Cheap Beer In Nyc: Where To Find It

New York City is known for being expensive, but that doesn't mean you can't find cheap beer. Whether you're looking for a bar with inexpensive drinks or a store to stock up for a party, there are plenty of options in NYC.

If you're looking for a bar, Rudy's Bar & Grill in Hell's Kitchen is a popular choice, known for its cheap drinks and free hot dogs. Other bars with cheap beer include Jeremy's Ale House in the Financial District, 7B Horseshoe Bar in Alphabet City, and Antler Beer and Wine Dispensary in the Lower East Side.

For buying beer to take away, you might want to try Warehouse Wines & Spirits in Greenwich Village, 710 Quick Stop Beer Grocieres in Murray Hill, or Brooklyn Beer & Soda in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. If you're looking for a wider selection, Top Hops Beer Shop in the Lower East Side has over 600 varieties, and New Beer Distributors in the same neighbourhood offers a no-frills warehouse space with endless rows of brews.

Dive bars with cheap beer

New York City is home to a plethora of dive bars, each with its unique character and charm. Here are some of the best spots to enjoy a cold beer without breaking the bank:

Rudy's Bar & Grill

Rudy's Bar & Grill, located in Hell's Kitchen, is a classic New York dive bar. With its iconic giant pig statue out front, Rudy's has been a staple since 1933. They offer cheap drinks, including their signature Rudy's Blonde and Rudy's Red beers for just $3 a draft. It's the perfect spot for a laid-back night out, and you might even spot their friendly pig.

Jimmy's Corner

Jimmy's Corner is a beloved dive bar in the heart of Times Square. Owned by an 85-year-old former boxing trainer, this unassuming spot is a favourite among sports fans. With boxing memorabilia adorning the walls and cheap beers on tap, it's no wonder Jimmy's Corner is often cited as the only acceptable place to drink near Times Square.

Spring Lounge

Also known as Shark Bar, Spring Lounge is a Nolita institution. Operating in some form for over a century, it first opened as an illegal beer shop in the 1920s. Today, it offers a unique atmosphere, with a wide variety of drinks, including beer, shots, rosé, and seasonal specials. Spring Lounge is the perfect spot for a casual night out with friends.

Lucy's

Lucy's, located in the East Village, is known for its charming and eccentric owner, Lucy Mickevicius. This laid-back bar is a favourite among locals, who come to enjoy PBRs, play pool, or go on Tinder dates at the mismatched tables. Lucy's is a true neighbourhood bar, and it's worth timing your visit when Lucy herself is there holding court.

B-Side

B-Side, tucked away in the East Village, is a hidden gem. With beloved bartenders, a $5 beer-shot special, and games like foosball, it's the kind of bar you could call your second home. Under the radar but always buzzing, B-Side is the perfect spot to unwind and let loose.

These dive bars offer not just cheap beer but also a unique atmosphere and a sense of community. Whether you're a local or a visitor, these spots are sure to leave you with memorable experiences and perhaps even some new friends.

Beer gardens with cheap beer

New York City is home to some of the best beer gardens in the world, with options ranging from craft beer havens to more affordable spots for a casual drink. Here are some of the top beer gardens in NYC that offer a great atmosphere and cheap beer:

• Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden: Located in Astoria, this massive beer garden offers a unique open space unlike anything you'll find in Manhattan. They have a wide selection of beers, including the Hofbrau Original Lager, and a food menu featuring grilled country Klobasa and pierogi. It's a great spot to enjoy a sunny day with friends.
• Radegast Hall & Biergarten: Found in Williamsburg, this beer garden offers a fun and unique experience. The space has communal seating, making it perfect for large groups. They have live music throughout the week and a rotating selection of beers on tap. The food menu includes German classics like bratwurst and kielbasa.
• Loreley Beer Garden: Situated in the Lower East Side, Loreley offers a long list of draft and specialty beers, as well as cocktails. Their frozen margaritas and frosé are not to be missed. The outdoor patio is heated, making it a great spot to visit year-round.
• Brooklyn Beer Garden: This artsy beer garden in Bushwick, Brooklyn, blends beer and art seamlessly. It features cool artwork and graffiti, ample outdoor seating, and entertaining games like cornhole, Jenga, and ping-pong. They have a variety of local beers on tap and occasionally host events with DJs or live music.
• The Standard Biergarten: Tucked under the High Line in the Meatpacking District, this beer garden exudes traditional German vibes. The beer is served in steins, and the food menu includes pretzels, sausages, and sauerkraut. During weekdays, their happy hour offers discounted drinks and food, such as 25-cent chicken wings.
• Clinton Hall: With multiple locations across the city, Clinton Hall is a sports bar and beer garden known for its Supercraft beer and cider rotation. They offer award-winning dishes like the Double Smashed Burger, and their burger options rotate to perfectly match the available beers. Clinton Hall also has a variety of table games, making it a fun spot for groups.

Beer distributors with cheap beer

If you're looking for cheap beer distributors in NYC, there are a few options to consider.

Union Beer Distributors

Union Beer Distributors serve Long Island and the five boroughs of New York. They offer a wide range of beverages, including craft beer, spirits, non-alcoholic options, and energy drinks.

Big Blue Beer Distributors

Big Blue Beer Distributors have been in business since 1992 and are based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. They provide wholesale distribution to restaurants, hotels, bars, and cafes, as well as retail services to offices and homes. Big Blue stocks a large selection of craft, domestic, and imported beers, and they can also fill special orders.

