house. Most of the clubs serve house pour but what the hell, it's free so who's gonna complain?

That's right, no one! A few clubs have wine, Sangria, Champagne or vodka and some even have Bourbon, while in Orchard Towers if you get in at the right time you can even get your shots of Tequila with a coupon. So once again the ladies have it made when it comes to having a fun time without breaking the bank like the men have to.

But why are there free-flow nights? It's easy if you look at from the point of the clubs; first off it pulls in the ladies and they know she'll bring a friend or two to keep her company and watch her back in case she gets too drunk and stumbles off with some schlep she just met and has started making out with.

Second, the guys will come in to check out the ladies to see what's happening and who's back for more trouble. Being the hunters that most guys are, they'll remember that one girl who was dancing her booty off on the bartop of Carnegies, even if it was 6 months ago. So if he feels that tonight's the night, he'll make his move after a few drinks if he needs that little extra help...

So if all goes well and he's made contact with his re/newfound friend we all know that he'll be asked to get a drink, right? Now I don't know why, but here's when the lady will switch from the free flow drinks to the Top Shelf drinks, maybe to test if he's a Cheap Charley or a Mr Big Spender. I'm not saying this is always the case, but hey, it happens to me!

So off Johnny goes to the bar, happy as a clam and the bar's happy as well, because here comes the time when free-flow pays off for them. Most guys drink a lot faster than the ladies will (liquid courage), so bringing in the ladies attracts the guys to drink the booze, so in the long run it's just like the honeybird, pollen and the flower!

Most free-flows start after happy hour, but why? Look at it this way; as the guys are planning to leave with their buddies, all the ladies start to come in, and the chances are he'll stick around for a few just to check the action and make mental notes for his next visit.

But guys, don't feel left out , because there are places you can go to have a great time and save some of your hard earned cash. The best deals I have found so far are down at Boat Quay, where some of the clubs have a Liquid Buffet. For a flat price of about 20 to 30 dollars, you can have all you can drink from around 9 pm to midnight, usually beer or house pour.

If you think about it these are pretty good deals too because on jug of beer can cost you between 18.50 and 25 bucks in many of the same clubs. These deals apply to everyone that pays the entrance price so if you're short on cash like many, you may want to check out one of these clubs.