London has a reputation for being an absolute wallet-drainer. I’ve lived here long enough to see the “average” price of a pint crawl toward the ten-pound mark in some central spots, and frankly, it’s offensive. If you listen to the lifestyle mags, they’ll tell you to head to some “vibrant” rooftop where a lukewarm cocktail costs eighteen quid plus service.
I don’t do that. I go where the locals go—the places that smell slightly of stale hops and history, or the brewery taps tucked under railway arches where the beer travels ten feet from the tank to your glass. I’ve personally scoured the city to find the spots where a round doesn’t require a bank loan.
We pulled this data from the Seeker Social app, where we track thousands of menus to keep these venues honest. Here is where you should actually be drinking if you value your bank balance.
London’s Cheapest Pints and Bottles
When I say cheap, I mean actually cheap. Not “central London cheap.” We’re talking prices that make you do a double-take.
Palmeira Caf & Bar Deli
This is my absolute go-to for a no-frills afternoon. Located at 232-234, High Rd. Leyton, it’s a mix of a neighborhood deli and a student hangout. It feels like stepping into a small Bar in Lisbon rather than East London. The vibe is laid back on a Tuesday, while Saturdays get a bit more frantic with locals grabbing coffee and beers.
- Cheapest Item: Superbock Mini (25cl) / Sagres Mini (25cl) for €2.20.
- Draft Selection: Shandy (50cl) for €4.40 and Super Bock (50cl) for €4.60.
- Bottle List: They have a great range of Portuguese favorites like Coral for €2.80 and Stout 33cl for €2.70.
Comparing this to a pub in Soho where a 33cl bottle will run you €7, Palmeira is basically a public service. The only downside? It’s not a “party” venue. It’s for people who want to talk and drink without the pretension.
Scran Cocktailbarworld Cuisine
If you’re near 1-5 Station Approach, you have no excuse to go anywhere else for a draft. Based on our latest menu analysis on Seeker Social, they serve an Asahi (50cl) for just €4. In London, that is practically free. Most places in the West End charge €4 for a glass of tap water and a dirty look.
Scran is an odd one—half neighborhood bar, half world cuisine hub. Their menu is massive (40 items), and while the beer is cheap, they also do some of the most reasonably priced cocktails in the city. While others charge €15+, you can grab a Negroni for €11 or an Aperol Spritz for €9.50. Their signature Scran Delight is €13.50, which is their top-shelf price, but still cheaper than the starting price at most fancy hotel bars.
Brewery Taps: The Craft Beer Loophole
People think craft beer is expensive. They’re wrong. You just have to go to the source. Brewery taps usually offer better quality and lower prices because there’s no middleman.
Forest Road Brewing Co Taproom Bar
Located at Railway Arch, 355 Westgate St, this is the definition of an after-work spot. It smells like grain and hard work. Their Posh British Lager (50cl) starts at €5.95 regularly, but here is the kicker: Happy Hour drops prices to €4.20.
Their menu is focused—16 items of pure quality. You’re not here for a wine list. You’re here for the Work India Pale Ale (€6.40) or a Sesh Session IPA (€6.20). They also have a surprisingly decent cocktail list, all priced at €12, including a Lychee Martini and Pete’s Old Fashioned.
Mash Paddle Brewery
Find them at 92 Enid St. This is a “Games” category bar, meaning you can actually do something while you drink. Their cheapest draft is the Mash Paddle Mango Unchained (38cl) at €4.50.
What I love about Mash Paddle is the variety. You can get anything from a Lost And Grounded Helles (€4.80) to a Petite Saison (€7). Their cocktail game is also surprisingly strong and flat-priced: Pornstar Martinis, Espresso Martinis, and Negronis are all €8. Compare that to Scran’s €11-€12.50 cocktails, and Mash Paddle wins the cocktail value war by a mile.
The Neighborhood Stalwarts
Sometimes you just want a pub that feels like a pub. No neon signs, no “instagrammable” walls, just a solid counter and a cold pint.
The Crown Limehouse
Located at 667 Commercial Rd, this is a student and local favorite. It’s unpretentious. The Light Ale is only €3 for a bottle, while a draft Carlsberg or John Smiths (50cl) is €4.40. If you want something slightly “fancier,” a Guinness is €5.50. It’s the kind of place where you can lose a whole Tuesday evening and still have change from a twenty.
