Photo: Thomas Loof
Enchanted evenings don't just happen. Good times take some serious planning. Optimize your playtime with these free smartphone apps.
Friends
GroupMe It's easy to coordinate with a posse of friends using the app's chat-room-style interface. It'll even divvy up the check at the end of the night. Every major mobile platform is supported.
Powow Messenger There are many group-messaging apps, but Powow distinguishes itself with a handy ZipIt feature that silences individuals within a group. Hey, not all ideas are good ones.
Food and Drink
Find.Eat.Drink When picking a restaurant or bar, listen to the experts. Instead of relying on star ratings from total strangers, F.E.D. gives you recommendations from chefs, bartenders, and sommeliers.
Untappd Can't remember where you sipped that Scotch Porter? Untappd grabs your location and lists trending beers at nearby pubs. The app also recommends beers based on the suds you've liked.
Something To Do
Applauze Karaoke, concerts, bars, sporting events – if its happening near you, Applauze will find it. Once you settle on something, you can purchase tickets and invite friends directly from the app.
Gravy This app suggests activities to match your mood. Feeling lively? See all local venues featuring live music or happy hours. It'll even display a map with drive times and current traffic conditions.
Bonus
Uber Tell Uber where you want to be picked up and when (or let the app locate you), and a sleek black car is dispatched in minutes. Payment and tip get deducted automatically from a credit card on file.
AlcoDroid Keep a running tab of your booze intake and get periodic estimates of your blood alcohol concentration. Also chart your weekly and monthly drinking habits, as well as how much you spend.
Editor's note: Our original "Something To Do" pick for iOS was Wendr. During the course of publication, the team behind the app shut down the API and all associated services. Applauze is our new pick.
- ### The Age of Invisible Design Has Arrived
