Cheap Beer

OK, where are the best Beer deals in town? BooBar has $2.50 cans/$3 bottles and Chango's HAD $1 drafts. I want to drink but not spend a fortune! Help me out........

85 pesos for 8 Tecate light at any expendio.........

Thanks Russ,
Actually, that I know.... I'm talking bar and or restaurant.

I was just kidding I knew what you meant. JJ's is 2.75 a beer. I think for sit down cantinas it is all about the same price. I am not sure what the draft cost at Capones or Bryans but probably not a buck. I was at Sir Vezas 2 weeks ago in Tucson, not a great place but the 12 oz drafts were 5 bucks a piece, so any of the places here are a deal.

not sure what kind of beer you drink. At the reef bar, I have took a liking to the $2 Indio's. I'm not sure what the price is at other bars or if its sold in the stores. But a good likeness to Pacifico.

I have to agree with you Steve, the price of beer is typical for tourist traps. JJ's is also over priced for a bar where you are not served and no A\C. Go off the beaten path and you can find some good deals. Don't look to Russ for any help when it comes to saving any money as he is all about reaching in to your pocket too and telling you what a great deal you just got compared to in the U.S.

AZ Miguel said:

I have to agree with you Steve, the price of beer is typical for tourist traps. JJ's is also over priced for a bar where you are not served and no A\C. Go off the beaten path and you can find some good deals. Don't look to Russ for any help when it comes to saving any money as he is all about reaching in to your pocket too and telling you what a great deal you just got compared to in the U.S.

Thanks Miguel you would almost think you know me or something......not!

I didn't really say "jackass" did I?

I have got to get a better forum self editor............

Bryans had $1-1.50 draft Indios on Thurs or Fridays.

I would recommend Bryans as they have A\C, great service and a prime rib special too. The cocoanut shrimp are also to die for.

SteveClark1000 said:

OK, where are the best Beer deals in town? BooBar has $2.50 cans/$3 bottles and Chango's HAD $1 drafts. I want to drink but not spend a fortune! Help me out........

It can seem expensive at $3 a beer. I know because my mind sometimes has me back in the 80's at $1 beer. But if you inflate at a mere 3% over 25-30 years, you are looking at a 2.50 - 3.00 beer in today's dollars.

Cases of Pacifico in bottles from the distributor are around $26, net about $20 if you return them for your deposit. So, a 'wholesale' beer is close to $1 a piece when purchased in a case or a six pack. That is without overhead as previously mentioned, such as a/c, servers, view, rent, etc.

I know when we used to get $1 beers back in the day, not very many places had a/c.

If you think about it, if you paid $3 bucks a beer or $1 more per beer than what you deemed reasonable and it was over a sitting of 4-5 beers, you might be out an extra 5 bucks. Big deal. You will probable have a/c and be looking over the water.

Now, if you are planning to drink a 12 pack at the bar, over a 3-4 day stint, I would suggest you change your game plan, go get a couple cases, and drink it from your casa.

Drink at home, while in Mexico, it saves $$ but you miss out on watching other people be silly and have fun at the same time.

Where is Bryans ? We usually hangout at the oldport and stay at San Rafael RV park.

Tarboy54 said:

Where is Bryans ? We usually hangout at the oldport and stay at San Rafael RV park.

I'd like to find this place too. Always like to try new places

Bryans is on Blvd Freemont and is the last cantina you will come to if you are going to Las Conchas. Ir is in the same building as REMAX reality and is a fun place to be.

It's on Freemont about 2 blocks from the Pemex at the Las Conchas entrance. It's a great spot with A/C and many LCD TV's.

So its on Freemont before you get the turn off for Los Conchas?

