Cheap bars and beers

As credit crunches, and exchange rates plummet, it's time for fancy cocktails to step aside for our old favourite: cheap beer.

Here is a round-up of some of the cheaper places to buy a round of drinks.

Photo by Shanghai Sky

Tasca

A Mediterrenean restaurant above Judy's on Lower Tongren Lu? Believe us, it's there, and the generous portions of Nachos and other drinking food are tasty enough to soak up the 15RMB large Tigers. Open 24 hours a day, this place could get messy if the late-night City Diner crowds ever find it.

78-80 Tongren Lu near Nanjing Xi Lu, 3F (take the lift from street level) 021 6289 3602

C's

A long-time favourite, C's is worth another mention here because of their continuing fight for the cause of cheap drinks, as well as the fact that the name makes it almost impossible to find using Guanxi. Beer 10-15RMB per bottle, add another 10RMB for a refreshing shot of Vodka.

685 Dingxi Lu, South of Yan'An Lu, (in the basement, past the Buddha statue) 021 6294 0547

The Bulldog

Ex-British bastion, this bar now dishes up 2-4-1 drinks all day, every day. The catch? A large Tiger costs 50 60RMB. Still, it's cheaper than any other place in this part of town to watch the football with a cold beer in hand.

1 Wulumuqi Nan Lu, near DongPing Lu. 021-64667878 Website

Blue Frog

Happy Hours are only cheap when you don't stay on for a few more after the deal ends (and when was the last time you did that?), but the Blue Frog serves up 25RMB standard pours and beers all day and night on a Tuesday, so you can leave your watch at home.

(Angry sociopaths please note: This offer is only valid inside the restaurant)

Many locations (Tongren Lu, Super Brand Mall, Xu Jia Huia....) click here for a full list