Ready to start sipping? Here is a guide to Irish beer and drinks. And remember: if you order at the bar, there’s no need to tip the bartender. Keep your change.

Guinness

Ireland’s most famous stout, Guinness Draught, is brewed right in the city center of Dublin. Often called the “milkshake of beers”, Guinness is known for its rich, creamy head and hint of chocolate flavor. Remember to be patient when ordering a pint — the perfect Guinness takes time to pour, but it’s worth the wait. Walk into any pub in Dublin, and you will see a lot of locals drinking the black stuff (and they always wait for it to settle before taking that heavenly first sip).

Smithwick’s is older — and lighter — than Guinness. Photo: ach10

Alternative Irish stouts: Beamish stout, Murphy’s Irish Stout

Smithwick’s

Smithwick’s Irish Ale is even older than Guinness and other one of the most famous Irish beer and drinks. This smooth ale dates back to the 14th century and is produced in the oldest operating brewery in Ireland. While many of the best known Irish beers are stouts, Smithwick’s is the biggest ale producer in the country. If you find Guinness a little heavy (especially after the first one or two), switch to Smithwick’s for something lighter, but still flavorful.

Harp Lager

On a sunny day in Dublin, grab an outdoor table at a pub and sip on a refreshing Harp lager. This crisp beer is a light alternative to heavy Irish stouts. This smooth, light beer doesn’t have the same history as Guinness or Smithwick’s — it’s only been around since 1960 — but it’s a tasty Irish alternative to other foreign lagers on tap.

Irish Coffee

If you happen to be in Dublin on a rainy day, there is nothing more satisfying than an Irish coffee. This mix of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and brown sugar topped with a thick layer of cream will warm you up on more than one level. Don’t over-stir the concoction; simply sip the coffee through the cream.

Irish Whiskey Punch (or a Hot Toddy)

Another traditional drink — often enjoyed when you have a case of the sniffles — is an Irish Whiskey Punch or Hot Toddy. Irish Whiskey is mixed with hot water, brown sugar, cloves, and lemon, resulting in one steaming, soothing drink.

When in Dublin, go local. Drink Irish beers and whiskey, eat Irish cheese, and don’t leave without sampling local smoked salmon and roasted lamb (preferably with a pint of Guinness on the side).

Your favorite pour? What do you order when you cozy up to the bar at a Dublin pub? Share your favorite Irish beer and drinks in our comments section.

Also in our guide: Heading to Dublin and looking for a great affordable hotel? Our editors have hunted down the best cheap hotels in Dublin, from hostels to three-star hotels, all centrally-located, clean and cheap. Read more in our Dublin hotel guide.

The post Dublin: A quick guide to Irish beer and drinks appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Today, many London pubs have been turned into trendy gastropubs, whilst other more modern watering holes have gone to great lengths to achieve an old-fashioned look.

Nonetheless, those pubs that have been carefully preserved for hundreds of years make the perfect spot for any visitor to soak up a bit of traditional English culture and see day-to-day London life in action.

London: 5 classic pubs that we love

Before you head out, read our guide to drinking at a traditional pub in London. Ready to sip a pint? Here are five of the best to kick-start your London pub-crawl:

The Prospect of Whitby

57 Wapping Wall
E1W 3SH

This Docklands pub marks the spot where fishermen, sailors, smugglers and pirates used to stop off right back in 1520. Sadly, all but the flagstone floor was destroyed in a fire and the pub was rebuilt in the 1770s. In the seventeenth century, Samuel Pepys used to frequent this watering hole, hence the aptly named “Pepys Dining Room” upstairs. In more recent years the pub has attracted the likes of Frank Sinatra, Richard Burton and Kirk Douglas.

The Prospect of Whitby is perfectly positioned on the edge of the Thames making it an ideal spot to gaze out at the river and admire the city of London whilst enjoying the comforts of a real local pub.