Yes, and the prime rib is yummy! It's only on Friday night. Go around 6 to order as when they run out, that's it. They start bringing it out at 7.... Don't forget to pick me up on the way.......:-)

mexicoruss said:

I was just kidding I knew what you meant. JJ's is 2.75 a beer. I think for sit down cantinas it is all about the same price. I am not sure what the draft cost at Capones or Bryans but probably not a buck. I was at Sir Vezas 2 weeks ago in Tucson, not a great place but the 12 oz drafts were 5 bucks a piece, so any of the places here are a deal.

I go to Sir Vezas Happy Hour and after 9,the price of a 24 oz Dos XX's is 4 dollars, way better than a dive bar!

playaperro said:

I go to Sir Vezas Happy Hour and after 9,the price of a 24 oz Dos XX's is 4 dollars, way better than a dive bar!

I'm in bed at 9:00 pm so I guess that won't work for me.

playaperro said:

I go to Sir Vezas Happy Hour and after 9,the price of a 24 oz Dos XX's is 4 dollars, way better than a dive bar!

Oh and I like bars where you can get a drink then go jump in the ocean for a swim....I guess I like dive bars.......

A/C and cheap beer, stay at your house in the states and go to frys. Bud Light $20 a thirty pack?

Hobie Vern said:

A/C and cheap beer, stay at your house in the states and go to frys. Bud Light $20 a thirty pack?

BUD LIGHT? :eek:

Asking for draft Indios in any Bar would be the best option, the bars I know they serve Draft beer are Bryan's, Chill-Out, OD's Bar and also Changos used to have Draft beer too but.. changos is no more.

Someone started talking about Indio Beer. I found it at BevMo. Went there after work yesterday.
ICE COLD
I want to go back soon

tequilatodd said:

BUD LIGHT? :eek:

That's what I'm say'in, I'd rather sit in an unconditioned bar, drinkin Mexican beer, by the Sea Of Cortez, than stay at home drinkin Bud Light???

+1 on that. Bud products are headache beer for me. :(
But how do we talk Joe at JJ's to install A/C, so we can drink beer, look at the wonderful views from the patio and not sweat as much. LOL

Whenever I head to RP for the weekend, I always leave Phx Friday morning so I can have Prime Rib at Bryan's that night. I do bring beer down with me to drink at the pool during the day, but I do enjoy heading out in the evenings and hitting the local bar scene. Chango's was a favorite when it was popular, but over the last year or so it really deteriorated in many ways. When I was down at the end of May, it was so dead on Fri and Sat night that the band wouldn't play and walked out. We left too and headed down to the Reef. Hopefully "The Hut" will revive that location and it will be open when I come back down the first weekend in October.

You will love the new Hut and it will love you back.

mexicoruss said:

I was just kidding I knew what you meant. JJ's is 2.75 a beer. I think for sit down cantinas it is all about the same price. I am not sure what the draft cost at Capones or Bryans but probably not a buck. I was at Sir Vezas 2 weeks ago in Tucson, not a great place but the 12 oz drafts were 5 bucks a piece, so any of the places here are a deal.

The problem Gringo's make is comparing whatever, lets say a bear to the USA.....where a Joe Blow makes say $50K. We are getting ripped off in PP. A Tecate in Chihauhua is $28 pesos or $1.50.....so $2.75 is a rip off. Mexicans wont pay $2.75 (51 pesos).....So all of you vacationers, you are screwing it up for locals, as well as Americans living in PP.

Absolutely right, Ron. Maybe the vacationers ought to go someplace else where they won't screw it up for the rest.

I buy my beer for about 8 pesos each....but I like going to places that serve beer so I am willing to pay for the overhead of sitting in a cool place.

mexicoruss said:

I buy my beer for about 8 pesos each....but I like going to places that serve beer so I am willing to pay for the overhead of sitting in a cool place.

Common, it's nice to sut at a bar and shoot the breeze......but not at $2.75 a beer. Aren't there any outlying place where 'Mexicans' go??? They wont pay $50 pesos for a beer.

Simple solution, buy it by the case and drink it on the beach, 24 count of Pacifico (16 to 1) 61 cents a bottle? Oh and you'll have to shell out another buck for a bag of ice. Hopefully that won't break the bank and you can enjoy your time in RP.

