Budget-Friendly Bars In Bangalore That Won’t Break The Bank

Located in RR Nagar, this brewery named Big Barrel, spread over three floors, is the biggest microbrewery in west Bangalore (21k sq ft.) and a dream come true for all beer lovers. And it’s not just the space. Sip slowly on Mocha Stout in the afternoon and chug at Scottish Heavy at night with your friends. Meanwhile, Hefeweizen fits just about right at any time of the day. The open air rooftop with Sunday brunches, live music and Wednesday karaoke sessions gives you the appropriate ambience to enjoy your beer and if you like to get sporty, hit their snooker tables at their sports bar on the 2nd floor. And their DJ nights and ladies night on Thursdays are perfect for girls night out. 

And guess what? Happy Hours Craft Beer at INR 99 on weekdays.

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Craft beer with woodfired pizzas for a failproof chill day meal.

Price: INR 1,000 per person (approx)

Zomato Rating: 4.2/5

Timings: 12 PM - 12:30 AM

Amidst the hustle bustle of the streets, head to Just BLR on Brigade Road and grab a drink or two while you are tired of shopping and recuperating. Just BLR is a bar that everyone wanting the perfect Brigade Road vibes must go to. With good music and kinda booze, it is a perfect bar to head to when wanting to indulge in Bangalore. We highly recommend their cocktails that are as whacky as their names, with prices that don't hit the roof. 

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Do not forget to try the spiked pani-puris that come with gin, white rum or vodka instead of flavoured water (subject to availability). Otherwise, our go-to is their Aglio e Olio pasta that goes perfect with a mug of beer. 

Price: INR 1,250 per person (approx)

Zomato Rating: 4.4/5

Timings: 11 AM - 1 AM

This one’s a bit of a legend – and, therefore, a landmark – in the Koramangala area; if you’re ever lost, just ask for directions from Sathya’s onwards, even though it’s a bit hidden away. Sathya’s has been around for a good while now, weathering the onslaught of new lounges and microbreweries in its own steady way. It’s a good pick for an after-work booze session when it’s the end of the month and that cheque hasn’t come in yet. You get the proper shady yet peaced out vibe here. Their rum starts at INR 150 for 60ml and their alcohol is decently priced. 

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Have their Cocktail Pitcher (yep, they have a Long Island Ice Tea Pitcher) along with their spicy chicken kebab for the best booze sesh.

Price: INR 700 per person (approx)

Zomato Rating: 4.1/5

Timings: 10 AM - 12 AM

Scottish Pub keeps things short and simple: there’s beer and house “bulk” wine for the taking. You can also have tap beer by the glass for as much as INR 165 and while the ambience isn't royalty, the basic stool and table seating does the job. Here, at last, is cheap wine that you can swill without worrying about tannins and terroir. Oh! and their pineapple chunks served with Amul cheese strung on toothpicks is our favourite bar snack here. 

Pro Tip: If you have a thing for wines at a budget, try these Indian wines that are under INR 2,000.

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Garlic Chicken + Bulk Wine makes for a good drinking session if you haven't tried their Pineapple and Cheese with a 'glass' of beer already.

Price: INR 600 per person (approx)

Zomato Rating: 4.4/5

Timings: 12 PM - 12 AM

The owners have branched out into more upmarket pursuits – most popularly their sister concern - 1522 - which now has outlets across the city – but White Horse carries an enduring charm all its own. That’s because, evidently, they have an expansive beer and spirits list and a stream of North Bangalore regulars who swear by the place. But that said, this is more on the list because it is a proper dive bar, prices unfortunately are not as dive as they once were! However, you still get rum for as low as INR 90 and a mug of beer for as much as INR 120. Little more the heart desires, innit? 

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Veg Chilli with a 60ml of Blue Riband is what you should be after when you're here.

Price: INR 750 per person (approx)

Zomato Rating: 4.1/5

Timings: 11:30 AM - 11:30 PM 

Chin Lung is a famous name in the Bangalore bar scene. Everybody is part of that WhatsApp group called Chin Lung, for sure. If not, make the group. One of the most popular dive bars in the city, it went through a grand transformation and is now not so dive as you’d hope. But when you’ve got your crew with you, it’s just as good. Why? Because prices are still old school! Come on, you can get a peg of Old Monk for INR 70 and mug of beer for INR 99. What more do you need? Well, except for Masala Peanuts and fries, of course.

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: The Chef's Special spicy Egg Dragon + Romanov Vodka works wonders together, in the bar and in your head. 

Price: INR 700 per person (approx)

Zomato Rating: 4/5

Timings: 11 AM - 12:30 AM 

A true Koramangala loyalist will swear by this place that’s shady (well not so much now as the place has undergone an overhaul) and got an “atmosphere” unlike any other. On a good day, Avon is bright enough for you to see who’s sitting at the next table. Probably your workmate from another floor! It’s happy hours here always — from morning to night, so relax, sip your favourite drink at MRP. Pair your drink with some greasy but yummy starters like the Deep Fried Pepper Chicken or Baby Corn Chilly, you’ve got yourself a ‘scene da‘. We're certain, this is arguably the cheapest bar in the city. Hungry after all that downing ? Belt their Lemon Chicken that is a relief to your gut and to your senses after a slosh-fest. 

