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Dino's Grotto

D.C.'s Cheap Cocktails: Where to Find Drinks Under $10

These cocktails won't break the bank.

by Travis Mitchell@travisjmitchell Oct 15, 2015, 10:00am EDT

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Dino's Grotto

| R. Lopez

by Travis Mitchell@travisjmitchell Oct 15, 2015, 10:00am EDT

Cocktails these days often cost as much as a first course at a restaurant. It's not uncommon to drop over $12 on a single drink in D.C. With those prices, bar tabs can add up quickly.

Sure, it's easy enough to find dive bars slinging cheap rail liquor or restaurants offering happy hour specials. But aside from that, getting a well-crafted cocktail at a reasonable price is extremely difficult.

Thankfully, there are several spots were thirsty patrons can get a quality drink for under $10 – which, sad as it is, is a bargain in this city. Here are 15 to check out:

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Bar Charley

A pair of rotating draft tiki cocktails are just $7.95 all day and night. Classic drinks, including the Old Fashioned and the Sazerac, sell for $8.95.

1825 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

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Burger Tap & Shake Foggy Bottom

Wash down a burger with a boozy ice cream "shaketail." There are several varieties to choose from and each is just $8. The Apocalypto uses cinnamon whiskey, marshmallows and chocolate ice cream. There's also Talladega Nights, a shake with sweet tea vodka, homemade limoncello, vanilla ice cream and lemon juice. The only drawback? They must be enjoyed in-house.

2200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20052

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Cactus Cantina

This popular and kid-friendly Tex-Mex spot serves regular, frozen or strawberry-lime swirl margaritas for $7.50 a glass.

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3300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

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Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

The standard mojito at this well-themed Cuban restaurant runs just $9.25. Additions can be made to up the flavor and the price.

801-A 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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Daikaya

The draft mule at this Japanese izakaya sells for $9. The $8 "Seasame Street" drink is a blend of shochu, ginger beer, yuzu and Angostura bitters. Sake bomb dai-drops are $7 each.

705 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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Dino's Grotto

Start off an Italian meal at this cozy Shaw restaurant with a classic and refreshing Aperol spritz for just $9.

1914 9th ST NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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GBD (Golden Brown Delicious)

This doughnut and fried chicken joint always has a selection of house punches on hand for $8 a glass. Among the current options is the a concoction called Tarragon With the Wind, made with mixed berry-infused rum, lemon, Egyptian chamomile and tarragon.

1323 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

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Gringos & Mariachis

House margaritas at this lively Mexican spot are $8. For $7, try the Calmate – a cocktail of silver tequila, lime and house-made grenadine.

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4928 Cordell Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

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Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro

The Chinatown location of this pizza chain slings dark and stormy cocktails for $8 each. There's also the $8 lemon quencher, made with sweet tea vodka and lemonade.

713 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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Also featured in:

Olivia's Diner

This new modern diner has a couple of $9 cocktails, including The Ryan, which mixes whiskey, triple sec, simple syrup and ginger ale. Or try The Twins, a blend of Malibu rum, vodka, and pineapple and cranberry juices.

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1120 19th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

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Petworth Citizen & Reading Room

Swing by and sip from the rotating daily punch bowl for just $6 a glass.

829 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C. 20011

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Roofers Union

If a standard glass of beer just doesn't cut it, stop by Roofer's Union for a hop-tail. Order the Tear the Roof off, which blends Stiegl Radler and Campari. Or, go with the Here Comes the Sun, a mix of Port City Optimal Wit, Jim Beam, ginger syrup and lemon.

2446 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

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Also featured in:

The Fainting Goat

The creative punches here "pack a punch" at the reasonable price of $8. The punch bahia is a blend of cacacha, white rum, guava, passion fruit and guarana soda.

1330 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

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The Queen Vic

This H Street bar features several unique beer cocktails. Examples include a a blend of hard cider, blueberry vodka and Sprite for $7.27. Or splurge on a combo of IPA and St. Germain liqueur or a Jameson shandy for $8.18.

