When you think of the cost of living in the UK, certain things probably spring to mind. For example, the price of renting a house or apartment, buying a car, filling up your petrol tank or even eating out regularly are all things that cost more here than in many other countries. However, when it comes to buying alcohol in the UK there is an upside. Because of excise duty, wine and spirits are generally much cheaper than they would be if they weren’t subject to taxation. This means as long as you are aware of where to look and how to get the best deals on alcohol, there are plenty of affordable options for drinking expensive alcohol in the UK. This article explores how exactly you can do that — from high-end bars with happy hour deals to unique drinks at cocktail hotspots and everything else in between.
What is Excise Duty?
When you buy alcohol in the UK, you will probably notice that it’s more expensive than it would be if you bought the exact same drink abroad. That’s because a certain amount of duty is applied to every single bottle of wine, spirit and beer that is bought in the UK. However, because alcohol is such a heavily taxed product, those taxes aren’t applied to the net amount that you pay for your drink but are instead added on top. Because of this, you might think that buying expensive alcohol in the UK is out of the question. However, if you know where to buy your drink from, and you know when to buy it, you have a great chance of finding bargains on your favourite brands.
High-end bars with happy hour deals
When it comes to drinking expensive alcohol in the UK, high-end bars are likely to be one of your best options. Not only do many of them offer happy hour deals, but they are also the type of place where you are most likely to find your favourite brands at discounted prices. Bars that offer these types of deals earn most of their income from the sale of drinks, and so will often be happy to reduce their prices to get more customers through the door. The best way to find out where you can drink expensive alcohol in the UK is to use one of the many apps that allow you to find bars or restaurants near you.
Unique pubs and restaurants
Although it’s true that bars and restaurants offer some great deals on their drinks, pubs and restaurants are often a better option for people who want to drink expensive alcohol in the UK. This is because many pubs and restaurants have a much wider range of drinks than bars do, making it easier to find a drink that you like at a price that you can afford. If you are in a large city, or near a university town, you can also try visiting one of the many ‘themed’ pubs in the UK that offer a huge selection of drinks, many of which are likely to be more expensive than the standard beers, wine and spirits on offer.
Anniversaries are a great reason to drink expensive alcohol!
If you want to drink expensive alcohol in the UK for the sake of it, you should know that there are certain days when you can get some great deals on your favourite brands. This is particularly the case on anniversaries including Valentine’s Day, friend’s birthdays, or even anniversaries if you want to celebrate your relationship with a special bottle of wine or spirit. Valentine’s Day is one of the best times to drink expensive alcohol in the UK. Not only are there some great deals on branded champagne, but you can also stock up on discounted gift bottles of wine.
Exclusive whisky bars
Whisky is one of the best drinks to buy if you want to drink expensive alcohol in the UK. Not only is it one of the most popular spirits in the UK, but it’s also one of the most heavily taxed. This means that you can often get some great deals on branded whisky, just as long as you know where to look! One of the best places to drink expensive alcohol in the UK if you love whisky is inside exclusive whisky bars. These are often found in cities, or near universities, where there is a large demand for this type of venue. They usually have a large selection of whiskys, and may also offer whisky tasting events.
Exclusive champagne rooms
Champagne is another great option for drinking expensive alcohol in the UK. Unlike whisky, it is subject to much lower levels of duty, making it a much cheaper option to drink expensive alcohol. If you want to drink expensive alcohol in the UK, one of the best places to do so is inside exclusive champagne rooms. Many of these can be found in the major cities of the UK, and in areas with a large demand for luxury products. They normally offer a selection of different branded champagnes, and also often serve other types of alcohol.
Exclusive Cognac Lounges
Cognac is another spirit that is often cheaper to drink than other brands of alcohol. As such, it’s particularly popular amongst those who want to drink expensive alcohol in the UK. If you want to drink expensive alcohol in the UK, one of the best places to do so is inside exclusive Cognac lounges. These are usually found in major cities, and often have a much broader selection of drinks than a standard bar would. You can also often find other types of alcohol being served inside these lounges.
Exclusive Wine Lounges
If wine is your drink of choice, you can also find plenty of places where you can drink expensive alcohol in the UK. While you can find good deals on branded wine in pubs and bars, there are also a number of exclusive wine lounges that offer a much wider selection of drinks. These are particularly common in the major cities of the UK, and can often be found in areas that have a high demand for luxury goods. They normally serve a wide range of different wines, and also often offer other types of alcohol.
Buying imported drinks from overseas
If you want to drink expensive alcohol in the UK and you don’t want to buy one of the more popular brands, the best way to do it is to buy imported drinks from overseas. This is because the UK has some of the highest taxes on alcohol in the entire world, making it particularly expensive to buy drinks like brandy or cognac that are heavily taxed. If you want to drink expensive alcohol in the UK, but you don’t want to drink a brand that you can easily find in the UK, it is worth shopping around for drinks from countries where taxes are significantly lower. This allows you to get great deals on your favourite drinks, and helps save you money in the process.
Conclusion
When it comes to drinking expensive alcohol in the UK, there are plenty of options. If you know where to look, it is easy to find drinks that are imported from other countries, or that are made from cheaper ingredients in the UK. Moreover, many of the most popular drinks in the UK are relatively cheap when you buy them in larger quantities, or look out for offers. Whatever your taste in alcohol is, there is likely to be a way for you to drink expensive alcohol in the UK, so long as you know where to go and how to get the best deals.