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Dino's Grotto
Dino's Grotto
R. Lopez

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

These cocktails won't break the bank.

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Dino's Grotto
| R. Lopez

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

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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.

Burger Tap & Shake Foggy Bottom

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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.

Cactus Cantina

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

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

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

Daikaya

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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.

Dino's Grotto

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

GBD (Golden Brown Delicious)

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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.

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Gringos & Mariachis

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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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Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro

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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.

Olivia's Diner

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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.

Petworth Citizen & Reading Room

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

Roofers Union

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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.

The Fainting Goat

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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.

The Queen Vic

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Cactus Cantina

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

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.

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.

Dino's Grotto

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

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.

Official

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.

Eater.com

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.

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.

Petworth Citizen & Reading Room

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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