Wetherspoons' price-slash is coming… Here are 49 more ways you can save when eating out

If you’re trying to keep a closer eye on your spending, eating and drinking out can be one of the easiest places to make savings.

But that doesn’t mean you have to stay at home every weekend.

With some careful planning, you may still be able to enjoy a meal, a few drinks or a catch-up with friends without watching your bank balance disappear.

And Wetherspoons is giving you another reason to keep an eye out for a bargain.

On 17 September, the pub chain will cut the price of all food and drink for one day, as it promotes what it says would be the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction for the hospitality industry.

The discounts will be available at Wetherspoons pubs across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and will include alcoholic drinks.

If you’re in Scotland, you’ll be able to take advantage of the reduced prices on food and non-alcoholic drinks.

So, if you’re planning to eat or drink out, timing your visit around a deal like this could save you money.

But waiting for discount days is just one way to spend less.

Here are 49 other ways you can curb your spending when you’re eating and drinking out.

1.Choose lunch over dinner

You can often get cheaper menus and smaller portions by eating out at lunchtime rather than in the evening.

2. Skip the drinks

Ordering tap water instead of soft drinks or alcohol can instantly knock a chunk off your bill.

3. Look for weekday specials

You can often find fixed-price menus, two-for-one deals and themed offers during quieter weekdays.

4. Share a main

Restaurant portions can be generous, so you could split a main course with someone else and halve the cost.

5. Pick off-peak days

Try eating out on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, when restaurants and pubs may have quieter-day offers.

6. Look for early-bird deals

Eating earlier can sometimes mean you get access to cheaper menus or special prices.

7. Check your workplace benefits

Your employer may offer discounts for restaurants, pubs or entertainment that you’re already paying for through a staff benefits scheme.

8. Consider a dining discount club

If you eat out regularly, a service such as Tastecard could potentially save you money through restaurant discounts.

9. Avoid major holidays

You can pay a premium on occasions such as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and New Year's Eve, so consider eating out another day.

10. Limit how long you stay

The longer you stay, the more likely you are to order another drink or snack. If you’re finished, you can call it a night.

11. Plan your spending before you go

Decide how much you’re comfortable spending before you leave home, and try to stick to it.

12. Choose your pub carefully

Prices can vary considerably between venues. You might find that going a few minutes further saves you several pounds.

13. Look for loyalty schemes

If you regularly visit the same pub or restaurant, check whether it offers points, rewards or discounts.

14. Download the app

Some chains offer app-only discounts, vouchers or rewards, so it’s worth checking before you order.

15. Hunt for happy hour

You could save money simply by going at the right time. Check when your local venue runs its cheapest-drinks offers.

16. Walk or use public transport

Getting a taxi home can sometimes cost more than your entire meal. If you can safely walk or use public transport, you could save a decent amount.

17. Set yourself a ‘fun money’ budget

Give yourself a set amount each month for meals, drinks and socialising. That way, you know what you can afford before you go out.

18. Take a cash limit

If you find it difficult to stop spending when you’re out, only take the cash you’ve decided to spend. Once it’s gone, you’re done.

19. Choose cheaper drinks

House beers, ciders and spirits can cost considerably less than premium brands, cocktails or speciality drinks.

20. Try alcohol-free options

You don’t have to drink alcohol to enjoy a night out. Soft drinks, tap water and alcohol-free alternatives can be much kinder to your wallet.

21. Choose lower-strength drinks

Lower-ABV drinks can sometimes be cheaper, and they may help you pace yourself too.

22. Alternate drinks with water

Have a glass of water between alcoholic drinks. You’ll slow down your drinking, and you may end up ordering less.

23. Check the menu before you leave home

Look at prices online before you go. You can then choose somewhere that fits your budget rather than making a decision when you’re already hungry.

24. Set a food budget

Decide how much you want to spend on your meal before you arrive. You’ll find it easier to ignore the expensive extras.

25. Eat a small snack before you go

You don’t want to arrive absolutely starving. A light snack beforehand could help you avoid ordering more food than you actually need.

26. Skip the starter

If you’re trying to save money, you may find that a main course is more than enough.

27. Share a starter

If you really fancy a starter, see whether you can split one with someone else rather than ordering two.

28. Share dessert

You can still have something sweet without paying for two full desserts. Split one instead.

29. Skip the side dishes

Chips, garlic bread, onion rings and other extras can quickly increase your bill. Ask yourself whether you really need them.

30. Watch out for add-ons

You might be offered extras such as cheese, sauces or toppings. Before saying yes, check how much they cost.

31. Don’t automatically order the most expensive option

Look through the whole menu. You may find a cheaper dish that you’ll enjoy just as much.

32. Look for set menus

A set-price menu can sometimes work out cheaper than choosing several individual dishes.

33. Check for two-for-one offers

If you’re eating out with someone, look for deals where you can get two meals for the price of one.

34. Use vouchers

Search your existing loyalty apps, emails and memberships for vouchers before you pay full price.

35. Check your supermarket loyalty points

You may be able to exchange points for restaurant vouchers or money-off rewards.

36. Don’t be afraid of the children’s menu

If the restaurant allows adults to order from it, a smaller portion could be all you need, and it may cost considerably less.

37. Ask about smaller portions

Some restaurants will let you order a smaller serving or half portion. It never hurts to ask.

38. Take leftovers home

If you’re given a huge portion, you don’t have to finish everything. Where the restaurant allows it, take leftovers home and make another meal from them.

39. Avoid eating while you wait

Bread baskets, bar snacks and appetisers can seem harmless, but they all add to your final bill.

40. Check the service charge

Before adding an extra tip, check whether a service charge has already been included.

41. Don’t feel pressured to match everyone else

If your friends are ordering three courses and several rounds of drinks, you don’t have to do the same. Order what works for your budget.

42. Suggest a cheaper venue

If you’re arranging the night out, you can suggest somewhere affordable from the start. Your friends might be grateful that you did.

43. Eat at home before going for drinks

If you’re meeting friends for a drink rather than dinner, having something to eat at home first could stop you ordering an expensive meal later.

44. Have the main event at home

You could meet friends at home for dinner and head out afterwards for just one drink. You still get the social occasion without paying restaurant prices for the whole evening.

45. Compare prices

Don’t assume your usual restaurant or pub is the cheapest option. A quick look at menus online could help you find a better deal.

46. Use deals on quieter nights

Some venues offer discounts because they’re trying to attract customers when business is slower. You can take advantage of this by being flexible about when you go out.

47. Have a cheaper night out

You don’t always need dinner, drinks and entertainment. Meeting a friend for a coffee or going for a walk can give you the social time without the big bill.

48. Keep track of what you spend

It’s much easier to cut back when you know where your money is going. Check your bank account after a night out and see how much you actually spent.

49. Build eating out into your monthly budget

You don’t necessarily have to give up eating out altogether. Instead, work it into your monthly budget so you know exactly how much you can afford.

A little planning can go a long way

You don’t need to become a hermit to save money.

Making a few small changes can make a surprisingly big difference over the course of a month.

And if you know you’ve got a meal or night out coming up, you can plan for it rather than letting the cost come as a nasty surprise.

A simple monthly budget can also help you balance nights out with everything else you’ve got going on. When you know what you can afford, you can relax and enjoy yourself, without worrying about your bank balance the

Check out our guide to how to create a budget to get started, and give our budget planner a try - it’s free and easy to use.