Pro Tip: If you want to fill up on some good food before the boozing begins, hit these restaurants in Koramangala before you dissolve into the charms Avon has to offer.  

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Lemon Chicken along with Old Monk and coke is an absolute mood at this place. Trust us, life can't get better.

Price: INR 450 per person

Zomato Rating: 3.7/5

Timings: 10 AM - 1:30 AM 

We are really clueless as to why a dive bar should have murals of Tom & Jerry. But hey, as long as they keep serving us Old Monk & Coke, we are pretty much okay even if they have Teletubbies on the walls. Folks in Kalyan Nagar swear by this place with its plastic tables and chair. And how it’s a rite of passage. Chilli Chicken, Butter Chicken, and Chicken Kebabs at this place come highly recommended.

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Potato Chilli + 8PM Whiskey as the spices of the appetiser and sharp flavour of the whiskey go suprisingly well together.

Price: INR 500 per person (approx)

Zomato Rating: 4/5

Timings: 11 AM - 10 PM 

Another bar that’s “family friendly”. But we are thinking the family they are catering to are the fams and the squads who don’t have the greens for Toit or resto-bars on Indiranagar’s 12th Main. The ambience is very much like a family restaurant but once the drinks are on the table, feel free to squabble and cheer your team during live screenings. Also, the food is spicy, so you have been warned. The prices for their alcohol start at INR 80 for a 120ml glass of wine. 

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Mansion House Brandy + Peanut Masala on a chilly evening will set your mood just right. 

Price: INR 450 per person (approx)

Zomato Rating: 4/5

Timings: 11 AM - 12 AM 

Konians is a must visit for those of you in need of cheap alcohol and decent appetizers. Now that they have undergone a refurbishment, the ambience is more palatable and the ample sunlight, open views of Koramangala make this place a cool place to hangout. Their fries and paneer chilly here are the perfect accompaniments to your quarter of IB. 

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Paneer Chilly + 30ml IB. The open view, cheap whiskey and spicy paneer along with people dancing all around you is the OG Konians feel. 

Price: INR 500 per person (approx)

Zomato Rating: NA

Timings: 10 AM - 12 AM 

You knew we would end with a bang, right ? Bob's Bar has taken the city's bar scene by storm and is known for its vast range of affordable alcohol and local delicacies. Brimming with Namma Bengaluru vibes, this one's an ode to all that Bangalore has to offer. Here's one place that has a good crowd and is also not shady for the prices the place has to offer. Try a local Amrut Amalgam Single Malt and pair it with a sundal or their OG chicken kabab for a good sesh.  

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Sundal + Amrut Amalgam single malt is the combo to have. You won't regret the homely food or the fine whiskey (brewed in Malleswaram FYI).

Price: INR 650 per person (approx)

Zomato Rating: 4.1/5

Timings: 11 AM - 1 AM 

They try to brand themselves, bashfully, as a “family restaurant”, but the unpretentiousness and the polite prices make us categorize this as a dive bar all the way through. There’s some excellent Mangalorean fare (crab masala, neer dosas) and alcohol at rock-bottom prices to make the visit worth your while. Try their Coconut Prawns, Coconut Chicken both served in a coconut and the ultimate comfort food, Dal Kichdi while you are at Ujwal. Here’s what you must pair with your drinkies when at Ujwal. 

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Old Monk + Chicken Ghee Roast

Price: INR 600 per person

Zomato Rating: 3.8/5

Timings: 11:30 AM - 11:30 PM

Complete with vibes, amazing food and pocket-friendly drinks that won't make you regret your financial decisions the next day, Gilly's is always a great choice! And if you are a beer enthusiast, then count yourself lucky since their happy hours give you the second mug for only INR 100 and the pitcher for INR 300! This is valid on all days but only 12 PM to 6 PM from Wednesdays to Sundays.

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Greater Than Gin + Butter Naan Kulcha Bombs and Tandoori Mushrooms

Price: INR 850 per person

Zomato Rating: 4.3/5

Timings: 12 PM - 1 AM

Plan B's 'Deals Of The Week' are insane! With 3 pints of Kingfisher Premium at INR 580 and 30% off on burgers on Mondays, 50% off on wings on Tuesdays, 1+1 on entire bar menu on Wednesdays, 30% off on their 'Best Of the Rest' menu on Thursdays and 50% off on pizzas and cocktails on Sundays, your food plus booze scenes are sorted here!

Drink + Food Combinations We Suggest: Chicken wings, fries and beer or their burgers with rum and coke

Price: INR 800 per person

Zomato Rating: 4.1/5

Timings: 12 PM - 1 AM

If you intend on keeping this a home affair, you could opt to pick up alcohol from these famous liquor stores in Bangalore.