Between the sober curious movement and Gen Z’s supposed predilection for the mocktail over the cocktail, it stands to reason that drink tabs are down among health-conscious consumers in the borough. Or is it just that the cost of a strong cocktail in this city has become so outrageous that fewer people are running bar tabs? Fortunately, here in Brooklyn, there are plenty of places to get a few good, inexpensive, dare we say, in some cases even cheap, drinks without alarming your bank account.
We’ve rounded up nine of the best affordable bars to settle in for a cocktail, mocktail, glass of wine, or pint of beer right now.
Courtesy of Halyards
Halyards
406 3rd Ave.
Back in the day, this Gowanus watering hole was the spot for watch parties of all denominations. These days, the chill, unassuming corner bar on 3rd Avenue has plenty to pair with a handsomely priced $15 cocktail, such as the Pedros Mezcal (mezcal, strawberry, lime, rhubarb bitters) or the Paper Plane (bourbon, Aperol, amaro, lemon). And the programming is still kicking, with the Bitches Brew Comedy Show on Fridays at 8:30 p.m, and, starting next week, a trusty set of screens for all those damn World Cup matches.
Courtesy of Brookvin
Brookvin
381 7th Ave.
There are few things worse than a stingy wine pour. Well, we can think of one: a stingy wine pour that costs upwards of $25, before tax and tip! At Brookvin, which has long had one of Park Slope’s juiciest happy hours, including an insanely delicious mac and cheese (a mere eight bucks during happy hour when a select few glasses of wine are $10), and gently priced glasses throughout the cozy wine bar’s opening hours.
Courtesy of Whoopsie Daisy
Whoopsie Daisy
225 Rogers Ave.
Fancy a classic cocktail? How about a martini or a Manhattan? Make it straight up for $15 at this charming wine bar in Crown Heights with a James Beard-nominated bartender behind a selection of vermouth cocktails starting at $11 and many enticing by-the-glass wine options, all under $19 but most hovering around $14. Oh, and if you aren’t quite ready to go home but don’t want to commit to another full martini, order the two-sipper. For $8, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal in town. The “boozeless” choices are pleasantly priced, too.
Courtesy of Mockingbird
Mockingbird
213 7th Ave.
There’s something special about an all-day cafe that transitions into more of a lounge vibe at night. This zero-proof cocktail bar opened its doors in January 2025, just in time to take advantage of the “dry” January craze. Like a classy booze-full cocktail menu, Mockingbird’s contains not only a thorough, itemized inventory of each drink’s ingredients but also an illustration of the type of vessel they’re served in. Try “The Cucumber & the Frog,” made with Mad Flora Ophelia, cucumber, lime, and tonic for $14; it’s served in a rocks glass.
Courtesy of Wild East Brewing Company
Wild East Brewing Company
623 Sackett St.
With the exception of a few rare or limited-run beers, you can generally sip a cold brew in Brooklyn at a reasonable price. Even at nicer restaurants, a bottle of beer is going to cost you a lot less than a glass of wine or a spirits-based sipper. But even the good stuff, i.e., locally brewed craft beer, is a heck of a lot cheaper than other alcoholic options, and we love the suds at this Gowanus Brewery. The Wild East Lager, a classic American lager ($7 for 14 ounces), can be enhanced with two ounces of Faccia Brutto Aperitivo, a herbaceous Brooklyn-made amari ($13 for the unexpected concoction).
Courtesy of The Cat
The Cat
1238 Prospect Ave.
This recently opened speakeasy-style spot on Prospect Avenue, in the lovely former residence of Della Restaurant in Windsor Terrace, doesn’t have a full liquor license yet, but the wine and beer options are gently priced and go down easy with the spot’s regularly scheduled live music. A recent wine specials board included a $12 glass of Torrontes (a native Argentinian grape), a $14 orange wine from Greece, and a can of Down East Cider for six bucks.
Courtesy of Abilene
Abilene
442 Court St.
“The Blue Place on the Corner” of Court Street and 3rd Place has outdoor seating and tons of great, reasonably priced cocktails. Classics with a small spin, such as the pomegranate cosmo and the black Manhattan, are $14 and $15, respectively, but arrive during happy hour, and the menu’s three distinct mules are just $11. Essential for Brooklyn’s hot and sticky weather are frozen drinks, of which Abilene has your choice of frozen margarita, strawberry frozé, or a little bit of both in a choice of 12 or 16-ounce pours ($13 and $16).
Courtesy of Trees Lounge
Trees Lounge
188 Prospect Park West
If you’ve ever been to a movie at The Nitehawk in Park Slope, you may be familiar with Trees Lounge, the bar on the second floor of the restored movie theater. It doesn’t just serve drinks for people heading in from Prospect Park to see the latest A24 film—it’s actually a pretty sweet place (with a reliably great movie trivia night) to hang out regardless of whether you’re catching a screening. Signature cocktails are gently priced, and even the standalone spirits, if you’re in the mood for something extra potent, won’t produce sticker shock.
Courtesy of Bearded Lady
Bearded Lady
686A Washington Ave.
None of the cocktails at this cheery space in prime Prospect Heights are over $18, but many are a few dollars less than that. The range of choices is impressive and also sometimes cryptic, as in the $5 Eye Opener (“don’t ask,” the menu reads). However, we might be happiest here with a shandy, that summer-vibes drink of light beer, juice, and soda, as we people-watch for hours.
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