Frugality tips for hard times

It's a huge weekend, no matter your taste. We've got the Wu-Tang Clan, the National Finals Rodeo, Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao, Oasis, even a 5K run by anyone who wants to dress up as Santa, of the North Pole.

But before you go out on the town, keep in mind a few things we learned this week.

1. Some hotel bars have, word has it, started serving half-shots in drinks, instead of full shots. Don't take this out on bartenders and servers. They work hard for the man. But before you buy, feel free to ask if they're serving a full shot or not.

2. Even though you can get a hotel room cheaper, post-stock market crash, many restaurants and hotel bars maintain exorbitant prices.

I went to a Strip lobby bar last weekend and paid for three cocktails on the level of gin and tonics. Ouch: $42 plus $4 tip. This wasn't in a nightclub or fancy restaurant. This was in a lobby bar. So go ahead, look like a cheapskate and ask first, "How much?"

3. Showrooms all over town are offering two-for-one tickets, including some Cirque du Soleil productions. This is for locals. Call and ask if your targeted show has two-for-ones for "locals." But here's the big "but." Ask if you'll have to show local ID at the door, because your out-of-state ID probably won't work.

Now, on with the best bets:

TONIGHT

• Las Vegas' homegrown The Killers are slated to saunter about the Bank at Bellagio late tonight for an album-release party.

• Country acts are in town, timed to complement the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center. Performers range from Travis Tritt to Ronnie Milsap, Bill Engvall and beyond. In today's Neon section, columnist Mike Weatherford gives you the scoop on country lineups; I talk with Ron White; Jason Bracelin chats with Miranda Lambert.

SATURDAY

• Oasis and Ryan Adams perform at 8 p.m. at the Palms ($88-$153).

• Wu-Tang Clan raps at 9 p.m. at the House of Blues ($42-$60).

• Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao punch each other at the MGM ($150-$1,500).

• People dressed only in Santa suits run a 5K downtown for the Great Santa Run. Read about that in the Neon section.

• My favorite local, unsigned band of all-time, the alt-law country of The Clydesdale, plays the Beauty Bar at 10 p.m. Saturday.

• And, oh no, not again, Britney Spears tickets go on sale Saturday for her April 25 show ($notworthit). See Neon.

Tip your Elfman at delfman@reviewjournal.com, reviewjournal.com/elfman, or 702-336-2625. Doug Elfman's column runs Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.