Kinsey Donner considers $18 to be a “fair” price for drinks in New York, but to be honest, she feels like she’d pay just about anything.
“Drinks in New York are just expensive, and we’ve accepted it,” said the 28-year-old from Virginia who has called Manhattan home for two and a half years. It’s become her “new normal.”
New Yorkers generally feel that the value of things here is higher due to the expectations, which they claim are unmatched anywhere else.
A popular bar among locals charges around $23 for cocktails, yet Kinsey has gladly shelled out $30 for a martini at Bemel Man’s Bar without any regrets.
“I wanted the experience of the bar, plus they had live jazz, and it’s a venue that’s going to be around for a long time,” she explained.
Even with the outcry over prices, New Yorkers seem willing to open their wallets.
Interestingly, back in 2004, many were complaining about paying $14 for a Margarita, and now they feel pleased if a cocktail is under $15.
Jennifer Aiccarino, 56, felt it was worth spending $18 on an Aperol Splitz at Roddy in Rockefeller Center during her visit from Connecticut.
In 2004, people were vocal about drinks costing $20. Now, those prices are almost the norm.
In 2010, the average cocktail price was around $10.78; according to Zagat, while it was likely a bit higher in reality, it still wasn’t as steep as it is now.
At the Baccarat Hotel, the bar’s signature drink, the Baccarat Trouge, is a top pick and costs over $50. Patrons even frequently order a $60 martini served on a silver platter alongside oysters and caviar in an exclusive setting.
Marcelo Gigliani, 50, believes in spending a little more for good drinks in good company. He likes to treat himself now and then.
“There are times when you just want something affordable, and others when you’re okay paying $20 or $30 for a cocktail—especially in the right atmosphere,” he noted.
“Cocktails can serve different purposes, so pricing them can be tricky,” he added.
Jose Maria Donde, a beverage manager and mixologist at Bedford Stone Street, pointed out the small but significant factors that influence drink prices in New York City.
“Bars typically mark up drinks by about four to five times the production cost. So, if a cocktail costs $3 to make, expect to pay around $12 to $15,” he explained.
Current cocktails at his establishment range from $17 to $20.
“When you buy a cocktail, you’re not just paying for the ingredients; it’s the entire experience that goes with it,” Donde added.
Some patrons are ready to splurge on unique drinks, particularly if they can’t recreate them at home.
“I’m in it for the experience,” she shared.
However, not everyone is willing to spend high amounts on drinks. Ashley Stewart mentioned leaving a bar in Soho where espresso martinis were priced at $30-50. They didn’t even stay long enough to order.
Nick Smith, 30, feels starting prices of $13 for cocktails are too steep. He and his girlfriend Caroline Lee, 25, prefer the more reasonable drink prices in the Lower East Side.
On average, it seems that most folks in Manhattan are okay with spending between $15 and $20 on cocktails.
Chris Morales expressed that a fair price for a standard cocktail should hover around $15. He recently paid $21 at the Bryant Park Grill and thought that was a bit excessive. He once spent $50 on an old-fashioned and called it a “silly move.”
“It wasn’t worth it,” he admitted.
Some people are more discerning, like former restaurateur Darrell Maupin, who prefers to spend money on bottles at home rather than pay high prices for drinks out.
“I rarely dine out because it’s too expensive. I’d rather buy a bottle for $30 than spend the same on a single drink,” he concluded.