Ron Intilia said:

Common, it's nice to sut at a bar and shoot the breeze......but not at $2.75 a beer. Aren't there any outlying place where 'Mexicans' go??? They wont pay $50 pesos for a beer.

Try Lucky's Cantina on the Malecon. If you buy a bucket (6 beers) it is $2.00 a beer.

TICO-T said:

Try Lucky's Cantina on the Malecon. If you buy a bucket (6 beers) it is $2.00 a beer.

I don't know Tico, sounds a little steep:rolleyes:

TICO-T said:

Try Lucky's Cantina on the Malecon. If you buy a bucket (6 beers) it is $2.00 a beer.

Problem is that all these cheap beers are 355ml. Not a real beer in my estimation

Ron Intilia said:

The problem Gringo's make is comparing whatever, lets say a bear to the USA.....where a Joe Blow makes say $50K. We are getting ripped off in PP. A Tecate in Chihauhua is $28 pesos or $1.50.....so $2.75 is a rip off. Mexicans wont pay $2.75 (51 pesos).....So all of you vacationers, you are screwing it up for locals, as well as Americans living in PP.

First off, almost every luxury you have in PP is because of the 1.5 million vacationers per year and all the money they add to the economy down there.

Supply and demand is as alive and well in PP as it is in NYC. Go enjoy a bottle of Coors Light in NYC for $12 per bottle!

You should probably try a nice little dive in Sonoyta. I bet you could find your Tacate there for a 1.50. You may even get lucky and get a view over that lovely Sonoyta river. Instead of having an ocean view of the Sea of Cortez, nice breeze and all, you can save $1.25 and enjoy some gas fumes in Sonoyta.

Caborca is an option also.

rplarry said:

First off, almost every luxury you have in PP is because of the 1.5 million vacationers per year and all the money they add to the economy down there.

Supply and demand is as alive and well in PP as it is in NYC. Go enjoy a bottle of Coors Light in NYC for $12 per bottle!

You should probably try a nice little dive in Sonoyta. I bet you could find your Tacate there for a 1.50. You may even get lucky and get a view over that lovely Sonoyta river. Instead of having an ocean view of the Sea of Cortez, nice breeze and all, you can save $1.25 and enjoy some gas fumes in Sonoyta.

Caborca is an option also.

There are a lot of options available for people. And yes most local's won't pay $3 for a beer.
I don't visit JJ's, Bandito's, Wrecked very much because they think Gringo's should pay $3-3.50 a beer.

There are a number of places that sell beer for $2-2.50 each in RP, some actually have happy hours and sell
for even less. I go to Bryan's, Beach Bum and a few others to satisfy my frugal needs when needed.
I don't mind paying $2.75 for a beer with scenery. I know of many places in NE Phx where beers are $3-3.50.

I have paid $7.25 on the boat during a Mexico cruise and then paid $1.75 at a cruise ship stop mini Cantina,
300 feet from the dock in Puerto Vallarta and they serve free chips and salsa.

But I also enjoy buying affordable Pacifico beer at the Modeloramas around town, having it packed in ice and sitting on my patio
drinking it watching the ocean, boats, birds and scenery pass by, just relaxing and enjoying my time in Cholla.

rplarry said:

First off, almost every luxury you have in PP is because of the 1.5 million vacationers per year and all the money they add to the economy down there.

Supply and demand is as alive and well in PP as it is in NYC. Go enjoy a bottle of Coors Light in NYC for $12 per bottle!

You should probably try a nice little dive in Sonoyta. I bet you could find your Tacate there for a 1.50. You may even get lucky and get a view over that lovely Sonoyta river. Instead of having an ocean view of the Sea of Cortez, nice breeze and all, you can save $1.25 and enjoy some gas fumes in Sonoyta.

Caborca is an option also.

