Cheap Drinks In London
You certainly don’t need us piping up to tell you that boozing in London rarely comes in at the budget-friendly end of things. If you’ve ever found yourself at the bar, grimacing as you tap your card for the third time, losing the last of your hard-earned coins to a watered-down pint, this list is dedicated to you. We’ve been busy tracking down the best places to get cheap drinks in London, from budget cocktails to banging happy hours, and we’d love to get you involved.
Last updated on 9th June 2022
Did someone say £2.50 beers, bottles of wine for a tenner and signature teapot cocktails for just £15 a go? Meet Simmons and their extensive happy hour. Aside from offering superb value, this is also a super-kitsch, super-cute spot to kick back and relax, too. With venues across the capital, all you have to do is find your nearest venue.
For a slice of Scandinavia without the extortionate prices, get down to the Nordic Bar in Fitzrovia. This central London bar offers a wide selection of traditional drinks without the price tag. With a different happy hour each day of the week and 2 for 1 cocktails to satisfy your thirsty Thursday, The Nordic is the sensible choice if you're looking for an awesome time at little expense.
Bringing you one of the most bustling clubs vibes in town, Ruby Blue goes through the gears every night, offering the West End's party-lovers a spot to dance the night away. The happy hour in operation between 5pm and 8pm, Sunday to Friday, draws in the crowds, and the idyllic terrace area boasts stunning view of the never-sleeping Leicester square below.
Thirst, a highly recommended Soho bar, offers up a relaxing home to sip on cocktails during the STUPID hour, 5-7:30pm, with great half price drink deals on the impressive cocktail list. From your all-time favourites to funky concoctions that are yet to pass those lips, tuck into fruity flavours and smoky scents alike.
Don't listen to the nay-sayers, a cheap night out in Covent Garden is possible if you're planning on partying at with the folks at Be At One. Located a stone's throw from the piazza, this atmospheric basement bar offers 2-4-1 drink deals every day from 4.30pm alongside an infectious feel-good atmosphere.
We'd heartily recommend checking out this Latina party den anyway, but their Amigo Hour deals make it impossible to overlook if you're hoping for a night out that doesn't break the bank. Running throughout the week from 4 until 8pm (7pm on Friday and Saturday), get your thirsty lips around £5 cocktails and £3 bottled beers, with a fiver off on bottles of wine.
Cheap drinks are hard to come by in specialist spirit bars, but Mezcaleria offers a magnificent margarita mix for a respectable £5.95. With fruity twists available for this cool classic, rake in a load of the Mexican libations for a few peso. Can you say Arrrribbaa? We know you totally can, so we'll be seeing you by the bar, either here or at their Canary Wharf venue.
Always great for a night on the town in Covent Garden, Blame Gloria is fun, buzzing and most importantly... pocket friendly. With drinks deals that vary throughout the week, you'll always be able to find something affordable if you're having to budget, and you'll often find that the party style hubbub is priceless too.
Putney's three-floored cocktail joint Tequila Mockingbird serves up bargain bevs every night of the week. Head down and enjoy 2-4-1 cocktails, £3 bottles of Peroni or £3 glasses of wine from 5pm 'til 9pm everyday. They've also got a spot in Wimbledon that promises equally great drinks deals along with DJ sets come the weekend.
Head down to Patch St. Paul's Monday to Friday between 4pm and 7pm to take advantage of the spectacular Happy Hour specials. There's great deals to be had on cocktails, wines, prosecco, beers and platters - our favourites are 50% off all bottles of wine, spirits, 2-4-1 cocktails, as well as a bucket of 5 beers for £15.
Happy Hour Mon-Fri until 10pm / Sat until 8pm* *With Zebrano App
You can't say fairer than Zebrano's happy hour discounts. They're in the business for slashing 50% off their fantastic cocktails, and bring selected beers and wines to the counter for just £2.95 a go. For Soho, these prices are pretty much peerless. Best of all? Happy Hours run every day of the week.
Head to The Piano Works Farringdon for some awesome drinks offers. From Twosdays where there are 2 for 1 cocktails 'til close, to the happy hour between Mondays and Saturdays from 5pm to 7pm, there are plenty of budget-friendly sips. In Soho? Check out The Piano Works West End.
As a watering hole favoured by the bohemian set, this Fitzrovia boozer has seen the likes of Dylan Thomas, George Orwell and Quentin Crisp through its doors. With a charming interior, central location and an incredible selection of reasonably priced food and drink, The Wheatsheaf is perfect for a West End tipple.