It’s no secret that going out in St Andrews inevitably includes an appearance in at least one of the many pubs on the town’s three streets. Though the time spent and memories made with friends and classmates are priceless, my bank account is left hurting after a great pub crawl. Knowing which pub is cheapest has always been something I thought I had a good idea of, but my friend Adia and I decided it was time to actually put it to the test. We ordered a pint of Guinness, a medium glass of house wine, and a Gin and Tonic at each of St Andrews pubs to see which pub is truly most affordable. *
Not Surveyed
Let’s be honest, there are some pubs in St Andrews that we know are either a) expensive, or b) not particularly packed with students on a night out. As such, those pubs have not been included in this list. They are:
- One Under Bar
- The Keys Bar
- Dunvegan
- The Criterion
The Whey Pat
Starting off with my personal favorite and, in my opinion, a truly slept-on gem of St Andrews, Whey Pat is the pub for every occasion. Whether I am going to play cards with friends on a Wednesday afternoon, need a study spot other than the library after cafes close, or beginning what will become an epic night at the Union, Whey Pat has a good mix of locals and students that frequently go. Whey Pat serves a pint of Guinness for £5.45 (and in my experience, the pour never disappoints), a medium glass of house wine for £4.20, and a G&T for £5.30.
The Rule
The Rule has an atmosphere that is perfect for a pub crawl or a spirited night with friends. You are guaranteed to see almost every person you know at the Rule on a night out, and that, with a pitcher of one of their many yummy cocktails, means there is never a dull night. Serving Guinness for £6.50 a pint (also never received a bad pour), house wine for £5.30, and a G&T for £5.30, the Rule is more expensive than the Whey Pat, but nevertheless a favorite of the St Andrews Community. However, if you participate in sports or download the Mixr app, you will receive a discount at this pub.
Aikman’s
Aikman’s, with a funky atmosphere in both the main bar and the cellar, is extremely popular amongst the St Andrews student community. With live music and excellent drink prices, Aikman’s is truly a friend of the broke uni student. With Guinness served for £5.15 per pint (unfortunately have received a criminal pour before, and glasses do not have the logo to split the G), house wine for only £3.35, and a G&T for £4.00, Aikman’s is a must-stop on any respectable pub crawl.
Brew Co
St Andrews Brewing Co, though a chain in Fife, is a favorite of many within the St Andrews community, specifically residents of South Street. Brew Co offers large tables and lots of seating, perfect for a game night at the pub. However, Brew Co tops the charts with the most expensive drinks thus far with a Guinness served for £6.50 per pint, house wine for £3.80, and a £6.80 G&T. Nevertheless, many argue Brew Co is essential to a proper game of St Andrews Pub Golf.
The Central
Though nearly impossible to find a seat on a night out, The Central lives up to its reputation. The vibe is perfect for any American seeking that quintessential British Pub feel that we all saw in movies growing up. Prices at the Central, though on the pricier end — with a £6.20 pint of Guinness, £6.00 glass of house wine, and £6.30 G&T — do not overshadow the experience, making it a staple within the St Andrews community. Don’t forget to ask about a student discount at this pub!
Molly’s
Molly Malone’s, a favorite from everyone’s fresher’s week (except this year’s freshers), matches the Central for the fan-favorite of St Andrews pubs. On a night out, like the Rule, you are almost guaranteed to run into your campus celebrities, making the experience worthwhile every time. Molly’s serves a £5.40 pint of Guinness (always an excellent pour, often with a decorative shamrock on the top — the bar tenders are truly gifted), the cheapest of the pubs thus far, making the Irish proud. A glass of the house wine costs £5.40, and a G&T costs £6.10. Don’t forget to ask about a student discount at this pub!
Greyfriars
Relatively ignored until this year’s freshers decided to make it their own, Greyfriars is a must-go on a fresher’s night out. Though other pubs in St Andrews are also classified as ‘Belhaven Pubs’ and still serve Guinness, Greyfriars does not — Guinness drinkers beware. A glass of house wine at Greyfriars goes for £4.70, and a G&T is served for £6.10. Don’t forget to ask about a student discount at this pub!
T-Squared
Though the St Andrews community was hesitant to accept T-Squared into the pub community, this celebrity-run sports bar has made it into the going-out scene of many St Andrews pub-goers. Whether watching a movie or seeking that sports-bar vibe, T-Squared offers a variety of activities for all kinds of pub fans. Unfortunately, Guinness is not on the menu, and the prices are hit-or-miss. House wine is £6.00, and a G&T will cost a whopping £8.00, but their £8.95 Aperol spritz is definitely on the cheaper side.
The Union
With Sandy’s, Beacon, the 601, and Main Bar, the Union has no shortage of places to get a drink. Often, when the night ends, drinks tend to be purchased a little more quickly and frivolously. Especially when you run into friends and are all craving a good Baby Guinness, the Union’s low prices are the best friend of a broke, pub-going girl. Though the drinks may be smaller than at a pub, and mixed a little less well, they do the trick. (Couldn’t get prices because the bars are closed at the moment).
Although every pub on this list is perfect for a cheeky night out, the two cheapest pubs in St Andrews are The Union (of course) and Aikman’s. If you’re a little short on cash or just simply not in the mood to spend, check those out for a more affordable night out. That being said, take advantage of the student discounts at The Rule, Molly’s, and Greyfriars to save just a little more during your pub crawl.
*In our survey, we did not include bars that are primarily cocktail bars. Instead, we chose to focus on locations that are specifically pub environments.