A smart ass reply, but getting PP back on it's is not too get defensive (the New York analogy is crap). Ask a Mexican what he pays, not what a New Yorker pays for a beer, and then you will get my point. You have been brainwashed into thing $2.75 is a steal, as it is with restaurant food. So, your line the coast justifies the prce. Wake up, yes a modes hike for view etc, but Mazatlan is a flourishing town, with better amenities than PP, and the absence of dirt and sand on streets etc, and the fact remains they have shrimp, 30% lower than PP, beers in the 28-32 range, and you know what, a freeking beautiful ocean, with great amenities and fishing. So, why is PP stagnated, and really hasnt changed since 2008 as far as the 'big recovery' can be explained by the fact that Americans, and Mexicans have alternatives. SO suck up your $2.75 beer, and count all the condo's for sale because so many are 'bailing out' of PP, with it's piss poor and more expensive Internet, water supply issues, and ...it goes on. It really is a shame because I like PP, but for a 'dust bowl' town siting on a wonderful Sea of Cortez coast, it will stay a vacation spot for those from Arizona, New Mexico, etc. Real estate prices will stay down, because investing there is a risk. The owner I made an offer and he accepted was going to lose at least 65% of his original purchase price, and was glad to put his bad investment and loss, behind him. I backed out of the deal because of a contingency, and could not be happier. So, smell the coffee, the Mexicans in PP are chargig what you allow them to be charge because of the 'oh look honey in the USA we would pay..bla,bla,bla,' WHo gives a crap about the USA. What are shrimp, or whatever, being charged to Mexicans, or anyone, in Mexico, not in NYC. In Chihuahua, a Bud, Corona, Tecate is $28 pesos.

Ron Intilia said:

A smart ass reply, but getting PP back on it's is not too get defensive (the New York analogy is crap). Ask a Mexican what he pays, not what a New Yorker pays for a beer, and then you will get my point. You have been brainwashed into thing $2.75 is a steal, as it is with restaurant food. So, your line the coast justifies the prce. Wake up, yes a modes hike for view etc, but Mazatlan is a flourishing town, with better amenities than PP, and the absence of dirt and sand on streets etc, and the fact remains they have shrimp, 30% lower than PP, beers in the 28-32 range, and you know what, a freeking beautiful ocean, with great amenities and fishing. So, why is PP stagnated, and really hasnt changed since 2008 as far as the 'big recovery' can be explained by the fact that Americans, and Mexicans have alternatives. SO suck up your $2.75 beer, and count all the condo's for sale because so many are 'bailing out' of PP, with it's piss poor and more expensive Internet, water supply issues, and ...it goes on. It really is a shame because I like PP, but for a 'dust bowl' town siting on a wonderful Sea of Cortez coast, it will stay a vacation spot for those from Arizona, New Mexico, etc. Real estate prices will stay down, because investing there is a risk. The owner I made an offer and he accepted was going to lose at least 65% of his original purchase price, and was glad to put his bad investment and loss, behind him. I backed out of the deal because of a contingency, and could not be happier. So, smell the coffee, the Mexicans in PP are chargig what you allow them to be charge because of the 'oh look honey in the USA we would pay..bla,bla,bla,' WHo gives a crap about the USA. What are shrimp, or whatever, being charged to Mexicans, or anyone, in Mexico, not in NYC. In Chihuahua, a Bud, Corona, Tecate is $28 pesos.

Your post is hilarious. All the items you mentioned to disparage RP, don't matter. What a beer is priced at a given establishment is what it is. Unless you want to play the chicle game after you have slurped down you cerveza. That would be cheezy, but maybe you are the queso type of guy.

My New York analogy is spot on. If you are down at the Melecon and they charge $3 per beer, that is what you pay. I don't care about Mazatlan, or it's "beautiful freaking ocean", and all the other garbage you spewed. It is what it is.

Go to Caponne's. The highest price beers and food in town for what you get, and they could care less whether you've been to Mazatlan, PV, Cabo or Nogales. They charge what they charge and if you want a beer, you pay.

