A visit to New York can be expensive, as the glitzy city (like many such popular destinations around the world) has a high cost of living. However, having a drink at one of the Big Apple’s stylish bars doesn’t have to break the bank!

There are actually cheap bars located all over the city, often in the vicinity of the New York hostels so travelers can save splashing out on a cab or metro fare, too. One thing to note, though, is that bartenders expect to be tipped around $1.00 for every drink served – something which should be factored into your budget.

For starters, try the ACME Bar & Grill on Great Jones Street. This bar also serves food and the happy hours on Monday to Friday from 16:00 to 19:00 offer both half-price appetizers and drinks!

Next, there’s the Blind Tiger Ale House on Bleecker Street. The happy hours here run almost all day long, from noon to 20:00 on Monday to Friday.

Boxcar Lounge, on Avenue B near 11th Street, is small and cozy but can get very busy in the evenings. Drinks at this bar specializing in cocktails cost just $5 until 22:00 during the week, or until 20:00 on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Village Idiot on West 14th Street is your very own Coyote Ugly, complete with girls dancing at the bar. Beer is incredibly cheap, costing between $1.50 and $3.00, with pitchers $5.50.

Corner Bistro is a great place to go if you’re in the West Village. Here, a mug of McSorley’s costs $2 and the burgers - which are highly regarded - will leave you craving more.

Seventies-themed Welcome to the Johnsons is located on Rivington Street. Budweiser is 2 from 15:00 to 21:00 Mondays to Thursdays, and 13:00 to 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Complementary snacks are also available.

Mars 2112 on Broadway may be silly and full of gimmicks, but its great fun. What’s more, it’s cheap - drinks are half price from 17:00 to 21:00, seven days a week.

On the Brooklyn side, Magnetic Field is great on a Tuesday for its all-day happy hour.

Meanwhile, Fiddlesticks on Greenwich Avenue is a good place to for a touch of peace or relaxation. Here, all the drinks (except martinis and shots) cost $3.

Finally, the Thirsty Scholar on Second Avenue is warm and familiar – the sort of place where the bartender will remember your name. Drinks are very cheap, costing between $3 and $5 each.

If you’re just visiting New York and are keen to enjoy some of these recommended hotspots, check out a New York hostels map before heading off to pick a great cheap stay on the doorstep of the city’s best budget bars!

By: Scottyn

Before settling down and becoming a copywriter for HostelBookers.com, Paul Scottyn travelled extensively and stayed in numerous New York hostels and cheap bars.

One Response to “Top 10 Cheap Bars In New York”

  1. 4:36 am, 18 November, 2008 р.
    Lil' Boozie says:

    Pat O’Brien’s on 88th & 2nd is also very reasonable. Of course, it caters heavily toward a younger crowd.. as well as Boston natives.. maybe that’s why I find myself there almost every time I visit? In any case, it’s a great sports bar as well as a great area in general.

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