Wow, this is uncanny... I had to keep checking your username to make sure I wasn't reading a post I made unconciously!
I can't express how similar we are...... really it's creepy. The main difference is I have one friend, not a group, that we drink weekly, and the other one is my wife, who also loves beer & pubs.
I absolutely love a good IPA, but rarely is that on tap at our pubs, and I can't justify buying a $6 bottle that costs $2 at the liquor store!
My 'going out' budget each month has been dwindling, it was well over $400 a few months ago, I'd be willing to bet some months before I kept track I spent over $600 in Pubs... Now we have it down to ~$250/$300 as a couple ($125-$150each I suppose).
One thing I definitely started to do, to A) keep the hangover away, B) save money is to alternate beer to waters, order a beer, then order a water, and only order another beer once you finish the water... That has been the single smartest thing I've started to do at bars :)
We only live once, and the pub atmosphere is something I truly enjoy, so I plan to keep going, but I'm definitely 75%+ mentally decided to limit it to once a week... I think we're pretty close to twice a week right now.
But seriously, I can't believe how similar our situations are! And you're in Seattle, and I grew up in Vancouver, pretty similar cities in my opinion!
If I could find a bar that had beers under four bucks I would be all over that! Where is this land of $1 and $2 drinks?
SERIOUSLY! The cheapest sleeves I have ever seen are $3.25 or $3.75 on a special night like Wing Night, most of the time actual PINTS are $4.25 at the cheapest, and $4.75/$5.25 for anything half decent. I always go out with the wife, so 2 beers each is usually $20, plus two meals at $8each quickly adds up to just over $40 with a tip.
Luckily we're both unwilling to drop $50+ unless it's an anniversary or some special occasion ;)