Each week, we bring you our top picks for the best places to booze on the cheap in SF.
1. Top of the Mark's Fleet Week Shot Flights: In honor of the men and women in uniform packing SF's streets this week, Top of the Mark is offering complimentary whiskey-tasting flights every night this weekend. Friday will feature American whiskeys, Saturday is Scotch, and Sunday features the classic malts. Add on a $13 "Dippin' Flight" appetizer, and let your tastebuds soar. (Friday, October 7-Sunday, October 9, 5-7 pm, at Top of the Mark, 999 California St., Nob Hill.)
2. Treasure Island Pop-Up Shop Parties: From now until Saturday, SanFranpsycho's North Beach shop will transform into a ticket-purchasing palace celebrating next weekend's Treasure Island Music Festival. Tonight's opening party boasts DJs and gratis booze, while Saturday evening's closing party will feature sandwiches from Ike's, Yelp giveaways, live screenprinting, and more free drinks from Infinium Spirits. Both parties are free, but get there early-- they'll definitely fill up. (Opening party: Wednesday, October 5, 7-11 pm; Closing party: Saturday, October 8, 7-10 pm, at SanFranpsycho, 1314 Grant St., North Beach.)
3. Dirtybird Dance Party: The folks at Dirtybird Records throw quarterly parties to promote the artists on their label; this one features Christian Martin, Worthy, Justin Martin, Claude Vonstroke, and a free Svedka open bar for the first hour (while supplies last). RSVP and arrive by 11 pm to get into the festivities for free; otherwise, it'll cost you $20. (Friday, October 7, open bar 9-10 pm, at Mezzanine, 444 Jessie St., SOMA.)
4. Etsy Labs Craft Bar: The crafty drinkers at Etsy are back, spreading their gospel of creating handmade items while downing $1 Trumer Pils. This month, your $5 admission gets you access to embroidery expert Leanne Prain, who'll teach you how to ply your needle, and artist Siobhan Long, who'll discuss adding embroidery and tactile elements to old photos, postcards, and other paper goods. (Thursday, October 6, 6-8 pm, at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art, 51 Yerba Buena Lane, SOMA.)
5. Evil Dead Drink-a-Long: Also returning to brighten drinkers' lives are the good people of Cinema Speakeasy, who are taking a Halloween-themed tack with a back-to-back showing of the humor-horror classics Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2. Admission is $5, and beer and wine are $3-4-- a good thing, because you'll be having quite a few drinks if you glug every time someone suggests going out on their own. Oh, and be sure to practice your most terrifying scream or trot out your best zombie costume; they'll have prizes for both. (Thursday, October 6, 7:30 pm, at Gray Area Foundation for the Arts, 998 Market St., Tenderloin.)