The George Inn

77 Borough High Street
Southwark, SE1 1NH

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Borough Market and flanked by some of London’s most iconic modern buildings, the George Inn is a perfectly preserved little chunk of old London. The earliest reference to the inn is on a map dated 1542, however, the George had to be rebuilt after the Southwark fire destroyed the original building in 1676.

Today, the George is famous for its wooden galleries that characterize the front of the building. The simple, wooden interior boasts plenty of cozy corners to escape the cold and enjoy a good ale and in the summer months, the enormous outdoor terrace is popular with city slickers and market traders alike.

The Argyll Arms

18 Argyll Street
Soho, W1F 7TP

Ever popular and ever special, the Argyll Arms is strategically located just off Oxford Street, making it the pub of choice for office workers, theatergoers and West End shoppers. Built in 1742, the Argyll received a makeover in 1897 when “snugs” became fashionable and the bar was split up into several ornately decorated little compartments so that punters could drink privately. Several years later regulators demanded that some of the partitions were removed to prevent “unsavory” goings-on and so the Argyll took the shape it has today.

The beautifully etched glass partitions and mahogany bar and paneling even survived the Blitz and the Argyll remains one of London’s most atmospheric pubs. Lovers of ale are also in for a treat as the Argyll boasts some of the UK’s finest cask-conditioned real ales and the selection is constantly changing, giving punters another reason to keep coming back.

The Holly Bush

22 Holly Mount
Hampstead, NW3 6SG

A real treat hidden away in one of London’s oldest villages, The Holly Bush is one of those rare urban locals that manages to transport you far away to a rural countryside hideout. The pub opened in the early nineteenth century but is housed in a building that dates back to the 1640s and the original fireplaces, wooden booths and oak paneling are all still intact and beautifully preserved.

The warm, inviting ambiance of the pub draws you in, as do the many different dynamics going on as you meander in and out of the rabbit warren of rooms. From romantic whisperings on intimate tables by the fire and walkers refueling after a brisk stroll across Hampstead Heath to family get-togethers on long tables in the back rooms, this is a special place that embodies what a traditional pub should be.

The Dickens Inn

Marble Quay
St Katharines Way, E1W 1UH

A wonderful way to enjoy the calm of St Katharines Dock, the Dickens Inn is actually a relatively new arrival on the London pub trail. However, this inn has an interesting story to tell and is certainly worth a visit! The timber frame that houses the Dickens Inn was built as a spice warehouse in 1775 and was sadly encased in brickwork in the 1820s to fit in with the modernization of the dock.

Almost 150 years later architects discovered what lay beneath and, in order to save the building, they had to transport it 70 meters across the dock to make way for a new housing development. The timber frame was painstakingly restored in the style of an 18th-century balconied inn and was opened by Charles Dickens’ grandson in 1976.

Your favorite pubs in London

If you need even more ideas, check out our list of 10 favorite bars in central London. Do you have a favorite pub you’d suggest adding to our list? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post 5 Traditional pubs in London worth a visit appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you’re traveling on a budget, there’s no time like the present to hop a flight to Dublin (with cheap airfare, of course!) and discover this fun city.

Once you’re on the ground and you’ve booked your Dublin hotel, use these five tips to keep your money where it belongs: in your pocket.

Dublin budget tips

1. Don’t waste money on transportation

It can be tempting in Dublin just to hop in a cab, but this is one way to empty your pockets very quickly. Instead of cabs, check out the local bus schedule. Dublin Bus is very affordable, and routes connect all different areas of the city.

Alternatively, Dublin’s bike share program, called Dublin Bikes, is a cheap and easy way to get around the city. And remember, Dublin is very small and manageable on foot, too.

2. Eat your dinner early

With Dublin’s current boom, there are more and more gourmet restaurants opening in the city. These same restaurants do have deals if you know where or when to look. One strategy to fill seats is offering heavily discounted “early bird” or pre-theater specials.

