Events: Two Great Charity Events Under $40

Charity events are always some of the best parties to attend - great crowds, good causes, exciting venues, and nice auction items & giveaways.  However, too many of them can be a bit painful on your wallet.  It seems like most tickets for young professionals will put you out $100-$250 at least. 

Keeping that in mind, I'll be posting regularly on my blog any great charity events I hear of that are under $100 (and in this case under $40!).  Be sure to get in touch in the comments or via Twitter (@hauteonthespot1) if you work with a charity that's putting on an event like these. I'd be delighted to help you promote them.  Today I've highlighted two events that are taking place next week, one for $12-15 and the other for $35.

Event: The R20s Group Leap Day Mixer

Where: SideBAR (118 E. 15th Street) in the Private Lounge

When: Wednesday, February 29th, 7-10pm

What: A networking mixer for alumni of over 70 universities ages 21-29 to support the Fraunces Tavern Museum with drink specials 7-8pm and giveaways. For a list of drink specials, click the "Event Tickets" tab at the top of the page.

Cost: $12 in advance, $15 at the door

Website: www.TheR20sGroup.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/180714468695497/

Click below to purchase tickets via PayPal:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Event: WGirls NYC presents The 3rd Annual Ties & Tiaras

Where: Inc Lounge (224 West 29th Street)

When: Thursday, March 1st, 7-11pm

What: A cocktail party with open bar (7-8:30), DJ, & silent auction to raise money for Project G.L.a.M!

Cost: $35 for 1 ticket, $120 for 4 tickets

Website: http://wgirls.org/

Click below to purchase tickets via Charity Happenings:
http://wgirls3rdannualtiesandtiaras.charityhappenings.org/

Events: Celebrate Mardi Gras in NYC

Charity Event

If you're in Chelsea tonight, check out this charity networking event benefiting Children's Rights at The Ainsworth. There is a suggested donation of $20 & extended happy hour specials. The Ainsworth is located at 122 West 26th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues. Check out their website HERE.

Mardi Gras Party

If you're on the Upper East Side, celebrate an authentic Fat Tuesday at Southern Hospitality, one of the city's best Southern bar/restaurants!  They are offering prizes, drink specials including the traditional NOLA Hurricanes, and of course lots of beads. Admission is FREE. Southern Hospitality is located on 2nd Avenue between East 76th & 77th Streets. Check out their website HERE.

Foodie: Restaurant Week & Fixed Price Deals in NYC

I don't know about you, but I absolutely LOVE Restaurant Week in New York.  This year it's from January 16th-February 10th (Mon-Fri ONLY).  Although I would not ALWAYS spring for a $25 lunch or $35 dinner, it certainly does make a difference if you otherwise couldn't eat at that restaurant at all.  Many of the restaurants typically charge twice as much or more for any combination of items on their regular menu.  This time around I have already tried RW at: Cipriani Wall Street, Nobu Next Door, Morimoto, 21 Club, Park Avenue Winter, and Strip House.  So far I would have to say that 21 Club had the best value for the money and Cipriani Wall Street probably had the worst.  Check out the menus at www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek and decide for yourself!

Also be sure to follow this link and sign up for the American Express Restaurant Week deal.  When you link your card, you can get $20 back for dining at 3 places during Restaurant Week.  Alternatively, you can also get $5 off a purchase of $25 or more at most of the participating Restaurant Week venues by syncing your American Express card with your Foursquare account, checking in, redeeming the deal, and loading it to your card (all a very quick process).  If you don't have an American Express and don't want to pay an annual fee, you can avoid the annual fee by signing up for a Bloomingdale's Insider American Express credit card.  Besides Restaurant Week, there are many other opportunities on Foursquare and through other sites to save some $$ by using an AmEx card and it is the only card accepted at Neiman Marcus, if that so happens to be one of your favorite shopping haunts.

That being said, many of these restaurants actually offer extended Restaurant Week menus, and some even offer similar fixed price menus all year round.  Another take on the fixed price menu was this list created by Serious Eats, which lists many year-round fixed price menus for $35 and under that you can check out: http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2012/01/skip-restaurant-week-35-and-under-3-course-me.html.