The Eagle Homerton
At 103 Wick Rd, The Eagle is a board game heaven. It’s perfect for those “one drink” sessions that turn into four. Prices are standardized: Foster’s, Carlsberg, John Smith’s, and Guinness are all €4.50 for a 50cl pour. Yes, Guinness for €4.50 in London. Let that sink in. Most places are charging €7 now. Even their more “premium” drafts like Birra Moretti and Amstel are only €5.
Price Comparison: London Draft Beer & Cocktail Index
Based on our menu verification, here is how these budget-friendly spots stack up against each other for common orders.
| Bar Name | Cheapest Draft (50cl) | Standard Cocktail | Cheapest Bottle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scran | €4.00 (Asahi) | €11.00 | €6.00 |
| The Crown | €4.40 (Carlsberg) | N/A | €3.00 |
| The Eagle | €4.50 (Guinness) | N/A | €3.90 |
| Duke of York | €4.40 (Xxxx Best) | €14.50 | €4.40 |
| Mash Paddle | €7.00 (Lager) | €8.00 | N/A |
The Winner: For beer lovers, Scran takes the prize with the €4 Asahi. For cocktail enthusiasts, Mash Paddle is unbeatable with their €8 flat rate.
The Late Night & Happy Hour Strategy
If you’re smart, you’ll time your visits. You can check live happy hour times on Seeker Social to make sure you’re not paying full price like a tourist.
After-Work (5pm – 7pm)
This is where Forest Road Brewing Co shines. Their price drop from €5.95 to €4.20 for a Posh British Lager is a 30% saving. If you have three pints (and let’s be honest, you’re going to), you’ve saved over five euros. That’s another beer for free.
Evening Sessions (7pm – 10pm)
Head to The Union Tavern at 52 Lloyd Baker St. While their Heineken 0.0 is the cheapest item at €4.95, they have a massive craft selection. Their happy hour starts at €4.25, making it a great transition spot. You can grab a Stowford Press Cider for €6.60 or go for the N7 IPA at €7.20 if you’re feeling flush.
Late Night (10pm+)
For the night owls, Shakespeares Head (JD Wetherspoon) is the reliable, if somewhat chaotic, choice. At €4.46 for a Strongbow or €4.50 for a Bud Light, the prices stay flat regardless of how late it gets. It’s located near Holborn, making it a perfect “filler” bar before you commit to a club.
Niche Picks: For the Bitters and Stouts Lovers
If you don’t want lager, the Duke of York is your sanctuary. They specialize in the old-school stuff. We’re talking Dark Mild for €4.40 and Old Brewery Bitter for €6.30. They even have a Yorkshire Stingo for €15.20 if you want to see what a truly premium ale tastes like. Just avoid their cocktails; at €14.50 for a Rum Punch, you’re paying double what you’d pay at Mash Paddle.
Similarly, The Old Justice at 94 Bermondsey Wall E is a brewery-category gem. Their Old House Bitter is a steal at €4.50. They also have one of the more interesting menus, featuring Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Radler (€5.50) and Dusty’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer (€5.95).
FAQ
What is the absolute cheapest drink in London?
Based on our menu data, the Superbock/Sagres Mini (25cl) at Palmeira Caf Bar Deli for €2.20 is the lowest price point we’ve found. For a full pint (50cl), Scran’s Asahi at €4.00 is the gold standard.
Do these bars have happy hours?
Yes. Forest Road Brewing and The Union Tavern both offer significant happy hour discounts starting around €4.20 – €4.25. It’s always best to check the Seeker Social app for real-time updates as timings can change seasonally.
Which bar is best for students?
The Crown Limehouse and Palmeira Caf are the top picks. They have the right mix of low prices and a relaxed atmosphere where nobody will judge you for nursing a bottle of Light Ale (€3) for an hour.
Sources & References
- Scran Cocktailbarworld Cuisine Menu & Prices
- Forest Road Brewing Co Taproom Bar Happy Hour Info
- Mash Paddle Brewery Cocktail List
- The Crown Limehouse Bottle Prices
Stop overpaying for mediocre drinks in tourist traps. There is a whole world of cheap, high-quality booze in London if you know where to look. Download Seeker Social on the App Store or Google Play to find more happy hour deals near you—we’ve got 10,000+ bars across 50+ cities and counting. Cheers.