This student created the app OSU Bar Deals, and it’s the only Ohio State app you’ll need this year

Mason Bender, a 23 year old CSE major at Ohio State, decided to help out his fellow buckeyes drink on the cheap by creating OSU Bar Deals.

The app works to inform students on all the specials and deals at campus bars, compiling vital information in one simple to use application that you can download for free at the App Store. The Tab caught up with him and talked his app, new updates on the way, and how it has been performing.

Nathan Krabs (left) and Mason Bender (right), OSU Bar Deals app developers

What made you decide to make this app and when did you start working on it?

I decided to make the app at the end of February 2016, and released it the first week of March 2016. I built it because I saw that massive excel sheet of deals (many of which were outdated) and I thought no one wants to pull up a spreadsheet on their phone while they’re out drinking, and how it would be much better to have a really quick way to pull up the deals for the bar you’re going to. There are so many bars that it’s hard to remember all the good specials for every night.

In layman's terms, could you describe a little of what went into putting it together?

Since I don’t really have much knowledge of iOS development, I went with a design that allowed for very fast implementation so that I could just get it out to people as fast as possible. Not really sure about how long it took me.. like three days maybe?

Did you play a part in the android version as well as iOS?

No, but my best friend and roommate, Nathan Krebs, built it. He actually knows what he's doing, so his app is much better than mine, with a live database that he maintains. You can check it out here.

Do you know how many people are using/know about the app?

As of today, there are over 2,200 downloads. There is an average of 165 unique people who use the app monthly.

Screen grab of the app

Has anyone contacted you about the app? Have you heard anyone talking about it that didn't know you made it?

Actually, a friend of mine was telling me that when he was out with his buddies one night, they were trying to decided where to go and someone who I never talked to or heard of it was like “Hold on let me look at the app.” So that is pretty cool, probably my favorite story yet.

When is the new update coming and what new features can we expect?

Haha, well, I am currently working on a complete overhaul that will eventually let the app run itself as well as make it much more usable than it is in its current state. But, that isn’t going to be for a while. I am actually about to release a new update within the next couple weeks with all the updated bars and deals around campus so when everyone gets back to Columbus for Fall semester they will have good/helpful information.

Are you going to continue updating the app as new bars open and existing bars close around campus?

I will do my best this year. I said it above but eventually I’d like to make it so that it is much easier to update the app with the frequent changing drink/food specials and even new bars.

This was my first app I ever made, so I know it is quite the work in progress. But, I think it has helped some people save some money, and that was its only purpose – to help some college kids just like me out. So that’s dope.