Is the rush-ticket line the new bread line? It might as well be in this depressing economy.

When you want to go out on the town -- be it a movie, a play or a concert -- nothing tastes better these days than a cheap ticket.

Now more than ever, entertainment venues are trying to lure crowds with deep discounts. Two-for-one theater tickets. Free movies. Open-bar offers at nightclubs. It's all there if you're willing to sniff around (don't worry, we've done that for you).

"People are looking for ways to save money without giving up the things they love," said Sue McLean, one of the Twin Cities' most prominent concert promoters.

Because McLean books about 100 shows a year, she depends on music lovers who are regular concertgoers. "No one can afford to go to that many shows anymore," she said, so McLean sometimes offers two-for-one specials -- a deal that more concertgoers are taking advantage of.

Theater and classical music aren't usually considered pastimes for penny-pinchers, but half-price deals can also be found at such institutions as the Guthrie, Children's Theatre and the Minnesota Orchestra.

The Guthrie, however, is "very careful about making those kinds of offers," said communications director Melodie Bahan. "We don't want to alienate our very valuable and very dedicated audience," including season-ticket holders who spent as much as $519 (for eight plays).

Your best bet to find deals? Get tech-savvy. Both the Guthrie and McLean use e-mail blasts to their regulars. The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra has more than 450 friends on Facebook. The Guthrie even sends updates and offers via text message. "That's sort of the way everybody is moving," Bahan said.

Nightclubs have adapted to the tanking economy by taking drink specials to the extreme -- you can't get any cheaper than the words "open bar."

Recently, a group of downtown Minneapolis bars put their differences aside, putting together a coalition in hopes of weathering the economic storm. Their first idea: a discount card designed to look like a flashy credit card that trendy clubbers might be proud to use.

"It's the 'Big Deal Card,'" said Joanne Kaufmann of the Minneapolis Warehouse Business District. "People are looking for ways to save money and, to be honest, nobody wants to use coupons." So far, more than 1,500 people have gotten the free card.

Entertainment seekers can expect more inventive deals in the months to come. "I'm kind of racking my brain to come up with creative ways to keep people coming out," McLean said.

She's thinking about a punch card like the ones coffee shops use to reward loyal customers -- buy five concerts, get the sixth free.

"I don't know if there is any other way to get people's attention," McLean said. "Even I used a coupon to go get my car washed the other day."

Tom Horgen • 612-673-7909

Kara Nesvig, a University of Minnesota student working at the Star Tribune, contributed to this report.

Rush tickets: Most theaters and concert halls offer discounted tickets on unsold seats 10 minutes before a performance. The Guthrie's rush tickets cost between $15 and $25. The Minnesota Orchestra's are $25 ($15 for students).

Art is cheap: It's always free to tour the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Weisman Art Museum. Galleries -- from hipster hangouts such as Soo Visual Art Center to fine-art meccas like Groveland Gallery -- don't charge admission, either.

Senior tickets: It's the best thing about growing old. At the Guthrie, tickets are $5 off for seniors (62 and older). At the Walker, seniors (65 and older) get $2 off.

