How to Get a Good Deal in New York City.

There are many email listservs out there these days offering discounts to restaurants, bars,  events and even for services such as massages and haircuts in New York City.  In fact, the majority of these are based in national websites that specifically tailor discount offers to the zip code provided by those who sign up for the email list.  Usually there is one or a handful of daily discounts offered in a particular region, and one only has a limited amount of time to purchase the deal.  Some sites also impose other restrictions, such as needing a certain amount of people to sign up before the discount has any value (and if you have already given your credit card information, you are assured that you will not be charged unless the discount is activated).

Recently on these sites I have purchased deals at John's Pizzeria of Bleecker Street ($20 of food for $10), Le Souk Harem (tasting menu, cocktail, hookah for $30), Artisinal (discounted 4 course meal with wine pairings for two), and Club A Steakhouse (discounted 4 course meal with bottle of wine for 2), and a $30 all-access-week pass to Brooklyn Boulders, which includes a belay course and yoga classes.  After you purchase and pay online, you will typically receive a redemption certificate or voucher in your email inbox, which you can they use at your chosen discount location, and many vouchers are good for one year from the date of purchase.

Some examples of these websites are: 

www.thedealist.com

www.bloomspot.com

www.livingsocial.com

www.scoopst.com

www.yipit.com

Other similar sites:

www.theskint.com (toting itself as "free and cheap new york," this site provides a daily 411 on events in the city, and also usually has a good list of deals collected from many of the above sites)

www.blackboardeats.com  (coupons for restaurants, some have nominal fees)

www.restaurant.com (discounts at participating restaurants, usually involves purchasing a $25 "gift certificate" for $3 or $10)

www.travelzoo.com (it's not just for travel! sign up and you'll periodically get specialized savings on events and restaurants in New York)

www.plumbenefits.com (this one is mostly accessed through your employer.  if your employer does not offer you a plum benefits code, ask! I've gotten great discounts to Broadway theater, among other things, on this site)

Know of any other good ones?  Leave a comment.