1206 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

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Also featured in:

Tryst

This cafe serves up warm Irish coffees for just $6 each. Be sure to check the seasonal cocktail list as well— there are always a few other very affordable options available.

Open in Google Maps

2459 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

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Bar Charley

1825 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

A pair of rotating draft tiki cocktails are just $7.95 all day and night. Classic drinks, including the Old Fashioned and the Sazerac, sell for $8.95.

1825 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Burger Tap & Shake Foggy Bottom

2200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20052

Wash down a burger with a boozy ice cream "shaketail." There are several varieties to choose from and each is just $8. The Apocalypto uses cinnamon whiskey, marshmallows and chocolate ice cream. There's also Talladega Nights, a shake with sweet tea vodka, homemade limoncello, vanilla ice cream and lemon juice. The only drawback? They must be enjoyed in-house.

2200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20052

Visit Website

Cactus Cantina

3300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

This popular and kid-friendly Tex-Mex spot serves regular, frozen or strawberry-lime swirl margaritas for $7.50 a glass.

Open in Google Maps

3300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Visit Website

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

801-A 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

The standard mojito at this well-themed Cuban restaurant runs just $9.25. Additions can be made to up the flavor and the price.

801-A 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Daikaya

705 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

The draft mule at this Japanese izakaya sells for $9. The $8 "Seasame Street" drink is a blend of shochu, ginger beer, yuzu and Angostura bitters. Sake bomb dai-drops are $7 each.

705 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Dino's Grotto

1914 9th ST NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Start off an Italian meal at this cozy Shaw restaurant with a classic and refreshing Aperol spritz for just $9.

1914 9th ST NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

GBD (Golden Brown Delicious)

1323 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

This doughnut and fried chicken joint always has a selection of house punches on hand for $8 a glass. Among the current options is the a concoction called Tarragon With the Wind, made with mixed berry-infused rum, lemon, Egyptian chamomile and tarragon.

1323 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Visit Website

Gringos & Mariachis

4928 Cordell Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

House margaritas at this lively Mexican spot are $8. For $7, try the Calmate – a cocktail of silver tequila, lime and house-made grenadine.

Open in Google Maps

4928 Cordell Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

Visit Website

Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro

713 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

The Chinatown location of this pizza chain slings dark and stormy cocktails for $8 each. There's also the $8 lemon quencher, made with sweet tea vodka and lemonade.

713 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Olivia's Diner

1120 19th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

This new modern diner has a couple of $9 cocktails, including The Ryan, which mixes whiskey, triple sec, simple syrup and ginger ale. Or try The Twins, a blend of Malibu rum, vodka, and pineapple and cranberry juices.

Open in Google Maps

1120 19th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Visit Website

Petworth Citizen & Reading Room

829 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C. 20011

Swing by and sip from the rotating daily punch bowl for just $6 a glass.

829 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C. 20011

Visit Website

Roofers Union

2446 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

If a standard glass of beer just doesn't cut it, stop by Roofer's Union for a hop-tail. Order the Tear the Roof off, which blends Stiegl Radler and Campari. Or, go with the Here Comes the Sun, a mix of Port City Optimal Wit, Jim Beam, ginger syrup and lemon.

2446 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

The Fainting Goat

1330 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

The creative punches here "pack a punch" at the reasonable price of $8. The punch bahia is a blend of cacacha, white rum, guava, passion fruit and guarana soda.

1330 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

The Queen Vic

1206 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

This H Street bar features several unique beer cocktails. Examples include a a blend of hard cider, blueberry vodka and Sprite for $7.27. Or splurge on a combo of IPA and St. Germain liqueur or a Jameson shandy for $8.18.

1206 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Tryst

2459 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

This cafe serves up warm Irish coffees for just $6 each. Be sure to check the seasonal cocktail list as well— there are always a few other very affordable options available.

Open in Google Maps

2459 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

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