By: Mitchell “Stitch” Stafford

RAPID CITY, S.D. — As gas prices continue to climb, one downtown Rapid City business is trying to ease the pain the best way it knows how, with cold beer, comedy and community.

The Social House recently launched a tongue-in-cheek promotion encouraging customers to bring in their gas receipts for a $1 beer, complete with social media messaging styled like a late-night lawsuit commercial.

“Have you or a loved one been financially hurt from the recent soar in gas prices? Well, you may be entitled to alcoholic compensation,” the promotion reads.

For General Manager Cole Blenner, the idea came directly from conversations happening behind the bar.

“The idea is something I came up with out of everyday conversations with our guests while bartending and talking with our guests,” Blenner said. “When gas prices raise like they have, the budget gets tighter and we not only want to give great deals, but offer humor on what can be a stressful time.”

Blenner said the over-the-top legal commercial style felt like the perfect fit for the promotion.

“I came up with the idea just thinking about if I made the post with the tone of a lawsuit advertisement you might see on TV,” he said. “I just changed the phrasing to fit our deal.”

While customers may wish the special could last forever, Blenner joked there are limits.

“We would love to giveaway $1 beers more often, but 4:30 is meant to be Happy Hour and not the price for a gallon of gas,” he said.

The promotion has already generated laughs from customers, including one guest who joked they wished for a time machine back to the days of both $1 beer and $1 gas.

Beyond the humor, Blenner said the philosophy behind the promotion reflects how The Social House approaches business in downtown Rapid City.

“We honestly put the community at the forefront of every idea we have,” he said. “From our giveaways, to our charity bingo night and doing a 10% discount for downtown employees. Everything we have done has been centered around supporting Rapid City and being involved in this great community however we can be.”

Blenner also shared advice passed down from his grandfather, Bill Blenner, who operated the longtime Hall Inn near the South Dakota School of Mines for more than 30 years.

“My grandfather told me when we started The Social House, ‘Good food and cheap drinks. You’ll stay alive,’” Blenner said. “We just want to be the place that’s there for people when times are tougher.”

The $1 beer promotion runs through Sunday May 17th.  For more information visit socialhouserc.com or visit them and try one of their phenomal burgers at 516 7th St, Downtown Rapid City, right next to the Tinder Box!