Brits are being urged to rethink where – and even what – they drink after the average cost of a pint surged again across the UK.
New figures show the average pint now costs £5.34, up 17p compared to last year, while some London venues are charging a staggering £10 or more for a beer.
But one money-saving expert says there are simple ways pubgoers can slash the cost of a night out – without giving up the local altogether.
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Vix Leyton, a consumer expert at ThinkMoney, says choosing the right pub, changing what you order and even skipping rounds can make a major difference over the course of a year.
She warned that rising pint prices are changing the way many Brits socialise.
“Pint prices have become a real postcode lottery in the UK,” Vix said.
“In some parts of the north, you can still find a pint for around £3, while in parts of London and the south east, people are paying more than double that for exactly the same drink and atmosphere.
“The problem is that people don’t experience inflation through percentages, they experience it through moments.
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“And one of those moments is looking at the card machine after buying a round and realising four drinks is suddenly nudging £30.”
According to data published by the Morning Advertiser, London remains the most expensive region in the UK for beer at £6.55 a pint on average, while the north east is the cheapest at £4.90.
Some of the UK’s cheapest pints can still reportedly be found in places such as Doncaster and Bradford, where prices sit around £3.25.
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At the other end of the scale, luxury bars in Mayfair are now selling pints for as much as £11.
Vix said the rising cost of drinking is also changing habits among younger adults.
“You can already see the knock-on effect this is having on drinking culture, particularly among younger adults,” she said.
“A lot of Gen Z aren’t necessarily rejecting alcohol altogether – they’re becoming more strategic about how they drink.”
The expert shared six key ways Brits can still cut the cost of pub trips.
One of the biggest savings comes from simply changing venue.
“A pub in a side street, a social club or a pub without a food menu will almost always be cheaper than a gastropub or city centre bar,” she explained.
“In London especially, moving one street away from a tourist area can halve the price of the same beer.”
She also recommends ditching premium lager in favour of standard beer or cask ale.
The research found the average premium lager now costs £5.94, while standard lager sits at £4.89. Greene King IPA was named the cheapest pint overall at £4.26, while Asahi ranked as the most expensive at £6.89.
Other ways to save include eating before going out instead of ordering pub food and setting a cash fixed budget for the evening.
Skipping rounds and buying drinks individually is another tip that keeps you in control of your money, according to Vix.
Meanwhile, looking for discounted pub gift cards and cashback deals is a must.
Vix added that many drinkers are also turning to supermarket alcohol and cheaper alternatives before heading out.
“When buying a round starts feeling like a financially irresponsible decision, it inevitably changes behaviour,” she said.
“The danger is that we slowly price people out of community spaces without really acknowledging it.
“Pubs have always been about more than drinking – they’re where people meet partners, catch up with mates, celebrate birthdays and maintain social connection.”
The warning comes as the British Beer and Pub Association says two pubs are closing every day across the UK amid rising energy bills, higher National Insurance contributions and increased wholesale costs from brewers.
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