How do you have a fun night out without drunk driving or paying exorbitant uber prices?

Dive bars. They are not equal though. Befriend a local. There are usually a few good bars within walking distance of one another if you get off the main strip of wherever you go. A designated driver is fine but that means you've got a sacrifice in your group. Uber ain't bad if you're splitting it with three or four people and hitting up a few spots in a couple block area. My friends and I used to do this and it always worked where I've lived. Boston, Mass, New Haven, Connecticut, and Palm Beach area, Florida. Just have to avoid the touristy/trendy areas. Every city has some good local spots. See, a good dive bar will be full of service industry folks, local career drinkers, good music, pool, darts and have a bartender, usually a little older, that doesn't skimp on their pours. In Florida you may come out smelling like cigs but when in Rome.