Prices of drink in the bars vs supermarkets - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

nedarb5 · 10-22-2005, 07:35 PM

So i was wondering around most of western europe what the average price you'll pay for a pint in an average city, and what would the price be for an average 6 pack of beer in a supermarket..........

Also are there really strict open liquor policies like in canada? Can you walk the street with a beer in your hand? Have a picnic with some wine or champagne? thx alot guys/gals i appreciate it

**bluepea** · 10-22-2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Also are there really strict open liquor policies like in canada? Can you walk the street with a beer in your hand? Have a picnic with some wine or champagne?

Sure can. You can go just about anywhere with a beer in tow.

The price really depends on the city and the type of establishment. London will be one of the most expensive places to drink in bars. The price in stores varies greatly too. In Ireland, it was about 2 euro for a pint of beer as opposed to a city in Spain where it was about .29c for about the equivalent of a 12 oz. I never really saw beer in W Europe in bars for less than 2.50-3 euro for a pint. Obviously in larger more touristy cities, it's going to be more expensive in bars, expecially in trendy high traffic areas.

**space virgin** · 10-23-2005, 01:05 AM

If beer is your poison, you'll have a much better time of it in Eastern Europe, my friend.

I indulged in some lovely Slovak and Czech beers (in Slovakia) that were under 1 USD *in the pubs*. Hell, they may have been less than 50 cents, I just don't remember.

**omisan** · 10-23-2005, 04:10 AM

I recall buying litres of San Miguel (GAG) and Kronenbourg (YAY) in Spain for 3€ at most bars, but only 1€if I ordered in Spanish...

It'll almost always be cheaper at grocery/convenience stores. Who was it that posted a pic of beer in Portugal for only a few cents a can? I typically bought pint cans in London for less than £1, whereas a pub pint typically cost me just under £3. Then you'd occasionally find a store that sells cartons of Stella for £5.. variances everywhere - just shop around a bit!

nedarb5 · 10-24-2005, 12:59 PM

the farthest east we are planning to go is the czech republic, and i've heard how cheap it can be there. And i really do enjoy the czech beers i can get my hands on here (mostly just pilsner urquell)

does ordering in the local language actualy make that much of a difference in europe? i remember in beijing they had a menu for english speaking whites, and then the seperate ones for te chinese. our interpreter told us that they usually hiked the prices up *2 but i didnt mind all that much as everything was still super cheap (including beer, which is cheaper then coke)

what about hard liquor? any large taxes imposed by the government like in canada?

i've done some research on the pubs and such in london and spain, finding pretty much the same prices everywhere with some good drink specials, suprisingly its the same as the bars in canada, and i thought we had high drink prices ehre

**MolsonGirl** · 10-24-2005, 01:38 PM

I was gonna say.. I hate all you lucky people who can buy booze in the supermarket... we need to go to the Beer Store or the LCBO.

**space virgin** · 10-24-2005, 09:01 PM

In Washington (state, not DC) we can buy beer & wine at the grocery/corner store until 2am, but hard alcohol is only sold at state-run liquor stores. It varies from store to store but the latest they'll stay open is 10pm, and even that is rare.

nedarb5 · 10-25-2005, 11:42 AM

its like that in quebec, but nowhere else. and in alberta we have a privatised liquor industry except the companies have to buy from a state run distributor. Private liquor = higher prices, if you go to one of the two provinces next door its cheaper, if you go to the south its soooo much cheaper. a 2-6 of cheap rum for 8 american (bout what 10 can?) is an amazing deal

**bluepea** · 10-25-2005, 11:54 AM

In Wisconsin, you can buy beer/alcohol anywhere. I never really thought that was weird, until I realized that that isn't the standard. Cut off for liquor is 9 pm and beer is 12 am which kind of sucks!

Haven't figured out the laws for Chicago/Illinois yet, but it seems to be pretty close to WI in the fact that you can get beer just about anywhere.

**elfmaiden** · 10-27-2005, 05:47 AM

Yeah, here in ontario I wouldn't walk down the street with open liquor. We do have to go to specific goverment stores to get our legalized drugs. HA HA. Oh man, I'm not a beer far, but Eastern Europe has made me appreciate it so MUCH MORE.

Nothing like cruising down the river with a bunch of new friends in a raft, stoppin' for beers on the beach when yer parched. Just lovely.

Here, well. I would just drink it at home or the bar etc....So much cheaper to but it at the LCBO rather than the bar still!

Jenn

nedarb5 · 10-27-2005, 12:12 PM

i wished they re-instated government control liquor stores, instead of the farce they have now, just a cheap version of privatised liquor stores. although we do have a better selection of beer out here then in provinces that are controlled.

Is there lots of opportunities for urban exploring while drunk without getting in that much shit? i read somewhere that the cops are pretty pissy. hope that isnt the case, all i want to do is wonder around a city with a case of beer in hand and meet new people and find some pretty sweet shit