Take one of my favorite restaurants in Dublin for example — The Winding Stair. A meal here is usually a splurge, but early birds can enjoy an incredible 2-course meal for just €29. You will leave stuffed and your wallet won’t be nearly empty.

Related:  Five ways to save on dining in Dublin.

3. Make friends with the half-pint — And keep your change!

There’s no such thing as a discount on alcohol in Dublin — you won’t find any “happy hours” in the city. If you’re trying to keep your costs down on beer, order a half pint instead of a full pint. This way you can spread your money a bit farther between different pubs.

Also remember, if you order from a bartender, there is no need to tip. Keep all your change!

4. Seek out free entertainment

While you’re sipping on that half-pint, how about some entertainment? Many Dublin pubs are known for their live music, so check out pubs that provide some entertainment beyond the Guinness and Jameson.

For traditional music, check out O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row. Another great option for live music is Doyles, right across the street for Trinity College. If you happen to be in Dublin on “match day” (whether it’s rugby, soccer, or the Gaelic games) be sure to grab a seat in the pub — both the game and the locals will provide the entertainment.

5. Research your ride to the airport

If there’s one thing visitors complain about when it comes to Dublin — it’s the lack of airport transportation. You won’t find a train or a subway system that connects Dublin Airport to the city center. Some visitors resign themselves to taking a taxi (this costs at least €20) but Cheapos will want to check out the buses.

There are two options: the local bus that is very cheap (but stops frequently, seriously lengthening your journey into Dublin) or taking the Aircoach, a 24-hour express bus service into the city. Purchase a return fare to save a few euros instead of paying for a ticket each way. (Read more on Dublin’s airport transportation.)

A little airport research ahead of time could mean a lot of money saved during a trip to Dublin.

Your Dublin tips

Do you have any favorite ways to save? Share in the comments below!

The post Dublin Budget Tips: 5 simple ways to save appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

No te preocupes (Don’t worry!). Here are five cheap eats that will ensure a full belly, and plenty of extra pocket change for all those Gaudi postcards you’ll send back home. They may not be glamorous, but their fare is tasty and oh so inexpensive.

Related: 4 local dishes worth trying before leaving Barcelona

1. Woki

Asturies, 22
Gracia
Website

One of my all-time-favorites, Woki is located in the vibrant Gracia neighborhood, but also benefits from two other locations, one on the beach in Barceloneta and another in Borne (Carders, 6).

Simply select a noodle or rice base for €4 and then add ingredients (starting at €1.30 each). Finally, choose a free sauce, which can be anything from Thai, Hoi Sin or the “House Sauce.”

Hand in your order and the Woki team throws it all together on an enormous wok right in front of you. Since there’s limited seating at Woki, I usually get my noodles to-go, often eating them right out of the box while watching the tide come in.

Grab a sandwich for a wallet-friendly lunch at this cozy cafe. Photo: Facebook

2. Tallers 76

Calle Tallers, 76bis
Website

Right in the middle of the city and on trendy Calle Tallers, this lavender-colored café and restaurant is a right-on choice for sandwiches. Made with artisan breads, sandwiches come in delectable combos like goat cheese with sun-dried tomato and smoked salmon with cucumber.

Hey, it’s a no-frills lunch, but tasty and under €6, though plan to spend a bit more if you purchase a drink or side.

Related: 5 low-cost hotels in Barcelona with amazing locations

3. Buenas Migas

Passeig de Gracia (with locations citywide)
Website

With multiple spots around town, Buenas Migas is an easy-to-find—and yummy—Cheapo option. Choose from focaccia pizzas, ample salads, plus an array of sandwiches and pastries.

A focaccia pizza will run you between €4 and €5 (flavors include ‘meat-lovers’, tomato and basil, and four-cheese). Add a drink with your focaccia and you’ll have a delicious midday feast for around €6!

