Have you seen today’s wine lists? We’re talking $15 cocktails and $18 wines-by-the-glass, and not even beer is safe from this crazy inflation. Those fabulous, high-alcohol-content craft beers are bumping up prices even as they shrink the size of glasses. It’s tough out there, but the good news is that the spots below serve great food and carefully crafted drinks for about what you’d pay for a run-of-the-mill buzz. Cheers!
Gleason’s
$10 and under cocktails
Generally, a $10 cocktail buys you bottom-shelf booze. Maybe it’s blended with sour mix from a soda gun and some unspeakable, chemical-flavored Schnapps, but, generally, we’re talking a low-rent drink. At Gleason’s, star barman Jason Schuler is shaking up the usual math with $10 and under cocktails that use boutique and locally distilled spirits. Schuler blends the Gleason’s cocktails with his own homemade sodas and organic bitters (which he markets under his Drink More Good label). With the money left over, you could even split a pizza—our fave is the sustaining “Sausage and Rabe” made with Birdsall House pork sausage, broccoli rabe, and Grana Padano ($18).
911 South St, Peekskill, (914) 402-1950; gleasons-peekskill.net
The Craftsman Ale House
Kill the Keg parties
If you’re looking for a cheap buzz, what you want is a motivated seller—and Harrison’s The Craftsman Ale House happens to be just that. The eight rotating taps need to turn over quickly; that’s why, one day per week, they’ll discount those beers until the taps runs dry. Look for Saturday nights’ epic “Kill the Keg” parties, where you can drink $3 servings of craft beer until the keg runs out. Amazingly, even after two drinks, your $20 still affords the $12 The Craftsman burger, 8 ounces of Angus beef with bacon, cheddar, and caramelized onions with your choice of onion rings or french fries.
235 Harrison Ave, Harrison, (914) 630-7484; craftsmanalehouse.com
Captain Lawrence Brewing Company
12 samples, $10 tasting room
Along with that motivated seller, you also want to see a volume discount when you’re looking for a cheap buzz. At Captain Lawrence Brewing Company’s Tasting Room, you can snag 12 samples of carefully crafted beer for just $10. That means you’ll be able to taste everything currently on tap, and, with the 10-spot left over, you still can snag a locally-made Village Dog weenie, conveniently vended onsite.
444 Saw Mill River Rd, Elmsford, (914) 741-2337; captainlawrencebrewing.com
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