Cheapest Places to Drink Beer in London

Cheapest Places to Drink Beer in London

Is that even possible?

London is a bustling metropolis, offering anything you could possibly be searching for. High-end fashion stores, vintage shops, gourmet food markets, and cheap to-go-food joints; it’s got it all. Arguably the most important commodity that the city has to offer is the wide array of drinking locations. Even when you travel throughout the English countryside, you will find pubs tucked away in the corners of little towns, on the side of a hill, and even in the most remote of places, solidifying the importance of these cozy watering holes.

There is a huge variety of drinking spots in London, ranging from a more upscale atmosphere to your local dive-bar. The English really know how to prioritize; I’d say that basically every square block in London has at least one spot to grab a pint after work. I mean, what better way can you spend the first hour right after your work?

Would you really want to rush to catch the tube, only to be squashed inside the train on the Central line with the thousands of other office-goers, or would you want to take a few steps and then enter into a magical world where all you have to do is sit down and drink beer? Yes, we’d say the latter as well. Despite London not being known as the best location for those on a budget, there are enough spots around the city for those tightening their wallets to go out and enjoy a beer (or five).

Wetherspoons: A Beacon of Hope

Walking around London, you might notice multiple historic or unique buildings that have been converted into bustling pubs. These eclectic boozers are all Wetherspoon pubs, or better known as, “Spoons.” There are numerous locations spread throughout the city, as well as all throughout the country. Now, just because this is a chain restaurant doesn’t mean it’s not as good as some of the locally-owned institutions. The beautiful buildings have been converted into sprawling restaurants, all equipped with numerous beers on tap and any cocktail you could imagine.

Some will be better than others, with the Masque Hunt near Liverpool Street offering Greene King for £2.29. The infamous chain offers pints of Ruddles, a classic English beer, for less than £2 – which is completely unheard of in London. For a place where a pint can cost about £6 on average, slashing that price in thirds makes this an extremely affordable, and maybe dangerous, place to spend a few hours out on the town.

Obviously, the closer to the center of the city you get, the more expensive the Spoons will be. Not to say this is going to triple the cost of a pint, but you will have less of a chance of getting a Ruddles for less than the price of a Pret coffee.

Even so, if you’re in the boroughs of Hackney or Brixton, popular spots for spending an evening out with mates, you are in luck, with a pint of Ruddles costing merely £1.69. Yes, you read that right. You can either grab a cheese and onion slice from Gregg’s on your train ride home from work, or you can step inside a cozy pub and knock one back. Your choice.

Simmons Bar: The Saving Grace

Another chain that gives you the chance to booze it up and still have money for Christmas presents is Simmons Bar. With many locations across London, these institutions are great spots for post-work drinks. The happy hour here is what sets it apart from the crowd; with the offerings on display from 4-9 pm Sunday – Friday, we aren’t sure how you could pass up this opportunity. The early 4:00 start makes this place the perfect spot to hit on a Friday, when you sneak out of the office early to start the weekend, or ditch class to get to the pub before the crowds hit.

The 2 for £10 cocktails, £2.50 bottles of beer, and the unique cocktail teapots for £15 make this a budget-friendly place to enjoy some pre-club drinks. Even when happy hour ends, or if you frequent here on a Saturday, the price of drinks is still affordable for the somewhat-central locations of these pubs, with a cocktail usually weighing in less than £9. The better deal here is the cocktail teapots, which can serve 3-4 people, depending on the tolerance of drinkers you have in your group. The price would average out to be less than £7 per drink if you go this route; plus, getting a Long Island Iced Tea served to you in a teapot is just cool.

Be at Peace, Be at One is here

Continuing this foolproof list, we come across Be At One. Also a chain around the city, this bar tries to be a little more upscale, while keeping the prices wallet-friendly. Veering from our beer-centered focus, we’re adding something a little different with this choice.

There are just beer bottles available at this franchise, with the price coming in between £3.90 – £5.00, which is pretty good considering the posh surroundings. The cocktails range between £7.00 – £11.00, which is a pretty good deal on the lower end of that price range, especially considering the nicer atmosphere, convenient locations, and the expansive cocktail menu.

Happy hour at these bars usually start at 4:30pm, and run typically for three hours. If you visit one of the Covent Garden locations, you better pack a punch into a short amount of time; the happy hour lasts only 90 minutes. Even so, you can take that late lunch break from work on Friday and head to the Piccadilly Circus bar, where happy hour starts at 3:00.

