If English people seem uptight on the tube, the pub is where we kick back and relax, catch up with our friends and put the world to rights.

Needless to say, a visit to the pub comes with its traditions and customs we’ve been learning since we’ve been old enough to drink. You can’t go home without experiencing this classic British tradition.

A guide to visiting a classic London pub

Drinks can be expensive, so we compiled some tips on how to enjoy a British boozer on a budget. Cheers!

The legal bit

You need to be 18 to purchase alcohol in the UK. However, people under 18 are allowed into London pubs depending on the licensing agreement of each pub, and 16 and 17-year-olds are allowed to drink wine, beer or cider with a sit-down meal as long as someone over 18 accompanies them. Picture ID might be asked for: a passport or driving license will both do the job.

The cozy exterior of a classic British pub. Photo: Edmund V

Where to go

Now you know if you can go, where should you go? Sadly, London is expensive for drinking, and you’ll find that a pint is cheaper outside the capital. Wealthier areas of the city, such as Knightsbridge, Chelsea and Fulham, are likely to be more expensive too. Try and seek out places a little off-the-beaten-track for better prices: the pub guides on the Londonist website are a great place to start.

Related: Our 10 favorite local pubs in central London

There are a couple of chains that always offer lower prices: Wetherspoons and Samuel Smith. Wetherspoons can be a bit hit and miss, and some Londoners are very sniffy about them, but you’re almost guaranteed to meet an interesting cross-section of people drinking in one.

There are over 20 Samuel Smith pubs in London, and they often win praise from locals. As well as their inexpensive, own-brand drinks, the pubs are notable because they always have very traditional appearances. Well worth seeking out is their Princess Louise pub in Holborn. Not only does it have a great location close to the British Museum, but it’s also got a gorgeous mirrored original Victorian interior, as well as the cheap beers. Unsurprisingly, it’s often very busy!

Solo traveler?

There’s no reason to miss out on a pub visit, even if you’re traveling alone. If you fancy a chat, install yourself at the bar, if you want to sit back and survey the scene, take a seat at a table instead. Female travelers are fine going in by themselves, although they may feel more comfortable at less busy times. Read more about traveling solo in Europe.

When to go

Again, opening hours depend on individual pubs: although theoretically, they can be open 24-hours a day, many pubs stick to the traditional closing hour of 11 pm. Often “last orders” will be announced by a member of staff or the ringing of a bell about twenty minutes before the pub will close. Friday and Saturday evenings are usually a pub’s busiest times.

How to get served

If you’ve been spending time in Europe, you’ve probably got used to being served at your table. Not so in a traditional British pub, where you’ll need to go up to the bar to place your order. Calmly waiting and trying to catch the bartender’s eye is the best way to get served.

No matter how busy it is, don’t be tempted to wave your money around. Another key difference is that we don’t tip at the pub. If you want to extend gratitude for some superb service, you could offer to buy the bartender a drink but, other than a simple “thanks” as you pay for your drinks, that’s the most that would be expected.

A selection of beer on tap at a traditional pub. Photo: trombone65

What to drink

Budget drinkers should always stick to what’s on tap, rather than opting for bottled beers. English ales are almost always cheaper than foreign lagers. Be sure to check the price of ordering something such as Peroni first. Don’t be afraid of asking about the different options, because most bartenders will be happy to advise and may even let you sample before you buy.

If you’re not sure what you kind of drink you’ll like, you can always order a half pint, a cheaper way of trying things. Want a longer drink, but not sure if you can handle a full pint? Try a shandy: lager mixed with European-style lemonade. It’s a refreshing drink that’s lower in alcohol content.

Be slightly wary of house wines — they tend to be cheap and undrinkable or highly expensive. Again, your bartender should be able to advise.

It’s also worth checking the price before you order soft drinks. Sometimes they can be almost as expensive as alcoholic drinks. Tap water, however, should always be free. Pub-served coffee, however, is generally not worth your time or money.

What to eat

A traditional pub is bound to have some snacks on offer, whether bags of peanuts or crisps or typically British fare such as Scotch eggs, sausage rolls or pork scratchings. The majority of pubs now serve more substantial meals too, but they range hugely in quality from microwaved meals up to “gastropubs”, where prices can be higher than in a regular restaurant! Good pub food is probably quite basic and hearty: burgers, pies, fries and the like.

Pubs can also be the perfect place to try out a Sunday roast. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites for under £15.

Related: 10 ways to save on dining in London

Your favorite pub

Where do you like to sip pints in London? Tell us in the comments.

The post London: A guide to visiting a traditional pub appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This tour takes you on an after-dark adventure that includes a fantastic happy hour deal, a picnic in a park with a free concert, a night cap with a handcrafted cocktail and even a sunrise over the harbor for the true night owls.

The happiest hour

Start your evening with a beer or cocktail at the iconic Turmbar (Rothenbaumchausse 2) located a short distance from Dammtor train station. Choose between their unique indoor seating (up a winding staircase to the top of the tower) or enjoy the late afternoon sun on their outdoor terrace.

Happy hour runs daily from 6 to 8 PM, when select “bartender’s choice” cocktails are on offer for only €5.50-6.50.

Picnic in the park (with a free concert)

From here, cross back through the train station into Hamburg’s gorgeous Planten un Blomen Park. Meander through the various gardens and ponds, ultimately making your way to the grassy areas north of the central lake. Spread out your sheet as close to the water as possible and enjoy your picnic dinner (see details at the end of the article for finding provisions).

This area will begin to fill up about 30 minutes before the free nightly lighted water organ concert. Between May 1 and August 31, the concerts begin at 10 PM; between September 1 and October 5, concerts start at 9 PM. Each concert lasts about 20 to 30 minutes.

