In a city of swanky rooftop spots, award-winning watering holes and boozers boasting in-house distilleries, it can sometimes feel like you're burning through your paycheck. But that doesn't have to be the case. We've searched high and low to find the crème de la crème of cheap cocktail bars in London that'll let you blow off steam whilst saving some money.
Last updated on 23rd March 2023
Boasting sites in Bethnal Green, Covent Garden, Clapham and beyond, The Cocktail Club are putting on an impressive happy hour London-wide. Head to one of their quirky themed locations for 2-4-1 cocktails every day from 4-9pm.
Balham beaut and South London all-rounder The Exhibit are promising a daily happy hour, where their drinks favourites go on sale at 2-4-1. What to have? Try their Lychee Martini, Porn Star Martini, or give a glass of prosecco a go.
OTT? A little. A sure-fire great night out? Hells yes. Meet Tonight Josephine: a cocktail bar that'll have you feeling all kinds of fierce. Decked out in neon signs, glitter walls and metallic furnishings, the Waterloo boozer will have you sipping on a steady flow of lemongrass collins' whilst bopping to a soundtrack of pop tunes.
Fancy Extra Long Happy Hour? (Requires an app Download) and 1 other offer
How could we not include Be At One on our list of London's best bars for cheap cocktails? The party pros have garnered acclaim around the country for their cheeky bartenders, fun sips and summery tunes that'll keep you on your feet after the sun goes down.
Known as one of the most affordable places to drink in the City, Pitcher & Piano is a great shout for after-work drinks with mates. Spend your time sampling blackberry and coconut spritzes, chocolate orange espresso martinis and giant pornstar rumtinis, all at a budget-friendly price.
For a fun and easy-going night out in Brixton, Tequila Mockingbird is the place for you. As well as fabulous interiors and exotic drinks, such as spiced hazelnut martinis and mango and chilli margaritas, you and your friends can expect a resident DJ playing tunes till 2am on the weekends.
An activity bar with a twist, Four Quarters Peckham aren't just serving up impressive arcade games and consoles in South London, enjoy their creative cocktail list at just £7.50 a pop, or 2 for £13, where you can try the likes of their 'Twisted Melon' with gin, mint and Red Bull watermelon.
Mrs Riot is a fun Covent Garden party bar that loves drag antics come the weekend, but for when you're in the mood to catch a drink at a reasonable price? Head down on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 4-6pm for 2-4-1 on their creative and colourful cocktails.
On the hunt for affordable cocktails in Clapham Junction? Bar Social Battersea is absolutely killing it with its happy hour offers, where you can bag £6.95 cocktails every evening. To top it all off, this joint also rustles up tasty grub, plus hosts live DJs come the weekend.
A cheap but cool place for cocktails in London, Three Colts Tavern is found just shy of Bethnal Green's tube station. Expect Wednesday quiz nights, weekly DJs and live music, and pizza to fill up on, all accompanied by local beer.
Keep your diary free from 4-6pm for a visit to affordable London cocktail bar, FAM. Celebrating music and hits on vinyl, it's a fun and retro homage to drinking, where you can grab two cocktails for £12 every day. With bottles of wine just £15 to boot.
Touting daily drinks deals, in-house karaoke and resident DJs, Memory Box is offering you the perfect chance to let your hair down without the morning-after money woes. Grab your mates and venture to this Croydon den for a night of 2-4-1 sips till midnight and banging tunes till the early hours.
When it comes to affordable drinks in North London, Homeboy should be at the top of your list. Nestled along Essex Road, this award-winning bar is serving up a dose of Irish hospitality with their signature cocktails and proper ales, accompanied by a chilled playlist of R&B and hip-hop, with mixes starting from £10.
If you've been on a night out in Shoreditch, the chances are that you've been to Barrio. This cheap London cocktail bar is a popular choice for groups looking to get their evening off to a brilliant start, with a winning combo of vibrant decor, fruity concoctions and party tunes.
When it comes to crackin' cocktails on Brick Lane, 104 Bar is a firm choice. Not only is this fabulous haunt fronting laid-back vibes, but it also has a fabulous selection of budget-friendly bevvies on its popular happy hour. Need we say more?
When it comes to cheap cocktail bars in London, Simmons is arguably the best. Check out any of the 15 sites around the city and you'll find kitsch interiors, a buzzy atmosphere and a menu of delicious drinks at budget prices. To top it all off, it also boasts an unrivalled weekday happy hour from 4pm till 9pm, grab yourself a bottle of beer or spirit and mixer for £2.50, a glass of wine £3 or 2 or cocktails for £10.
Cocktails are being churned out from as little as £8.50 at Bermonsdey cocktail spot, Two One Four. A date-night appropriate location with bare brick and leather, catch them every day from 5-6pm where there aperitivi happy hour brings things down to just £6.
Searching for something a little different? BYOC Camden is promising a memorable evening with their unusual drinking concept. Simply bring any spirit of your choice and watch as a talented mixologist theatrically creates five libations in front of you over a two-hour period, all for only £30 - that's £6 a tipple.
Looking to forget your financial issues? Then hop on over to Nordic Bar for some of London's cheapest cocktails. Located by Oxford Circus, the Scandi-themed sports and party haunt is bound to be full of revellers making the most of their beer pong tables, potent mixes and pitchers, all at a wallet-friendly price.
This gem offers delicious cocktails and small plates at a reasonable price, proving you don't need to break the bank for a high-quality food and drink experience. Its chic decor paired with chilled-out vibes make Three Eight Four a top spot for any group to hang out in.
