19 Dec 2013 / Digital Trends – We’re not even going to pretend that most of you (or us) have invested in Bitcoin, or even know what Bitcoin is. But we’re learning, and an increasing number of people are diving wallet first into the world of cryptocurrencies. And if you’re one of the relatively early adopters with Bitcoin burning a hole in your virtual pocket, spending the digital gold is one of the various nominal uses Bitcoin has. So, what can you spend it on? A drink, that’s what.
BitBar, a newly launched site from the good folks at booze-friendly startup Grouper Social Club, allows users to purchase drinks at various bars across the US. At the moment, BitBar has listings for bars in 23 US cities, including Boston, New York, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and more. Tom Brown, co-founder of Grouper, tells Digital Trends that BitBar will roll out to more “major cities first,” and adds that the team will “likely [add] Europe before smaller cities.”
Here’s how BitBar works: When you visit the site, you’re automatically given an alias, which the bartender at your watering hole of choice will call out once you’re drink is prepared. Next, you pick the bar you want to visit from an integrated Google Map showing all the possibilities. Finally, you pay using either a Coinbase account, or another Bitcoin address where your digital money is stored. Once you confirm your purchase, BitPay uses Coinbase to process the transaction, and your drink will be ready at a time listed on the site…… Read more
