If you're reading this article, chances are you enjoy a libation from time to time - and you may very well have done a bit of bar hopping in the past. Now, bar hopping can be a great way to spend an evening with friends, but it can also be expensive. Feeling like you have to get a drink at every watering hole often means dropping wads of cash and waking up the next morning with that dreaded financial hangover. To avoid that, check out these six ways to save money on your next bar hopping adventure.

1. Drink at Home
A lot of the fun in bar hopping isn't so much the consumption of alcohol, it's visiting multiple locations in one night out. Of course, it isn't bar hopping if you're not hopping from bar to bar, but if you bookend your outing with drinks at home - yours or your friends' - you can save a fair amount of cash. Don't overdo it, of course, but get your night started from the comfort of your own living room, and finish it off with a night-cap and a recap of the evening's adventure at a friend's place.

2. Research Happy Hours
Some happy hours run from 5pm to 7pm, others are from 6pm to 8pm. Research your favorite bars by checking their websites or calling in, and plan your route accordingly. Take of advantage of as many two-for-one deals as you can and significantly reduce your overall tab.

3. Switch to Lower-Cost Brands
I'm a beer drinker at heart, and I like micro and imported brews which, unfortunately, come with a higher price tag. After two or three beers, though, the taste doesn't really matter as much anymore. That's when I switch to less expensive options. Do the same with hard liquor. Start off with Grey Goose, then switch to Smirnoff.

4. Get Regular
The more you frequent a drinking establishment and get to know the bartenders, the more likely you are to get a free cocktail or two. Pick out your favorite spots and stick to them. Learn the work schedules of the bartenders you connect with most and you can increase your chances of a discount even more.

5. Use Cash and Institute a Budget
A night on the town with a credit card in hand can be a recipe for disaster. Instead, hit up your ATM before you leave, determine how much you can spend without killing your budget, and only withdraw that amount. Once you're out of cash, you're done. Plain and simple.

6. Don't Overdo It With Tipping
Be generous and courteous when tipping, but not stupid. Even if your bartenders are devastatingly attractive, shooting them a 50% tip isn't likely to land you a date, and you probably won't impress your friends by doing so. Decide on an appropriate tip before you head out - 20% is usually good - and stick to it even after you've loosened up a bit.

Conclusion
Although it goes without saying, it certainly bears mentioning: Never drive when you've had too much to drink. If no one volunteers to be a designated driver, use public transportation, hail a taxi, or try a service like BeMyDD. Apart from the obvious dangers, a DUI can cost you on average $10,000, according to MSN Money, so even if you have to foot a $50 taxi fare, you're better off in the end.

What ways can you think of to save money when bar hopping?