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Get your buzz on for under 10 bucks
Was the tax fairy good to you this year? Whether you were blessed with a big ole refund or a bill for Uncle Sam, you could probably use a drink. Dive bars aren't the only places offering up discount libations. Here, for your drinking pleasure, is our updated list with 20 bars where you can find a quality cocktail for under $10.
Read MoreAny of the seasonal cocktails at this Lakeview tavern only cost $9, including the current favorite, Spiced Kessel Rum (86co. Cana Brava Rum, Domaine de Canton, cinnamon simple, lemon juice, clove tincture, and candied ginger).
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It's difficult to beat a classic. We're talking about the classic margarita, made with tequila Lunazul tequila, lime, and orange curacao. It, along with the paloma, only cost $9.
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Not only does Brando’s offer karaoke every day, but also has a dozen cocktails for under $10. These include a $6 gin fizz, $7 mint julep, and $8 margarita.
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Paul McGee's take on a cheap drink takes the shape of a highball. it currently features scotch, lemon, and ginger beer.
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Named after David Bowie's kimono designer for the Ziggy Stardust tour, Kansai Yamamoto, this $9 cocktail is made with Chicago's own Finn's gin, homemade hibiscus syrup, Tsukasabotan "Yamayuzu Shibori" citrus infused saké, and lemon juice.
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Looking for something on the stirred and stiff side? The house old fashioned clocks in at $9, with Buffalo Trace bourbon; cherry, orange, and Old Fashioned bitters; Demerara sugar; and citrus zest.
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One of the smallest bars in Chicago, at 462-square-feet, has some of the smallest prices of cocktails. Most of the signature call drinks, including the sidecar, are $9.50 every day.
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Once patio season arrives, pound as many negroni slushies as your heart desires. Each boozy and refreshing drink costs $9.
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When perusing the drink menu at this Anglo-Indian pub, there are many cheap options to be found, including four Royal Cups, each costing $9. Currently, these range from the #1 with gin, cucumber, and strawberry to the #3 made with rum, passionfruit, and cinnamon-menthi.
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From classic to contemporary, a glass of punch always costs $8. House favorites include the Milk Punch (cognac, whey, lemon, and nutmeg) and Space Juice for Jered (blanco tequila, grapefruit, lime, Luxardo bitter, black pepper, sparkling wine, and sage).
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On this ever-changing menu, one can always find a few standbys: A Swizzle (currently, the Swizzle #16 with Scofflaw Old Tom Gin, Atxa Blanco, grenadine, lime, Creole bitters, and mint) and $8 cocktails such as The High/Low, made with Reposado tequila, Malort, grapefruit, lime, soda, Peychaud’s bitters, and a green tea ice spear.
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Grab a bottled cocktail and then get onto the dance floor. The rainbow of $8 offerings include the tequila-based Clove & Hoof, gin-based Mr. Belding,, rum-filled Spring Fling, and scotch-y The Quickening.
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While the menu changes daily at this hot spot, one item stays the same and that's the Sportsman's cocktail — a booze blend of amaro for $8.
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With its taxidermy decor and live piano three nights a week, this bar may seem highbrow but they keep their prices low with $9 cocktails. Opt for a Maple Old Fashioned, Rob Roy, or Sazerac.
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Don't let the impressive canned beer selection distract you from the real star of the menu — the draft cocktails. This rotating selection of classics is served up or on the rocks for $8.
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One of the OG cocktail spots keeps things real and cheap with a menu of house cocktails ranging in price from $6-$10. On the dirt cheap side of things is the Wildcat, made with chai-infused bourbon, sweet vermouth, Génépy, lemon, and Angostura bitters.
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There's a new boozy slushie in town, and it goes by the name of the Bourbon Smash Slushie. For $8, sip on a frozen combination of Ezra Brooks, black tea, orange juice, lemonade, and mint simple syrup.
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Boozy citrus soda is the perfect accompaniment to a bowl of ramen. This Hyde Park noodle shop has also been known to put daiquiris, negronis, and Manhattans on draft too.