4. La Central

Calle Mallorca, 237 (with locations citywide)
Website

Not everything offered on the menu at La Central—an eatery within a bookshop—falls under the budget category. However, during the lunch rush, they do offer reasonably priced deli wraps, sandwiches, and some pasta salads. All items range from €6 and up.

But, the real reason I love La Central is for their coffee and ambiance. The place benefits by being one of the city’s most eclectic book stores right in the heart of an old neighborhood. Grab a cup o’ joe, take a seat, and browse the wares.

5. Pans & Company

Plaça urquinaona, 12-13 (with locations nationwide)
Website

In a way I hate to mention Pans & Company because, well, it’s a chain. However, it is also very cheap and the quality and quantities here is pretty good. Not unlike the U.S.-based Subway sandwiches, Pans is fast-food in style, but takes a healthy approach to eating.

The sandwiches and sides offered at Pans are geared towards the classic Mediterranean eater, with combos like melted brie and Spanish ham, or tuna and olives. They also serve large salads and occasionally offer hamburgers.

All sandwiches are under €6 and depending on what you order you will likely have a euro or two leftover to grab a drink, side, or opt for a meal combo (around €6 or €7). Pans also has an espresso bar that offers cheap, good coffee and tasty pastries and breads.

Note: This article was updated on July 31, 2014 with new information, links and photos.

The post Barcelona Food: Five cheap eats under €6 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The French cherish that time of day when they’ve finished up with work, obligations and errands and can relax with friends over a drink or two to “open the appetite” before moving on to the more serious matter of dinner. Most restaurants that don’t exclusively cater to the tourist crowd won’t begin serving dinner until 8 p.m., so settling down to a beverage and perhaps some light finger foods is the ideal way to finish off the day and kick-start your night.

Cheapo-friendly aperitif spots

Finding cheapo-friendly spots to enjoy one (or more) of the delicious apéritif drink options is not always easy, especially in high-traffic tourist areas and the more chic neighborhoods like Saint Germain des Près, the Champs-Elysées or the Trocadéro near the Eiffel Tower.

If you’re looking for an apéro experience that’s easy on the wallet, check out some of the bars and cafés in parts of town that are more “fly” than “flush.” Many of these neighborhood haunts have adopted the decidedly American institution of Happy Hour, offering cheapo drinks and food during those twilight hours.

El Café Bar
45 rue Rodier, Paris 9th
Neighborhood: “SoPi”

South of Pigalle, or “SoPi” as it’s become known, which is roughly hemmed in by the Saint Georges, Anvers, Pigalle and Blanche Métro stops in the 9th arrondissment, is quickly becoming the go-to quartier for hipsters, musicians, and start-up players looking to see and be seen. The vibe in this ‘hood is studied-cool, so pull that trilby down over one eye and grab a seat at El Café Bar.

While it may not be much to look at from the outside, one glance at the fashionable crowd seated on its patio will tell you you’ve found the right place. With a steady buzz of conversation, a guitar in the corner just waiting to be strummed, and Pastis priced at a mere €2.20 to quaff alongside the wooden boards heaped with finely sliced Iberian ham and hunks of cheese from the Pyrénées, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d somehow wandered into a village café in the South of France.

La Perla
26, rue François Miron, Paris 4th
Neighborhood: Marais

The area that straddles the 3rd and the 4th arrondissments is home to über-cool, bohemian boutiques, trendy restaurants and Paris’ gay neighborhood. While it may not be a Cheapo’s first destination, you can still find deals on late afternoon drinks and snacks.

Stroll down to the bottom of rue Vieille-du-Temple to La Perla and snag a table, either on the patio basking in the sinking sun or inside the lovely bar for €5 cocktails from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Bonus: A bowl of free chips and salsa is brought to every table, and refills are only €1.90. Or go for a big platter of nachos for €9.50 that will easily satiate two peckish revelers.

