The craft beer renaissance has brought along (delicious) brews that rival cocktails for their place on the bill. If a really well-crafted ale is what you’re after, we’ve gone over our favorite places to indulge one’s inner beer nerd. Today, though, we’re talking about the places we head in D.C. (and one in Silver Spring) when all that matters is the cost. We’ll spare you the tiresome debate about whether or not they are real dive bars, and just get to it.
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FROGGY BOTTOM PUB: A reliable hangout for George Washington University students looking for late night grub and cheap beer, the establishment has undergone a bit of a facelift since it moved to its current location. Gone are the wobbly tables in a dimly lit basement crowded with boisterous students sipping from plastic cups. But the one mainstay that made Froggy popular with college students still remains—Froggy Bottom Pub Amber Ale. The flagship ale still goes for $5 dollars a pint and $15 dollars for a pitcher; the same prices apply for Miller Light and Yeungling Lager. The Froggy Bottom ale has a caramel malt sweetness with only mild hops flavor, but it is strong stuff. Perfect for the penny-pinching grad student.—Nathan Wilkinson
Froggy Bottom is located at 2121 K Street NW.
ATLAS ARCADE: While this may not be the cheap beer destination you were thinking of, hear me out: where else can you grab a Natty Boh and play Pac-Man? The arcade, tucked underneath Church & State on H Street, is the perfect place to grab a Natty or Yuengling, some quarters, and revisit the games of your youth. For those who want a slightly elevated imbibing experience, Fat Tire and Atlas Rowdy are on draft —or there’s usually a mixed cocktail housed in big containers behind the bar. Wiling away the time while waiting to get into at H street restaurant? You and your companions could argue over the Simpsons video game while drinking on the cheap.—Elizabeth Traynor
Atlas Arcade is located at 1236 H Street NE.
Photo by anokarina
RED DERBY: For the can enthusiasts—and only the can enthusiasts—there is a clear choice. The choices are many, the prices are low (plus everything is $1 less during happy hour), and the beer list is well-curated. But don’t come here looking for a single tap or credit card reader.—Rachel Sadon, from a previous list
The Red Derby is located at 3718 14th Street NW.
EAT AT NATIONAL PLACE: It’s an unusual choice, but the pizza place inside the food court at 13th and F NW downtown has 32-ounce beers for cheap, starting at 3 p.m.: $3 for Bud and Bud Light or $4 for imports. The pizza is average (garlic knots are tasty, though) and the ambiance is rather lacking, but if you need a few big, cheap beers while downtown, it’s a good option.—Andrew Wiseman
eat at National place is located at 13th & F Street NW
IVY AND CONEY: This Shaw neighborhood bar touts their “cheap food, cheap booze, even cheaper company.” Those homesick for the Midwest, both the sports teams and beer prices, will be right at home. Plus, you can practically make a meal out of the free peanuts (ok, fine, that’s a stretch … but you can get an inexplicable sense of satisfaction from throwing the shells on the floor).—Rachel Sadon
Ivy and Coney is located at 1537 7th Street NW.
THE BIG HUNT: If you can get past the crowd and silly safari theme, a wide variety of drinks—most of which won’t break the bank—await at this Dupont mainstay. There’s some decent stuff on draft, but for the less discerning, there are a couple of house brews that come in at $4.50. And in Dupont, that is about as cheap as they come.—Rachel Sadon
The Big Hunt is located at 1345 Connecticut Avenue NW
QUARRY HOUSE TAVERN: Even a terrible fire couldn’t keep this indomitable Silver Spring spot down and out for long; they temporarily relocated to the old Piratz Tavern space. Enjoy the “Beericulum Vitae” without fear of having to go into more student debt.—Rachel Sadon
Quarry House is located at 8402 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring
Photo by Andrew
THE RAVEN GRILL: There’s nothing fancy happening at The Raven and regulars take fierce pride in that fact. There’s no taps, no credit card readers, and no food that isn’t served in a bag. It’s also one of the few places where one can swig three drinks for less than $10. Pick up a pupusa at a nearby establishment and park yourself down for an eminently affordable evening.—Rachel Sadon
The Raven Grill is located at 3125 Mt. Pleasant Street NW.
THE CODMOTHER: One of the city’s best combo deals can be found at this U Street pub. For $6, one can get a PBR, Natty Boh, or Genesee Cream Ale paired with a side of mystery whiskey.—Travis Mitchell, from a previous article
The Codmother is located at 1334 U Street NW.
D.C. NATIONAL MALL KIOSKS: I know, I know, every Washingtonian worth her salt is supposed to avoid the National Mall, especially during the tourist insanity that is the Cherry Blossom Festival. But these snack kiosks, normally the refuge of the inedible and expensive, somehow manage to have prices for draft beer that rival even the diviest of dive bars. For $3.95 you’ll get a cup of beer to sip within the confines of the gates as you enjoy some of the best people-watching D.C. has to offer.—Rachel Kurzius
There are multiple kiosks located on the National Mall.
BREWERIES: If you haven’t done so already, check out one of the breweries that have popped up in recent years. Tours often include tastings and deals at in-house taprooms can make for an inexpensive, and informative, afternoon. We’ve already made you a map.
*Note: You still have a few days left to get to Millie and Al’s.
