That's because they're doing it wrong.

Right now (about 7:30PM local time) I'm chowing down to an inexpensive home-cooked dinner to make sure I'm not drinking on an empty stomach. I'm about to draw a bath to keep from wanting to nod out after eating a large meal.

By about 10:00PM I'll show up at the local where some friends are playing. By then they'll have finished their first set and be warmed up. Lucky me, I don't have to play tonight although I'll probably get called up for a few songs.

There's almost never a cover (none tonight) but even if there were I'd just go around back and go in through the kitchen. I'll be surrounded by friends and neighbors. Drinks are cheap and people are always buying rounds. Some people call it a "dive bar" but I'll take it any time over some over-priced trendy shithole full of poseurs and hipsters.

Hopefully I'll get lucky but even if I end up coming home alone I'll have a good time and not spend too much money.

Happy New Year all!