6 Best Cheap Bars in the East Village, NYC
TL;DR
The best cheap bar in the East Village is FKA: Formerly Known As: $8 beer-and-shot combos all day, $1 oysters, no cover, arcade games. Lucy's, Holiday Cocktail Lounge, and 7B are the historic dives. KGB Bar and 11th Street Bar keep prices honest without the sticky-floor requirement.
The East Village has a long history as a hub for counter-culture and artistic movements, which fostered unpretentious, affordable bars. While gentrification has changed the landscape, a few holdouts remain where you can still get a drink without emptying your wallet.
If you are looking for cheap drinks in NYC or the best dive bars in Manhattan, you do not have to settle for watered-down well drinks. We believe you can drink affordably while still drinking well.
Here is our 2026 guide to the best cheap bars in the East Village, where the drinks are strong, the history is real, and the value is unbeatable.
Quick reference: best affordable bars in the East Village
If you want cheap drinks that are still good, start at FKA: Formerly Known As for the $8 beer and a shot. Lucy’s, Holiday Cocktail Lounge, and 7B are the historic dives. KGB Bar and 11th Street Bar fill in the map.
| Venue | The Deal | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| FKA: Formerly Known As | $8 beer & shot combo | 90s downtown grit |
| Lucy’s | $10 stiff drinks | Legendary neighborhood dive |
| Holiday Cocktail Lounge | Classic cocktails | Historic, dark, sticky-floored |
| KGB Bar | Affordable drinks | Literary and Soviet-themed |
| 11th Street Bar | $9 Guinness | Classic Irish pub |
| 7B (Horseshoe Bar) | Extensive draft beers | Iconic punk rock spot |
1. FKA: Formerly Known As
The Deal: $8 Beer and Shot Combos, $1 Oysters
We built FKA: Formerly Known As to be the kind of bar we actually want to drink in. That means the drinks have to be genuinely affordable.
Our signature is the $8 beer and shot combo. It is not a happy hour special; it is available all day, every day. We also serve $1 oysters continuously, making us one of the few places in Manhattan where a dozen oysters and a beer and a shot come to twenty dollars flat.
You can enjoy your cheap drinks while playing Big Buck Hunter or pinball at the front bar, all night, every night. It is proof that a budget-friendly NYC bar does not have to be a rundown dive.
- Address: 221 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003
- Vibe: Good Clean Filth.
- Best Paired With: A dozen $1 oysters from our raw bar.
2. Lucy’s
The Deal: Stiff, simple drinks around $10
Lucy’s is a legendary dive bar on Avenue A. It has survived neighborhood changes and even an ownership transition, managing to keep its original, unpretentious vibe intact.
There is no craft cocktail menu here. You come to Lucy’s for a strong mixed drink or a cold beer, served without fuss. It is a true neighborhood bar where locals gather, and the prices reflect that commitment to the community.
- Address: 135 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
- Vibe: Authentic, no-frills neighborhood dive.
3. Holiday Cocktail Lounge
The Deal: Affordable classic cocktails
Operating since 1950, the Holiday Cocktail Lounge is a piece of East Village history. It is famous for its dark interior, sticky floors, and a history of hosting everyone from punk rockers to poets.
While it underwent a renovation a few years ago, it maintained its classic dive bar soul and its reasonable prices. It is one of the best places in the neighborhood to get a properly made classic cocktail without paying premium prices.
- Address: 75 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003
- Vibe: Historic, dimly lit, and character-rich.
4. KGB Bar
The Deal: Cheap drinks and free literary events
KGB Bar is entirely unique. Housed in a building that was once a Ukrainian Labor Home, it leans heavily into a Soviet aesthetic, complete with propaganda posters.
Beyond the cheap drinks, the real value here is the entertainment. KGB Bar hosts legendary, free literary reading series, attracting grad students, authors, and literati. You get a cheap drink and a free show in one of the most distinctive rooms in the city.
- Address: 85 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003
- Vibe: Literary, artistic, and Soviet-themed.
5. 11th Street Bar
The Deal: $9 Guinness and affordable pub food
If your idea of a cheap bar is a classic Irish pub, 11th Street Bar is the destination. They pour an excellent pint of Guinness for $9, which is increasingly rare in lower Manhattan.
They also serve affordable pub food, like ham and cheese toasties, and frequently host live music with no cover charge. It is also the official home for the NYC Liverpool FC Supporters Club, making it a great, inexpensive spot to watch a match.
- Address: 510 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009
- Vibe: Warm, welcoming traditional Irish pub.
6. 7B (Horseshoe Bar / Vazacs)
The Deal: Extensive, reasonably priced draft beer selection
Located right on Tompkins Square Park, 7B (also known as Horseshoe Bar or Vazacs) has been operating since 1935. It was a central hub during the East Village punk era and has been featured in films and television shows.
The main draw is the massive horseshoe-shaped bar and the impressive selection of over 30 beers on tap. The prices remain fair, and the history is palpable in every scuffed wooden surface.
- Address: 108 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
- Vibe: Venerable, kitschy punk rock institution.
What makes a cheap bar in NYC worth going to
When searching for affordable drinks, distinguish between a good dive bar and a bad one.
- No Cover Charge. A true neighborhood bar should never charge you just to walk through the door.
- Consistent Pricing. The best cheap bars do not rely solely on happy hour. An $8 beer and shot combo should be available whether it is 5:00 PM or midnight.
- Atmosphere Over Polish. You are trading high-end decor for character and history. The worn floors and vintage jukeboxes are features, not bugs.
Whether you are looking for a historic punk rock hangout or just a reliable $8 beer and shot combo at FKA: Formerly Known As, the East Village remains the best neighborhood in Manhattan for drinking on a budget.
Ready for a drink? Come visit us at FKA: Formerly Known As at 221 2nd Avenue. $8 beer and shot combos, $1 oysters, and good clean filth. Click here for directions.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best dive bars in the East Village?
Legendary spots include Lucy's, 7B (Horseshoe Bar), and the Holiday Cocktail Lounge. For a modern take with arcade games and $8 beer-and-shot combos, FKA: Formerly Known As is a top choice.
Where can I find cheap drinks in NYC's East Village?
FKA: Formerly Known As offers an $8 beer and shot combo all day. KGB Bar and 11th Street Bar also offer very reasonable prices for the neighborhood.
Are there any bars in the East Village with no cover charge?
Yes. Almost all true dive bars and neighborhood spots, including FKA: Formerly Known As, Lucy's, and 7B, do not charge a cover.
How much is a beer and a shot in the East Village?
FKA: Formerly Known As the beer-and-shot combo is $8 all day, every day, not a happy-hour special. A dozen $1 oysters plus that combo is $20. Historic dives nearby will still pour a stiff well drink for around $10.
Are cheap East Village bars still open late?
FKA: is open 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. every day. Many neighborhood dives run similarly late. If last call matters, confirm hours the day you go.