Guide to cheap cocktails in London

Freud Bar, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, is an iconic destination known for its cocktails and art exhibitions. This venue offers an extensive selection of alcoholic beverages at reasonable prices, with the cocktails being particularly attractively priced. Guests can indulge in both timeless and novel cocktail creations amidst a lively atmosphere, enhanced by monthly-changing music and art displays.

Simmons, a chain of bars across London, has developed a cult following for being one of the most affordable places to enjoy a cocktail, especially during its notably lengthy five-hour happy hour. These bars are located throughout the city, with interiors featuring a colourful mix of neon lights and retro decor. Besides their budget-friendly cocktails and happy hour specials, many Simmons bars also feature retro gaming consoles, live DJ music, karaoke, and other fun activities.

The Four Quarters bars also function as vintage arcades, inviting guests to use their hard-earned change on lovingly-restored classic games from the previous century. To offset the cost of gaming, these bars offer enticing promotional deals, such as 2-for-1 on house cocktails or jugs of sangria or beer. Live DJ music is also often on the programme.

All Bar One, a widespread chain of bars, offers a laidback setting for socialising, dining, and wining. These bars boast a chic and cosy design, featuring contemporary decor and plentiful seating. They provide an atmosphere suitable for both informal meet-ups and more formal occasions, with affordable prices to keep you within budget. An assortment of classic cocktails and other drinks are available during the daily happy hour, along with weekly specials.

The Cocktail Club chain embraces a lively and uninhibited atmosphere. It's known for serving an abundance of classic and signature cocktails that are expertly crafted to keep the energy high until the night ends. Serving cheap cocktails London-wide, each bar features attractive daily happy hour deals and other special offers.

The Barrio bars around London are dynamic, colourful venues bursting with vivid decor and Latin American vibes. Creative spins on traditional cocktails, as well as signature concoctions, are available here, including affordably-priced margaritas. The Barrios are hubs of party activity, hosting themed bottomless brunches, cocktail-making masterclasses, and DJ sets, not to mention the lively happy hour.

A nationwide chain, Revolution bars are known for their frequent promotions, allowing patrons to enjoy cocktails or a meal-with-drink deal at an affordable price, along with a vibrant party atmosphere. The renovated Leadenhall location spans four floors and features The Vault, an impressive private event space complete with a champagne bar, while the cocktails range from timeless classics to innovative new mixes.

The Be At One bars in London fully embrace the party spirit, featuring lively music and skilled bartenders who craft an impressive array of drinks. Their extensive drinks menu boasts over 100 different cocktails, ranging from traditional favourites to inventive new creations, all of which are available in a 2-for-1 offer during the daily happy hour.

The Wetherspoons pub chain is notorious for its very low prices, making it a popular choice among regular pubgoers and those keeping an eye on their budget. You can find a Spoons more or less anywhere in London, but The Mossy Well is generally considered one of the nicer ones. Big and spacious, it attracts a diverse crowd with its traditional interior and outdoor area. You'll find a range of affordably-priced classic cocktails on the drinks menu.

The inclusive Ridley Road Market Bar is as a vibrant tropical-themed party spot, soundtracked by a diverse selection of music from its in-house DJs and live artists. The drinks menu includes a concise selection of expertly-done cocktails such as their signature ginger mojito. The drinks are affordably priced as is, but things really take a turn towards the cheap during the weekday happy hour.

Cocktails, cocktails, and more cocktails is the name of the game at the Tequila Mockingbird's various London locations. There's a wide choice of concoctions at these colourful, fun-loving bars, from classics to signature house mixes. The drinks come at budget-friendly prices to begin with, and sharers and jugs are also available. There are also regular happy hour offers and special promotions to drive the cocktail prices further down.

Cubana, a vibrant Latin American eatery in Waterloo, offers an extensive selection of Cuban and Latin American street food paired with reasonably-priced cocktails such as mojitos, margaritas, and other drinks based on quality Cuban rums. Most of them are available for under a tenner, and prices drop even lower during happy hour. This lively and spirited venue also frequently hosts live music.

The Tonight Josephine bars have struck rose gold with their combination of cocktails, neon lighting, vivacious party evenings, and buckets of pink paint. The drinks menu is designed to keep you dancing the night away in the bar's energetic, youthful setting, and includes a number of signature cocktails offered at low prices. A 2-for-1 happy hour is available on select days too.

This inconspicuous venue, giving the impression of a neglected warehouse from the exterior, is discreetly nestled behind a modest black door. Once inside, you'll discover a snug bar offering cocktails with a classic twist and playing retro rock 'n' roll music. The changing cocktail menu features affordable signature cocktails, including sharers.

Nikki's Bar offers an experience steeped in hedonism with its unique cocktail selection and unbridled party atmosphere. The bar's bold drinks menu features Skittle-infused vodka shots and a range of enticing cocktails - just the thing to fuel wild nights of pop music and drag shows. Cheap cocktails are a major feature here, with the daily happy hour offering a 2-for-1 deal on all menu cocktails.

Little Nan's, an award-winning and eccentric bar in Deptford, opened in 2013 as a tribute to the owner's grandmother, is a local favourite for its homely atmosphere, replete with Union Jacks, leopard prints, and an array of grandma's eclectic furnishings. The bar offers a selection of over 90 signature cocktails at affordable prices, alongside beers, prosecco, wines, and British comfort food.

Bermondsey Arts Club is an exclusive and well-hidden spot for a drink. Housed in a former public toilet located at a busy junction, it's an intimate Art Deco spot. Membership is required but it's free to join - members must work in the creative industries. The drinks list includes low-priced original cocktails and there's a 50% discount during weekly networking events. On Wednesdays the bar has live jazz.

Bag yourself an affordable cocktail in Kingsland Road at Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes. This lively venue serves food, coffee, and drinks, puts on art shows, and has weekly club nights and live gigs. The space is bold and eclectic, with an airy ground floor bar and a cosy basement hideaway.

A modern pub in Clapham, The Belle Vue is full of vibrant colour both inside and out. The interiors are comfortable, blending classic and contemporary style. The drinks list includes a variety of house cocktails at budget-friendly prices, as well as beers, wine, and spirits. Food is served and the pub lays on events like quizzes.

The Victoria Taps in Westminster is a trendy pub serving a wide range of drinks and indulgent food, including a budget bottomless brunch. Cocktails are two-for-one all day every day, making them super affordable. Food is served all day, including options for children. The interiors are simple but comfortable. 

Prince of Peckham is a vibrant spot in South London. The exterior is covered in specially-commissioned street art and there's a lively vibe. A selection of affordable cocktails are available and there are happy hours most evenings to push the prices down even further. Food is also served and the venue hosts events like life drawing.

The Star of Bethnal Green looks like a typical boozer on the outside but step inside and you'll discover a lively contemporary space. This fun venue is known for its private karaoke room. Food and drinks are available, including an extensive choice of cocktails and mocktails. They're already affordable, but weekly offers on drinks make them even cheaper.

Riverside pub The Yacht is located in a narrow street in Greenwich. There's a strong maritime theme here with shades of blue, ropes, and flags. The bar serves a full choice of drinks, including spritzes and signature cocktails that come in at budget-friendly prices. Classic pub food is served and you're welcome to bring your kids and dog.