Updated: August 13, 2026
It’s not always fun to admit, but it must be said: Not everyone wants to spend upwards of $12 on a cocktail.
Listen, I get it. You get what you pay for, especially when it comes to cocktails. But sometimes, you just want to go out and escape from the bar without breaking the bank.
When I started this quest, I actually had a $7 limit, but I felt like it didn’t really offer a variety I was looking for, so I bumped up the limit to $10. I could have included happy hours or special days, but let’s be real. Sometimes your plans are late at night or on a weekend and drink specials are few and far between.
So for the budget-conscious individuals out there, here are 5 delicious cocktails you can get around Columbus for $10 or less.
| Bar | Drink | Price | Neighborhood |
| Condado Tacos | House Margarita | $9 | Multiple locations |
| Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace | Mule Never Take Me Alive! | $6 | Downtown |
| Antiques on High | Phô Mama | $10 | Brewery District |
| Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails | Bottoms Up | $3 | Downtown |
| Char Bar | Long Island Iced Tea | $9 | Short North |
Condado Tacos | House Margarita | $9
Get back to the simpler things in life. Nothing fancy here, just a delicious and dependable margarita.
Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace | Mule Never Take Me Alive! | $6
The spicy Bloody Mary from the first version of this list is gone, but the drink menu is still stacked with $6 and $7 originals. The Mule Never Take Me Alive! is spicy ginger beer with your choice of whiskey or OYO vodka, served chilled. Add a Chicago dog and the whole night runs about $12.
Antiques on High | Phô Mama | $10
The coffee cocktail this list used to recommend is up to $12 now, but the Phô Mama holds the line at $10. Reposado tequila infused with phô spices, plus lime, ginger syrup, and a cilantro tincture. Strange on paper, very easy to drink on their patio.
Tip Top | Bottoms Up | $3
The Bottom’s Up is the cheapest drink on our list, and also one of the most simple. Old Crow Whiskey, RC Cola, and a cherry are all you’ll need to cure your Wednesday blues. Or any day blues.
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Char Bar | Long Island Iced Tea | $9
Char Bar keeps things old school at the downtown end of High Street, and the $9 Long Island is the order regulars point to first. It’s the opposite of a craft cocktail, and that’s the appeal. One is plenty.
