Take Advantage Of The "Pregame"
Drinks at the bar are way overpriced more times than not. Try spending as little as possible at the bar by getting a comfortable buzz beforehand. By drinking your own alcohol before going out, you won't need to spend nearly as much on drinks at the bar once you're out.
Know Your Surroundings
Most bars usually have some sort of deals on different days of the week. Find out which bars have deals on the night you plan on going out. $5 pitchers, $1 shots, and 50 cent beers can definitely help keep money in your pocket.
Schedule A Ride
Uber rides are great, but sometimes their prices can add up if not enough people are in the car. Instead, you can order a bus to take your group downtown for $3 or many students DD and ask $2 for a ride downtown.
Ditch The Plastic
Leave your credit/debit cards at home and bring a limited amount of cash instead. This will make sure you don't spend money you don't have by opening any outrageous bar tabs or buying drinks for friends.