New York Beverage

New York Beverage is one of the largest beverage service providers in New York City, offering both retail and wholesale beverages at discount prices. They deliver to residential and commercial addresses in NYC and the surrounding suburbs. Their product range includes micro-beers, soft drinks, juices, sports drinks, and hard ciders.

Local Recommendations

In addition to these distributors, there are several local recommendations for cheap beer options in NYC. These include Trader Joe's, Costco, Rite-Aid, and Flair Beverages, which are suggested by locals for their affordable prices on beer.

So, whether you're looking for a distributor to supply your business or just wanting to stock up for a party, these options should have you covered for cheap beer in NYC.

Bars with cheap beer and a shot for $5 or less

Although New York City is increasingly expensive, there are still a few spots where you can get a shot and a beer for $5 or less. Here are some bars in NYC where you can snag this deal:

Do or Dive, Bedford-Stuyvesant

Located on the opposite side of Bed-Stuy, this bar took over local restaurant fave Do or Dine years ago and kept the party going. With a pool table and a bustling backyard, this local favourite serves a $5 Low Life (High Life and well whiskey).

Turtles All The Way Down, Bedford-Stuyvesant

The newest addition to the bar group that includes Williamsburg mainstays Skinny Dennis, Lucky Dog and Rocka Rolla, Turtles All the Way Down is a welcome addition to the Bed-Stuy bar scene. With a comfortable outdoor area and a tank with turtles, this bar offers a $5 Low Life (a shot of well liquor and a High Life).

Rudy's Bar & Grill, Hell's Kitchen

Rudy's is an institution, reportedly granted one of the first liquor licenses after Prohibition was repealed in 1933. The All-American special, a shot of Seagram's whiskey and a pint of Rudy's Blonde Ale, costs only $5. Pitchers are $8 and hot dogs are free.

The Looking Glass, Bushwick

At The Looking Glass, you're not stuck with a PBR and a shot of the lowest rail whiskey. Instead, you can pick a 16-ounce draft from six varieties and pair it with any house shot (whiskey, tequila, vodka, etc.), all for $5.

Clockwork, Lower East Side

This narrow, grimy LES bar feels like a 1970s New York relic. Clockwork has friendly bartenders, loud music, and you can get a can of Bud and a shot of well liquor for $5. The price drops to $3 at happy hour (11 am to 7 pm).

169 Bar, Lower East Side

Located just around the corner from Clockwork, 169 Bar has been in operation since 1916 and has one of the best happy hours in the city, with $3 "Old Man Cans/Bottles" of beer (PBR, Carling Black Label, Schaefer, Genesee Cream, High Life/Miller Lite) and any well shot.

Boobie Trap

Boobie Trap is a kitschy joint with cheeky vibes, featuring pink flamingo tchotchkes, naughty neon, kooky dolls, and a topless Mona Lisa. Friendly bartenders serve $5 Keystone Light and rail whiskey or tequila shot specials.

Bootleg Bar

A self-styled "punk" bar, Bootleg Bar has the generic "BAR" sign out front, decor that looks like an afterthought, and a jukebox with selections beyond the basic Ramones/Sex Pistols. For $5, you can get a PBR tallboy and a shot of well whiskey.

The Windjammer, Ridgewood

Located in a residential part of Queens, The Windjammer is a true neighbourhood corner bar with a concert venue bonus. It has a vaguely nautical vibe, so it's fitting that its drink special is a $5 Narragansett and a shot of whiskey.

101 Wilson, Williamsburg

101 Wilson is a high-energy bar with a party-all-the-time ethos. You won't find sleepy nostalgia here, but you will find $5 Bud draft and well whiskey combos.

Strangelove, Midtown East

Clockwork's sister bar is located a few dozen blocks uptown, where you can get a can of Bud Light and a shot of well liquor for $5.

Beer stores with cheap beer

Warehouse Wines & Spirits

Fellow alcoholics have rated this the best liquor store of the past decade, awarding it 5 out of 5 shots.

710 Quick Stop Beer Groceries

With over 2,000 beers imported and exported, this is the best beer store, according to one review. They also sell vapes.

Ocean Wine & Liquor

This store has a great selection and good prices. One reviewer was looking for a liquor store that sells sake and was not disappointed.

Brooklyn Beer & Soda

Brooklyn Beer & Soda offers low prices, soda, cheap beers, rare beers, craft beers, and imported beers. Pretty much everything you could want!

New Beer Distributors

This no-frills warehouse in the Lower East Side has unbeatable prices and endless rows of brews, divided by country, with many single bottles available for purchase. Curate your dream six-pack with labels like Baxter Brewing Co. and Anderson Valley, or take home a whole keg.

Top Hops Beer Shop

With over 600 varieties available to purchase, as well as a tasting bar and beer-centric events, this Lower East Side store is a beer lover's paradise. It's open until 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights, so you can satisfy those late-night cravings.

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's sells 6-packs of beer for $4 each.

Costco

Costco has been recommended for cheap beer. You don't need a membership card to buy alcohol, tobacco, or prescriptions.

Rite-Aid

You can get racks of Bud Light for a decent price at Rite-Aid.

Flair Beverages

Located on 207th and 9th, Flair Beverages has been described as having the best prices in Manhattan. It's cash only, but the prices and selection can't be beaten.

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