Tribal Café
3 cour des Petites Ecuries, Paris 10th
Neighborhood: Faubourg Saint Denis

“Faubourg” is an old French word that means village. Any time you find yourself in an area of Paris called a faubourg, you’re actually in what was once a village outside the city limits back when Paris had walls circling it. The Faubourg Saint Denis is a working-class neighborhood that’s on the rise as journalists, artists and fashion industry-types buy up the relatively affordable real estate and camp out on lazy afternoons with friends in the local bars.

For that village feel, get out your map or GPS and find cour des Petites Ecuries, a cul-de-sac home to several friendly little watering holes.

A favorite is Tribal Café, where everyone comes for the easy ambiance, the €3 pints, and free—yes, free—plates of mussels and fries on Wednesdays and Thursdays and platters of couscous on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s hard to beat those prices, so come early to stake out your table!

Other neighborhoods

There are plenty of other neighborhoods, such as rue Oberkampf and the Canal Saint Martin in the 11th, Ménilmontant in the 20th near the Père Lachaise cemetery, and Buttes aux Cailles not far from Place d’Italie in the 13th, that boast friendly spots advertising slashed drink prices during l’apéro. So, if the price is right, take a seat—you may just discover your own Happy Hour hot spot.

Read more!

Looking for more advice on the “aperitif experience” in Paris? Check out these posts: Local aperitifs and the locales to try them and five summer drinks to try in the Marais.

Also, if you’re heading to Paris soon, be sure to swing by our Paris guide for information about recommended budget hotels, and many more articles on ways to keep it cheap.

The post L’Aperitif in Paris: 3 trendy “happy hour” spots for Cheapos appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Alternatively, you could take a walk down the Akazienstrasse in Schöneberg. During the day, the area bustles with activity in local shops, ranging from discount chains to Berlin artisans selling jewelry and fashion to local cornerstone specialties such as printers and curtainmakers. At night, the restaurants and bars take center stage. Lacking the hen and stag parties which flavor the other going-out addresses around the city, you can truly savor your glass of wine and the evening in your garden or cafe seats.

Some of the highlights of the street include:

Cafe BilderBuch
Akazienstr. 28

The cafe regularly features live music. Variety of seating options, including outdoor garden, cafe indoors and out, and comfortable antique furniture in a cozy living-room atmosphere. Sunday brunch is also a popular option, with the Hänsel and Gretel for two filling the table for 18€. Make reservations, if possible.

Choice Vietnamese Food
Akazienstr. 9

This spot features a changing menu of fresh Vietnamese entrees. Be sure to check the Tageskarte posted out front for the specials. Half a liter of beer for 2.60€ is truly a steal.

Habibi
Akazienstr. 9

Habibi is one of Berlin’s top addresses for falafel, with a full selection of middle eastern salads, baklavas, and fresh juices. If you’re in a hurry (or you’re stumbling by after a long night), get it “to go.” Open daily till 3 a.m., 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights!

Gottlob
Akazienstr. 17

This tiny corner place has prime outdoor seating for sun-soaking and people-watching, though it’s just as comfy for a winter beer or coffee. Also has an ample Sunday brunch for 8.50€, reservations recommended.

In these two long blocks, you’ll also find Italian wood-fired pizzas and pasta, a Spanish vinoteca next to an Italian enoteca, Indian, Tibetan, and steak – enough options to appease even the pickiest eaters.

Getting there

Akazienstrasse is located between U7 Eisenacher Strasse and S1 Julius-Leber-Brücke. Alternatively, take bus M48, M85, 187, 146, or 106 to Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz. The street is a 10-15 minute walk from Schöneberg’s beloved gay-borhood surrounding Nollendorfplatz.

The post Berlin Cheap Eats: Eat and drink with locals along Akazienstrasse appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, as discussed is our Stockholm budget tips article, it is possible to visit Stockholm without blowing your budget. Having just spent several beautiful days in the capital, we’ve come across a few tips to keep it cheap:

The Rex Hotel offers rooms from $137 a night.

