Quick Pitch: TabbedOut is an app that allows patrons to securely open, review and pay bar and restaurant tabs from a smartphone.
Genius Idea: This app for iPhone (available on iTunes) and Android smartphones will let you open, monitor and close bar tabs without ever pulling out your credit card. Participating bars grab payment information from the customer's phone over the web thanks to a customer code.
When you go to a bar, you can locate it in the app using your phone's GPS. You open a tab with the app but place your orders by speaking with the bartender. With each new tab you'll get a code; show that code to the bartender and he or she will be able to find it on his or her computer if the bar works with TabbedOut. Your bartender will add each drink you buy to the tab, and then when you're done you can enter a tip percentage on your phone and tap a button to close out the tab.
The app even warns you if you type in an outrageous tip number — a good idea, given that some users will be tipsy enough that they'll have trouble typing into their phones. Your credit card payment information is stored securely on your phone (you can store more than one card, too) and only the last four digits are displayed on the screen. Developer ATX Innovation believes this is more secure than flashing your card around or leaving it with the bartender.
TabbedOut launched in Austin, but it's expanding beyond that area. Right now you can also use it at bars in Dallas, TX, and Chico, CA.
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