Feeling guilty about taking a night out? Here are some deals that can help take out the financial sting.
THEATER
Guthrie: If you want cheap tickets to the Twin Cities' biggest theater, your best bet is to get on its e-mail list or sign up for mobile phone alerts (both via its website). A recent offer included one ticket at full price and the second for as low as $5. In a package called "Guthrie Girls Night," women can see three plays for $90, which includes a pre-party with a free cocktail and massages by the Aveda Institute. 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org
Children's Theatre: Families can save on tickets during the Target-sponsored two-for-one deal on opening weekends and a "Pay What You Can" program that offers a minimum purchase of six tickets for as little as $1 apiece. 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org
Park Square Theatre: This St. Paul theater previews each new play for 99 cents on the Tuesday before its premiere. Next show: "Grey Gardens" on March 17. 651-291-7005 or parksquaretheatre.org
Ten Thousand Things: This troupe's passion is bringing theater to the masses -- it performs everywhere from prisons to homeless shelters. There will be seven free performances of its next production, Samuel Beckett's "Endgame," throughout the Twin Cities. The first is Feb. 20 at the Wayside House, a women's shelter in St. Louis Park. Reservations required. 612-203-9502 or tenthousandthings.org
In the Heart of the Beast: This inventive puppet theater in south Minneapolis offers those who live in the Central, Corcocan, Phillips or Powderhorn neighborhoods a $2 ticket for its Saturday shows at 10 a.m. and noon. Don't worry, if you live outside the neighborhood it's still only $4. 612-721-2535 or hobt.org
NIGHTCLUBS
The Big Deal Card: Get discounts at more than two dozen downtown Minneapolis bars and restaurants, from free cover at swanky nightclubs like Envy and the Lounge to $5 off a gallon of the Loon's famous chili for today's Super Bowl. Order the card online or pick one up at a bar. 612-334-3131 or mplswarehouse.com
Open bars: Bootleggers in downtown Minneapolis has a $10 open bar from 9 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (reservations required: 612-940-2668 or bootleggersmpls.com). Soundbar has an open bar all night on Thursdays for $20 and on Fridays from 8 to 10 p.m. for $5 (612-333-0363 or 414soundbar.com).
ART MUSEUMS
Walker Art Center: The Walker normally charges admission, but Thursdays are free and the place is open until 9 p.m. Make a night of it: the Walker often brings in musicians and movies to add to the free fun. Another deal: Last month, Wolfgang Puck's 20.21 restaurant began offering "Dinner for Two Tuesdays," with a three-course tasting menu for two and a bottle of wine for only $50. That's a steal. 612-375-7600 or walkerart.org
MOVIES
AMC Theaters: Forget $10 movie tickets. If you check out a movie at an AMC theater on a weekday, tickets are only $5. Early birds can also get $5 tickets on weekends before 11 a.m. amctheaters.com
Block E 15: Daytime screenings (before 6 p.m.) at this downtown Minneapolis theater are just $5. kerasotes.com
Riverview Theater: Single-screen, art-deco masterpiece of a theater shows second-run films for only $3. 612-729-7369. riverviewtheater.com
Hopkins Cinema 6: This six-screen discount theater charges only $2.50 for tickets ($2 on Tuesdays). Plus, they have real mini-doughnuts. 952-931-7992 or manntheatresmn.com
MUSIC
McLean & Associates: This concert promoter, who books a variety of venues (including the Minnesota Zoo and the Guthrie), alerts e-mail subscribers to BOGO deals -- buy one, get one free. 612-343-8662 or suemclean.com
Minnesota Orchestra: If you've never been to Orchestra Hall, this is a great deal: Newbies can get two tickets for $10 at the orchestra's website. There are other deals, too, including a two-for-one subscription package -- two seats to four concerts at half price ($72-$165, depending on where you sit). 612-371-5642 or minnesotaorchestra.org
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra: Young blood is welcome at the SPCO. Concertgoers in their 20s and 30s can join the orchestra's Club2030 to get tickets for only $10. 651-291-1144 or thespco.org
COMEDY
Acme Comedy Co.: The Twin Cities' best comedy club is always free on Monday's open-mike night. It recently reduced the price of its 10:30 p.m. Friday show to $5 for students. Shows at 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday are also $5 for students. 612-338-6393 or acmecomedycompany
Brave New Workshop: The improv on Tuesdays and Sundays at this Uptown theater is always wild -- and always cheap. Tickets are only $1. Tuesdays, see Brave New Institute's grad students hit the improv stage at 7:30 p.m. At 8 p.m. on Sunday, improv performers from around the Twin Cities let loose for Improv a Go-Go. 612-332-6620 or bravenewworkshop.org