1. Find a central, cheap hotel or hostel.

First things first, aside from getting to Stockholm, your biggest expense will probably be your hotel. Surprisingly, the city offers plenty of budget hotel options, most of them situated in the center city and all clean as a whistle. While “affordable” hotels can still easily set you back $150-200, there are cheaper options. Regardless of where you stay, you can expect superior service, clean rooms and an included breakfast.

We’ve visited and reviewed dozens of budget hotels in Stockholm, from three-star charmers like the Rex Hotel in Vasastaden to the Archipelago Hostel Old Town, located in Gamla Stan (which offers both dorms and affordable private rooms). Here’s a list of recommended budget hotels in Stockholm that we’ve visited and reviewed.

2. Fill up at breakfast.

Happily, breakfast is included in the room rate at most hotels in Stockholm. And the Swedes know how to lay out a breakfast buffet. At most hotels in town, you’ll be able to stock up on several varieties of yogurt, cheeses, sliced meats (salami, ham and sausages), musli and other cereals, several kinds of jams, rolls and breads, and (of course) strong, black coffee.

Breakfast is a great opportunity to fill up for the day. It’s worth going lighter (and cheaper) at night—you can make up for it in the morning!

The Vasa Museum is included in the Stockholm Card.

3. Buy a Stockholm Card.

Planning to visit the Vasa Museum (110 SEK / $15)? Skansen Open Air Museum (140 SEK / $20)? Drottningholm Palace (145 SEK, with Chinese Pavilion / $20)? The Stockholm card has you covered at these and 75 other attractions.

The Stockholm Card not only simplifies and speeds up the sightseeing experience by allowing cardholders to skip ticket lines, it can also present some real savings, depending upon your itinerary and cultural appetite.

A three-day pass will set you back 750 SEK (about $105), while a five-day pass runs 950 SEK ($133). Admission to most of the city’s sights are included in the pass, as is public transportation around the city and city sightseeing bike rides and tours. The pass also grants special discounts on other tourist activities, such as a boat ride to Drottningholm Palace.

Read more about the card’s benefits and prices on the Stockholm Card’s Web site.

4. Reach for beer, not wine.

For a country so Absolut-ly identified with liquor, alcohol is surprisingly expensive in Stockholm and throughout Sweden. However, not all booze is priced equally, and beer is always quite a bit cheaper than wine or a mixed drink.

At many bars in central Stockholm, for example, a beer might run about 50-60 SEK ($7-9), while a glass of wine goes for about 85-100 SEK ($12-14). Fancy a mixed drink? Get ready to pour out about 110 SEK ($15)… or more.

5. Get thee early to the club.

Many clubs and trendy bars in central Stockholm charge a cover to enter once things get bumping (usually around midnight), especially on weekends and Wednesday nights (the “hot” night for going out during the week). If you don’t mind showing up when most of the locals are still at home (having much cheaper drinks before heading to the club), you can skip this charge simply by showing up early.

Your tips?

Do you have a tip to add to our list of ways to keep it cheap in Stockholm? Share with us in our comments section below!

Note: This post is part of a series sponsored by airberlin, which is promoting its flights from New York to Stockholm. For more information, including schedules and special rates, visit airberlin.com.

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Blame the beans, blame the roasting, blame the machines, but the Parisian café takes a back seat to powerful and delicious Italian ristrettos or perfect Scandinavian lattes (who knew the Danish were so good at making coffee to go with their own national pastry?). It’s not that Parisian coffee is undrinkably bad; but, honestly, it wouldn’t take much to make it better.

Coffee snobs, however, fear not. In the past few years, there has been a coffee revolution with the opening of coffee shops selecting better quality beans, roasting locally, and properly pulling shots from some serious equipment. Whether you’re pining for your favorite New York coffee shop or a proper flat white from London, you can now find the cure in Paris without breaking the bank – too badly, at least.  Here are some of the addresses to test.