If you want a cheap beer, go to an off the trail bar or a non tourist place. Enjoy the smog and exhaust, the friendship and conversation and the dust in your mouth.

Otherwise, go to the touristy oceanfront bars and pay for the view.

End of story Ronald.

Mazatlan is beautiful, so is south of Cancun, Manzanillo, etc., but we can't drive there for a fantastic weekend whenever we want (like we did 2 days ago) so that's the beauty of Penasco.

rplarry said:

Your post is hilarious. All the items you mentioned to disparage RP, don't matter. What a beer is priced at a given establishment is what it is. Unless you want to play the chicle game after you have slurped down you cerveza. That would be cheezy, but maybe you are the queso type of guy.

My New York analogy is spot on. If you are down at the Melecon and they charge $3 per beer, that is what you pay. I don't care about Mazatlan, or it's "beautiful freaking ocean", and all the other garbage you spewed. It is what it is.

Go to Caponne's. The highest price beers and food in town for what you get, and they could care less whether you've been to Mazatlan, PV, Cabo or Nogales. They charge what they charge and if you want a beer, you pay.

If you want a cheap beer, go to an off the trail bar or a non tourist place. Enjoy the smog and exhaust, the friendship and conversation and the dust in your mouth.

Otherwise, go to the touristy oceanfront bars and pay for the view.

End of story Ronald.

On the Malecon go to Lucky's Cantina. Bottle of Tecate or Tecate light is $2.25. If you pay for 6 in advance it is $2.00 per bottle. Trust me.

TICO-T said:

On the Malecon go to Lucky's Cantina. Bottle of Tecate or Tecate light is $2.25. If you pay for 6 in advance it is $2.00 per bottle. Trust me.

Down fall of that is if you forget how many you had after 3. LOL

Picked up a 24 count case of Pacifico for 64 cents a bottle, already cold.

Hobie Vern said:

Picked up a 24 count case of Pacifico for 64 cents a bottle, already cold.

For the bars that still serve Pacifico at $3 a beer, equals almost a 500% profit.

We know bars buy it for less than we can so a 700% profit is likely.
The profit on other brands is the same. Since staying in a tourist town, us Gringos are a captive audience
and the bars know this $3-3.50 beer will prevail.

Think like the some locals do and enjoy food and drink in bars where specials are offered, examples Bryan's, Beach bum and others.
I really like the 13 to 1 exchange rate Bryan's has in place, so pay in pesos and enjoy more
affordable prices for meals and drinks. (works out to a 30% discount vs dollars)

If you want cheap beer, buy it by the case and go to the beach. If you want to have an experience and enjoy one of the local watering holes then you have to buck up and pay. It could be a little difficult to have a beach front or malecon bar and make it when you sell your beer for what you can buy it for at Ley. If you can't afford it then I would say don't go to the watering hole. If you can and still like to complain......then I guess there is no answer.....get over yourself. The cantinas and other places that sell booze for the going rate will still be there when you are googling the best places to drink on the cheap in ....blah blah blah......

mexicoruss said:

If you want cheap beer, buy it by the case and go to the beach. If you want to have an experience and enjoy one of the local watering holes then you have to buck up and pay. It could be a little difficult to have a beach front or malecon bar and make it when you sell your beer for what you can buy it for at Ley. If you can't afford it then I would say don't go to the watering hole. If you can and still like to complain......then I guess there is no answer.....get over yourself. The cantinas and other places that sell booze for the going rate will still be there when you are googling the best places to drink on the cheap in ....blah blah blah......

Russ, Was I just diss'd? If so.
I was pointing out the economics of beer pricing and providing a few places that do have reasonably priced food and drinks (like $2-2.50 beers).

Eventually, I will be visiting places in Mexico further from the border with nice ocean views, where you can eat and drink for 1/2 of what it costs in RP.
But since I've been coming to RP for 20+ years, I will have to contend with the "It is what it is" attitude about prices in RP for food and drink.