Wander the Reeperbahn & St. Pauli Night Market

Early birds will want to exit the park at its southernmost end, near U-St. Pauli. From here, continue southward on Millerntorplatz until you reach the Reeperbahn, Hamburg’s famed red-light district.

Halfway down the Reeperbahn, you’ll come to Spielbudenplatz, a public plaza that hosts events throughout the year. Wednesday nights you will want to check out the St. Pauli Night Market that offers a great mix of food and drinks. Locals come to mingle, sip a drink and enjoy a night out under the open skies. It runs until 11 PM from April through September and until 10 PM from October through May.

Strolling along the boulevard, you will eventually come to Peparmölenbek. Head downhill toward the Fischmarkt, turning left on Lange Str., then right on Pinnasberg.

Fancy a fancy cocktail?

Just beyond the large curve, you’ll find Christiansen’s (Pinnasberg 60), one of Hamburg’s top addresses for cocktails. Finish your evening with a nightcap here, where the drinks (ordered from a menu that goes on for days) are a worthy splurge.

You can make your way home either by catching a ferry from the Fischmarkt (below) back toward the center (S-/U-Landungsbrücken) or walking back to S-Reeperbahn. But do you really want to go home already? Keep reading…

Fish Market sunrise on Sundays

Once you’ve finished your drink at Christiansen’s (open until 5 AM on Saturday nights), it’s a short stumble down the hill to the must-see Fischmarkt (Große Elbstraße 137), which is open on Sundays only at 5 AM (April to October) and 7 AM (from November until March).

Here you can warm yourself with a fresh waffle and coffee (or another beer and fresh fish sandwich, if that’s more your speed). Then dive into the entertaining tumult of ware hawkers and buyers, or simply grab a seat at the adjacent ferry station and enjoy the sunrise over the harbor.

Late-night in the Schanze and Karo districts

Looking for even more ideas? Then night owls will want to hit up two of Hamburg’s coolest neighborhoods packed with restaurants, cafes and bars. You can check out our Schanze and Karo guide or simply try your luck at any place that tickles your fancy.

Got the late-night munchies? As last call echoes through the Schanze, you can always find safe harbor at Erika’s Eck (Sternstraße 98). Famous for its generous portions of filling German food, Erika’s begins breakfast service each day at midnight. Here, the nighttime special is a large variety of sandwiches, priced at just €1 each.

Tips for getting ready to hit the town

Before you set out on your adventure, you might want to bring a long a few helpful items. Pack along a flat sheet from your hotel, and stock up on picnic supplies at your nearest grocery store. Convenient and central supermarkets are the Edeka at Hauptbahnhof (inside the station above the trains, open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM) and Lidl at Altona train station (on the middle level between the train and S-Bahn platforms, open Monday-Saturday 7 AM to 10 PM, Sundays 10 AM to 8 PM).

Cash will also come in handy, as many small bars and restaurants do not take credit cards.

The post Hamburg: An itinerary for the perfect cheapo night out appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Not feeling in the groove? No worries: The city has plenty of other nightlife options as well. From international bars to dives serving beer for €1, Seville’s after-hours scene has something for every Cheapo.

For a local scene: El Tremendo Cervecería
C/ Previsión, 10
Tel: + 34 954 358 952
Hours: Open daily from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Web site

A popular cervecería in the Santa Catalina district, El Tremendo is popular among locals for its social atmosphere and its seriously cheap beer. A beer will set you back a mere €.90, and the lack of tables means you’ll get to mingle with the locals outside. Other than some chips and nuts, El Tremendo has little in the way of food.

For a historic setting: El Rinconcillo
C/ Gerona 40 y Alhóndiga 2
Tel: + 34 954 223 183
Hours: Open daily from 1 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Web site

If it’s atmosphere you’re after, look no further than El Rinconcillo, the oldest bar in Seville. Dating back to 1670, this historic place is still owned by the same family who opened its doors centuries ago. The restaurant serves tapas, a la carte items and prixe-fixe meals (though the latter range from €27-47). Stick to the tapas and small plates, and consider shelling out for some of El Rinconcillo’s famous house wine.

For live music and flamenco: El Perro Andaluz
Bustos Tavera, 11
Tel: + 34 954 222 029
Hours: Open 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Tuesday-Saturday)
Web site

Another pick in the Santa Catalina hood, El Perro Andaluz is known for hosting live bands most nights of the week. (Thursday is usually Flamenco night.) Shows are usually free—beside the cost of a drink, that is.

For all-night partying: Sala Fun Club
Alameda de Hercules 86
Tel: +34 650 489 858
Hours: Open from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. (Tuesday-Saturday)
Web site

Home to plenty of rock and alternative performances, the Sala Fun Club is also the place to go if you want to dance all night, as it stays open till 8 a.m. (Come on a Thursday if you want to dance; this is when the DJ spins.) The club boasts a central location in La Alameda, so it shouldn’t be hard to find another spot if you reach your limit of pounding bass and metal bands.

For an international crowd: Texas Lone Star Saloon
C/Placentines, 25
Tel: +34 954 560 491
Hours: Open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Monday-Thursday), 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Friday to Sunday)
Web site

Before you snicker at the decidedly un-Spanish theme of this popular bar, know that it is cheap. Also known as the “Tex-Mex Bar,” this place is owned by the director of a study-abroad program, and it shows: The bar is decked out with college banners and the multiple TVs broadcast NBA games and American sitcoms.

We recommend hitting up this bar if your wallet is getting empty but the night is still young. Happy hour specials include €1 beer and sangria. The Texas Lone Star Saloon sits in the center of Seville near the Cathedral and the Jewish Quarter.

And if you need a place to stay, check out our favorite cheap hotels in Seville.

The post Seville: Bars and restaurants for a cheapo night on the town appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.