Caféothèque
52, rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004
Metro: Pont Marie or Hotel de Ville

If you’re in the Marais, stop in at the Caféothèque, a shop that has been roasting beans in Paris since 2005. A cup of the café du jour will set you back €3, not the cheapest by Paris standards, but it’s sure to please. The seating area can get quite cozy on the weekends, but they are expanding next door, so keep an eye out for more spots soon. They also have some pastries, but maybe stick with the coffee.

Kooka Boora
62, rue des Martyrs, 75009
Metro : Pigalle, Notre Dame de Lorette or Anvers

Kooka Boora, by trendy rue des Martyrs, is a relative newcomer to the coffee scene. With outdoor seating and superb people watching, their coffee is serious business.  Their filtered brew is fantastic and flavorful, unlike anything you’ll find at the corner café, and at €2.50 for an espresso, it’s not that much more expensive. If you’re hungry, the cakes aren’t bad and worth a splurge.

Coutume Café
47, rue de Babylone, 75007
Metro: Sèvres Babylone

During a brunch at the newest place to obsess over coffee, I fell for Coutume Café and their rich café allongé. Tucked away in the 7th arrondissement it’s not in the center of activity, but for a weekend brunch it could be worth the venture. The pastries and brunch burrito goes down fantastically with one – if not three – of their house-roasted coffees.

Le Bal Café
6, Impasse de la Défense, 75018
Metro: Place de Clichy

If you’re looking for good coffee off the beaten track, just head west of Montmartre towards Place de Clichy. Just north of the bustling square is Le Bal Café. Stop inside or on the terrace with a friend and split a small pot of locally-roasted filtered coffee for €5. They even have photo exhibits for culture-seekers or scones and pastries for, well, the rest of us.

Hopefully more quality coffee spots will open up in more arrondissements, in the near future, but the choices remain limited at the moment.  If you’re an even bigger coffee snob that imaginable, you might just want to save yourself the pain, pack some beans, and buy a souvenir French press for your hotel.

Or just drink tea.

Your favorite shot?

Do you have a favorite café to add to our list? Do you disagree with our entire post and find the coffee served in Paris’ cafés to be perfect as is? Share your thoughts in our comments section.

The post Paris: A short list of cafés that actually serve good coffee appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you like the satisfaction of enjoying a well-crafted beer at a good price, here are my top beer bars in Amsterdam.

t’Arendsnest
Herengracht 90
Web site

Welcome to the only Dutch beer bar in the city. Sure, others might have a Holland brew on tap, but Arendsnest’s beer selection is strictly national, with dozens to choose from on tap and in bottle. A tripel from Texel or dubbel from the south, take your pick and marvel at the brass taps and classy décor as you watch boats float along the Herengracht.

Things can get rowdy at night at De Zotte, a Belgian beer bar. Photo: DutchGrub

Belgique
Gravenstraat 2
Web site

This is my favorite beer bar, hands down. Their Belgian beer menu is extensive enough to satisfy an array of patrons. The place is tiny and hard to move around in, but that only makes it cozier. Take a seat on the outside benches – they’re heated during winter – and make small talk with the “unique” locals amongst an artsy, gritty downtown alley. Smoking of all sorts is allowed inside and out, and live music by bands or DJ starts after 10 p.m.

De Zotte
Raamstraat 29
Web site

Zotte is another Belgian beer bar, located right behind Leidseplein, and is larger than Belgique in size and selection. The dark, candlelit room is usually packed with students and young professionals thirsty for flavorful brews and hungry for typical small dishes like stinky cheese and smoked meats. Things can get rowdy as the night progresses; however early evenings are relaxed and the music is always a great blend of indie and classic rock.

Cafe de Spuyt
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 86
Web site

Located on a side street off busy nightlife center Leidseplein, Spuyt is a small beer cafe listing specials on tap and a menu of bottled brew on a chalkboard. I can always depend on this place having a decent Amsterdam beer on tap, along with a few other specials from the Netherlands. Their cozy atmosphere and friendly staff makes Spuyt a great stop before a night out or a post-concert drink.