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This neighborhood gem on the North Side serves up three cocktails for $9. They include a Mezcal Mule, Cucumber Collins, and the Super Rad (CH Key Gin, Stiegl grapefruit radler, and Pür Likor elderflower liqueur).
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Inspired by the wall of fresh herbs located at each location, the Herb Wall is made with gin, basil, rosemary and mint muddled with freshly squeezed orange juice, ginger syrup and lime juice for $8.
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Any of the seasonal cocktails at this Lakeview tavern only cost $9, including the current favorite, Spiced Kessel Rum (86co. Cana Brava Rum, Domaine de Canton, cinnamon simple, lemon juice, clove tincture, and candied ginger).
It's difficult to beat a classic. We're talking about the classic margarita, made with tequila Lunazul tequila, lime, and orange curacao. It, along with the paloma, only cost $9.
Not only does Brando’s offer karaoke every day, but also has a dozen cocktails for under $10. These include a $6 gin fizz, $7 mint julep, and $8 margarita.
Paul McGee's take on a cheap drink takes the shape of a highball. it currently features scotch, lemon, and ginger beer.
Named after David Bowie's kimono designer for the Ziggy Stardust tour, Kansai Yamamoto, this $9 cocktail is made with Chicago's own Finn's gin, homemade hibiscus syrup, Tsukasabotan "Yamayuzu Shibori" citrus infused saké, and lemon juice.
Looking for something on the stirred and stiff side? The house old fashioned clocks in at $9, with Buffalo Trace bourbon; cherry, orange, and Old Fashioned bitters; Demerara sugar; and citrus zest.
One of the smallest bars in Chicago, at 462-square-feet, has some of the smallest prices of cocktails. Most of the signature call drinks, including the sidecar, are $9.50 every day.
Once patio season arrives, pound as many negroni slushies as your heart desires. Each boozy and refreshing drink costs $9.
When perusing the drink menu at this Anglo-Indian pub, there are many cheap options to be found, including four Royal Cups, each costing $9. Currently, these range from the #1 with gin, cucumber, and strawberry to the #3 made with rum, passionfruit, and cinnamon-menthi.
From classic to contemporary, a glass of punch always costs $8. House favorites include the Milk Punch (cognac, whey, lemon, and nutmeg) and Space Juice for Jered (blanco tequila, grapefruit, lime, Luxardo bitter, black pepper, sparkling wine, and sage).
On this ever-changing menu, one can always find a few standbys: A Swizzle (currently, the Swizzle #16 with Scofflaw Old Tom Gin, Atxa Blanco, grenadine, lime, Creole bitters, and mint) and $8 cocktails such as The High/Low, made with Reposado tequila, Malort, grapefruit, lime, soda, Peychaud’s bitters, and a green tea ice spear.
Grab a bottled cocktail and then get onto the dance floor. The rainbow of $8 offerings include the tequila-based Clove & Hoof, gin-based Mr. Belding,, rum-filled Spring Fling, and scotch-y The Quickening.
While the menu changes daily at this hot spot, one item stays the same and that's the Sportsman's cocktail — a booze blend of amaro for $8.
With its taxidermy decor and live piano three nights a week, this bar may seem highbrow but they keep their prices low with $9 cocktails. Opt for a Maple Old Fashioned, Rob Roy, or Sazerac.
Don't let the impressive canned beer selection distract you from the real star of the menu — the draft cocktails. This rotating selection of classics is served up or on the rocks for $8.
One of the OG cocktail spots keeps things real and cheap with a menu of house cocktails ranging in price from $6-$10. On the dirt cheap side of things is the Wildcat, made with chai-infused bourbon, sweet vermouth, Génépy, lemon, and Angostura bitters.
There's a new boozy slushie in town, and it goes by the name of the Bourbon Smash Slushie. For $8, sip on a frozen combination of Ezra Brooks, black tea, orange juice, lemonade, and mint simple syrup.
Boozy citrus soda is the perfect accompaniment to a bowl of ramen. This Hyde Park noodle shop has also been known to put daiquiris, negronis, and Manhattans on draft too.
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