Okay, that’s it, enough is enough – I think I speak for us all when I say that drink prices in NYC are officially too. damn. HIGH.
So, in order to give our wallets some much needed respite from the New York bar circuit, I’ve done a little digging.
Here are just a few spots you can find actually cheap drinks in NYC.
The Stumble Inn
1454 2nd Ave, Upper East Side
This dive-y sports bar in Manhattan has great drink specials every day of the week. And while, true, you’re not gonna find many craft cocktails in this joint, you will be able to save a few bucks. Deals at the Stumble Inn include: $2 mugs on Mondays, $4 calls on Tuesdays, half price drafts on Wednesdays, $15 buckets on Thursdays, and 1/2 price bars during happy hour (which runs between 11:30am and 7pm, btw).
Royale
157 Avenue C, Alphabet City
Known for its giant outdoor patio, Royale is sure to become your summer staple in no time. With $4 drafts and well cocktails from 4-7pm, Monday through Friday (and $10 Bloody pints on Saturday and Sunday) this East Village pub will easily let you fill your tank without breaking the bank.
Clover Club
210 Smith St, Cobble Hill
So, you’re right – the Clover Club isn’t exactly the first thing you’d think of when looking for cheap drinks. But this slightly more upscale cocktail bar has a rockin’ happy hour from 4-7pm on weeknights that offers real, delicious cocktails for just $8 and all drafts for just $4. Plus, they also serve cheap food, so you know it’s worth it.
Jimmy’s Corner
140 W 44th St, Midtown
Ahhh, Jimmy’s – a classic New York dive, with classic dive prices. Drafts start at just $3 and end at $4.50.
10 Degrees
121 St Marks Pl, East Village
Head to 10 Degrees in the East Village for 2 for 1 drinks every day from 12-8pm and half priced wine bottles on Mondays.
The Heights Bar & Grill
2867 Broadway, West Side
This West Side tavern may be a favorite among Columbia students, but with its Friday Power Lunch ($6 frozens, $5 drafts & $5 wines from 1-7pm) and Late Night Happy Hour ($5 frozens, $5 drafts and $5 wells from 11pm-2am) it’s prbably gonna become one of yours too.
Reunion
357 W 44th St, Hell’s Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen’s Reunion Surf Bar is a solid choice when looking for cheap drinks in the city. From 5:30 to 8pm, select mixed drinks (like their paloma or forzen mojito) come down from their usual $14 to just $6 a pop, and all pilsners are lowered to $4.
The Folly
92 W Houston, Lower Manhattan
From 12-8pm every day, The Folly offers $6 wines, drafts, frozen drinks and spirits. And that’s even on the weekends, y’all.
Crocodile Lounge
325 E 14th St, Stuyvesant
The Crocodile Lounge is a New York classic worth visiting for more than just their cheap drinks. But while we’re on the topic, with every drink purchase you make at this East Village dive, you also get a free slice of pizza. Yup, you read that right – a slice of pizza with every drink.
As an added bonus, if you head to the Crocodile Lounge on your birthday, you will be treated to free beer and well drinks all night long. Provided, of course, that you make a reservation first.
The Woods
48 S 4th St, Williamsburg
The Woods is Brooklyn hipster mainstay. In addition to its cheap food, pool, and $6 Micheladas, The Woods is also offering $3 well drinks Monday through Friday till 8pm, so you just know you’re gonna wanna stop by.
Blockheads
Multiple Locations
Okay, yes – Blockheads is a chain restaurant. But apart from serving up fast-casual tacos, this Tex-Mex joint is also offering $6 frozen margaritas, $5 beers and a Sunday – Thursday happy hour where all frozen margs, sangria, beer, tacos, nachos AND queso are just $3 bucks each, which is, quite honestly, unreal.
Turtle Bay
987 2nd Ave, Midtown East
Brave the throng of after-hours yuppies who flock to Turtle Bay for a set of drink deals truly worth your while. Specials at this Midtown bar include: half-price happy hour (including appetizers) from 5-10pm on Mondays, $2 off the entire bar on Tuesdays, $1 domestic beers and 50 cent wings on Wednesdays, a $30 drink package from 9pm to 12am on Thursdays and $4 mimosas and bloodies on Sundays.
Lion’s Head Tavern
109th St and Amsterdam Ave, Morningside Heights
A beer bar at its core, Lion’s Head Tavern has a pretty extensive list of drafts to choose from. But, if it’s cheap that you’re looking for, than the $3 Miller High Life drafts all-day-every-day should do the trick.
Full Circle Bar
318 Grand St, Williamsburg
Skeeball + cheap drinks = a perfect night out, if you ask me. Full Circle’s list of specials changes on a pretty regular basis, but with consistent dollar-off deals and $4 wells, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something in your price range.