Tip: Get brewed

If your eyes are set on the local brew scene, Amsterdam has two microbreweries that are free to enter, authentic in décor, delicious in drink, and cheap!

The Brouwerij ‘t Ij (Funenkade 7) is nestled against an old windmill and a relaxing canal setting, complete with a beer garden for summer and a cozy beer room for winter. Fresh beer starts at €2 for a pilsner, but tasting glasses are the way to go for sampling (brewery tours happen on weekends and cost €4.50).

Brouwerij de Prael (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 30) is in the heart of Amsterdam’s red light district, hidden by tourists along a narrow alleyway that only the locals seem to wander down. It’s the city’s first brewery, enjoyed best by an afternoon hang out in their tasting room with a classic brewery beer mug.

Your favorite beer bar?

Have a bar to add to our list? Tell us about it in our comments section below.

Also in our guide: Heading to Amsterdam and looking for an affordable hotel? Be sure to check out our editors picks for great cheap sleeps, all visited, inspected, and photographed by our team. And just think, you can relax at any of the bars above with all those euros you’ll be saving on your hotel bill. Read more in our Amsterdam guide.

The post Amsterdam’s best bars for beer appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

A stop by one of these bars should guarantee some great booze for your Cheapo buck:

Spain Restaurant
113 W. 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Web site

Spain Restaurant, a popular Beat generation haunt, dishes up Spanish-themed food and drink for a new crop of thirsty and fabulously interesting patrons just south of 14th street in the Village. Sit at the bar or a table in the front, order a $4 drink, and the (sometimes gruff) servers will bring free plates of tapas (meatballs, Spanish tortillas, fried potatoes). Cheapo groups should consider splurging on a pitcher of their famous sangria for $17.

El Cantinero Mexican Cantina
86 University Place, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Web site

Prepare for a Cheapo fiesta: Mexican food is all you can eat for $11.95 on Mondays and Thursdays. After you’ve eaten your fill, head to the second floor where drinks are just $4 during the all-night happy hours. If you enjoy yourself during the week, head back to El Cantinero on the weekend when a DJ spins salsa (for dancing, not for eating!) and other Latin genres on the second floor. Friday and Saturday a happy hour starts at 5 p.m.

Verlaine
110 Rivington Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Web site

Southeast Asian tapas bar Verlaine is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year by falling back to their 2001 happy hour prices on Sundays and Mondays. Cocktails, including their famous lychee martini, are just $4. Can’t make it down to the Lower East Side on those days? The lychee martinis will set you back an extra dollar until 10 p.m during the rest of the week. We’ll definitely drink to that.

Common Ground
206 Avenue A, East Village, Manhattan
Web site

Well drinks (not made with top-shelf liquor) and wine are just $4 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. every day at this East Village bar, but the $2 pints of beer are the real cheapo deal. Soak up your drinks with buy-two-get-one-free appetizers and paninis and choose from a fun selection of board games. During the weekend all 12 of their draft beers go for just $3 starting at noon. Risk a double hangover with a $4 hair-of-the-dog Cajun Bloody Mary. Go on, you can afford it.

Cherry Tree Bar
65 4th Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn

Even if you don’t live in Park Slope, this semi-divey bar is worth the trek. Go for the backyard garden (during the warmer months, at least) and stay for the deals: from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. $5 gets you the Cherry Tree combo, a beer and shot of whiskey. Chase your combo with $3 shots and PBRs, and $4 well drinks.

Have a happy hour to add?

Do you have another favorite downtown happy hour to add to our list? Tell us about it in the comments section.

Also in our guide: If you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple, be sure to check out our reviews of the best cheap hotels in New York City. Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed hotels throughout Manhattan, from Battery Park to Harlem, looking for the best hotel values.

The post New York: 5 bars with great happy hours appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.