Beer prices increase in Sydney tourist hotspots, with drinkers lucky to see change from $10
Keen to wet your whistle? Don’t expect to get change from a $10 note in Sydney’s pubs, with even the humble no-frills beverages hitting the hip pocket as the cost of living crunch extends to the pub.
NSW
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Sydneysiders keen for a beer are paying a dollar more than they were just a year ago for the most popular drops, with the cost of living crunch extending to the bar.
New research shows the days of getting change from a $10 note for a schooner of humble, no-frills beer is done and dusted, especially around the tourist hotspots dotting the inner-city.
Price tracking across 150 Sydney venues by me&u reveals a schooner of Carlton Draught is nearly $1 dearer than a year ago, at $9.20, a hike of nearly 12 per cent in 12 months.
Likewise, the cost of the once-humble VB comes in at an average of $8.94 a schooner – a jump of 18 per cent from $7.55 a year ago.
Other boutique beverages like Asahi Super Dry have remained steady at $13.10 a schooner, while a schooner of Hahn Super Dry costs $9.48 compared to $9.11 a year ago.
The average price of a Stone & Wood Pacific Ale saw the biggest increase, with a schooner now costing an average of $11.91, nearly $2 more than a year ago – with one setting you back $12 at Pontoon Bar at Darling Harbour.
Australian Hotels Association NSW director of liquor and policing, John Green, said the blowout in prices could be attributed to inflationary pressures hitting pub operators from all angles.
“The cost for a schooner in your local pub is based on a range of factors in both Metropolitan and Regional NSW,” he said.
“These include costs that have been rising over the past few years such as electricity, freight, insurance, rental/leasing, not to mention the twice-yearly excise tax indexed to CPI.”
While the price of a schooner of VB and Carlton Draught hovers around $9 when averaged out among venues across Sydney, the price jumps even further at certain pubs centred around tourist hotspots like The Rocks.
At popular pubs like The Australian Heritage Hotel, The Ship Inn and The Orient, customers won’t get a cent of change out of a $10 note when buying a schooner of Carlton Draught or VB, while The Fortune of War sells Tooheys New schooners for $8.20, compared to the average Sydney price of $7.46.
Wollongong locals Ben Halligan and Adam Dekleva were “shocked” after they travelled to Sydney to meet mate Tom Gaudiosi for a beer and saw the prices.
“It’s grim,” Mr Halligan said.
“I had a beer for about $7 last week in Wollongong.
“Today I just paid $29.90 for two pints.
Mr Halligan makes the trek north to Sydney for work multiple times a week.
“It (the price of beer in Sydney) has killed after work drinks, especially for those a bit more junior,” he said.
Friend Mr Dekleva agreed, saying it appeared “double digit” prices were consistent for beers across Sydney.
“You have to choose your spots (carefully),” he said.
“It’s a bit of a turn off for a casual beer.”
Eastern suburbs local Mr Gaudiosi however was not particularly stung by the round he shouted the group on Sunday.
“It (price) stops me from having too many but it wouldn’t stop me from going out,” he said.
Travellers from England Dan Goldsworthy and Katie Newlands were among the tourists flocking to The Rocks this week to soak up sensational Sydney weather accompanied by a few glasses of amber fluid.
“Anything at about $10 is what we’d normally expect to pay for a pint – obviously prices have gone up dramatically over the years,” Mr Goldsworthy said.
“If you’re paying $10 for smaller than a pint, I’d say that’s a bit too much.”
Jahan Barr, a veteran and former Sydney resident visiting his hometown from Darwin these holidays, said it wasn’t up for debate – “Sydney’s more expensive” – while having a beer in The Rocks.
“In the Northern Territory there’s a minimum floor price on alcohol but Sydney’s still more expensive,” he said.
“I don’t know why beer is getting more expensive – where’s the money going?”
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