Happy hour grants you the gift of purchasing one of their cocktail creations for just £5.00. So, basically for half the price, you are able to enjoy one of these hand-crafted concoctions. I think this means you’re able to buy twice the amount of drinks then…right?

Forget Sam Adams, what about Sam Smith’s?

Last on our list of cheap drinking places that involve chains, we have the popular Samuel Smith’s pubs. These quaint establishments are typically formed in the former industrial areas of England, focusing on the mine and steel areas. Luckily for us, you will find 20 of these famous watering holes spread throughout bustling London. The pubs only serve Sam Smith’s Brewery products; hence the name. There are a few criteria that really set these pubs apart from the rest.

The settings of the pub are unapologetically Victorian, the ambiance is not characterized by music or by any T.V.’s playing, and there is always a creamy stout on draught. Not to mention – the pints on draft are all fairly-priced, making these classic pubs a perfect spot for a night out. In order to enjoy this quintessential Sam Smith vibe, you first have to discover the best choices out of the London pubs.

First, we have Princess Louise, the Holborn-located pub, which is the most luxurious option in London. The glass touches and hidden alcoves provide an upscale feel, while keeping the prices low.

Next, we have The Champion in Fitzrovia, famous for the stained glass windows, giving this pub a church-like feel – although we believe nothing saintly will be happening here. The only way this pub lets you renounce your sins is to enforce certain rules, such as no swearing – at all. Don’t try it – we don’t want to be held responsible for you getting kicked out.

Third, Captain Kidd in Wapping provides a waterside-sanctuary, giving excellent views and providing a haven during the (few) warm and sunny days of the summer. Fourth, we have selected The Angel in Bermondsey. This riverside hangout focuses on the old-time vibe, with a saloon-esque atmosphere and a cozy and dimly-lit room for low-volume talking and telling secrets – like what happened on your Friday night Tinder date.

Lastly, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on the famous Fleet Street is a multi-layered mansion, bringing in people of all ages and backgrounds to bond over a cheap pint, a warm fire, and a 17th-century atmosphere. With a lager coming in at around £3.20 in most Sam Smith’s, this is pocket change in comparison to other London pubs – not to mention, you get to enjoy in the exquisite ambiance while slurping the foam from your glass. A Greene King IPA can run for £2.99 in some locations, turning even the darkest-ale drinker into an IPA-aficionado in one night.

If you’re searching for a sure-fire place to down a few pints, save a few quid, and be surrounded by interesting decorations, then Sam Smith’s pubs are the way to go.

No chain, no problem: The Coach & Horses has arrived

Drifting away from the theme of chain pubs, The Coach & Horses in Soho is an establishment that is well-known throughout all of the London boroughs.  Opening in 1734, and shortly being taken over by the owner’s 16-year-old son, the history of this pub has been nothing short of a movie script. The teenager, Norman, was potentially the grumpiest landlord in all of the land, not allowing any music and not accepting any drinks.

He welcomed everyone but was unafraid of kicking out the people who were unoriginal or trying to be something they weren’t – helping keep the authentic and unique vibe that Soho projected.

Fast forward to the 21st century, Fuller’s bought this famous refuge, but has managed to keep the heart and soul consistent. The homely decor and the weekly piano sing-alongs will remain staples, while the beer prices stay affordable. Despite not being as affordable as Spoons or Sam Smith’s, the uniqueness and history of this pub combined with the lower-end prices make this a popular spot for a night out.

A cask stout will set you back £5, while a few different cans cost £5.55. It is up to you whether to decide the extra few quid is worth it – we think the eclectic and eccentric atmosphere and people will soon make you forget about the extra £2.

Get ready to lift some pints

Now that you have evaluated our list of cheapest places to drink beer in London, you are free to roam and test out the options for yourself – maybe not all in one night, but that’s up to you. Unlike many other countries, the chain pubs that comprise London provide a fun atmosphere, bustling crowds, and respectable prices.

Frequenting a Spoons every weekend is nothing to be ashamed of, and all of the establishments on this list are ideal spots for either full night out, or for pre-drinks before moving on to other pricier places. Despite London being an extravagant city, you can have an extravagant night without the exorbitant prices. The beauty about England, and London specifically, is the ability to head on down to your local boozer, get a few cheap pints, make some neighborhood friends, and have a night to remember – hopefully.