Oh, maybe take a case of cheap beer (Pacifico) to the beach and also experience all the good that RP has to offer, even the expensive beer. :)

No dissing in my post just a reality check for the OP. The rents for space in RP for a cantina are higher than they are further south so the product has to cost more. It is simple economics. I just got back from Guadalajara and could not believe how reasonably priced everything was...luxo hotel downtown for about 60 usd a night, taxis (all day fare) 1000 pesos for 4 people and he took us everywhere and stayed around for us, like a personal shuttle service. a 2 hour taxi ride from Guadalajara to Tequila one way 800 pesos. Beer and food were still pricey but we were in the touristy areas but with Mexican tourist not Americanos. The new craft beers were very good but 55 pesos each, still not too bad.

Things cost what they cost and the local economy will settle out who stays in business and who is overpriced or not service minded enough and it changes with every locale. I didn't like the OP's comparo to Mazatlan as it is a different place altogether and although I love Maz I live in RP so I almost always take offense to snide remarks against her.

Thats all, don't feel dissed.

Russ , I didn't think so, and on most forums having some thicker skin is useful.

You are right, it is amazing how much less many things are in Guadalajara, PV, Mazatlan etc.
When you experience pricing at other places in Mexico and are back in RP you go, "Why is it more here? were still in Mexico"
It's like comparing pricing when living in New Mexico and then visiting NYC or San Francisco. That's a "Wow" price difference for sure.

It's all tied to available income and charge what the market will bear ( businesses have to make a decent profit to stay in business).
Capitol-ism at it's best.

Does that mean you won't be paying my tab at our local pub? I love Capitol-ism it is just hard to afford it sometimes.


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If you want cheap beer and pretty decent food, Bryan's has $1.50 drafts and $2.50 bottles.
If you pay in Pesos it's even cheaper, they use a 13-1 exchange rate.
So in reality you are getting draft beers for $1.15 and bottles for $1.85 assuming you bought $$ for 18.5 to 1 or more.
Our bill tonight was $34.75 in dollars and only $24,55 by paying in Peso's. :):):)

brokenwave said:

If you want cheap beer and pretty decent food, Bryan's has $1.50 drafts and $2.50 bottles.
If you pay in Pesos it's even cheaper, they use a 13-1 exchange rate.
So in reality you are getting draft beers for $1.15 and bottles for $1.85 assuming you bought $$ for 18.5 to 1 or more.
Our bill tonight was $34.75 in dollars and only $24,55 by paying in Peso's. :):):)

Bryan's has a crater pot hoe almost in front, how bout some community service so I can return, cost me a tire, strut and couple motor mounts.

Why is it I can go to the farmers market in McCall Idaho and buy made on site green corn tamales cheaper and way better than the ones in Caborca let alone RP.
...and then get a Mexican beer and nachos lake side cheaper too?

SteveClark1000 said:

OK, where are the best Beer deals in town? BooBar has $2.50 cans/$3 bottles and Chango's HAD $1 drafts. I want to drink but not spend a fortune! Help me out........

Don Julios on the Malecon. $2.00 Tecate Lite bottle and Sol same price. Also Sadified Frog on the Malecon. $2.50 bottles of beer

DON JULIOS ON THE MALECON. $2.00 bottle of Tecate light or Sol. Satisfied Frog. $2.50 bottles of Tecate light.

Darn what bars and restaurants still sell Pacifico and Corona products.? The Beach bum did but has closed.

What store can you buy IPA in? Have been brig down with me.

jerry said:

Why is it I can go to the farmers market in McCall Idaho and buy made on site green corn tamales cheaper and way better than the ones in Caborca let alone RP.
...and then get a Mexican beer and nachos lake side cheaper too?

And ride the ski lift up to the top of Tamarack Resort and mountain bike down ( slowly!) and buy 3 LA style city tacos with a large local beer for $8.75. This is all thanks to the Millennials....the best generation