How Much Is a Beer in NYC? Pint Prices in New York (2026)
Expect to pay about $9 for a 16 oz draft in Manhattan in 2026, against a US average of $6.52. Happy hour brings that down to around $6. Here's what we found across more than 60 New York bars.
NYC beer prices at a glance
| Price (16 oz) | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| US average | $6.52 | VinePair, Mar 2025–Mar 2026 |
| New York State average | $7.97 | VinePair |
| Manhattan average | $9.16 | VinePair |
| Middle of the NYC menus we checked | about $9 | ontap, Oct 2026 (half paid $7.50–$10) |
| Brooklyn menus we checked | about $6.85 | ontap, Oct 2026 |
| Typical happy-hour beer | $6 (often a 12 oz can or bottle) | ontap, Oct 2026 |
Watch the size: a lot of New York "pints" are 16 oz, some are 14 oz, and plenty of cheap deals are 12 oz cans. Our price per pint calculator makes it a fair fight.
Where to find a cheaper beer in New York
| Bar | Pint | Price | Seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Stumble Inn (UES) | Can of beer, happy hour list | $3 | Jun 2026 |
| Jeremy's Ale House | Coors Light, 32 oz | $9 | Jun 2026 |
| The Wingbar (Brooklyn) | Coors Light pitcher | $14 | Jul 2026 |
| Standings | Bud Light draft, 16 oz | $6 | Jul 2026 |
| The Kettle Black (Brooklyn) | Miller Lite draft, 16 oz | $6 | Oct 2026 |
| Harlem Tavern | Bud Light draft, 16 oz | $7 | Oct 2026 |
| McSorley's Old Ale House | Two mugs of light or dark ale | $8 | Oct 2026 |
Prices change all the time; tap the date to see each source.
Tips for drinking in NYC without the $12 pint
- Happy hours (usually 4–7pm) are where the deals are, especially at sports bars and dives.
- Outer-borough bars, especially in Brooklyn and Queens, usually beat Manhattan by a couple of dollars.
- Domestic lagers and house beers are cheapest; IPAs and imports usually add $2–4.
- Remember tax and tip: menu prices don't include the roughly $1–2 tip per drink.
How we got these numbers
In October 2026 we collected over 60 New York beer prices from bar menus and recent guides, recorded the size, source and date for each, and counted happy hour separately.
ontap is the free iPhone app for logging beers in one tap and seeing which friends are out.
Get ontap free on the App StoreFAQ
How much is a beer in NYC?
Around $9 for a 16 oz draft in Manhattan in 2026 (VinePair measured $9.16), less in Brooklyn and Queens, and about $6 at happy hour.
Is New York the most expensive US city for beer?
VinePair's 2026 report named New York (Manhattan) the most expensive beer city in the US.
Do I need to tip on beer in New York?
Yes, $1–2 per drink at the bar is standard.